The use of hand sanitizer and hydroalcoholic solutions began in the workplace about fifteen years ago, initiated by hospitals . Indeed, the fight against nosocomial infections , and therefore all hand-borne infections, highlighted a problem : the frequency of handwashing required to reduce these hand-borne infections was becoming impossible, either in terms of frequency or logistical constraints (availability of water).
Hand sanitizer and hospital-acquired infections
Therefore, a complementary solution has been implemented in place of handwashing : disinfection using an alcohol-based solution or gel. The use of alcohol-based gel is easily adaptable to all situations , even when water is unavailable . However, a negative consequence has been the perception among users that using an alcohol-based solution could replace handwashing . This idea must be countered , as handwashing remains the foundation of hygiene.
What is a hydroalcoholic gel?
Hand sanitizer or hydroalcoholic solution has existed and been used for several years in the healthcare sector . Its usefulness lies in maintaining a level of disinfection where wearing gloves is difficult and handwashing and its frequency are challenging.
An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is primarily composed of alcohol , which gives it its disinfectant properties . In fact, the alcohol concentration is a determining factor in its disinfection spectrum.
Why use hand sanitizer? Benefits of the foam
The purpose of hand sanitizer is to disinfect hands in addition to handwashing, but it should never replace it. Therefore, it is essential to continue implementing proper handwashing protocols.
Deb SC Johnson has developed a hydroalcoholic foam system that makes it more pleasant and more bearable (in terms of skin tolerance) than a classic hydroalcoholic gel.
This Instant Foam hydroalcoholic foam comes in several formats, including a self-service station that can be placed at the entrance of reception areas. Hydroalcoholic gel, solution or foam?
Today, it's important to distinguish between solutions consisting of a gel to be applied to the hands and hydroalcoholic solutions in the form of a hydroalcoholic foam. Hydroalcoholic gels and foams are primarily composed of alcohol (ethanol), which plays a major role in the disinfection process. Therefore, the concentration of ethanol, in particular, determines the effectiveness of the hydroalcoholic gel , and it's useful to check it. Several other components then contribute to the residual effect (the length of time the solution remains active).
Regular use can
lead to skin dryness if the solution is too concentrated in alcohol. This is why some laboratories, such as
Deb Sc Johnson, have developed hydroalcoholic solutions
in foam form . The
benefits are immediate in terms of consumption , but especially in terms of the amount used on the user's hands. This results in better acceptance.
Deb SC Johnson, now part of the SC Johnson group, was the first to offer foam solutions in various packaging options compatible with
hand sanitizer dispensers . Manufacturers like
EXEOL with Exeol Gel and
ANIOS with Aniosgel remain leaders in the healthcare sector.
Is a hydroalcoholic gel subject to the Biocidal Products Regulation?
Since January 1, 2026, a large number of professional disinfectant products have been subject to the Biocidal Products Regulation, requiring some of them, under certain conditions, to have passed Biocidal Products certification. You will find all the information and details in
our guide to understand the conditions and obligations .
In general, it is necessary
to distinguish between formulations compatible with the general public which, even if they are classified as Biocide (TP1, TP2 TP4), do not entail an obligation to hold a certificate for purchase, sale and use.
Regarding professional formulations , if your product is classified as TP1, it will not require any certification from you. However (which is rare), if it is TP2 or TP4, you will need to have the Certibiocide certificate unless you belong to an exempt profession.
What is the expiration date for hand sanitizer? It's the "best before" date, not the "use by" date.
Like any product, a hand sanitizer has a Best Before date . This date is not the same as in the food industry as a consumption date . In the case of a hand sanitizer gel, it is the alcohol concentration that decreases over time, which determines this indicative date.
We find the same problem with disinfectant wipes where legislation also imposes a 2-year shelf life, but objectively, if your package has remained hermetically sealed, numerous studies have demonstrated the disinfection capacity for longer periods.
As a general rule, a distinction must be made between the date before opening, which is usually 24 months, and the date after opening, which varies from 12 to 18 months depending on the manufacturer.
Following the H1N1 flu outbreak, thousands of pallets of products were destroyed by manufacturers and distributors after their "best before" date . This waste is regrettable , as many of these products still had perfectly acceptable disinfection characteristics. Some containers hadn't even been opened!
Why use hand sanitizers in the workplace?
Hands are the main vector for the transmission of germs.
Scientists estimate that 80% of infections are transmitted via hands . This includes hand-to-hand contact, but also contact with common objects: telephones, elevator buttons, door handles, keyboards, handrails, vending machines of all kinds, etc.
70% of people do not wash their hands or only use water after using the toilet at their workplace. Cross-contamination between colleagues can lead to increased absenteeism. How can a gel distribution solution be made available?
The ideal solution for dispensing hand sanitizer or hydroalcoholic solution is a
touchless dispenser . This type of dispenser, generally activated by infrared, eliminates any contact between the user and the dispensing system.
There are then two types of contents: the "bulk" filling system from a 5L container for example or the cartridge gel dispenser system.
Good hygiene practices can save money. 21 independent studies conducted internationally show that adherence to good hygiene practices contributes to a reduction in illness, absenteeism and related costs of around 40%.
Encouraging those who represent your most important investment - your employees - to have good hygiene comes at a low cost.
Providing your organization with hand sanitizer costs only a few cents per person per day.
What are the advantages of hydroalcoholic foam?
Alcohol-based gels or foams are the preferred products for hand disinfection in the workplace. Although gel-based products have been available on the market for several years, disinfectants delivered
in foam form have been shown to be more effective .
More efficient and better spreading
Tests conducted by an independent laboratory have demonstrated that
Deb Instant Foam is 10 times more effective than the same product in gel form. The foam spreads instantly compared to gels due to the alveolar structure of its bubbles and the wettability of the interstitial fluid.
The protective mask
Hand hygiene is certainly key, but not the only factor. Recent epidemics have demonstrated the necessity of wearing
disposable protective masks .
Deb® InstantGEL Complete contains purified witch hazel extracts, providing skin protection in addition to its disinfectant properties.
The astringent effect of the product helps to prevent skin softening in case of perspiration during prolonged periods of wearing gloves.
Security
Food security
Independent tests have demonstrated that the formula does not transfer taste to food, making it safe for use in any food processing environment with food handling.
Compatible with gloves
Independent tests have proven that the product can be applied to hands before wearing latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves without altering these materials.
No antimicrobial resistance
The product has high biocidal efficacy and attacks all cellular components indiscriminately. Therefore, it significantly reduces the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
Hypoallergenic
The product has been carefully formulated to minimize the potential risk of an allergic reaction.
Non-irritating to the skin
Results validated by a dermatologist, demonstrating that the product offers good skin compatibility and does not irritate the skin.
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