WHY MAKE YOUR OWN HAND SANITIZER?
As a mom, I was frustrated that there were not many options for a hand sanitizer for children that did not contain chemicals ingredients. The harsher hand sanitizers on the market can cause skin irritation, dryness and redness for those with more sensitive skin.
Unfortunately, many hand sanitizing products use an ingredient called isopropyl alcohol. This type of alcohol is mixed with chemicals and can be toxic if ingested. Since children constantly have their hands in their mouth, this did not sit well with me. Not to mention that isopropyl alcohol is considered a skin irritant.
The Ingredients
In my opinion, it is better to use a variety of more gentle ingredients that still fight against bacteria and germs. I use grain alcohol (instead of isopropyl alcohol) in my hand sanitizer. This recipe that I am sharing with you does not contain as much alcohol as those you will find in the store so you will want to use your best judgment and do your research on what you feel is best for the alcohol content.
I feel that since other pathogen-fighting ingredients are included that it is sufficient. However, like I said, do your research and if you feel you need to increase the amount of alcohol in this recipe, please do so. Additionally, it is always better to wash your hands with running water but when that is not an option, using a hand sanitizer is second best.
Ingredients
- 1/8 Tsp Xanthan Gum
- 1/2 Tsp Sunflower Oil
- 1/2 Cup Aloe Gel
- 1 Tbsp Witch Hazel
- 2 Tbsp Everclear (or other strong grain alcohol 90% or more)
- 1 Tsp Colloidal Silver*
- 4 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 4 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 4 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
Instructions
- Mix together the xanthan gum and sunflower oil until combined well - this step is important for the xanthan gum to dissolve well. Combine other ingredients and mix well with a whisk or hand-held emulsifier. Put into a container or containers with a lid that is easy to open and close. *Optional
I like to include colloidal silver in my recipe, but this is optional. Colloidal silver has the ability to kill a wide range of bacteria. Witch hazel has also been known to kill bacteria and works wonders when fighting facial acne. It can also help soothe the skin and act as an anti-inflammatory. With the additional boost of pretty smelling essential oils, you will LOVE this hand sanitizer.
Additionally, this gel recipe is moisturizing and can be great for the winter months, when we are already dealing with dry hands. Keep your homemade hand sanitizer gel in the car or in your purse for convenience. For more easy DIY recipes, subscribe to the GEG blog or check out my new Beyond Beauty book that is packed full of skin care and self care recipes!
Leave a Reply