For personal hygiene, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer gel is a need. However, the watery consistency of hand sanitizer can occasionally be bothersome or ineffectual. We’ll go over how to thicken hand sanitizer gel in this article and address some related issues.
Usually, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, both of which are efficient at killing bacteria and viruses, serves as the active ingredient in hand sanitizer. To be effective, hand sanitizer needs to contain at least 60% alcohol. In addition to alcohol, hand sanitizers may also include glycerin, aloe vera, or fragrance-enhancing essential oils.
You can thicken overly runny hand sanitizer gel by following a few easy steps. The simplest method is to simply thicken the liquid by mixing in a thickening agent like xanthan gum or carbomer. In contrast to carbomer, which is a synthetic thickening frequently found in cosmetic and personal care goods, xanthan gum is a natural thickener that is frequently used in food products.
Start by combining 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum with 1/4 cup of water until a paste forms before adding it to the hand sanitizer gel to thicken it. After that, combine the paste and hand sanitizer well. If extra xanthan gum is required to reach the desired consistency, do so.
Mix 1/4 teaspoon of carbomer into 1/4 cup of water and stir until a smooth gel forms to thicken hand sanitizer gel. After that, combine the hand sanitizer and gel thoroughly. Once more, if more carbomer is required to reach the appropriate consistency, do so.
Either ethanol or isopropyl alcohol can be used in hand sanitizer because they are both capable of eliminating bacteria and viruses. But ethanol is typically regarded as being less harmful to the skin and safer than isopropyl alcohol. Because it is more readily available and less expensive, ethanol is also more frequently utilized in hand sanitizer.
In recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 epidemic, the hand sanitizer business has seen tremendous growth. The global market for hand sanitizers was estimated to be worth USD 2.7 billion in 2019 and is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.6% from 2020 to 2027, according to a report by Grand View Research.
various hand sanitizer brands may include various components or alcohol concentrations that could influence their efficiency, so it is typically not advised to mix them. It is better to stick to one type of hand sanitizer at a time and use it according to the directions on the label.
In conclusion, a thickening ingredient like xanthan gum or carbomer can be used to quickly thicken hand sanitizer gel. Both ethanol and isopropyl alcohol work well at eliminating bacteria and viruses, but ethanol is more frequently used and is generally seen to be safer. The hand sanitizer market is expanding quickly, so it’s crucial to stick with one brand at a time and use it according to the directions on the package.