One of the best defenses against getting sick is to wash your hands on a regular basis. However, washing your hands over and over again on a daily basis can cause the hands to become dry and irritated. An alternative to washing your hands all the time is to apply hand sanitizer gel.

If you want to better understand this type of product, here are the answers to four frequently asked questions about hand sanitizer gel.

1. What Is Hand Sanitizer Gel Made From?

One of the main ingredients in hand sanitizer gel is alcohol. According to the CDC, the most effective hand sanitizer gel has at least 60 percent alcohol in it. The two types of alcohol used in hand sanitizer gel are ethyl alcohol, which is commonly known as ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol.

Hand sanitizer gel usually contains other ingredients as well to make it feel and smell good. Some of these ingredients might include glycerin, sterile water, and hydrogen peroxide.

2. Is Hand Sanitizer Gel Safe?

Even though hand sanitizer gel contains alcohol, it is not possible for adults to become drunk when using this product. Hand sanitizer gel with high alcohol content, however, can cause alcohol poisoning in small children. For this reason, it's best for children to use hand sanitizer gel with lower amounts of alcohol.

Also, when hand sanitizer gel is wet on the skin, there is a risk of it being flammable. Because of this, it's important for the hand sanitizer to completely dry before smoking, cooking, or doing any other activity involving fire or electricity.

3. When Should Hand Sanitizer Gel Be Applied?

It's important to know when you should apply hand sanitizer gel and when you shouldn't. For instance, if you have been using your hands to cook, clean, garden, pet your dog, or any other task that makes them dirty, you should not use hand sanitizer gel to clean them. Instead, wash them with soap and water.

Use hand sanitizer gel in between visits with friends, before and after entering a hospital or place of business, and any other instance you want to make sure your hands are germ-free.

4. Where Do People Buy Hand Sanitizer Gel?

Hand sanitizer gel is sold at convenience stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, and online. To save money, you may want to consider buying a 72 pack, 8 oz antibacterial hand sanitizer gel. This will ensure your hand sanitizer gel lasts a long time, plus you can keep bottles of it in your car, purse, and wherever else you need access to it in order to keep your hands germ-free.