Aloe Vera: An Essential Ingredient in Making Hand Sanitizer

It’s no surprise that in the 21st-century, aloe vera is one of the two ingredients recommended in making the widely used germ-killing, hand sanitizer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that using hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol, as a possible alternative when soap and water are not readily available, is effective in killing germs.
Commonly used in hospitals, health care facilities, public spaces, and homes as an effective germ killer—an aloe vera and alcohol gel is a “must-have” in purses and cars to gently disinfect your hands after touching contaminated surfaces.

Homemade sanitizers can be just as effective as what you buy as long as you implement the right protocols:

1.- Three parts alcohol: minimum 60% isopropyl. Alcohol is widely used to kill germs, as it breaks down their cell walls.

2.- One part aloe vera gel: widely used in hand sanitizers because of its antiviral, antibacterial, and hydrating properties.

3.- 10-15 drops of essential oil: tea tree oil, lavender, lemon, orange or peppermint, all have antibacterial properties and give a pleasant smell to the gel.

In a bowl, combine the ingredients, whisk until a homogenous gel is formed, pour into an empty bottle, and start to use it.

Full of polyphenols that help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, aloe vera has been used as a topical treatment, especially useful in reducing the healing time for skin burns caused by the sun, fire, hot water, a hot surface, or radiation. It also hydrates, moisturizes, nourishes, and improves the overall skin appearance by increasing collagen production.

Aloe vera works to increase the body’s antioxidant activity and removes face and body toxins.