Hand Sanitizer: Making Your Own Potent And Personalized Potion
The best way to keep yourself protected from the coronavirus is good old handwashing with water and thorough scrubbing, 20 seconds at least. Warm water has not been shown to improve pathogen removal and is more drying to the skin. Soap and friction lift the oils on the skin and in turn remove the dirt and microbes from your skin so they can be rinsed away.
What's the next best thing to remove the Coronavirus when soap and running water isn’t available, like when you're leaving the grocery store? Hand sanitizer comes to the rescue as the next best option to keep you virus-free. Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can kill the Coronavirus on your skin but it does not remove pathogens.
Follow These Steps to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
START SANITIZED
Start with clean hands and clean supplies. Dirty hands or a dirty bottle can contaminate your potions and render them less or ineffective. The World Health Organization recommends you let your mixture sit for at least 72 hours (3 days) before you use it to be sure.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
The ingredient list starts with alcohol, either 99% isopropyl alcohol you can get at the pharmacy or ethanol that is at least 90% pure (Everclear ethanol is 190 proof which is 95% pure alcohol). Add Aloe Vera gel to make the mix a little more gentle on the skin once the alcohol has dried. Finally, 5 or 8 drops of your favorite essential oil can add support to your overall health and well being.
Some all-time favorite essential oils and their suggested effects
Peppermint: boosts energy and aids digestion
Lavender: stress relief
Sandalwood: calming and focus
Bergamot: stress reduction and calming for skin conditions like eczema
Rose: improves mood and reduces anxiety
Chamomile: improves mood and relaxation
Ylang-Ylang: treats headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
Tea Tree: helps fight infections and boosts immunity
Jasmine: helps with depression, childbirth, and libido
Lemon: aids digestion, mood, headaches
IT'S ALL IN THE RATIOS
The World Health Organization states that the sanitizer MUST be at least 60% alcohol to be effective. The higher the percent alcohol, the better. If you are using 99% isopropyl alcohol from the pharmacy, you can use a mix of 3 parts isopropyl alcohol and 2 parts aloe vera gel. That gets you a 60% alcohol hand sanitizer. Use 3 parts isopropyl alcohol and 1 part aloe vera gel for a stronger sanitizer, 75%! If you're using a 190 proof (95% alcohol) ethanol like Everclear, the ration is 3 parts alcohol to one part aloe vera gel. This mix gets you a 68% strength sanitizer. Finally, add the essential oil of your choice as a crowning touch!
Dr. Jennifer Ebner
