If hand sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs, what stops us from using that all of the time instead of hand washing?

Question

If hand sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs, what stops us from using that all of the time instead of hand washing?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The alcohol in hand sanitizers will dry your skin with excessive use. Dry skin can Crack, leaving an opening for germs. This is why most include a moisturizer in the formula.

Also, soap works through the action of detergent surfactants – ingredients that lift dirt and grease from your skin and allow it to be washed away.

A combination of uses is your most effective plan.