What Everyone Should Know About Hand Hygiene Products

Is PURELL® active against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)?

While no hand sanitizer is indicated to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the ways you can help protect yourself from MRSA is by practicing good hand hygiene. Specific CDC recommendations include keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

How do most infectious diseases spread?

According to the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH), the hands are probably the single most important transmission route for many types of infections as they come into direct contact with known portals of entry for pathogens (mouth, nose, conjunctiva of the eyes). Therefore, practicing proper hand hygiene is the easiest way to help reduce infections.

What is the proper way to practice hand hygiene?

Use soap and water, especially when hands are visibly dirty. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 to 30 seconds (long enough to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice).

When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, like PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer. Apply enough product to thoroughly wet hands, then rub hands together briskly until dry.

How does PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer work?

PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer combines 62% - 65% alcohol with a special blend of moisturizers to kill germs on hands and leave them feeling soft and refreshed. The alcohol breaks down the germs' cell walls causing them to die. When applied to hands it evaporates within seconds. According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Guidelines for Infection Control Practice, "alcohols applied to the skin are among the safest known antiseptics."

What has the CDC said about alcohol-based hand sanitizers? Are they useful for children?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty. CDC recommends that children in school may use alcohol-based hand rubs as an alternative to hand washing.*

How effective are alcohol-based hand sanitizers, like PURELL®?

Since PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer was introduced 10 years ago to consumers, it has helped millions of children and adults stay healthy and well by reducing bacteria on the skin. PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99 percent of most common germs that may cause illness.

Do alcohol-based hand sanitizers like PURELL® lead to resistant bacteria?

Unlike the active ingredients in some other instant hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial soaps, laboratory testing has never shown alcohol-based hand sanitizers like PURELL® to lead to bacterial resistance. There is no evidence that organisms adapt and become immune to the active ingredient in PURELL® products. Many sources indicate that for organisms to become resistant, low levels of the chemical must remain on the hands for the organisms to adapt. The alcohol in PURELL® does not remain on the hands for long. Once your hands are rubbed dry after application of PURELL®, the alcohol has evaporated completely. PURELL® leaves no harmful residue. A small bit of emollient (skin conditioning agent) is left on the hands after use to leave your hands feeling soft and refreshed.

When is it especially important to practice good hand hygiene?

Practicing good hand hygiene is especially important:

What is the proper use of PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer?

As with all over the counter products, it is important to use PURELL® products properly and according to the instructions on the label: wet hands thoroughly with product, and briskly rub hands together until dry. Adults should always supervise children in the use of the product.

How many uses are in a 2 fl oz. bottle of PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer?

If used as directed, which is to apply enough PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer to thoroughly wet hands, a consumer can get 29-30 uses out of a 2 fl oz bottle.

*Note: The CDC is not affiliated with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc., or any of its parent or affiliated companies.