Could Be Making You Sick!
Years ago, I worked at an elementary school. Every year when we distributed to parents the school supply list for the following school year, hand sanitizer was always on it. There was a bottle on each teacher’s desk, a bottle in the lunchroom, a bottle in the teachers’ lounge, a bottle in the nurse’s office, and a bottle in the main office. Students were encouraged to use it constantly because, well, they were kids who liked to touch things – mostly their mouths and noses! Curiously, there was still no shortage of kids who got sick and had to stay home. Same thing was true for the teachers.
Once the pandemic started a few years back, sales of hand sanitizer went through the roof, making it almost impossible to find hand sanitizer in stores. People started using what they thought was the next best thing – rubbing alcohol – until that also became scarce. We, as a society, have been conditioned to believe that hand sanitizer is our prime line of defense against colds, flu, and even the dreaded virus from a few years back. But at what cost?
In order for a hand sanitizer to be deemed “effective”, it must contain at least 60% alcohol or ethanol. What is that doing to our hands? Here are 10 reasons why store-bought hand sanitizer, with alcohol or ethanol, could be hurting you.
1. It can cause skin irritation. Especially for those who use hand sanitizers frequently, skin can become very irritated and itchy. Our hands are not meant to be in direct contact with that much alcohol.
2. It can cause severe hand dryness. Once hand sanitizer is applied, hands are supposed to dry naturally. The idea is that the alcohol will evaporate, bringing germs with it. Unfortunately, it also removes our hands’ natural oils and can lead to very dry hands that require constant moisturizing. The same folks using store-bought sanitizers are likely using store-bought lotions that are filled with their own sets of toxins.
3. It can cause skin to crack, which opens up the possibility of bad bacteria and germs entering the body through the skin. Although hand sanitizer was designed to kill germs, it can have the exact opposite effect if the skin becomes cracked and bacteria is able to enter the bloodstream. And once the skin is cracked, alcohol is not something to be added!
4. Hand sanitizers not only kill the bad bacteria, but they kill the good bacteria. When hand sanitizers come on the scene, they don’t know how to differentiate between bad and good bacteria. The good bacteria in and on our bodies serve a very important function, that can be stripped away with the use of store-bought sanitizers.
5. The alcohol or ethanol in hand sanitizer breaks down the skin barrier protection. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and is designed to protect us from outside forces that would otherwise harm us. Frequent use of store-bought hand sanitizers removes that protective layer, which is the opposite of what people want when trying to keep hands clean and germ free.
6. Hand sanitizers can cause premature aging in our hands! People generally want to look as young as they possibly can; they certainly don’t want their hands to become wrinkly, with sagging skin because they were trying to keep their hands germ free.
7. Hand sanitizers can cause poisoning in kids. Remember when I mentioned that kids like to constantly touch their mouths? Especially during the pandemic, there was a rise in alcohol poisoning related specifically to the use of hand sanitizers.
8. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the use of hand sanitizers with alcohol or ethanol can actually increase the likelihood that you’ll pick up germs!
9. If you suffer from eczema or another skin condition, the use of hand sanitizers can actually make the problem worse.
10. The alcohol contained within hand sanitizers actually contributes to inflammation. This can cause swelling and pain.
So, what are we to do if we want to remain healthy? The main components of healthy living are:
Eat a good, clean diet
Get plenty of sleep
Stay hydrated
Get fresh air and sunshine
Exercise regularly, even if it’s just walking
Manage your stress
Build a healthy support system
Beyond that, regular handwashing with soap and warm water is the best way to eliminate germs. We have an entire line of premier soaps, but our favorites for handwashing are the Lemongrass Poppyseed bar, made from Shea butter, or the Honeybee bar, made from pure glycerin. Both will keep hands clean, without drying them out or causing any of the issues mentioned above.
What if you can’t wash your hands with soap and warm water? We have introduced the DEFENDER Hand Purifying Spray, an all-natural and non-toxic answer to store-bought hand sanitizers on the market. Our DEFENDER spray is made with Organic Melaleuca Alternifolia (tea tree) Oil and Natural Witch Hazel. Together, these ingredients have been shown to kill certain bacteria, viruses and fungi. Tea tree also has been shown to increase the activity of white blood cells, which naturally helps to fight germs. It helps to prevent infection, as well as promoting healing.
Because we care about your health and hands, we have also included Vitamin E and Aloe Vera in our purifier to protect hands and keep them soft and hydrated. You won’t have to worry about severe dryness or exacerbating any skin irritations. Finally, we have rounded out our formula with pure Lavender Essential Oil, which is a calming and pleasing fragrance because, honestly, who wants to smell like rubbing alcohol?
Our DEFENDER Hand Purifier bottle comes in a convenient fine mist spray, so no more overpouring accidents or spills. It’s safe for kids to use and handy enough to fit into a purse, briefcase, gym bag, or backpack. Grab one for each member of the family!
We hope this information helps you and we wish you and your family good health in the months ahead. Natural, safe, effective skincare the way God intended. That’s Yahwehs Naturals.
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