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The Best Sanitizers

Hand sanitizers are alcohol-based and come in gel and foam forms. Sanitizers are used when soap and water aren't readily available. Sanitizers are most commonly used to deter the spread of disease and can be found in schools, hospital settings and day care centers. For a hand sanitizer to be effective, the product should contain at least a 60 percent alcohol content, as indicated by the MayoClinic.com.

  1. Purell

    • Purell's Instant Hand Sanitizer is one of the most-liked products by consumers, according to Consumer Search. The product has an alcohol content of 65 percent and kills 99.99 percent of common household germs, such as staph and E. coli. As of October 2010, the price for Purell ranges from $2 to $5 for the hand sanitizer. A dispenser for a hospital setting or other facility can cost between $7 to $12 with refills for the dispenser costing around $12.

    Dial

    • Dial is a product tested by dermatologists. Dial's sanitizers are hypoallergenic so, if you have sensitivities to skin care products, Dial's hand sanitizers won't cause an allergic response on your skin. One of the active ingredients in Dial's hand sanitizers is ethyl alcohol, which helps eliminate harmful germs within a matter of seconds. A bottle of Dial sanitizer will cost about $2 to $3 and about $5 for a hand-pump sanitizer.

    NexCare

    • NexCare is a product used by many health care professionals. NexCare's sanitizer contains about 61 percent alcohol and is also soft on the hands if you use the product extensively. The sanitizer comes in gel form yet glides on like lotion. NexCare sanitizers can be purchased online for about $5 for a smaller bottle and around $10 for a larger bottle.

    Germ Pro

    • Germ Pro is a sanitizer effective in the killing of germs up to 4 hours after application. The sanitizer creates a special barrier on the skin that doesn't wash off. This product is good for the use of school children as an effective way to prevent the spread of germs. One school in Florida conducted a study on the absentee rate of school children and noticed a reduction of children becoming sick while using the hand sanitizer, according to Germ Pro. Germ Pro can only be purchased online.

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