An alcohol rub, also known as a hand sanitizer or healthcare personnel hand wash or a hand antiseptic according to the latest FDA definition, is used as a supplement or alternative to hand washing with soap and water. The active ingredient in alcohol rubs may be isopropanol, ethanol, or (in Europe) n-propanol. A variety of preparations are available, including gels, foam and liquid solutions. Hand sanitizers containing alcohol are more effective at killing germs than soaps and do not dry out hands as much as soaps.Inactive ingredients in alcohol rubs typically include a thickening agent such as Carbomer (a trade name for polyacrylic acid) for alcohol gels, humectants such as glycerin for liquid rubs and propylene glycol, or essential oils of plants. Popular alcohol rub brands include Purell, Germ-X, Aqium, Avant, GermOut, and Aquawet. Lysol, Method Products, and Dettol also produce popular alcohol-based hand sanitizers. In recent years, some brands started combining alcohol rubs with natural products and essential oils to provide luxury lines for the growing skin care industry.Such brands include Burt's Bees, EO, Frais, Jao and The Body Shop.
