Is Hand Sanitizer Bad for Your Skin?

Applying hand sanitizer after touching a greasy menu or using a public restroom has long been the norm, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone began to practically bathe in it. The problem: "Our important but increased reliance on alkaline sanitizing formulas may be leading to several skin conditions, like eczema, as well as dryness and itchiness," says dermatologist Sarina Elmariah, M.D., Ph.D.

You probably went from occasionally soaping up to applying hand sanitizer throughout the day, along with wiping down your home, your belongings, and your kids — and then touching your face. Yes, you need to kill potentially lurking viruses, but the side effect is that you're also wiping out a lot of good germs, including normal bacteria you need to keep your skin strong, says Dr. Elmariah. "Your skin is the physical barrier that protects your body from assault," says dermatologist Morgan Rabach, M.D. It needs a healthy microbiome of good bacteria to do its job.

The high alcohol level and pH in many sanitizing formulas aren't great for skin either. Alcohol can dry out keratinocytes, or barrier cells, making skin more susceptible to infection, inflammation, allergic reactions, redness, swelling, and even pain, says Dr. Elmariah. (See: What to Know About Your Skin Barrier)

What's more, there is such a thing as being too clean. A Northwestern University study found that immunity — in this case of this research, children's — can be affected by the use of hand sanitizers. The same goes for lots of hand washing with antibacterial soap. The authors found that more kids were getting preventable diseases after long-term use of hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial soap. The researchers surmised that ultra-clean environments could lower immunity so much that it weakens the body's defense mechanisms. The moral of the story: Some dirt is good for you.

So should you stop your sanitizing habit altogether? Not exactly. Here's what you need to know about washing your hands and applying hand sanitizer, plus how to make them less damaging to your skin.

Nothing replaces regular hand washing.

Before the days of manufactured alcohol-based concoctions, cleansing was the best defense against unwanted germs. Surgeons have scrub rooms, where they meticulously preen their hands before starting a procedure — because a few squirts of hand sanitizer isn't going to take care of it. So if it's an option, choose the sink. (

When you wash: "Use lukewarm water, which won't dry your skin as much as hot water," says Dr. Elmariah. Then hydrate while your skin is still damp to help retain moisture. For the hands, thicker creams or lotions are a great option. For the face, go for a noncomedogenic, oil-free lotion. "This keeps the skin's top layer nice and supple without spurring breakouts," she says. Try EltaMD Skin Recovery Light Moisturizer (Buy It, $39, dermstore.com), which contains amino acids, antioxidants, and squalane to help prevent moisture loss.