HandClens Foaming Sanitizer & Lotion FAQs
Where can I buy HandClens?
What is the proper way to wash your hands?
When and where should I use HandClens?
How do I use HandClens?
What are the advantages of an alcohol-free sanitizer?
What is the germ-killing ingredient in HandClens?
What is Woodwards pantented SAB Delivery System?
What is Allantoin? What does it do?
If I can still smell the hand sanitizer, does that mean it is still working?
Why does skin become softer with repeated use of HandClens?
Does HandClens work better with repeated use? Why?
Alcohol-based sanitizers have emollients. Do they work as well as HandClens to keep skin soft and smooth?
Is HandClens supposed to be mixed with water or diluted before use?
Is HandClens safe to use right before eating?
Can HandClens be used in the classroom?
What can I do as a parent, teacher, school health professional?
Is HandClens made by any other company?
HandClens Antimicrobial Foam Wash FAQs
What makes HandClens Antimicrobial Foam Hand Wash different from other antimicrobial and antibacterial soaps?This product feels different from other antimicrobial and antibacterial soaps I have used. Why is that?
How safe is this product?
Is HandClens Hand Wash Green?
What is HandClens?
HandClens was originally designed for the hands of professional health care providers who have frequent contacts with people who are ill. Additionally, instant hand sanitizers provide effective hand hygiene when washing is inconvenient, or facilities aren’t available.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the best way to prevent the spread of germs is hand washing and hand sanitizing. HandClens instantly kills germs, helping to prevent the spread of disease. HandClens helps stop germs wherever you are... at work, home, traveling, shopping, or anywhere that you may go. Unlike alcohol based products, which may contains as much as 70% alcohol, HandClens is alcohol free and non-flammable. You will see HandClens used at businesses, medical clinics, food preparation services, airlines and in schools; any place where people gather and when hygiene and fire safety are primary concerns.
Because HandClens is alcohol free and contains natural emollients, HandClens softens skin like a lotion. There is no need to worry about skin irritation or “that sticky residue” common with other hand sanitizers. HandClens’ patented, gentle formulation ensures that the repeated use of HandClens will leave your skin noticeably softer at the end of the day.
HandClens is very economical. HandClens provides more than three times the number of applications of comparable size alcohol gel sanitizers. However, it is gentle enough for daily use even on the sensitive skin of children.
Where can I buy HandClens?
Click here for a retailer near you.
What is the proper way to wash your hands?
- Step 1: Make sure the paper towel is ready so you won’t have to touch the dispenser after your hands are already clean.
- Step 2: Turn on the water and get your hands wet.
- Step 3: Get some soap and wash your hands vigorously. Remember to get between your fingers and under your fingernails. Keep washing for 10-15 seconds
- Step 4: Then rinse your hands under the warm water until the soap is completely gone.
- Step 5: Grab your paper towel and thoroughly dry your hands.
- Step 6: Use your paper towel to turn off the water faucets.
- Step 7: Finally, use your paper towel to open the restroom door and then put your paper towel in the nearest trashcan.
When and where should I use HandClens?
Anytime you need to clean your hands, for example, before eating, after sneezing or coughing, when handling money, after changing diapers, and after handling pets. Use HandClens anytime soap and water are inconvenient, or unavailable.
How do I use HandClens?
Apply as directed, and use the same technique to rub in HandClens as you do to thoroughly wash your hand with soap. Be sure to cover the palms, back of hands, between fingers, around the fingernails, and clean under the fingertips by rubbing against the palm of the opposite hand.
What are the advantages of an Alcohol-Free sanitizer?
HandClens Instant Hand Sanitizer is alcohol free and therefore has none of the ill effects associated with alcohol-gel sanitizers. Research from several studies has concluded that the frequent use of alcohol based sanitizers actually increases the number of bacteria on the skin.
Alcohol gels and rubs strip away the skin’s natural oils and severely dry the skin with repeated use. This effect has many negative implications that reduce the effectiveness of alcohol based products in real world environments. For example, users of alcohol based products often complain of the drying and irritation resulting from prolonged use of alcohol based products, and are therefore prone to avoid their repeated use. Additionally, alcohol based products not only dry the skin, but also cause the formation of small cracks in the skin increasing the skin’s capacity to trap and carry disease-causing germs.
Alcohol begins evaporating from the skin almost immediately after it is applied. Upon evaporation of the alcohol, its germ-killing power is gone, leaving the skin dry, chapped, and susceptible to infection.
Alcohol based sanitizers contain as much as 70% ethyl alcohol, and are therefore highly flammable. In contrast, HandClens contains no alcohol and is non-flammable. Today, HandClens is present in commercial passenger aircraft, elementary schools, public recreation areas, and many other environments where fire safety, as well as hygiene are primary concerns.
Unlike alcohol, HandClens will not sting or burn when it comes in contact with small cuts and scrapes. The patented SAB delivery system found in HandClens actually has a soothing effect on small cuts and abrasions.
What is the germ-killing ingredient in HandClens?
HandClens Instant Hand Sanitizer contains the germ-killing ingredient Benzalkonium (ben-zal-coney-um) chloride, or BAC. This antiseptic has been used for over 60 years in hospitals and doctors offices. It is approved for safety and effectiveness in antiseptic applications ranging from skin treatments for minor irritations (e.g. Bactine®) to surface sanitizers (e.g. Lysol®). It has even been approved by the FDA for use as a germ-killing ingredient in mouthwashes.
What is Woodward's patented SAB delivery system?
Woodward Laboratories' patented SAB technology is comprised of Surfactants, the wound healing agent Allantoin, and Benzalkonium Chloride. SAB technology is unique and the key to HandClens’ superior efficacy as an antimicrobial instant hand sanitizer.
While there are other BAC containing products available, they do not contain Woodward’s patented SAB technology. Furthermore, these less effective products do not meet the FDA performance standard for healthcare personnel handwashing. BAC is an environment-sensitive molecule and not all BAC formulations are effective at killing germs in real world environments. In many cases, these less robust formulations can even impede the effectiveness of the BAC molecule.
What is Allantoin? What does it do?
Allantoin is a naturally occurring botanical substance that aids in healing dry, chapped, and damaged skin. While it softens skin, Allantoin aids in the removal of dead skin cells and enhancing moisture. Allantoin binds with and protects living skin cells, leaving the unwanted germs exposed to the germ- killing ingredient in HandClens. The addition of Allantoin in HandClens makes it beneficial to the skin, while improving HandClens’ effectiveness.
If I can still smell the hand sanitizer does that mean it is still working?
Once an alcohol-based sanitizer has evaporated, its killing power is gone. Some brands of alcohol-based sanitizers add heavy fragrance to the formulas to try and give a sense of security to the unwary consumer...(“as long as I can smell it, it must still be working”)...however, as soon as the alcohol has evaporated, it is no longer killing germs.
HandClens, when absorbed, leaves no detectable fragrance from perfumes because it contains none. However, HandClens has a proven persistence of activity, which means it continues to work, with repeated use, even after it is absorbed.
Why does skin become softer with repeated use of HandClens?
HandClens is formulated to be highly beneficial to the skin. It does not break down the skin’s natural water barrier, as do alcohol-containing products; instead, HandClens protects that barrier and helps preserve the skin’s natural oils. HandClens contains Allantoin a natural emollient and skin softener that helps the skin stay healthy especially with repeated use.
Does HandClens work better with repeated use? Why?
Yes. HandClens’ performance not only exceeds FDA standards, but its effectiveness actually improves with repeated use. This unique formula does not contain alcohol, and will not dry or irritate the skin. The germ-killing action of HandClens is persistent, which means its effect continues even after the product has been absorbed into the hands.
Alcohol based sanitizers have emollients. Do they work as well as HandClens to keep skin soft and smooth?
Repeated use of alcohol based hand sanitizers leaves the skin dry and actually more susceptible to invasion by disease-causing germs. Some makers of alcohol sanitizers have added emollients, such as Aloe Vera, to try and reduce the drying effect of the alcohol. However, the emollients remain on the skin after the alcohol has evaporated, and these emollients become sticky. The remaining emollient is sticky, unpleasant to feel, and can be transferred to food. The sticky emollient residue can actually become a “germ magnet” and collect germs from surrounding surfaces. A better solution for disinfecting is the unique germ-killing, alcohol-free formula found in HandClens that leaves the skin cleaner and softer with repeated use.
Is HandClens supposed to be mixed with water or diluted before use?
No. HandClens® is designed to be used as is – right from the bottle – anywhere, anytime.
Is HandClens safe to use right before eating?
Absolutely. HandClens Instant Hand Sanitizer is meant to be left on the skin until it is absorbed, usually 15 to 20 seconds. Used as directed, HandClens will not transfer to food. The National Food Safety Database section on hand sanitizers requires that “an antimicrobial product applied to the hands is both safe and effective when applied to human skin; and that it be a safe food additive when applied to bare hands that will come into direct contact with food.” HandClens meets these requirements.
Can HandClens be used in the classroom?
You can find HandClens in classrooms across the country. During cold and flu seasons, Woodward Laboratories, Inc. completed studies of the effectiveness of HandClens Instant Hand Sanitizer at reducing illness absenteeism in several elementary schools. The results of these studies showed that overall illness was reduced by as much as 42% compared to the control groups. The results prove that HandClens Instant Hand Sanitizer is effective at reducing costly absences due to gastrointestinal or respiratory illnesses even in an environment where germs are shared very freely and often. The Simple As ABC, “Always Be Clean” Hand Hygiene Program© was developed to provide a complete educational program about germs, transmission and the whys and wherefores of proper hand hygiene. The multi-media program is provided to schools at no charge.
What can I do as a parent, teacher, school health professional?
- Set a good example, and let your children see you practice good hand hygiene
- Reinforce the importance of hand hygiene at home and in the classroom
- Contact your school principal to discuss:
a) the impact of illness absenteeism on academic performance and school funding b) the availability of hand washing facilities, and implementing use of HandClens
alcohol-free, non-flammable sanitizer with Simple As ABC Hand Hygiene Program.
Is HandClens made by any other company?
No. HandClens is formulated from original and patented technology exclusively manufactured by Woodward Laboratories, Inc., a leading researcher and developer of highly effective, quality germ-killing products for skin and nails.
HandClens Antimicrobial Foam Hand Wash FAQs:
What makes HandClens Antimicrobial Foam Hand Wash different from other antimicrobial and antibacterial soaps on the market?
HandClens Antimicrobial Soap utilizes the same great patented technology in our Alcohol-Free Sanitizer to create a soap format. We don’t use commonly used germ-killing ingredients like: Triclosan, PCMX (parachlorometaxylenol), CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) or Alcohol. Instead we use Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK) as our germ-killing active making it extremely efficient at killing germs while maintaining the natural skin integrity meant to protect you from germs. Unlike most soaps, it’s non-drying.
This product “feels different” from other antimicrobial and antibacterial soaps I have used. Why is that?
Most soaps on the market are negatively charged (anionic) formulations. HandClens is a positively charged (cationic) formulation. The oils secreted in our skin are naturally positivity charged ions (cationic). Since most soaps are negatively charged (anionic), they strip our hands of the natural oils meant to protect our skin from harmful germs and keep its natural moisture. Hence, most soaps are drying to your skin. HandClens Hand Wash allows for the soap to not strip your hands of the essential oils meant to protect your skin.
How safe is this product?
If you read the warning labels of most antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps on the market, it is cause for concern. Some active ingredients like CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) state to not get anywhere near your face and meninges. HandClens Hand Wash is gentle enough to shave with.
Is HandClens Hand Wash Green?
There aren’t currently any established criteria for antimicrobial soaps or sanitizers. HandClens antimicrobial soap is about as close to “Green” as you can get. Based on the guidelines established for Design for the Environment (a premier partner of the EPA), HandClens doesn’t contain any of the following:
- Non toxic
- No phosphate salts
- No chlorine bleach
- No VOC’s
- Neutral pH
- No formaldehyde
- No petroleum-based solvents
- No Hazardous Air Pollutants
- No Ozone Depleting Compounds
- No heavy metals
- No hazardous ingredients
- Shipped in recyclable packaging
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