Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer

Ingredients

Component	INCI / Chemical Name	Function	% w/w
BAC 50 % solution	Benzalkonium chloride	Active antimicrobial	0.20
Alkyl polyglucoside (C8–C10)	Decyl Glucoside	Mild surfactant, skin feel	1.00
Glycerin 99.5 %	Glycerin	Humectant, moisturizer	2.00
Propylene glycol	Propylene Glycol	Humectant, solvent	2.00
Carbomer 980	Carbomer	Gelling agent	0.20
Sodium hydroxide 0.1 M	Sodium Hydroxide	Neutralizing agent (to pH 6.3)	q.s.
Diazolidinyl urea	Diazolidinyl Urea	Preservative	0.15
Deionized water	Aqua	Solvent	94.25
Total			100.00

Addition Order & Process

Procedure: Disperse Carbomer 980 in 50 % of the deionized water using high-shear mixing; allow 30 minutes for complete hydration. In a separate vessel, dissolve BAC 50 %, glycerin, propylene glycol, APG, and diazolidinyl urea in the remaining 50 % water. Slowly add the aqueous active phase to the Carbomer dispersion while mixing at 100 rpm. Neutralize to pH 6.0–6.5 with sodium hydroxide 0.1 M; gel viscosity develops upon neutralization. Mix for 45 minutes at ambient temperature to ensure homogeneity .

Formulation Notes

Non-alcohol hand sanitizers serve markets where alcohol is restricted or skin sensitivity precludes its use. BAC at 0.1 % w/w serves as the active antimicrobial; studies demonstrate that a 0.1 % BKC gel achieves > 4 log reduction against S. aureus and E. coli with a 30-second contact time, meeting the EN 1276 bactericidal threshold .

Formulation Card FC-11.4-M: Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer

The pH of 6.0–6.5 aligns with the skin’s acid mantle and optimizes BAC activity . Propylene glycol and glycerin at 2 % each provide moisturization without tackiness. The formulation avoids alcohol entirely, eliminating flammability hazards. However, BAC-based sanitizers exhibit slower kill kinetics than ABHRs, requiring a 30-second wet-contact time . The preservative (diazolidinyl urea) is necessary because the absence of alcohol removes intrinsic biocidal preservation; as noted in Chapter 4, CMIT/MIT preservatives are restricted to 15 ppm in leave-on EU cosmetic products, whereas diazolidinyl urea is permitted at up to 0.5 % under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 .