Soap vs Alcohol vs Copper: A breakdown of hand sanitising products

Another popular on-the-go sanitising option is antiseptic wipes, which typically contain an active disinfecting ingredient like chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol to eliminate germs while wiping away dirt and grime (no, baby wipes won’t do the trick).

Antiseptic wipes are great for visibly soiled and sticky hands, as well as for cleansing minor cuts and scrapes, but users must be careful not to use the wipe on multiple surfaces, otherwise, you actually run the risk of contaminating and spreading germs to surroundings areas instead of disinfecting them! And if your wipes show signs of drying out, chuck them in the bin—they are ineffective without moisture!

Copper has been known for its antimicrobial properties since ancient times, used by the Egyptians to sterilise drinking water and the Romans for medicinal purposes. It’s why you often find copper on high-contact surfaces like hospital doorknobs and handles. Some companies have gone on to manufacture solid hand-held bars of copper that claim to zap germs without synthetic chemicals or even a drop of water. It sounds like magic, but could hand sanitising really be as easy as holding a bar of copper?

It’s true that copper ions naturally break down bacteria and viruses by disrupting their structural integrity upon contact, but it takes up to several hours to complete the deed—you might as well wait until the next time you use the restroom. Not to mention, you’ll have a hard time trying to rub the solid copper bar into all the nooks and crannies of your hands.

With so many factors to consider, finding a safe, non-drying, and effective hand sanatiser to protect you and your family can be a real challenge. Luckily, necessity is the mother of all invention, and one trusty brand that checks all the boxes and will last throughout the day is Zoono, whose products have been scientifically proven to be effective against 99.9 percent of germs, including the novel COVID-19.

Unlike traditional liquid hand sanitisers that actively eliminates germs only when wet (and lose their function once the product dries), Zoono uses state-of-the-art long-lasting, antimicrobial technology to keep the nasties at bay for 24 hours! Because let’s be honest—as much as we all know the importance of keeping your hands clean, it’s a nuisance having to reapply hand sanitiser every time you touch a doorknob or handrail. With Zoono, you only need one application to be set for the whole day—even with regular hand washing in-between.

How is it possible? Thanks to an exclusive formula made with a quaternary ammonium compound, Zoono forms an invisible coating that clings on the surface of your skin and stays active for a full 24 hours. The protective layer is charged with microscopic “spikes” that rupture and kill the even the toughest disease-causing pathogens upon contact—it’s essentially the same principle as pin-popping a balloon. By using mechanical rather than chemical means to kill pathogens, you don’t have to worry about germs developing resistance to and turning into superbugs, either.

Our hands are our primary tools and it’s imperative that we give them the TLC they deserve. So when choosing a hand sanitiser, what’s equally paramount to a product’s antibacterial efficacy is how it treats your hands. Despite the harsh side-effects of most conventional hand sanitisers, it is possible to get rid of germs without wreaking havoc on your skin. The scientists at Zoono have perfected a water-based, non-toxic, and environmentally-friendly formula that’s tough on germs but ultra-gentle on hands. Free of fragrance and alcohol, Zoono has been dermatologically tested to be suitable even for those with dry, sensitive skin. So say goodbye to parched hands and hello to clean, fresh-feeling mitts!