As more unique hemp-based products hit the shelves, the popularity of CBD is evident everywhere. From CBD toothpicks to infused pillows, unusual products keep popping up. Now, it seems that CBD hand sanitizers have joined the list.
It’s not at all surprising. With the FDA cracking down on over 150 hand sanitizer brands containing methanol (and now in some cases toxic 1-propanol), Cannabis brands were bound to get in on the burgeoning market for hand sanitizers. But is CBD hand sanitizer any more special than say—a run of the mill bottle of Purell?
Some makers claim that including CBD in hand sanitizer can increase its ability to protect users by inhibiting bacterial growth. Plus, the compound is thought to have antibacterial properties, so anything that keeps your hands clean should be a plus, right?
Are CBD Hand Sanitizers Better?
While scientists say that the best way to keep from getting sick is to use good old fashioned soap and water, sometimes that’s not convenient. Hand sanitizers are the next best way to keep germs at bay. But they also need to contain at least 60 percent alcohol according to the CDC.
The problem with rubbing alcohol-based sanitizers into your hands several times a day is that you can develop dryness and irritation. With colder weather on the horizon, this is likely to become a more significant issue. To keep dry and itchy skin at bay, hand sanitizer manufacturers also add in moisturizers like aloe vera gel. The added ingredients help keep skin soothed and hydrated.
These two ingredients—alcohol and something to keep the skin soft are probably all you need in a sanitizer. Could the inclusion of CBD in your hand sanitizer be helpful? Maybe. Using standard hand sanitizer followed with your usual CBD hand cream would be just as (if not more) useful.
Although hand sanitizers made with CBD are unlikely to do any harm, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that they are more effective than any other brand and are likely more expensive than standard formulations.
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