3 Reasons Our Hand Sanitizer Contains Vitamin E

Hand sanitizer has become a hot commodity in recent times. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and increased awareness of face masks and hand hygiene, purchasing a bottle of sanitizer is an ideal way to stay safe. An on the go disinfectant, filled with the active ingredient of alcohol, hand sanitizers aim to kill germs, leaving hands feeling clean. And while many hand sanitizer brands accomplish the goal of eliminating germs and complying with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, there is a constant complaint.

After continued application, many users note a loss of moisture and flakiness on their hands. Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established that 60 percent alcohol content was the most effective number for killing microbes and bacteria, this high amount of alcohol can cause unwanted effects on hands.  

Hand sanitizer companies have modified their formulas to include moisturizing ingredients. Although all formulas are different, common moisturizers found in hand sanitizers are vitamin E, glycerin, aloe vera gel, tea tree oil, and essential oils.

At Muse Health, we incorporate several different moisturizing ingredients into our formula to ensure and maintain skincare. These efforts help to prevent dry skin while still combating common germs.  

In this article, you’ll understand why our hand sanitizer contains vitamin E.

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is defined as a fat-soluble vitamin. A fat-soluble vitamin is a substance that dissolves and is absorbed in the presence of fats. This absorption normally happens from food in the stomach.  

Vitamin E can be consumed orally or placed on the skin. When taken orally, vitamin E has shown to slow signs of aging, boost immune system functionality, and reduce inflammation.

When placed on skin, vitamin E is noted for being a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that cause massive damage to the skin. Because vitamin E retains moisture, it helps create an extra layer of protection.  

As free radicals make its way onto skin, this extra moisture acts as a barrier from further damage.

What does Vitamin E do in Hand Sanitizer?

When examining labels of antibacterial hand sanitizers, one common ingredient you will find is alcohol. Most commonly in either the form of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol), these substances are considered active and help eliminate germs. During this process, germs and natural oils are removed from the skin. Because of worries concerning sickness, consistent use of hand sanitizer is a common practice, which results in dry hands. Dry hands leave a person more susceptible to infections that make their way through cracks.

In order to combat the drying effects of alcohol, hand sanitizer formulations look to incorporate different moisturizing agents. One common misconception about moisturizers is that these products add moisture to the skin. Although that can be true for ingredients like glycerin (that absorb moisture from the air), a moisturizer prevents moisture from escaping.

In other words, vitamin E helps to preserve oils and moisture already on the skin.

Vitamin E Benefits

As discussed above, when it comes to skincare, vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps eliminate free radicals. Its power as an antioxidant also aids in fighting sun damage, alleviation of diseases like eczema, and overall skin maintenance.

Is Vitamin E good for skin?

While there are several benefits to using vitamin E on the skin, as with any ingredient, there are myths that overestimate its effectiveness. In the world of beauty, vitamin E is used as a way to reduce signs of aging. Because free radicals can be emitted from the sun, pollution, and several other sources, this can cause irreversible damage to things like collagen. Collagen is an important component that keeps skin looking smooth. Vitamin E provides more protection to the skin, combating the effects of free radicals.

Vitamin E has also been shown to improve eczema symptoms. With its cooling and moisturizing effects, vitamin E reduces itchiness.

Before using vitamin E, it’s important to speak with a dermatologist to fully understand your skin’s needs.

Although vitamin E is a great substance, there are common myths that have yet to be proven. There are many people who believe that using vitamin E reduces the risk of developing skin cancer. Scientific studies have not shown a strong correlation between the use of vitamin E as a proven method of preventing cancer. Wearing a topical solution like sunscreen is still considered the most effective practice.

Does Vitamin E help dry skin?

One common question about vitamin E is whether it dries out the skin. Vitamin E is used in several different industries as a way to moisturize and treat dry, flaky skin. For parents with young children, vitamin E can be used as a way to treat diaper rashes and skin burns. In combinations with emollients and humectants, vitamin E helps to create a protective barrier of moisture on the surface of skin, making it harder for vital nutrients and hydration to be lost.

What role does Vitamin E play in our Hand Sanitizer?

At Muse Health, we aimed to create a hand sanitizer that not only was effective at killing germs, but also provided instant protection and lasting hydration. In order to create the balance of a germ-killing and moisture trapping sanitizing agent, our formula contains 62% ethyl alcohol and also combines the moisturizing effects of vitamin E, glycerin, and other nourishing ingredients.

Vitamin E plays an important role in every single hand rub. When constructing our hand sanitizer, there were 3 main reasons why vitamin E was included.

Vitamin E fights against free radicals

Although there are other products on the market that are specifically made for protecting hands against signs of aging and damage, hand sanitizer use has become so prevalent that including this ingredient in our formulas helps to protect consumers.

Vitamin E helps moisturize skin

Another benefit of having vitamin E in our formula is that it keeps skin moisturized. For a hand sanitizer to be effective, it needs alcohol in its formula. Whether using a standard or fragrance-free hand sanitizer, alcohol still has the side effect of drying out your skin. With the help of vitamin E, our formula is able to offset alcohol. When paird with ingredients like glycerin, the effect becomes even more apparent. To learn more about glycerin, click here.

Vitamin E helps protect skin

Along similar lines, vitamin E is a great ingredient that also preserves the skin. Not only does dry skin feel uncomfortable but it can also cause major problems like cuts and scarring. Including moisturizing ingredients in formulas helps to protect and preserve skin. Being the first line of defense against foreign agents, skin comes in contact with different irritants and stimuli each and every single day. Using products that protect the skin maintains its functionality. To learn more about ingredients in hand sanitizers that help keep hands soft, click here.  

Vitamin E helps keep your skin safe

Found naturally in some kinds of food, vitamin E has become an essential ingredient in the beauty and skincare markets. With its ability to fight against free radicals, it helps keep skin looking and feeling its best. When scrolling through Amazon or walking the aisles at Walmart look for an antiseptic hand sanitizer that has moisturizing ingredients.

And while handwashing is still considered the gold standard, having reliable hand sanitizer products available helps prevent illness. For more information about ways to decipher a long list of hand sanitizers speak to healthcare professionals and health care providers.