Cleanwell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer uses thyme and essential oils to keep hands germ-free. The all natural formula keeps allergic reactions down and is gentler on skin than synthetics. There are 11 ingredients in the formula, not including water.
Active Ingredient
Thymus vulgaris oil, or thyme extract, is a plant-based extract. A study in the ‘Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry’ (March 2002) showed it having strong antioxidant tendencies. This additive is the active ingredient in the product.
Surfactants
Surfactants act to make a formula glide smoothly across a surface like the skin. It aids in providing good coverage for the product. Surfactants in Cleanwell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer include sodium coco-sulfate and sodium decylglucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate.
Essential Oils
Natural essential oils come straight from the plant source. There are three essential oils in the Cleanwell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer. They are Litsea cubeba oil (lemongrass oil), Origanum vulgare oil (oregano oil) and Citrus aurantium dulcis oil (orange oil). All are put in for their fragrance. Lemongrass oil is a natural mosquito repellent. Oregano oil has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
PH Adjusters
Agents that alter the pH of a formula, either by making it more acidic or alkaline, are called pH adjusters. There are two ingredients in this category for the hand sanitizer: sodium citrate and citric acid. Sodium citrate also has the ability to act like a preservative and as an antioxidant fighting free radical damage.
Skin Conditioners
Copper PCA, or copper pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, is a skin conditioner that improves the health and the appearance of skin. Skin looks supple and does not flake when conditioned. This is added to keep hands from drying out.
Humectant
Humectants work well with skin conditioners to keep moisture in the skin’s top layers. This adds the ability to keep skin from drying out and cracking, adding to a healthier appearance. Hydrolyzed oats are the humectant in this hand sanitizer.
Aloe
Aloe can be Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis extracts. When used in cosmetics and personal care products, they bind moisture to the skin, according to the Cosmetics Cop. It can also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to add to the formula as well.
About this Author
T.M. Samuels, a freelancer for more than 20 years, writes on health and wellness topics. She typically picks topics on medical conditions, side effects or ingredients in personal care products. Her print credits include “Arthritis Today” and “Mature Years.” She is happy to be a LIVESTRONG writer.
