The Hand Sanitzer segment was one of the fastest growing sectors in the personal care industry in 2009. The H1N1 global pandemic was a key factor in building greater momentum in the already expanding market.  Consumers, with their heightened awareness of personal hygiene, have created a demand for new and improved anti-bacterial products.  

It is hard to believe there was a time when the local drugstore had one or two hand sanitizer brands on the shelf.  Today, you see everything from products that claim to be natural to products that claim to perform other functions, such as moisturizing and conditioning. 

ROSS Organic and our suppliers can offer several solutions for product improvement in the hand sanitizer category.

Southern Cross Botanicals (Australia) has developed a Botanical Hand Sanitizer reference formulation that includes functional botanicals, Melafresh^® T96 (Tea Tree Active) and Australian Myrtle Oil.  The end result is a fast-acting and natural broad-spectrum antimicrobial hand sanitizer.  The finished product also has a fresh and clean scent which is attributed to the botanicals. Another interesting approach to the natural trend is Botaneco’s Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, which highlights their Hydresia^® SF2, a 100% natural safflower oleosomes ingredient.   

Current sanitizer products on the market typically use Carbomer to thicken the alcohol. Rhodia’s newest innovation, Jaguar^® HP-120, would be a far more functional and creative option to thicken new formulations.  Formulations made with this naturally-derived guar-derivative solution leave hands feeling fresh and moisturized, neither sticky nor dry. In addition, consumers benefit from the thickened gel texture, which lets them better control the amount they use. For formulators, the quick hydration of Jaguar^® HP120 reduces manufacturing cycle time, thus optimizing gel production.

By adding 1% of Zenicone^® XX (castor polymer) in typical alcohol-based hand sanitizer formulations you can easily improve the overall aesthetics.  Finished products that include the Zenicone^® XX have a far superior after-feel and a much smoother application.  Zenitech has published their Hand Sanitizer w/ Zenicone XX (Moisturizing) for reference.  

For further information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .