Hand cleansing gel, often called alcohol gel or hand rub, is used to disinfect hands when soap and water are not to hand. A patient guide from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust explains that its gel contains 70 per cent alcohol plus a moisturiser.
How to use it
Dispense one measured amount, then rub it over both hands, including between the fingers, around the thumbs and over the wrists. Keep rubbing until the gel has evaporated, which the guide says usually takes about 15 to 20 seconds.
When to wash instead
The guide is clear that the gel will not remove dirt, so visibly dirty hands need soap and water. The NHS handwashing advice agrees: it recommends washing with soap and water for about 20 seconds, and treats an alcohol-based sanitiser as an option when washing is not immediately possible.
Sources: RNOH NHS Trust: using alcohol hand gel, NHS: best way to wash your hands
For more beauty and style ideas, browse the shop.