The Dangers of Chemical Additives in Hand Sanitisers

As an integrated Health Coach, I know how valuable it is to share knowledge that will help your body stay healthy. To be a truly empowered, consumer you have to know the truth about what goes into Alcohol hand sanitisers and how that can disrupt your wellbeing.

Although there is a huge requirement for Hand Sanitisers what is being seen in the market is a surge in panic buying related to the spread of COVID19. So much so that consumers are overusing alcohol based sanitisers.

Sadly this may hurt or harm consumers when not purchased, or used consciously and being fully aware of the ingredients used when making various hand sanitisers. Here at Africology we are well aware of the detrimental effects of chemical perfumes and additives on the body. Also important is to remember that most commercial alcohol-based hand sanitisers contain Triethanolamine. When absorbed into the body over a long period of time Triethanolamine can become toxic. Even short periods of exposure can cause allergic reactions.

Triethanolamine is an amine produced by reacting ethylene oxide (considered highly toxic) with ammonia (another known toxin). Clinical tests show that high doses of triethanolamine have caused liver, bladder, and testicular cancer in laboratory animals. 

While these results are no doubt a cause for concern, avoid long-term exposure. Further to this, The Dermareview also states that, Despite FDA approval, it should never be used long term, as it has been proven to have detrimental effects on human skin, on the immune system and has been classified as a respiratory toxicant.

Alcohol is also well known as a topical penetration enhancer and may be used in transdermal delivery systems [65-81]. Bommannan et al. [82] found in vivo in humans that ethanol enters the skin and removes measurable quantities of the lipid barrier material from the stratum corneum. For this very reason we have to be very careful of what we add to an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. This is not a time to harm our biology but to strengthen it, whilst using products that helps protect us from the current viral threat. Using a pure alcohol like ethanol is a little kinder than Isopropyl alcohol that may contain “other “ unknown substances used to denature the alcohol.

Surely these chemicals should NOT be used in a hand sanitiser already containing alcohol, and a perfume? The delivery of toxic overload of frequent use is a real concern to me. Especially during this time that we all need to build the immune system and strengthen the respiratory system. Rest assured; we use cornstarch as a thickening agent instead of a chemical thickener such as a Carbomer. Beautifully enriched with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera- we also blend Artemesia extracted into our alcohol for its recorded antiviral benefits. Dermalogically tested and endorsed our Africology Hand Sanitiser was also Lab tested in accordance with sans 51276 (en1276) as per SABS standards in order to protect against micro-organisms, bacteria, viruses & fungi. Skin Compatibility tested as per EU Guidelines for irritation potential. Your Africology Hand Sanitiser is kind to your biology yet detrimental to viruses and bacteria.

As “The Medical Medium” so wisely explains; “The chemicals in synthetic scents can lower the immune system rapidly. What does that mean? It means that when the chemicals enter our bloodstream, our natural killer cells, lymphocytes, and other white blood cells absorb them, and that instantly weakens our immune cells and even kills some off. Our white blood cells need clean, fresh, oxygenated blood; with chemical scents, our white count becomes hindered. Exposure to a heavy dosage of air freshener, scented candle, cologne, perfume, or similar scent could mean three to four days of a weakened and lowered immune system. Pathogens can take advantage with an uprising—especially because the synthetic scent chemicals can, at the same time, feed viruses and bacteria, allowing them to prosper and reproduce, leading to further illness. Someone who’s prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), sinus infections, or flare-ups of fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, lupus, MS, eczema, psoriasis, or Hashimoto’s may experience a new flare-up following exposure.”