How to Make Hand Sanitizer with Essential Oils (Updated with CDC Recommendations)

Updated March 2020: The CDC recommends that all hand sanitizer contain at least 60% alcohol, so we updated this post to include additional recipes that meet the CDC’s guidelines. We also included a list of antibacterial essential oils and alternate ingredients you can use in a pinch.

I first knew things were getting out of hand when I started seeing hand sanitizer on key chains. And yet, despite what I know about the stuff–the unnatural fragrances, how dried out my hands feel after using it, and the fact that triclosan-based sanitizers contribute to antibiotic resistance–I’m always tempted to pick up a few bottles anyway. They’re just so convenient and, what’s the old adage, better safe than sorry? Luckily, with their unique antibacterial properties, essential oils can be used to make your own hand sanitizers.

So instead of the traditional stuff, why not give this homemade hand sanitizer a try? It kills germs naturally and you’ll save money making your own. Plus, in times like these when disinfecting products are out of stock practically everywhere, knowing how to make hand sanitizer can be a godsend.

Hand Sanitizer Recipe with Essential Oils

Traditional hand sanitizer is loaded with things like sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens and synthetic fragrance, which can wreak havoc on everything from skin to hormones. But as if that weren’t scary enough, it’s actually the antibacterial agent, triclosan, you need to worry about.

Triclosan is so potent that it can kill up to 99.9% of germs. But that .1% of germs that’s left can then breed and pass its antibiotic resistance to offspring, quickly morphing into what’s called a “superbug.” This is why triclosan has been banned in hand soaps, body washes and commercial disinfectants.

But natural hand sanitizer is a different beast entirely. Instead of triclosan, it uses gentle ingredients and naturally antimicrobial essential oils to kill bacteria. In my standard go-to recipe, witch hazel acts as a first line of defense against germs and aloe vera gel nourishes skin and prevents chapping and cracking (it also gives your hand sanitizer that gel-like consistency we’re all used to).

And usually this recipe works just fine for me and my family. But in light of COVID-19, I have since overhauled my recipe to include rubbing alcohol, as per the CDC’s recommendation.

Studies have found that sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60–95% are more effective at killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration or non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers [source]. And, according to the CDC, hand sanitizers with less than 60% alcohol may not work on all types of germs, and if they do work, they may merely reduce the growth of germs rather than kill them outright.

While these studies were performed using store-bought sanitizers, as long as your homemade sanitizer contains the recommended concentration of alcohol it will effectively clean and disinfect hands.

The Best Essential Oils for Hand Sanitizer

The purpose of adding essential oils is two fold:

1. Replenish moisture and nutrients. Alcohol is tough on skin, which is why most commercial hand sanitizers contain humectants to replenish the moisture that’s been stripped away. While your homemade hand sanitizer should hopefully contain glycerin, aloe vera, or some other humectant to lock in moisture, essential oils can also help to replenish lost nutrients and soothe dry, chapped skin.
2. Provide additional antibacterial benefits. Studies have shown that certain essential oils have antimicrobial properties [source]. By adding select oils to your homemade hand sanitizer, you can improve its effectiveness. 

Plus, and I’d be remiss not to mention it, essential oils provide aromatherapy benefits like boosting your mood, relaxing tension in the body, and even helping you concentrate. So while I recommend choosing oils with proven antimicrobial benefits, feel free to add in oils you love, too. 

But which essential oils are the most effective? Here are the top 6 antimicrobial oils, according to science (click through to see the studies on each oil):

• Cinnamon
• Tea tree
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Clove

Cinnamon and clove are especially helpful in fighting respiratory infections during the early stages, so if you have some handy I would definitely recommend using them. And mixing oils may even provide a bit of a synergistic effect, so feel free to combine several different oils for added benefit. One caution: these oils are potent and can cause skin irritation. Use lavender or tea tree if using with children.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer FAQs

I can’t find isopropyl alocohol – what else can I use?

You can use 3/4 cup 190-proof grain (ethyl) alcohol along with 1/4 cup aloe vera gel. It must be 190 proof, though, to ensure it has the germ-killing power the CDC recommends. Don’t use other types of alcohol (such as methanol and butanol) because they’re toxic.

My hand sanitizer is too thick and won’t go in my bottle.

Add more liquid (rubbing alcohol or witch hazel – whichever your recipe calls for) until you get a more pourable consistency. 

Can I use fresh aloe vera gel?

Yes, you can, but you’ll need to keep the solution in the fridge and use it within 1-2 weeks.

How long will this last?

That depends on your ingredients. 

If you’re using all shelf-stable ingredients (and don’t add any water), it should last about a year. Most store bought aloe vera gel lasts around 2 years, glycerin lasts about 4-6 years and witch hazel 4-5 years. Even diluting those ingredients with alcohol and essential oils shouldn’t drastically decrease their shelf life. If you don’t plan on using it up right away, then store extra sanitizer in the refrigerator.

If you’re using fresh aloe vera gel or you happen to water down your recipe with water, it will go bad much faster. Store it in the refrigerator and use it within 2 weeks.

How should I store my hand sanitizer?

We use ours up really quickly so I never bothering refrigerating it. If you plan on making enough hand sanitizer to last long-term, I would store the extra in the fridge until needed, just to be safe. 

Where did you buy your bottle?

I like to repurpose old cosmetic bottles for my homemade bath and body recipes. If you don’t have any, these 2-ounce pump bottles would work well.

And if you miss the convenience of the old hand sanitizers, why not empty one or two of those key chain bottles you have lying around and fill it with your own homemade sanitizer? You’ll always have some at the ready and you won’t have to worry about the chemicals.

What other ingredients can I use?

Aside from those listed in the recipe notes, I can’t make ingredient recommendations since I haven’t tried any other ingredients. While there are plenty of recipes online for hand sanitizer that uses white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, I can’t guarantee those will kill germs like an alcohol-based recipe will.

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Homemade Hand Sanitizer 3 Ways

While I have always used a natural witch hazel-based recipe, the CDC recommends that all sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol in order to kill tough germs and viruses. So that's the recipe we currently recommend. Refer to the notes for substitutions and alternate ingredients you can try in a pinch.

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Wellness

Keyword: immunity

Yield: 8 ounces

Author: Stephanie Pollard

Cost: $5

Equipment

• Four 2-ounce pump bottles
• Funnel
• Small bowl

Materials

Hand Sanitizer with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol

• 3/4 cup isopropyl alcohol 99%
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel store-bought will last longer
• 1 teaspoon glycerin
• 10 drops essential oil

Hand Sanitizer with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol

• 3/4 cup isopropyl alcohol 70%
• 1.5 tablespoons aloe vera gel store-bought will last longer
• 1 teaspoon glycerin
• 10 drops essential oil

Hand Sanitizer with Witch Hazel

• 3/4 cup witch hazel
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel store-bought will last longer
• 10 drops essential oil

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine.
  
• Divide hand sanitizer between four 2-ounce pump bottles and use within 6 months to a year.
  
• To use, apply a nickel-sized pump of sanitizer to the palm of one hand. Then rub your hands together making sure to get the fronts, backs and in between all fingers. Continue rubbing until hands feel dry.
  

Notes

If you're using 70% isopropyl alcohol, your hand sanitizer is going to be more watery than you're used to. That's because 70% isopropyl alcohol is already watered down, so you can't add much glycerin or aloe vera without watering it down even further, and thus, making it ineffective. If you're not a fan of the texture, try putting it in a small spray bottle and using it as a hand spray as opposed to a pumpable gel.

Essential Oils - Use any of the following in place of the cinnamon essential oil

• Clove
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Tea Tree

Can't find rubbing alcohol? Try 190 proof grain (ethyl) alcohol instead.

Can't find aloe vera gel? Replace 1:1 with glycerin.

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Holly Smith, a board certified physician in nephrology and internal medicine with a background in nutrition. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.