Are you keeping a toxic substance within reach?  This commonly used item appears helpful and healthy but is actually robbing us of our immunity and adding harmful chemicals into our lives every day.  You probably keep it on your counter at home, on your desk at work, even in your purse. The shocking culprit? Hand sanitizer! Let’s take a look at what makes this product so hazardous.

In a world that is obsessed with germs, antibacterial hand sanitizer has become the answer for our fears of “catching something.”  And you can’t deny, it certainly does kill germs. But it’s like turning a fire hose on a lit match; it’s overkill. Hand sanitizers contain a chemical called triclosan, a powerful ingredient that is responsible for killing bacteria.  The problem is your body has good and bad bacteria that maintain a delicate balance that helps your immunity, your body’s ability to fight off sickness. Triclosan destroys this balance, killing even the good bacteria that you need, lowering your immunity and making you susceptible to the sickness you’re trying to avoid.

We’re encouraged to use this chemical cocktail on a regular basis.  Some occupations even require it. This rampant overuse leads to severe drying of your skin.  We all have a natural protective oil on the surface of our skin. Alcohol cuts through this natural protection, and like the chemical triclosan, kills all of our good and bad germs.  And did I mention the chemical perfumes and dyes that are supposed to make this process more pleasant?

When you think about how often people reach for hand sanitizer, the toxic load really adds up. Not all toxins in our life are totally avoidable, but this one is.

So what can you do?  Stick with the classics! A little soap and water get the job done right. Find a soap that is perfume free and low toxin and you will be taking great steps toward total wellness.  I recommend Dr. Bronner’s line of soaps. You can find them at Walmart and Target, and can even order them easily from Amazon. Looking for another option that is antibacterial but still kind to your system?  I love to use Thieves Oil, which is an antiviral and antibacterial oil that doesn’t harm your bodies good defenses. You can even mix it with some 100% organic aloe vera and create a lotion you can use on the go.  

As always, do your research. Be aware. It’s possible to reduce the toxic load in your life, just keep your eyes open. There are so many toxins in this world that are hard to avoid, but eliminating hand sanitizer is within your reach.