DIY Hand Sanitizer with Tea Tree Oil

Washing your hands with soap is one of the most effective ways to eliminate germs and stop the spread of viruses. But in situations where soap and water aren't accessible, hand sanitizers can suffice in protecting your health.

During times of public health crises, hand sanitizers tend to sell fast, leaving pharmacies and supermarkets out of stock or limiting the number that people can buy. Fortunately, making your own sanitizer is astonishingly easy, and it can be effective as long as you maintain a high level of potency.

Tea Tree Oil Hand Sanitizer Recipe

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup isopropyl or ethyl alcohol (99 percent)
  • 10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
  • ¼ cup Aloe Vera Gel
  • ½ tsp Vitamin E Oil

Directions:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Whisk to turn the mixture into a gel.
  3. Transfer the gel to a squirt bottle or squeeze tube and label it properly.

Why These Ingredients?

person dropping oil into hand from brown bottle

Alcohol

Alcohol is effective at killing microbes, including certain viruses because it destroys the protein that viruses need to survive.

Hand sanitizers with lower than 60% alcohol have been found to only reduce germs but are less effective at killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi compared to 60-95% concentration. So consider choosing at least 60% for this sanitizer. 

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree Oil is highly prized as a topical treatment, and for good reason. It provides antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, and in one study, was found to work as effectively as 5% benzoyl peroxide in reducing acne. If you’re looking for 100% pure Tea Tree Oil, check out our Acne Eliminating Tea Tree Essential Oil.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is incredibly soothing and hydrating. Adding it to this sanitizer recipe will provide a gel consistency, and most importantly, will moisturize your hands and leave them feeling soft and smooth.

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E Oil also helps soften your hands. Known as the beauty vitamin, Vitamin E acts as a moisturizer, provides anti-aging benefits, protects skin from UV damage, and reduces the appearance of scars.


References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3470868/

https://www.canyonranch.com/blog/beauty/the-skin-benefits-of-vitamin-e/

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/supplement-guide-tea-tree-oil

Written by TreeActiv Team