Does hand sanitizer actually kill 99.9% of germs? Well, through this article you will find out. In this article, you will also learn what hand sanitizer is, how it is made, how it kills germs, and its history. Hand sanitizer is a very important tool for many people who work in the medical field and in the office. Without it, there would be a lot more viruses and germs around and that wouldn't be good. First, hand sanitizer is made up of key ingredients. There is an active ingredient, which is the ingredient that kills germs. This is usually alcohol, but can be many other things such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or a combination of both. “Benzalkonium chloride is another FDA-approved active ingredient in some hand sanitizers. Although not an alcohol, benzalkonium chloride also works to kill bacteria and some viruses on the hands” (Jackie). Additionally, humectants are added. Humectants are added to hand sanitizer to moisturize the skin. Glycerin and propylene glycol are humectants. They are commonly used in hand sanitizers. As humectants that retain water, they help prevent the skin from drying out with frequent use of hand sanitizer because the active ingredients can dry out the skin. There are multiple ways to moisturize your skin with hand sanitizer. For example, “Isopropyl myristate is an emollient, which is a chemical that seals the surface of the skin and makes it smoother. It is composed of a substance naturally present in nutmeg, coconut oil and some animal fats. Many hands contain isopropyl myristate and moisturizers, such as aloe vera and tocopheryl acetate, or synthetic vitamin E” (Jackie). Carbomer and amniomethyl propanol are common ingredients used as binding agents. Emulsifiers keep the other ingredients in the center of the paper...all people need to use hand sanitizer for their work. For example, people who work in the medical field use it constantly. They also wash their hands often because it is more effective at killing germs. Additionally, many people in offices use it because they use computers all day, and keyboards and mice can get very dirty and carry germs and viruses if not properly disinfected. Hand sanitizer is a very important thing for many people. There are many different types, and almost all of them kill germs. It's perfect for when you're in a pinch and can't wash your hands or if you need to use it for your work. It may not remove dirt and grime like soap would, but it kills germs. It can prevent you from getting sick and much more. Without it there would be many more germs and viruses around the world than there are today.