Coronavirus has caused a hand-sanitizer shortage, so what should we do now?

Using hand-sanitizer can help to stop the spread of Coronavirus, because alcohol is effective at killing different types of microbes, including both viruses and bacteria, because it unfolds and inactivates their proteins.

This process, which is called denaturation, will cripple and often kill the microbe because its proteins will unfold and stick together. Heat can also denature some proteins — for example, when you cook an egg, the solidified egg whites are denatured proteins.

The problem is, with panic buying at an all time high surrounding Coronavirus, every website, store, and gas station is out of hand-sanitizer! Concerns about the spread of the virus have increased demand for hand sanitizer to the point that people are considering making it at home.

Hand sanitizer is a combination of at least 60% alcohol and remaining parts aloe.

Whether you are trying to kill bacteria or viruses, many research studies have found that an alcohol concentration of 60% or greater is needed tobe effective.

So, if 60% alcohol is good, is 100% better? Surprisingly, no. Protein denaturation actually works faster when a small amount of other liquid is mixed with the alcohol. And pure alcohol would evaporate too quickly to effectively kill bacteria or viruses on your skin.

Using 100% alcohol also would dry your skin out very quickly and cause it to become irritated. That might cause you to not sanitize your hands as frequently as needed. This is why most hand sanitizers contain emollients, which are mixtures that help soften and moisturize your skin, such as aloe.

With this knowledge, many DIYers are turning to Pinterest to learn how to make their own hand sanitizer. This is a great idea, except for yet another roadblock: now, everywhere is out of aloe, a key ingredient!

At Stream2Sea, we’ve had your solution in our line-up all along. We fortified plain aloe with a much more effective and natural remedy long ago, just add alcohol for an even more powerful protector!

Our Sun & Sting Soothing Gel is made with our potent antioxidant blend of Green Tea, Tulsi, Wakame, and Olive Leaf.

• Aloe and Green Tea speed skin restoration
• Powerful blend of essential oils and enzymes quickly cools skin for fast relief of sunburned and stressed skin
• Greaseless and fast absorbing gel

Sun & Sting Soothing Gel is also eco-conscious. You can feel good about using Stream2Sea’s Sun and Sting Soothing Gel. All of our mineral sunscreens and natural body care products are made of natural ingredients, biodegradable and tested safe for fish and coral larvae. This protects you, your family, and our planet’s waters.Plus, we don’t like plastic either! That is why our tubes are made from sugarcane resins and our bottles are 97% post-consumer recycled content.

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