Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitiser Gels with Mandelic Acid and Essential Oils

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Dermatology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Hand sanitizers are widely used, increasing concerns about skin dryness and irritation from frequent alcohol-based product application.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified the demand for effective and safe hand hygiene solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel antimicrobial acrylic acid (Carbomer)-based hand gels utilizing mandelic acid and essential oils as ethanol substitutes.
• To assess the physicochemical properties, stability, sensory attributes, and antimicrobial efficacy of these novel gel formulations.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of Carbomer-based gels incorporating mandelic acid and various essential oils (cinnamon, clove, lemon, thyme).
• Evaluation of physicochemical parameters (pH, viscosity), stability, and sensory characteristics.
• Determination of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts.

Main Results:

• The prepared gels demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms.
• Formulations with mandelic acid and essential oils exhibited superior organoleptic properties compared to commercial ethanol-based gels.
• Mandelic acid addition positively influenced gel consistency, stability, and antimicrobial efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The essential oil/mandelic acid combination offers a dermatologically beneficial and effective hand sanitizing formulation.
• These novel gels represent a promising natural alternative to conventional alcohol-based hand sanitizers for daily use.