Hand sanitizer stock, like that of kettlebells and toilet paper, has been pretty inconsistent since the pandemic hit. As stores quickly ran out of Purell, well-known luxury brands, like Aesop became the fallback for anyone who could afford the cost. Now, even the high-end fancy hand sanitizers are gone. These days, if you want hand sanitizer, you’ll likely have to get it from a boutique skincare retailer right as they launch, a distillery—because hand sanitizer is mostly alcohol—that’s shifted its production, or as a “free gift” for purchasing other items.
It’s worth noting that hand sanitizer is not your only line of defense against the spread of the coronavirus. Much more important are socially distancing, wearing a mask outside, not touching your face, and washing your hands—often—for at least 20 seconds. But even the most studious hermit has to make occasional trips outside the house—or perhaps your job has been deemed essential, and you’re in the field, doing everything you can to protect yourself. When soap and a sink aren’t always available, that’s when a bottle of hand sanitizer fills the void.
If you need hand sanitizer now, here are the places we’ve found with stock at the time we published.
All of by Humankind’s products have minimal, recyclable packaging and generally produce no waste themselves—like the brand’s bar shampoo. The company just launched a hand sanitizer refill, an 8 oz. metal bottle filled with hand sanitizer that you can pour into a small container you already have. A dollar from each sale will go to Robin Hood, an organization that funnels money to New York social service organization in need. The sanitizer is available unscented or in grapefruit.
Vegamour is a company that makes plant-based serums and supplements to boost hair health. In response to the Coronovirus pandemic, the company has started selling a moisturizing hand sanitizer spray. It has the CDC recommended concentration of alcohol, plus oils to moisturize and a oils for scent. The company is donating 20 percent of the proceeds from the sales to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation.
King’s County Distillery makes excellent whiskey in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard. Since mid-March, the company has shifted its production to make hand sanitizer, packaged and sold in it’s trademark 200mL handles. The company is selling the hand sanitizer with sliding scale pricing. You can get a bottle for as little as $1, which the company says covers the bottle, cap, and corn used to make it. But if you have the funds, consider donating the full $20, which covers the cost of the product as well as the overhead and lost revenue that comes from not selling it as whiskey. And while you’re there, get yourself some bourbon.
Every Man Jack makes personal care items, including body wash and shampoo. In response to the pandemic, the company has made a hand sanitizer, but you can only get it if you purchase more than $20 worth of other products.
Previse, another plant-based skincare company, is selling small 2 oz. bottles of hand-sanitizers. For each you buy, the company donates one to a healthcare center serving at-risk patients.
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Marianella’s soaps and beauty products are handcrafted in small batches at the company’s store in New York City. Heads-up: the hand sanitizer is currently available for sale, but might take a bit of time to ship.
San Francisco-based barbershop brand Church California makes small-batch hair products. Its hand sanitizer looks like a moisturizer (and it is quite hydrating). It’s made with organic grape alcohol and includes a few scented essential oils.
Public Goods’ hand sanitizer is produced in Illinois without the use of any parabens, which can irritate the skin. It comes in a small 2 oz. container, but at a low price—only $2.
Eir NYC has reformulated its hand sanitizing spray with a higher alcohol content, to meet CDC guidelines. You can buy it alone for $20, but the company is sending one out free with any other purchase on site, even if you buy a $5 lip balm.
Chi’s moisturizing hand sanitizer is unavailable in its smallest size, but you can still get anything larger than a 5.7 oz bottle.
Green Goo’s plant-based hand sanitizer comes in a tiny tube, which you can easily fit into your pocket.
Griffo is a California-based distillery that makes tons of different sprits, including gin, whiskey, and vodka. The company has shifted all of its production to sanitizer and is shipping orders across the country.
Jao has been making hand sanitizer since 1997. The larger sizes of it’s sanitizer are unavailable, but you can still get a 2 oz. bottle shipped to any address in the continental United States.
