Did you know that hand sanitisers are now available from places other than your local supermarket or pharmacy? No really, it isn’t just Dettol or Purell cornering the market now. Big brands have realised there is a little OCD in all of us and have created up-market versions. Until recently I had NO IDEA.

First one I found out about was Aesop through a review on Makeup Mole. At the time I loved the idea of it but thought it was really odd for a fancy skincare brand like Aesop to do such a thing. Last month I found out that Jurlique were also releasing one and I was left thinking ‘How crazy are these Australian skincare brands?’. ‘Will anyone buy fancy hand sanitised?’ After pondering for a bit I remembered that OPI have had their Swiss Hand Guard antiseptic gel around for god knows how long.

The above realisations lead to a light bulb moment, and DING, we have a blog post. I finally found some time (and some space on my credit card) to head to Myer and David Jones in the Sydney CBD to see how many fancy ones I could find. My review and all the info follows …… now …..

Essie – Naturally Clean Purifying Hand Treatment

AU $33 (from Myer) / UK £24.95 – 236 mL / 8 oz

What I Say: The packaging is pretty average, just a plain glossy whit bottle with a clear pump, but it is very sturdy. I like that the pump doesn’t come to far out of the bottle so that you can only pump a small amount out. The gel is slightly cloudy and doesn’t melt too quickly in your hands (so you have enough time to spread it around). My hands are left feeling slightly tacky/sticky for about 7-10 seconds after rubbing it in, but after my hands are completely dry they feel smooth and don’t feel dehydrated. It has a zesty smell but you can only really smell it if you put your hands to your face. The big downer is the price!

What Essie Say: Essie Naturally Clean Purifying Hand Treatment is a 100 per cent natural formula which moisturises while cleansing hands without water. Infused with eucalyptus oil, which has antiseptic benefits, the lightweight formula also contains soothing aloe vera and naturally derived vegetable glycerin to hydrate skin. With a refreshing botanical scent, vitamin enriched rice bran oil provides powerful antioxidant protection.

Aesop – Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash

AU $13 / UK £11  - 50 mL / 1.7 oz

What I Say: One thing I strongly loathe about Aesop is their same-same packaging (Amber coloured bottle, Cream coloured label, Black text). This bottle is no different and looks like every other product Aesop have ever made, just a smaller version. It has a flip top cap with an open mouth and you need to squeeze the bottle for some to come out, however, the bottle is made from super thick plastic so if you have scrawny arms like me it takes a real hand crushing effort. The formula is a much more runny version of a gel, similar to a serum. It starts to dry quickly so you need a good amount in order to thoroughly cover your hands. This one has a sticky feeling for the first 3-5 seconds but then leaves my hands smooth, again without dehydrating. The scent is noticeably citrus but with a ‘herby’ middle note, and something masculine. After looking at the ingredients I realise it has Cedarwood and Rosemary, which easily explains what I smelt. The price on this one is steep but expected. A standard Dettol 50mL sanitised costs AU $3.39 rrp so you have to expect to pay heavily for a fancy bottle.

What Aesop Say: Our latest addition to the Resurrection hand care range provides a portable solution for keeping hands clean when fresh water is unavailable. This alcohol-based gel formula kills bacteria upon contact, making it ideal for combating contagions whether on short commutes, long-haul trips or while braving the great outdoors.

Jurlique – Moisturising Hand Sanitiser

AU $19 / US $15 – 175 mL / 5.9 oz
Also available in 50 mL travel size AU $10 / US $6.50.

What I Say: The clear bottle has a nice leaf design on the front, but the actual pump is what makes this packaging a stand out. The curved top looks almost like an animals beak, and the pump only extends millimetres from the bottle so you can only pump a small amount out at one time. The formula is a cloudy yellow colour and the gel holds its form until rubbed into the skin. This is one of those hand sanitisers that makes any dirt on your skin ball up so that it can literally be removed from the surface. I find you need to keep rubbing your hands together until all those yucky bits flake off. It definitely is a slow drying hand sanitiser, about 20-30 seconds, but my hands don’t feel sticky while it dries. Once dry, my hands feel like they just had a good application of hand cream; silky and hydrated. It has a citrus based scent as well, but with some other plant and herb fragrances, including mint and lavender. The price is again a little steep but having this on my desk or in my kitchen looks far prettier than the regular stuff.

What Jurlique Say: Jurlique’s new Moisturising Hand Sanitiser is the ideal solution for antibacterial hand care and a unique natural alternative to products common in the market today. The non-drying formula is designed to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria 30 seconds after application. Formulated with a new and innovative oleosome technology that delivers nourishing safflower oil to skin, Jurlique’s Moisturising Hand Sanitiser offers enhanced moisturisation benefits that leave hands feeling soft, silky and smooth. The formula is further enhanced with Australian Bush Mint known for its antimicrobial properties, as well as our proprietary blend of botanicals grown on the Jurlique farm.

OPI – Swiss Hand Guard

AU $12.95 (from David Jones) / US $16.50 / UK £9.75 – 120 mL / 4 oz
Also available in 30 mL for AU $3.50.

What I Say: This pump pack is again on the simple side, similar to Essie. It is a see-through plastic bottle with a long black pump that stands high out of the bottle. I find this a tad annoying because the bottle doesn’t stay still while you are trying to push the pump down, and you never need as much as it issues in a single pump. The gel is tinted pink which I love, and it melts quite quickly once in my hands. This formula also causes dirt to ball up and you need to rub your hands thoroughly to get all the bits off. It dries quickly though, about 5 seconds and my hands are left smooth but a tad dry and not silky. The minty scent is extremely overwhelming and as someone who hates mint anything I find it really off putting. If you want a sanitised that packs a strong scent than this is the one for you.

What OPI Say: A convenient, go-anywhere skin antiseptic, this highly effective, yet non-drying, formula kills germs and bacteria on contact. Requires no water or rinsing

• The centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends frequent hand washing to help prevent the spread of germs and flu virus
• Swiss Hand Guard lets you kill 99% of germs on contact without using water
• Perfect for school, the office, travel – wherever germs can spread

I hope this little glimpse into fancy hand sanitisers has opened you up to trying something new. I am so thankful I found out about the other alternatives because I felt a tad sad pulling out the old Purell everytime I went out to dinner.

Have you tried a fancy hand sanitiser before? Do you know of any other brands that I failed to find? Let me know by commenting below!

All images are the property of The Plastic Diaries, excluding press release images. Use of these images without written consent is prohibited. If you wish to use them please contact me to request permission. Images are taken in natural light and remain unedited, unless otherwise stated.

The Jurlique product was provided for consideration, in accordance with our Disclosure Policy. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are my own and remain 100% uninfluenced.

Related posts: