Benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizer is more effective than ethanol-based hand sanitizer, according to research published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
The efficacy of benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizer and ethanol-based hand sanitizer was compared by measuring persistence of staphylococcus aureus four hours after application.
The key details to know:
1. Benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizer was associated with a reduction in colony-forming units at three different time points.
2. Ethanol hand sanitizer was significantly less effective.
3. Researchers concluded, "These results show a major improvement in persistent antibacterial activity for the benzalkonium chloride formulation compared to the comparator ethanol-based formulation."