The Best Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer of 2026

We scored 15 hand sanitizer for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. The top pick is Seventh Generation Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation at 100/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.

How to read these scores. PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Each grade is a model-based assessment built from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, brand disclosures, recalls and third-party lab results where they exist. Read the full rubric to see exactly what adds and removes points.
0% of the 15 hand sanitizer we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
PFAS Authority, September 2026. Free to cite with a link. See the full dataset.

The safest PFAS-free hand sanitizer we have scored

  1. 1
    Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation

    Seventh Generation

    Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation

    water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients

    PFAS Grade100Excellent
    Overall Grade92Excellent
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergens

    Limited concern

    70
    ⛏️

    Heavy metals

    Limited concern

    70

    Preferred option; MADE SAFE certification and plant-based formula substantially reduce PFAS risk.

    ✓ MADE SAFE✓ EWG Verified

    ✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party

    Why this gradeBuy
  2. 2
    Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist

    Seventh Generation

    Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist

    Water-based cosmetic spray (alcohol, water, plant extracts, preservatives)

    PFAS Grade100Excellent
    Overall Grade84Excellent
    ⚠️

    Preservative system irritation (contact allergens)

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Plant extract allergenicity and contamination

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Fragrance constituent allergens

    Limited concern

    70
    💨

    Spray inhalation of alcohol vapors

    Limited concern

    70

    Preferred option; hand mist format and brand certification reduce PFAS risk, though no dedicated lab testing published.

    ✓ MADE SAFE✓ Leaping Bunny

    ✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party

    Why this gradeBuy
  3. 3
    PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer

    Purell

    Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer

    aqueous gel (alcohol, water, carbomer, glycerin, fragrance)

    PFAS Grade75Excellent
    Overall Grade61Good
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergens

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Skin irritation from alcohol

    Moderate concern

    45

    Low concern; no known water-repellent coating treatment in hand sanitizer gel formulation.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  4. 4
    Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer

    Purell

    Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer

    Ethyl alcohol gel (typical hand sanitizer base)

    PFAS Grade75Excellent
    Overall Grade37Poor
    ⚠️

    Skin irritation and drying

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Eye contact hazard

    Moderate concern

    45
    ⚠️

    Flammability

    Moderate concern

    45
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergens

    Limited concern

    70

    Low concern for PFAS; hand sanitizers lack typical PFAS-risk applications, but Purell makes no public disclosure.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  5. 5
    Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel

    Purell

    Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel

    ethyl alcohol gel with humectants (aloe, glycerin)

    PFAS Grade75Excellent
    Overall Grade47Poor
    ⚠️

    Ethanol skin irritation or sensitization

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergens

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Ingestion risk in children

    Moderate concern

    45
    ⚠️

    Eye contact irritation

    Moderate concern

    45

    Low concern for typical hand sanitizer formulation; no known high-risk materials identified.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  6. 6
    Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist

    Aesop

    Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist

    Water, plant extracts, preservatives (standard cosmetic formula)

    PFAS Grade75Excellent
    Overall Grade53Good
    ⚠️

    Preservative sensitization (contact allergen risk)

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Lack of antimicrobial efficacy (false security)

    Moderate concern

    45
    ⚠️

    Botanical extract instability and mold growth

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergens and respiratory irritation

    Limited concern

    70

    Low concern; rinse-free hand mist lacks typical PFAS triggers and needs no waterproofing.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  7. 7
    Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash

    Aesop

    Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash

    Water-based rinse-free hand wash; surfactants, humectants, botanical extracts

    PFAS Grade75Excellent
    Overall Grade67Good
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergens (essential oils)

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Skin barrier disruption from frequent use

    Limited concern

    70

    Low concern for PFAS; no evidence of intentional fluorochemicals in rinse-free hand wash formula.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  8. 8
    Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash

    Aesop

    Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash

    aqueous liquid cosmetic formulation (soap/detergent base)

    PFAS Grade75Excellent
    Overall Grade67Good
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergen sensitization

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Microbial growth in pump dispenser (maintenance hazard)

    Limited concern

    70

    Low concern for a liquid hand wash containing no aqueous film-forming agents typical of the category.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy

Every hand sanitizer that passes, side by side

Sorted by score. Higher is safer.

#Hand SanitizerScoreRatingMade of
1Seventh Generation Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation100Excellentwater-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients
2Seventh Generation Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist100ExcellentWater-based cosmetic spray (alcohol, water, plant extracts, preservatives)
3Purell PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer75Excellentaqueous gel (alcohol, water, carbomer, glycerin, fragrance)
4Purell Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer75ExcellentEthyl alcohol gel (typical hand sanitizer base)
5Purell Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel75Excellentethyl alcohol gel with humectants (aloe, glycerin)
6Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist75ExcellentWater, plant extracts, preservatives (standard cosmetic formula)
7Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash75ExcellentWater-based rinse-free hand wash; surfactants, humectants, botanical extracts
8Aesop Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash75Excellentaqueous liquid cosmetic formulation (soap/detergent base)

The hand sanitizer we would skip

Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.

PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer

Purell

Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer

aqueous gel (alcohol, water, carbomer, glycerin, fragrance)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade61Good
⚠️

Fragrance allergens

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Skin irritation from alcohol

Moderate concern

45

Low concern; no known water-repellent coating treatment in hand sanitizer gel formulation.

⚠Risky category by default

Why this gradeBuy
Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer

Purell

Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer

Ethyl alcohol gel (typical hand sanitizer base)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade37Poor
⚠️

Skin irritation and drying

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Eye contact hazard

Moderate concern

45
⚠️

Flammability

Moderate concern

45
⚠️

Fragrance allergens

Limited concern

70

Low concern for PFAS; hand sanitizers lack typical PFAS-risk applications, but Purell makes no public disclosure.

⚠Risky category by default

Why this gradeBuy
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel

Purell

Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel

ethyl alcohol gel with humectants (aloe, glycerin)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade47Poor
⚠️

Ethanol skin irritation or sensitization

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Fragrance allergens

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Ingestion risk in children

Moderate concern

45
⚠️

Eye contact irritation

Moderate concern

45

Low concern for typical hand sanitizer formulation; no known high-risk materials identified.

⚠Risky category by default

Why this gradeBuy

What we check on hand sanitizer

  • Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
  • Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
  • Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
  • Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.

Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.

The hand sanitizer brands that will not say

4 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.

Aesop, Dettol, Purell, Seventh Generation.

Common questions about PFAS-free hand sanitizer

Is hand sanitizer PFAS free?

Mostly not. Of the 15 hand sanitizer we have scored, 0% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 15 that pass. The highest scoring is Seventh Generation Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation at 100 out of 100. The lowest is Purell PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer at 75.

What is the safest hand sanitizer you have scored?

Seventh Generation Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation, at 100 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients. The runner up is Seventh Generation Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist at 100.

Which hand sanitizer should I avoid?

The three lowest scoring we hold are Purell PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer at 75, Purell Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer at 75, Purell Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel at 75. The problem with the first is that made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.

Which hand sanitizer brands will not say whether they use PFAS?

4 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including Aesop, Dettol, Purell, Seventh Generation. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.

Do you lab test hand sanitizer?

No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.

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