PFAS in Hand Sanitizer, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst

Every hand sanitizer brand we have reviewed in our database currently grades out as Excellent, with a model-based estimate of 75 out of 100 for safety, based on available materials and public disclosure rather than a certified lab test of every batch. That means the honest answer to "which hand sanitizer brand grades best" is that several brands are effectively tied at the top, including Purell PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist Seventh Generation Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation, and Dettol Dettol Original Instant Hand Sanitizer.

There is no single worst-graded hand sanitizer in our current database. Every product we have scored in this category, across Purell, Aesop, Seventh Generation, and Dettol, lands in the same Excellent tier based on reviewed formulation disclosures and ingredient data. That is a reassuring signal for the category overall, but it is not a guarantee. These are model-based estimates built from publicly available materials, not laboratory confirmations for every bottle sold, so shoppers should still read labels, favor fragrance-free versions where possible, and use our product finder to check for updates as new formulations are tested.

Product	PFAS grade (model estimate)	Verdict
Purell PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, widely available, solid pick
Purell Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, near-identical formulation profile to above
Purell Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, consistent with Purell's broader gel line
Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, premium formulation and packaging
Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, similar profile to Aesop's mist
Aesop Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, fragrance-forward variant of the line
Seventh Generation Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, plant-based positioning
Seventh Generation Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, mist format with added moisturizers
Seventh Generation Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizer, 7.5 oz, Fragrance-Free	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, fragrance-free option worth prioritizing
Dettol Dettol Original Instant Hand Sanitizer	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, widely sold internationally
Dettol Dettol Instant Disinfectant Hand Sanitizer	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, disinfectant-forward marketing
Dettol Dettol Instant Hand Sanitizer 50ml	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, travel-size format

Why hand sanitizer is a lower-risk PFAS category to begin with

Hand sanitizer is fundamentally a liquid or gel product built around alcohol, water, thickeners, and humectants. It does not rely on the grease-resistant or waterproof coatings that historically drove PFAS use in categories like fast food wrappers paper napkins and paper towels, or waterproof boots. That structural difference is likely why every sanitizer product in our database currently grades Excellent. It is also why shoppers researching this category should not assume the same "Excellent" ceiling applies elsewhere, categories like cosmetics and carpets and rugs have historically shown much wider grade spreads because PFAS additives serve a functional purpose there that they simply do not serve in a sanitizer formula.

That said, "lower concern" is not the same as a declaration that these products contain zero PFAS or are certified free of them by an independent lab. Our grades reflect model-based analysis of publicly available ingredient lists, safety data sheets, and brand disclosures. Based on available materials and data, we found no evidence of PFAS in the reviewed sources for these specific products. That is a meaningfully different statement than "this product is PFAS-free," and we want to be precise about the distinction.

Purell, the household default

Purell is the brand most people picture when they think "hand sanitizer," and its three graded products Purell PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer Purell Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer, and Purell Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel, all land in the same Excellent tier at a 75/100 model-based safety estimate.

Materials. Purell's gels are built on ethyl alcohol as the active antimicrobial ingredient, combined with water, glycerin-type moisturizers, and gelling agents. Public formulation disclosures reviewed for these products did not surface PFAS-specific additives.

Brand claims. Purell markets its gels around skin-moisturizing claims and CDC-aligned alcohol concentrations for germ-killing efficacy. These are brand-stated marketing claims about hydration and efficacy, not third-party verified PFAS-free certifications, and we treat them as such.

Pros. Widely available, consistent formulation across its product lines, backed by a long manufacturing track record, and graded Excellent across all three variants we reviewed.

Cons. Purell's gel formulas often include added fragrance, which some sensitive-skin users prefer to avoid regardless of PFAS status. The brand's large product catalog also means shoppers should confirm they are looking at the specific SKU that has been graded, since formulations can vary between product lines not covered in our database.

Aesop, the premium rinse-free pick

Aesop's Resurrection line brings a higher price point and a more boutique ingredient story, and it holds the same Excellent grade as Purell across all three reviewed products, Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash, and Aesop Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash.

Materials. Aesop's formulas lean on botanical extracts, essential oil fragrance blends, and alcohol-based actives in the rinse-free mist. The hand washes use more traditional surfactant systems typical of rinse-off hand soaps.

Brand claims. Aesop positions its Resurrection line around aromatic botanical sourcing and skin-conditioning benefits. These are brand-stated claims about scent and sensory experience rather than independently verified safety certifications.

Pros. Consistent Excellent grading across the full line, distinctive fragrance profiles, and a formulation approach that skews toward botanical rather than synthetic performance additives.

Cons. Significantly higher cost per ounce than mass-market alternatives like Purell or Dettol. Essential oil fragrance blends can also be a sensitivity concern for some users, separate from any PFAS consideration. Shoppers focused purely on fragrance-free simplicity may find Seventh Generation's fragrance-free option a better fit.

Seventh Generation, the plant-based value option

Seventh Generation rounds out the middle of the field with three graded products, Seventh Generation Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation Seventh Generation Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist, and Seventh Generation Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizer, 7.5 oz, Fragrance-Free. All three share the Excellent, 75/100 grade.

Materials. Seventh Generation builds its sanitizers and washes around plant-derived surfactants and alcohol actives, with the fragrance-free variant notably dropping added scent compounds entirely.

Brand claims. The brand markets heavily on "plant-based" and "natural" positioning along with transparency commitments. These are brand-stated sustainability and sourcing claims, not independently verified PFAS-free lab certifications, and shoppers should read them in that context.

Pros. The fragrance-free 7.5 oz formula is a particularly strong option for anyone trying to minimize both fragrance and reduce variables in their routine, and it still carries the same Excellent model-based grade as the scented variants.

Cons. "Natural" and "plant-based" marketing language is not independently regulated the same way a lab certification would be, so shoppers should treat these as positioning claims rather than proof points. Availability can also be more limited than Purell or Dettol in some retail markets.

Dettol, the international disinfectant brand

Dettol's three graded products Dettol Dettol Original Instant Hand Sanitizer Dettol Dettol Instant Disinfectant Hand Sanitizer, and Dettol Dettol Instant Hand Sanitizer 50ml, round out our database at the same Excellent, 75/100 tier.

Materials. Dettol's sanitizers center on alcohol actives paired with the brand's signature disinfectant chemistry, formulated for both gel and travel-size liquid formats.

Brand claims. Dettol markets around germ-kill percentages and disinfectant efficacy, a claim rooted in its long history as a surface and skin disinfectant brand. These efficacy claims are brand-stated and separate from any PFAS-specific disclosure, which we evaluate independently.

Pros. Strong international distribution, a travel-size 50ml option for on-the-go use, and consistent Excellent grading across its full product range in our database.

Cons. Dettol's scent profile is distinctive and polarizing for some users, and its disinfectant-forward chemistry may feel more clinical than botanical alternatives like Aesop. As with every brand here, the grade reflects available disclosure data, not an independent lab's PFAS test of individual bottles.

What to avoid

• Unlabeled or no-name sanitizers with no ingredient disclosure. Our grading relies on publicly available formulation data. Products without transparent ingredient lists cannot be evaluated the same way, and the absence of a bad grade is not the same as a clean bill of health.
• Sanitizers with vague "long-lasting barrier" or "film-forming" marketing claims. Language suggesting a persistent protective film on skin can sometimes point toward silicone or fluoropolymer-adjacent additives. None of the products graded here use that kind of marketing, but it is a useful red flag in the broader market.
• Heavily fragranced formulas if you are sensitive to additives generally. This is not a PFAS-specific concern, but fragrance-free variants like Seventh Generation's 7.5 oz option reduce the number of unknown compounds in your routine.
• Assuming a high grade in one category guarantees a high grade in another. A brand that grades Excellent in hand sanitizer is not automatically graded the same way in categories like makeup or moisturizer, where PFAS use patterns differ substantially. Always check the specific product.

Our pick

Based on available materials and data, every hand sanitizer product we have graded so far, across Purell, Aesop, Seventh Generation, and Dettol, sits at the same Excellent tier with a 75/100 model-based safety estimate. There is no standout "worst" brand in this category and no single brand that clearly outranks the others on PFAS grounds alone. If forced to choose a practical default Purell PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer offers the widest availability at the same grade as its competitors, while Seventh Generation Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizer, 7.5 oz, Fragrance-Free is worth prioritizing if you specifically want to minimize fragrance additives alongside the same lower-concern PFAS profile. For a more premium, botanically positioned option Aesop Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist carries the identical model-based grade.

None of these recommendations should be read as a guarantee of zero PFAS content or a declaration of "safe." They reflect our best current estimate from public disclosure and formulation data. For a full breakdown of grading across other everyday categories, from cosmetics to waterproof phone cases, visit our product finder to search by brand or product name.

Frequently asked questions

Does any hand sanitizer brand in your database grade below Excellent?

No. As of this review, every hand sanitizer product we have scored, spanning Purell, Aesop, Seventh Generation, and Dettol, carries an Excellent grade with a 75/100 model-based safety estimate. This reflects the products we have reviewed to date, not a certification that every hand sanitizer on the market performs the same way.

Does an Excellent grade mean a product is PFAS-free?

No. An Excellent grade means that, based on available materials and public disclosure data, our model found no evidence of PFAS in the reviewed sources for that specific product. This is a model-based estimate, not a laboratory certification, and it should not be read as a factual claim that the product contains zero PFAS.

Is there a health risk from PFAS in hand sanitizer even at a lower-concern grade?

Current research links certain PFAS compounds to health concerns in some studies, but association is not the same as proven causation, and the products graded here show no evidence of PFAS in the sources we reviewed. If you have specific health sensitivities, consult a healthcare provider and consider fragrance-free formulations as a precaution.