Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer
Low concern for PFAS; hand sanitizers lack typical PFAS-risk applications, but Purell makes no public disclosure.
This liquid alcohol-based sanitizer contains no known PFAS-risk ingredients like nonstick coatings, water-repellent treatments, or Teflon-family coating. Hand sanitizers typically hold only aqueous alcohols and preservatives.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Ethyl alcohol gel (typical hand sanitizer base)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Purell Advanced Gel Hand Sanitizer is made of, ingredients and materials
Purell Advanced is a gel formulation based on ethyl alcohol (typically 70% ABV), thickened with polymers and water to create a non-drip consistency. Ethanol is a volatile, rapidly evaporating antimicrobial agent with a long safety history in topical and sanitizing applications. The gel base itself does not require heating, coating degradation, or complex material interactions during normal use. The primary active ingredient volatilizes completely on skin, leaving only residual gelling agents and minor additives.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Skin irritation and sensitization (fragrance/additives)
Purell Advanced contains fragrance and other additives beyond ethanol and thickeners. Individuals with sensitive skin, fragrance allergies, or eczema may experience irritation; fragrance-free versions are available as a lower-concern alternative.
Flammability during storage and transport
Ethanol-based hand sanitizers are classified as flammable liquids (Class B). While not a health hazard during normal topical use, improper storage near ignition sources or in hot environments increases fire risk. This is a material-level property, not specific to Purell, but relevant to purchase and storage decisions.
Eye and mucous membrane irritation if contact occurs
Ethanol gels can cause irritation if applied to eyes or mucous membranes. This is a use-error hazard, not a product defect, but important for households with young children or elderly users who may apply incorrectly.
Antimicrobial resistance and overuse risk
Hand sanitizers are not selective for resistant pathogens in the way antibiotics are, but frequent use in institutional or personal settings may select for alcohol-tolerant microbes over time. This is a population-level concern, not an individual toxicity hazard, but relevant to understanding the product's role in hygiene practices.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Residual additives (thickeners, preservatives, dyes) composition
Purell does not publicly disclose the full list of polymeric thickeners, preservatives, or colorants used. No toxicity reports or recalls for the non-ethanol components are on record, but the proprietary formulation limits independent review of minor ingredients.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Purell (made by GOJO Industries) is a market leader with no major product recalls or ingredient controversies on public record for the Advanced gel line. The brand does not prominently disclose full ingredient lists or third-party certifications (such as EWG verification or fragrance transparency) on packaging or websites, which is typical of hand sanitizer manufacturers but limits independent verification. During the 2020, 2021 pandemic, Purell faced supply-chain scrutiny but no safety violations or contamination events specific to the Advanced formulation were established by regulatory agencies.
How it compares in its category
Hand sanitizer gels as a category carry minimal material hazard compared to cookware, textiles, or cosmetics because the product is designed to evaporate and does not remain on skin long-term. Purell Advanced sits at the mainstream safety tier, comparable to other ethanol-gel brands (Softsoap, CVS gel). Some alternatives use isopropanol instead of ethanol; both are recognized antimicrobials with similar safety profiles. Fragrance-free or unscented versions of Purell exist and carry lower risk of skin sensitization than fragranced variants.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the label, apply a coin-sized amount, rub until dry, and do not rinse. Do not ingest or use on open wounds without medical guidance. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and flame (ethanol is flammable). For individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies, patch-test on a small area first or switch to fragrance-free formulations. Bottles should be replaced or refilled when contents are depleted or if visible separation or discoloration occurs.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Purell has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More hand sanitizer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.