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
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Skin irritation and drying
Ethanol-based gels can strip natural skin oils with repeated use, causing dryness, irritation, or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Purell Advanced Gel includes glycerin as a humectant to mitigate this, but cumulative exposure (e.g., multiple applications per hour) remains a known irritant risk in occupational settings.
Eye contact hazard
Ethanol and other gel ingredients cause stinging, redness, and temporary vision disruption if splashed into eyes. Purell labeling warns against eye contact, but accidental exposure remains possible in rush situations or when used on children who may touch their faces.
Flammability
Ethanol content (typically 70%+ ABV) makes hand sanitizer gels flammable. Risk is low during normal hand application but increases if product is spilled, stored near heat, or applied near open flames or hot surfaces (e.g., shortly before cooking). Not a hazard under typical storage and use.
Fragrance allergens
Purell Advanced Gel formulations typically include fragrance compounds to mask the ethanol odor. Specific allergen identity is not disclosed on the label or in public documentation. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or contact dermatitis may experience reactions; fragrance-free alternatives are available from the same brand.
Ingestion toxicity (accidental)
Hand sanitizer gels, including Purell, are not meant for ingestion and pose toxicity risk if swallowed in quantity, particularly in children (accidental mouth contact) or vulnerable populations. The product is labeled with poison-control warnings, but accidental or curious ingestion remains a documented concern, especially in early-childhood settings.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Purell Advanced Gel is primarily ethyl alcohol (the active antimicrobial agent) suspended in a gel matrix with humectants (glycerin), thickeners, and water. Ethanol at hand-sanitizer concentrations (typically 70%+) is volatile and antimicrobially effective, with a long safety history in consumer use. The gel base reduces evaporation speed compared to liquid formulations, prolonging contact time on skin. No novel or hazardous solvents or propellants are typical in this class of product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Purell (GOJO Industries) has faced no major safety recalls or hazard disclosures for Advanced Gel formulations related to chemical composition. The brand makes minimal public statements on ingredient sourcing or third-party testing, and does not publish a dedicated transparency or safety disclosure policy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Purell faced supply-chain criticism and allegations of price-gouging but no product safety findings. The company does not pursue sustainability certifications (e.g., EPA Safer Choice) for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Purell Advanced Gel is a mainstream, conventional ethanol-based hand sanitizer with no claim to natural or alternative active ingredients. Competitors like Dial, Softsoap, and store brands use similar ethanol or isopropanol bases and carry equivalent safety profiles. Some alternatives (e.g., plant-oil or benzalkonium chloride formulas) claim gentleness but lack stronger antimicrobial evidence. Purell's market position rests on brand recognition and consistent formulation rather than safety differentiation.
If you buy it
Use as directed: apply to hands, rub for 20+ seconds until dry, no rinsing needed. Avoid contact with eyes; if it occurs, rinse immediately with water. Do not ingest. Store below 77°F (25°C) away from heat and flame; ethanol is flammable. Discard if the gel dries out, separates, or shows visible discoloration. For frequent users (e.g., healthcare workers), alternate with hand-washing with soap and water to prevent skin drying; hand sanitizers do not replace mechanical cleaning for visibly soiled hands.
What we don’t know
- 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.
Safer alternatives in Hand Sanitizer
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation
water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Preferred option; MADE SAFE certification and plant-based formula substantially reduce PFAS risk.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist
Water-based cosmetic spray (alcohol, water, plant extracts, preservatives)
Preservative system irritation (contact allergens)
Limited concern
Plant extract allergenicity and contamination
Limited concern
Fragrance constituent allergens
Limited concern
Spray inhalation of alcohol vapors
Limited concern
Preferred option; hand mist format and brand certification reduce PFAS risk, though no dedicated lab testing published.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.