PURELL Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer
Low concern; no known water-repellent coating treatment in hand sanitizer gel formulation.
This water-based gel lacks disclosed PFAS-containing ingredients or waterproofing treatments typical of high-risk products. Hand sanitizer gels require no durable water repellency or nonstick coatings.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous gel (alcohol, water, carbomer, glycerin, fragrance)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What PURELL Advanced Refreshing Hand Sanitizer is made of, ingredients and materials
Purell Advanced Refreshing Gel is a water-alcohol emulsion (typically 70% ethyl alcohol) stabilized with carbomer thickener, glycerin humectant, and fragrance. The alcohol acts as the active antimicrobial agent; carbomer and glycerin are inert thickeners and skin conditioning agents with no documented toxicity at cosmetic-use concentrations. No Teflon-type coating, heavy metals, or dioxane-forming ingredients are listed in the standard formulation. The gel format avoids volatile fume hazards associated with spray sanitizers.
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.
Fragrance allergens
Purell Advanced Refreshing Gel includes fragrance blend. While fragrance at cosmetic-use levels is generally low concern, individual sensitivity to fragrance chemicals (e.g., limonene, linalool, which are common in 'refreshing' scents) is documented. Fragrance-free versions are available if sensitivity is a concern.
Skin irritation from alcohol
Ethanol at 70% concentration is effective for antimicrobial action but can cause dryness or mild irritation with frequent, prolonged use, especially on compromised skin. This is a well-known cosmetic-use trade-off and is manageable through moisturizer use; it is not a toxicity hazard.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane (formulation contaminant risk)
1,4-dioxane can theoretically arise as a byproduct in cosmetic formulations containing ethoxylated surfactants. Purell Advanced does not list ethoxylated ingredients in disclosed formulations; no dioxane contamination has been documented for this product.
Microplastic or particulate contaminants
Purell Advanced Refreshing Gel does not contain plastic microbeads or intentional particulates. The formulation is a clear or translucent gel with no exfoliants.
Heavy metals
Standard Purell Advanced gels are clear or slightly tinted with approved colorants; no heavy-metal-bearing pigments (e.g., lead chromate, cadmium) are used. Color additives in FDA OTC drugs are regulated and tested.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Purell (GOJO Industries) is the market leader in hand sanitizers and has maintained FDA OTC drug compliance status. The company publishes safety data sheets and ingredient lists publicly. No major recalls or documented formulation hazards have been associated with this product line. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or deliberate avoidance, which is typical of the hand-sanitizer category and reflects industry-wide silence rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
Purell Advanced is a mainstream, alcohol-based gel that sits at the center of the category safety profile. Alternatives include plant-based sanitizers (which lack robust antimicrobial data), quaternary ammonium compounds (which carry slightly higher skin irritation risk), and alcohol-free gels (which are less effective). Purell's 70% alcohol concentration meets CDC and FDA guidance. Fragrance-free variants exist if fragrance sensitivity is a concern.
If you buy it
Apply as directed on bottle (typically pea-sized amount to palms, rub until dry). Do not ingest or apply to eyes. In rare cases, frequent use may cause mild skin dryness; moisturizer use can offset this. Store away from heat and flame (alcohol is flammable). Expiration dates are printed on packaging and should be observed to ensure antimicrobial efficacy. No special disposal beyond standard household waste is required.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.