What's in Hand Sanitizer? | Ingredients With George Zaidan (Episode 9)

Hand sanitizer is more than just alcohol and water.
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About Ingredients:
Join MIT-trained chemist and science educator George Zaidan as he tries to recreate everyday household products like toothpaste, lipstick, or shaving cream using only natural ingredients… and no recipe! He’ll have to decode long lists of intimidating chemical names, figure out what they all do, try and find natural substitutes, and then cook up the do-it-yourself versions in his chemistry lab (kitchen). While George may or may not succeed, we'll all learn something new and surprising about the products we take for granted every day.
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About National Geographic:
National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.
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Copyright 2016 Free Energy Productions LLC. Produced in partnership with National Geographic.
Credits:
Special thanks to Jen French, Prof. John Essigmann, Claudia M. Gabriel, Bethany Murray
Editor: Daniel Carbone
Graphics and Animations: Per Hoel
Illustrator: Brett Paci
Overlays: Ceri Riley
Director of Photography: Adam Morrell and Emily Wathen
Theme Music: Pickup Stix
Additional Music: Corncob, Fluffing a Duck, Quirky Dog (Kevin MacLeod)
Created and Executive Produced by: George Zaidan and Elizabeth Choe
For National Geographic:
Vice President, Digital Video: James Williams
Executive Producer: Danielle Steinberg
Producer: Will Halicks
Associate Producer: Milaena Hamilton
Associate Producer: Lindsay Benson
Special thanks to Stephanie Atlas, Lisa Covi, Dan Steinmetz, Rebekah Barlas, Nicola Overstreet, Anna Kukelhaus, Kelsey Taylor, Gabe Bullard, Becky Little, Todd Hermann, Teresa Tate, Brett Weisband, Liane DiStefano
Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
cid.oxfordjourn...
aac.asm.org/con...
aem.asm.org/con...
onlinelibrary.w...
Hand sanitizer “flavors” from list of Bath & Body Works website, downloaded Oct 9, 2015.
MSDS’s: isopropyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, 2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol
What's in Hand Sanitizer? | Ingredients With George Zaidan (Episode 9)
• What's in Hand Sanitiz...
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[@greg2092]

forget the gel, here is how we fix this. make it a spray. call it an extra feature. put it into a pump to spray squirt bottles spray a fine mist on your hands and call it a day.

[@georgezaidan]

yes! right on

[@andyelgrand0]

You sir are the Steve Jobs of hand sanitisers good suggestion: neutral product but looks and feels like its worth more.

[@greg2092]

thank you, reading this gave me a good hardy belly chuckle.

[@chumadoshi6987]

Try explaining to a cop what tha bottle t in your fancy jeans is at a traffic school on a Friday night

[@soapzuds4542]

I'm making sanitizer with Aloe vera gel and 91% alchohol put in a bottle

[@telapakpikiran1172]

u can use NATROSOL (HEC) or CARBOPOL (PAA) for gelling agent for alcohol solution (60-70%). If using gelatin, xantan gum, or cmc it will be coagulated.

[@kalyan98765]

Absolutely love these videos. What's more fun is that my dad who is over 60 loved them equally! Keep up the good work.

[@mikef888au1]

World shortage of hand sanitiser due to Covid 19. This video will save many lives!! Thank you!!

[@Skylightatdusk]

... Why d'you think I'm here !

[@BlackBoxStudiosGh]

Why do u think were reading comments

[@jimhood1202]

Did you watch the whole video? The presenter pretty much failed. Soap and water people, 20 seconds minimum and frequently. Please, and thank you. 😁

[@trisarjono7721]

There are 2 ways to solve this : 1. As liquid : Use it as alcohol 65-75% in a spray bottle. It will vaporize very fast during spraying and the amount sprayed is not too much on your skin, it will not be as messy as in your video during driving part. 2. As gel : You can get carbomer 940 (thickener) and add it to water, stirred until completely dissolved before adding it to your alcohol mixture. Also could add glycerine to reduce skin dryness.

[@theekdunn]

#2 Have you tried it? With my experimentation, carbomer precipitates even in 65% ethanol. For the record, I used 83 ml 99% ethanol, 5ml 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1.75ml glycerol, 0.38g carbomer 940, 0.16g sodium hydroxide, and a few drops of essential oil. The EtOH, peroxide, and glycerol solution was split in two, one to dissolve the carbomer and the other to dissolve the sodium hydroxide. After complete dissolution, the two were mixed slowly with a stick blender. Even adding water to a total volume of 125 ml (66% ethanol), the carbomer gel stayed separated.

[@Ralphgtx280]

calcium acetate works alright as a gelling agent for high concentrations of alcohol. Easily made from natural sources acetic acid ( vinegar is commonly 5% and you can even start with sugar or a juice and DIY it to vinegar easily) is then reacted with a source of calcium carbonate like egg shells , chalk ect. bipedy bopedy boop you have calcium actetate powder and boom you have a gell. message me if you want a full procedure.

[@6TomCruz6]

I'm only here because those idiot bought out every hand sanitizer in a 100 mile radius now I have to make my usual grocery list item

[@carmendublin.1779]

RFID chip technology in hand sanitized slow mind control you and use TV and internet wireless energy wave to keep chip having power and chip have gps

[@graphicgraphites]

You could easily put it in a spray bottle. I actually have hand sanitizer that's just ethanol,water and some essential oils all together in a spray bottle. It works great and you can also easily sanitise your workspace with it too!

[@gusmanson5105]

There are many gelling agents. Some of the common ones are acacia, alginic acid, bentonite, Carbopols� (now known as carbomers), carboxymethyl cellulose, ethylcellulose, gelatin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate (Veegum�), methylcellulose, poloxamers (Pluronics�), polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, tragacanth, and xanthan gum.

[@trueintellect]

Use gel (mucins) from flax seed, Irish sea moss, or marshmallow root (or a combination of all 3). Boil them in alcohol and I would be willing to bet that you would get a all natural hand sanitizer gel.

[@ottodisk]

Methyl cellulose different grades. Xanthan gum, guar gum. These will all work as viscosity enhancer by using a propellor mixer.

[@georgezaidan]

ottodisk good idea

[@porkdemon]

Man, i was thinking the same thing.

[@shahzaibazharchannel]

I think these are the food grade items. (CMC, XANTHAN GUM & GUAR GUM)

[@vinaymane5538]

hey can we have an episode for sunscreen.

[@s9dwgs787]

that would be cool

[@georgezaidan]

Yes! It's on the list

[@that_guythatsgames8694]

can you make a vid on jell-o plz ur so cool if u can

[@georgezaidan]

That_Guy Thatsgames will add to the list!

[@exmachinainap4813]

Who cares what's in it. It just makes me feel good when I drink it...

[@DjJooze]

ExMachina inap your cheap 💩

[@mohammedalqemzi1060]

you're

[@atomichabanero9101]

its the internet ......It's the Internet get over it.

[@QisthinasDiary]

“I less than three glitter “ ✨

[@thebushempress]

Instead of a gel just put the liquid sanitizer into a portable spray bottle

[@JoylessHumper]

A suggestion for a polymers that should work in an ethanol solution is polvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate. The polyvinyl alcohol can be found in the stick glue, while the polyvinyl acetate can be found in wood glues or plain old white glue. A better alternative readily found in moisturizers and soaps, but can act as a coagulating agent, is sodium stearate. Sodium polyacrylate is another good one found in many gelling agents, like diapers, but I have some doubts about how that would dry on your skin and it says is it miscible with water alcohol solutions, but again I have some doubts. All four of these can be found in relatively pure forms on Amazon in decently size quantities for ~$20 and the MSDS should put your mind at ease about and health risks associated with these.

[@pastelab]

Try making an emulsion. With glycerin, coconut butter, aloevera... Maybe checking the conditioner into again???

[@kamransheikh8487]

Making a fool

[@MrSwampdonkey001]

Please dont make this on an open flame stove like a gas stove, you wont have a kitchen and a face left.

[@NO1xANIMExFAN]

Yea, ethanol is flammable

[@marythompson2603]

I used guar gum and had the same reaction. So I strained it and used it without the denatured proteins!

[@blismwithmyblizblop]

Try flaxseed gel, aloe vera, coconut oil, or cactus

[@seriousspaceparty6037]

and liquid glycerin

[@Skylightatdusk]

Thanks for this upload. I actually tried xanthan gum with the same results as you, ie the alcohol 'cooked' the gum, separating it from its originally gel substance.

[@WBToolNews]

Awesome, thanks for breaking this down.

[@dwgalviniii]

I was literally just thinking the other day, "I wish they'd make an episode on hand sanitizer." You guys read minds and it's awesome!!!

[@georgezaidan]

thanks :)

[@DrakeMagnum]

But what ingredients are in the brain of a mind-reader? Some questions are never meant to be asked!

[@fionyeung5210]

My son named Calvin

[@2ndskinmineral]

I use 1/4 of 100% aloe vera gel combine with 3/4 70% ethyl alcohol. It works. Ps. I know I should use 98%ethyl alcohol but at this time I cannot find them in my house.

[@abdultuaheb123]

That's not how alcohol percentage works. You need 99 percent isopropyl alcohol. So if you use for example 3/4 cup 99% alcohol and 1/4 cup aloe vera then the alcohol content will now be 75%. It doesn't stay at 99%. In order for your 70% alcohol to remain at 60% or higher and you want 3/4 cup of product you could only use about 1/10 of a cup or about 1.5 tablespoons of aloe vera with the remaining being your 70% alcohol to make your 3/4 cup of product. Hope this helps

[@MurrayHill17]

Using a 3:1 ratio (3 parts alcohol to 1 part aloe vera gel) with 70% ethyl alcohol will give you an extremely runny mixture that is about 52.5% alcohol. The WHO recommends at least 60% alcohol in the final product to be effective against most germs, but there is an important exception. To have any real effect against most viruses (including the current coronavirus) it must be at least 70% alcohol to destroy the lipid envelope and stop the virus from replicating. Now I know the most common response is "You can't find hand sanitizer or higher concentration rubbing alcohol, it's all sold out. Something is better than nothing." That's not really true though. Because 52.5 is 75% of 70, most people think that the solution will still kill 75% of the germs that a WHO recommended solution would, but that's not how science works. Reducing to even 60% alcohol drastically reduces the sanitizer's ability to be effective against the viruses we're talking about and by 52.5% it's barely effective against most bacteria and virtually worthless against most viruses. Then there are the negative effects because, even with the 25% aloe vera gel, it will still have a drying effect on the skin, will still kill some of the natural "good" bacteria on your skin, can still cause potentially fatal poisoning or blindness if a child or pet gets into it (not saying that this will happen but it's important to weigh all risks vs. reward and since this has virtually no reward, well...), and most importantly, it will give you a false sense of security and subconsciously make you much less likely to wash your hands as often as you would if you didn't have your "hand sanitizer" and greatly reduce your sense of urgency and the lengths at which you'll be willing to go in order to find somewhere to wash your hands, even though soap and water are highly effective against viruses and that solution of 52.5% alcohol "hand sanitizer" is not effective at all. You should ask your physician for any medical advice but if all you have is 70% ethyl alcohol, in my personal opinion, it would probably be more effective to just spray the 70% alcohol on your hands (covering them with the sufficient recommended amount, rubbing it on your hands as recommended, and allowing it sufficient time to dry without wiping it off as recommended) and then using some kind of skin product to reduce the damage to your skin. I know that's a highly questionable tactic with its own set of risk vs reward issues but, in my personal opinion, it's at least more effective (especially when combined with proper hand washing with soap and water, social distancing, avoiding situations where you can have direct contact with highly contaminated surfaces, and any other recommendations from your doctor) and a much better solution than wasting the alcohol by making it into worthless runny goop.

[@2ndskinmineral]

@@MurrayHill17 I already make new batch with 99% isopropyl alcohol mix with carbomer940 , hydrogen peroxide and glycerin. In my final result I also use alcoholmeter to measure % of alcohol in my gel too.

[@centorossi46]

make one on how to make deodorant

[@zephyrnoid]

George! what a coincidence. I just made my own too. use aloe+90% isopropyl alcohol + lavender oil. you're welcome.

[@bhoumikbhagat]

This guys says to use Ethyl Alcohol... So should we use Ethyl or Isopropyl?

[@dzlt82]

Ant is fine

[@dzlt82]

Any***

[@ekichandra]

Bought 3 liters of Isoprophyl ethanonel since the hand sainitizer are out of stock

[@garlicgirl3149]

Funny, another scientist on news said do not make your own. LOL 😅. Why not? We made almost everything 100+ years ago.

[@debi909]

I saw that made no sense ... What this guy needed was glycerin or aloe vera gel ...

[@ellenj8896]

"I less than 3 glitter", LOL. :)

[@respecthewoman]

all I can do is look at his arms. Great presenation though. Good teacher. Cheers Everybody! Stay Safe

[@premiuminternational1455]

you can add Carbopole or carbomer to make gel

[@Stefan-st]

The rating of this is 10 of 10 in 2020. kills Covid-19

[@evrettej]

That shit is pretty sad that people actually attempt to drink Hand Sanitizer for the alcohol. Really! You know you have a problem if you have to resort to drinking that!

[@hannahrosa5485]

add alovera gel to the alcohol. and a tad of some essential oil.

[@mheshaipahbhut]

I like to write all chemicals ingredients out by hand, don't worry about understanding just have to practically memorise for later when doing something that is actually practical.

[@toml.8210]

YOu'll need an emulsifier to keep everything looking and working nicely. Yes, I used to formulate lotions, potions and soaps.

[@KaiAlanaFL]

Thank you for sharing this simple, fun, and informative video. We will be trying his today. ;)

[@HanadiH]

Maybe you'd like to know at some point I said out loud "I love this guy" 1:46

[@AnujArya_Curious]

Your videos are so good. Although i have no idea about the chemicals but it it good to know how common things are made

[@heleneconstant]

I use Agar to make fruit jams. First one is supposed to soak it for about half hour, then heat til it dissolves. I boil it briefly and voila! it jells. more after it cools. I like the suggestion to just dump in some aloe vera.

[@jazzbaby6]

Aloe vera gel. That is what most people are combining with the alcohol, to make hand sanitizer.

[@vantablack7512]

Was thinking about this the other day. Thanks for posting

[@Michlerish]

A liquid consistency would work really well with a little spray bottle for application, or perhaps even a foaming pump dispenser. No need for gel! Otherwise, vegetable glyercin is pretty thick and could work to thicken it up and moisturize skin.

[@dctarotdreams]

Use aloe vera and Guar Gum in a blender first. Once you have gel, add alcohol. You can always buy clear aloe vera gel, but that's spendy. Absolutely do not heat. I was expecting you to ignite messing with 99% ethanoyl.

[@gusmanson5105]

I believe Glycerin is the main ingredient of your jelling agent.

[@cvcoco]

@ GUS manson Sanitizer i bought has two kinds of glycerin on the label and still its like water spray.

[@ginatse12]

Sempemex pen is the polymer gel agent .

[@gusmanson5105]

@@ginatse12 I knew you would have the right answer Gina! lol

[@janicerstone1872]

Alone vera gel can be used as a thickener plus it's good for your skin.

[@manishkevre]

Natural gel agent like Aloe vera can be used instead of Agar, give me credit if it does solve your gelling issues.

[@fionyeung5210]

I subscribe you

[@echolundy32]

I have enjoyed your show tremendously! Thanks!

[@georgezaidan]

thanks for watching!

[@porkdemon]

Theres a thing in super fancy science food called a Fluid gel, and i feel like its the solution to the issue you had with this one. Just make a jelly using a whole mess of agar agar, like a whole mess, then blend it into a less solid state, like you actually use a blender, that way it dosnt matter if it sets solid because your blending it anyway, you'l end up with a gel that holds its form but is still for lack of a better word, spreadable. I dont know if the agar agar would leave a residue when the alcohol evaporates off but itll make a gel thats for damn sure.

[@christinegall4607]

Hi thanks for the video, try adding some All Natural Vegetable Glycerin. It works great when you're making homemade soap, hair products, lotions, and also to thicken sauces for your food ( All Natural Vegetable Glycerin.)

[@bauerbomb210]

Love your series. I make my own deodorant - it would be interesting to see you do an episode on that.

[@jaguarity]

Profeshional, super informative and clear, well made and creative video, funny sometimes... i give 10 out of 10 stars to it. 👍

[@TheChio116]

Corn starch!! To make it gooey

[@georgezaidan]

Rocio Meza good idea

[@atomichabanero9101]

i said flour or beeswax

[@DrakeMagnum]

It might make us think it's some kind of whiskey mash...but yes corn starch sure does make a heavy gel.

[@joeestes8114]

Interesting!

[@herodog1]

What are you diluting the ethanol with?

[@echolundy32]

Ingredient suggestion for hand sanitizer - coconut oil. Coconut oil usually turns solid in cooler temperature. It may just help solidify the watery sanitizer you have made. It will also add fragrance to the product.

[@georgezaidan]

Oh hey good idea!

[@UniversalSparkleDustFlyBy]

Aren't you suppose to prepare the agar separately to solidify and then add the alcohol?

[@KILLROYCZOP]

do you think glycerin might have been a better choice for the gel?

[@johnfoltz8183]

No one: KZbin:. Check out this two year old video during a shortage of hand sanitizer.

[@islagkage15963]

i remember some years ago i made grapefruit seed extract from boiling grapefruit seeds and pulp in glycerin for a hand moistorizer. and it turned out a pretty gel like structure. perhaps this might work as a gelling agent. (as well as people claiming it being antibacterial and antifungal)

[@georgezaidan]

Wovaka how much alcohol did you put in?

[@islagkage15963]

it has been about four years now since we did it. i can't remember exacts amounts. and my notes pretty much went with the wind when i changed from studying chemistry to forestry. sorry if it's a bit of a dead end.

[@niveditamurthy1845]

You're awesome and too funny... thanks for the video.. its obvious you love chemistry.. :)

[@charlesball9522]

Can anyone explain why the gel stays a gel until it's in my hand? I thought it was heat, but i ran the bottle under hot water and it remained a gel.

[@Sequoiapocalypse]

Magic's 😆

[@firstmkb]

I want to know where the gel goes too!

[@simonpeterogwal7150]

George Zaidan: That experiment was a FAIL! Me: Where the heck did I forget my BOOZE?

[@STAYCBias]

Putting bitter chemicals just to prevent people from drinking, drinkable before putting it or, to further reduce the amount before it's too late?

[@marir6024]

I've got a question: What chemical bond is present in Hand Sanitizer?

[@selinacohandmade]

Use hydroxyethylcellulose with distilled water as your gel component.

[@OZARKMEL]

Hydroxyethylcellulose will thicken it but you may need to dissolve it in a bit of warmed water or even the alcohol (done carefully of course).

[@directorfinanceadmin8854]

Please give us a video of how make bar soap and pearl liquid soap

[@dorothybrar9389]

Try adding aloe gel. I think you can buy it; otherwise squeeze it out of a few aloe vera leaves. Other suggestion: Mix cornstarch in cold water, heat slowly while stirring until it turns into a gel, let the gel cool, then throw it in a blender with the ethanol.

[@georgezaidan]

good idea thanks!!

[@vel5715]

Please upload more of these!! Absolutely love this. :)

[@georgezaidan]

thanks!!

[@zainagha]

Use Carbopol 940 as a Gelling Agent.

[@MrsRen]

Perhaps use chia or flax seed powder...

[@ms.gemini4657]

Does it have to be ethanol instead of isoproprl?

[@mcbrite]

Isn't pure ethanol illegal?

[@kaktees]

psyllium husk? or aloe vera? perhaps those will thicken your mixture. also should've mentioned how some sanitisers use microbeads. on that note, where do the microbeads disappear to when I start rubbing my hands with the sanitiser?

[@joehall1114]

If you add salt to hand sanitizer, you can get the ethanol/water to fall out of suspension. Maybe that's a clue to the geling agent.

[@herodog1]

Can I make it with grain alcohol?

[@elenamoncada-ibarra8803]

I was just wondering, why do you always use peppermint and/or rosemary oil? I am just asking out of curiosity.

[@robertlevy8365]

What if you added Vitamin E. That is gel-like and might also be good for your skin.

[@fionyeung5210]

You're kidding

[@zachohan3534]

can xanthin gum be a good replacement of agar?

[@tonysoprano6651]

propelyne glycol or vegtable glycerin as gel

[@Stig007]

Xanthin gum ? Or would that perform the same way as gelatin or agar?

[@milesjsandifer]

use a thickener like glass microbeads, or something else that gels liquids through a physical action not so sensitive to chemistry as proteins and sugars

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

aloevera as the gel...presto!

[@jesusgerardoGM]

2: 05 foreskin conditioners?

[@georgezaidan]

zomg amazing

[@Delboy666]

LOL

[@BeatlesFanSonia]

Use Xanthan gum for the thickener

[@hawtpotato90210]

your demo in the car was probably an open intoxicant ticket if you got caught.

[@DannyHauger]

Great! showed in class

[@bkrbkrl]

Aloe vera gel and alcohol. Easy peasy. Or just put alcohol in one of those tiny travel spray bottles to spritz your hands.

[@Sev6905]

you have to cook the agar for 2 minutes at a very high heat that's how I use it for cooking and baking

[@minuc224]

Use carbopol 940 gelling agent

[@garmiellis]

Use Laponite RD to create a gel For that solution

[@celia_elle]

I think the idea is overall interesting, but why did you mix all togheter? Iwould have made a light agar gelatin and, at the very end, mix alcohol and fragrance (64 % or about is an average percentage of alcohol in sanitizers)

[@georgezaidan]

Celia Elle that might have worked, good idea

[@mml0082]

Spray bottles

[@manawahinekorero9534]

Glycerin instead of agar?

[@JitendraKumar-if9xw]

Printing clenar are use as sanitizer

[@ellieandmollieKY]

I use aloe vera gel (clear kind) a little water and Thieves essential oil. GREAT hand sanitizer!

[@lalaland4evr]

Use aloe gel as thinkening agent

[@UcrackIfix]

here we are, march 2020

[@blue_cameron]

How is gelatin natural? Isn't it just crushed up animal bones?

[@lucianodebenedictis6014]

Snipethemapples aren't crushed bones natural enough?

[@arij177]

He didnt' say vegan.

[@Joxman2k]

I think he was referring to "natural" as an actual ingredient found in nature and not an ingredient that is created through a chemical process like plastics. It is synthetic.

[@georgezaidan]

yep! this is a fascinating discussion that i can hopefully do an episode on one day