What is the effective concentration range of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer?

The effective concentration range of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is typically considered to be between 60-95%, with 60-70% being the minimum effective concentration for optimal microbial inactivation. Concentrations within this range ensure that the alcohol can effectively penetrate the outer cell walls of microorganisms, leading to their destruction. 70% alcohol is often cited as the ideal concentration, as it is sufficiently concentrated to eliminate pathogens while allowing enough time for the sanitizer to remain wet on the skin, which is critical for effective disinfection. Therefore, the range of 60-95% encompasses a widely accepted effective concentration to achieve the desired antimicrobial activity in hand sanitizers.