Dial · Hand Sanitizer
Dial Professional Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer Refill for Fit Manual Dispenser
Lower PFAS concern, hand sanitizer gel with no reported fluorochemical treatment, but brand offers no PFAS transparency.
This is a liquid alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel with no known cosmetic PFAS triggers like water repellency, stain resistance, or nonstick coatings. Dial has not publicly disclosed or claimed PFAS-free status.
Shop Dial on Amazon →Material
alcohol-based gel (ethanol/isopropanol, humectants, thickeners)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Dial Professional's gel is alcohol-based (ethanol or isopropanol at antimicrobial concentration, typically 60-70%) combined with humectants (likely glycerin or aloe) and thickeners (carbomer or similar gelling agents) to achieve a gel texture. The alcohol is the active antimicrobial agent and evaporates on skin; the humectants are added to reduce skin drying from frequent use. This formulation class has decades of safety data and poses no chemical persistence or bioaccumulation concerns at the point of use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dial (Henkel subsidiary) does not publish ingredient-level transparency reports or PFAS usage statements for hand sanitizer products. The brand has faced no recorded recalls or safety controversies specific to this product line. Dial does not pursue third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Made Safe) for hand sanitizers, relying instead on FDA approval pathway for over-the-counter antiseptic products. No public complaints or regulatory actions are on record for this refill formulation.
How it compares in its category
Alcohol-based gels are the most established and widely tested hand sanitizer category. Dial Professional sits in the mainstream commercial/institutional segment alongside similar products from Purell, Gojo, and store brands, all using comparable ethanol or isopropanol bases. Compared to foaming, foam, or liquid concentrates, gels offer consistent dosing and reduced spillage, with no measurable difference in safety profile. Hand sanitizers as a class carry lower chemical exposure risk than soaps or body products because contact time is brief and most formulation is volatile (alcohol) or rinsed away.
If you buy it
Dispense into palm, rub until dry (at least 20 seconds), and avoid contact with eyes or ingestion. Store refills in a cool, dry place away from heat sources or open flame, as the ethanol/isopropanol content is flammable. Check the dispenser mechanism monthly for clogs or bacterial growth in the nozzle; clean the refill port and dispenser head with rubbing alcohol if discoloration appears. Do not dilute with water, as this reduces antimicrobial efficacy below safe thresholds.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Alcohol volatility and flammability
The ethanol/isopropanol base is intentionally volatile for quick drying but is classified as flammable. Stored or used near ignition sources (candles, cooking surfaces, smoking) poses fire risk, though this is a property of all alcohol-based sanitizers and is clearly labeled on the product.
Skin irritation and contact dermatitis
High-concentration alcohol (60-70%) can cause drying, irritation, or allergic sensitization with repeated use, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or existing dermatitis. The humectants partially mitigate this, but frequency of use (multiple times daily in clinical settings) increases cumulative exposure. This is manageable through use of hand lotion between applications.
Ingestion risk in children
Hand sanitizers containing ethanol or isopropanol pose poisoning risk if swallowed, particularly in young children. FDA and poison control centers have documented cases of alcohol toxicity from accidental ingestion. The refill format increases risk during cartridge replacement if not stored securely away from children.
Thickener and humectant additives (unspecified)
Dial does not publicly disclose the specific identity of carbomers, glycerin sources, or preservatives in this refill. Industry-standard thickeners and humectants carry no established safety concerns at use concentrations, but lack of transparency prevents verification of sourcing or purity.
Bacterial contamination in dispenser reservoir
If the manual dispenser is refilled without cleaning or if the nozzle is touched with contaminated hands, biofilm or bacterial growth can colonize the internal tubing and reservoir. The alcohol concentration may not penetrate well into dried gel residue in narrow tubing. Regular maintenance and occasional flushing with rubbing alcohol reduce this risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Hand Sanitizer
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation
water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients
Lower-concern choice; MADE SAFE certification and plant-based formula reduce PFAS risk significantly.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist
Water-based cosmetic spray (alcohol, water, plant extracts, preservatives)
Lower-concern choice; hand mist format and brand transparency reduce PFAS risk, though no dedicated lab testing published.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Honest Company
The Honest Company SANI SPRAY-2OZ-GRAPEFRUIT
Water-based formula (spray disinfectant)
Lower-concern buy; transparent brand with third-party backing on PFAS.
✓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.