EO · Hand Sanitizer
EO Simply Unscented Hand Sanitizer Gel
Lower PFAS concern, simple aqueous formula with no known PFAS triggers.
EO's unscented hand sanitizer gel is a water-based cosmetic with no reported fluorinated coatings, water-repellent treatments, or grease-resistant additives typical of PFAS use. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or make PFAS-free claims. No third-party verification or government recalls identified.
Shop EO on Amazon →Material
aqueous gel base (glycerin, aloe, alcohol)
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
EO Simply Unscented is a water-based (aqueous) gel formulation built on glycerin, aloe vera, and ethanol or isopropyl alcohol as the active antimicrobial. This material class avoids synthetic polymer coatings, silicones, and fluorinated compounds that typically trigger leaching concerns in personal-care products. The alcohol content (typically 60, 70%) is the primary preservative and efficacy driver, with glycerin serving as a humectant to reduce skin drying. No known dyes, fragrance allergens, or heavy-metal pigments are present in the unscented variant.
The brand's record and disclosure
EO Products has not published formal third-party safety certifications (e.g., Leaping Bunny, EWG Verified) for this product, nor has the brand made explicit public statements on PFAS avoidance or microplastic screening. However, the company maintains a history of marketing 'clean' or minimal-ingredient formulas and has not faced documented recalls or regulatory enforcement actions related to this hand sanitizer line. Ingredient transparency on EO's website is basic but includes the full material list; no undisclosed fragrance masking or proprietary blends are reported.
How it compares in its category
Hand sanitizers range from simple alcohol-plus-water products to complex gels laden with emulsifiers, thickeners, and fragrance. EO Simply Unscented sits at the minimal end of that spectrum, reducing opportunities for undisclosed additives or allergen contamination. Most commercial hand sanitizers carry similar alcohol safety profiles; EO's main differentiator is the inclusion of aloe and glycerin rather than synthetic moisturizers like dimethicone, which can accumulate on skin with repeated use. Compared to foam or rinse-free products, gels present lower inhalation risk.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent alcohol evaporation and formula separation, which can weaken efficacy. Do not ingest or allow prolonged contact with eyes or mucous membranes; if swallowed in significant quantity, alcohol content poses a poisoning risk to children. Replace or discard if the gel separates noticeably, becomes discolored, or thickens excessively, signaling microbial growth or degradation. For frequent users, monitor hands for irritation; switching to a barrier cream or occasional use breaks can mitigate cumulative drying from repeated ethanol application.
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.”
Ethanol/isopropyl alcohol toxicity (ingestion)
Hand sanitizers are not intended for ingestion. In children, accidental or intentional swallowing of meaningful quantities poses acute CNS and GI toxicity risk. EO's product carries standard warning labels; no overdose cases specific to this brand are documented, but the hazard is inherent to the alcohol-based category.
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
The 'Unscented' variant explicitly omits added fragrance compounds, eliminating a primary source of contact dermatitis and respiratory irritation common in scented hand sanitizers. No fragrance-derived allergens are reported for this formulation.
Preservative or biocide contamination (bacterial growth in stored product)
While ethanol is the primary preservative, improperly sealed or contaminated bottles can develop microbial growth or mold, particularly if water intrusion occurs. This is a storage-dependent risk, not a manufacturing defect, and affects all gel-based hand sanitizers.
Heavy metals in glycerin or aloe extracts
EO does not publicly disclose heavy-metal testing (lead, cadmium, arsenic) of source botanical ingredients. No recalls or regulatory alerts link EO hand sanitizer to metal contamination. Aqueous formulations carry lower bioaccumulation risk than powders or pigmented products.
Skin irritation from repeated alcohol exposure
Frequent application of 60, 70% ethanol is expected to cause drying, erythema, or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, especially without concurrent moisturizing. This is not a formulation defect but an inherent pharmacological effect of high-dose alcohol sanitizers; severity varies by hand barrier integrity.
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.