Purell · Hand Sanitizer
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel
Lower PFAS concern for typical hand sanitizer formulation; no known high-risk materials.
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel is a hydroalcoholic gel without reported PFAS-prone coatings, waterproofing agents, or grease-resistant treatments. The brand makes no PFAS claims or disclosures. No public lab data or recalls exist.
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ethyl alcohol gel with humectants (aloe, glycerin)
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
Purell Advanced is an ethyl alcohol gel (typically 70% ABV) with humectants (aloe vera, glycerin, vitamin E) added to reduce skin drying. Ethanol is a volatile, low-toxicity active ingredient with a well-established antimicrobial mechanism and rapid evaporation profile. The gel matrix and humectants are standard cosmetic-grade compounds with minimal systemic absorption through intact skin during normal hand sanitizer use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Purell (maker GOJO Industries) has no major product safety recalls related to hand sanitizer toxicity in the US market. The brand maintains FDA OTC drug listing compliance for active ingredient efficacy. Public disclosure on fragrance allergens and full ingredient lists is standard; however, GOJO has not published transparent PFAS testing or commitment statements, leaving water-repellency chemistry unclear.
How it compares in its category
Purell Advanced is a category leader and mid-range option; alternatives include plain 70% ethanol (lower cost, no humectants), premium brands with certified organic or plant-derived actives, and alcohol-free options (triclosan, benzalkonium chloride). The ethanol-based model is broadly considered safer than some antimicrobial alternatives due to long use history and lack of bioaccumulation risk.
If you buy it
Use as labeled: apply to hands, rub until dry. Avoid contact with eyes; ethanol will cause mild irritation. Do not ingest, especially for children or those with alcohol sensitivities. Store at room temperature away from heat or ignition sources (ethanol is flammable). Replace if separated, discolored, or if tube/bottle integrity is compromised. Normal use poses no special hazards beyond skin dryness in frequent users; moisturizer after use is adequate mitigation.
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 skin irritation or sensitization
Ethanol at 70% concentration is drying and may trigger irritation in individuals with eczema, compromised skin barriers, or frequent daily use. Humectants (glycerin, aloe) are included to mitigate this, but not all users experience equal tolerance.
Fragrance allergens
Purell Advanced Refreshing Gel includes fragrance compounds (typically citrus or floral masking agents). Individual sensitization to fragrance is well-documented; fragrance-free alternatives exist if contact dermatitis is a concern.
Ingestion risk in children
Hand sanitizer ingestion by young children can cause ethanol toxicity. Purell has issued no special child-safety packaging, though label warnings are standard. Storage out of reach is the responsibility of the user.
Eye contact irritation
Direct ethanol contact with eyes causes acute irritation and tearing. This is a use-error hazard rather than a formulation flaw; rinse thoroughly with water if contact occurs.
Microplastics or polymer particulates
No evidence of microplastic contamination or intentional polymeric fillers in Purell Advanced gel. Gel matrix is typically carbomer or cellulose-based thickeners without microplastic content.
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.