Hand sanitizers kill viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms on the hands. While hand sanitizers are not able to kill 100% of the germs (more like 99.9%), they are irreplaceable in situations where soap and running water are not available.
Hand sanitizers are mostly alcohol-based and come in a gel or liquid form. Less common alcohol-free hand sanitizers come in foam form and are based on benzalkonium chloride – an active ingredient with strong antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
The hand sanitizer market boomed during the pandemic and the selection became a lot more exciting. You can now choose from a variety of skin-friendly, organic, and beautifully designed sanitizers. This also begs the question: Are hand sanitizers vegan and cruelty-free?
From an ingredients perspective, most hand sanitizers on the market are vegan-friendly. However, many leading hand sanitizer brands such as Purell and GermX still test their products on animals. This means that none of their hand sanitizers can be considered vegan.
To help you find truly vegan and cruelty-free hand sanitizers, see our list of the best vegan hand sanitizers on the market. These hand sanitizers smell great and kill germs while also taking good care of your hands.
Best Vegan Hand Sanitizers
These hand sanitizers are all vegan and cruelty-free.
- Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer
- Noshinku Refillable Pocket Hand Sanitizer
- Lemyn Organics Medical Grade Hand Sanitizer Gel
- ALŌH Peppermint Eucalyptus Sanitizing Hand Mist
- Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer
- Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash
- Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Hand Sanitizer
- Sun Bum Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
- Jao Not Just For Hands Multipurpose Refresher
- Attitude Little Leaves Hand Sanitizer
1. Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer
Touchland Power Mist is the best vegan hand sanitizer. It’s non-sticky, evaporates fast, and smells incredible. With a high 70% alcohol content, this mist kills 99.99% of common germs and gives additional antimicrobial protection with ferment root extract.
In addition to the delicious scent options, we love this sanitizer for its package design. It’s beautifully sleek, thin, and compact. This sanitizer is also TSA-approved making it our favorite travel-friendly vegan hand sanitizer. We only wish one bottle would last longer.
Our favorite scents are currently Wild Watermelon, Lemon Lime Spritz, and Aloe You. Sadly, Touchland doesn’t offer refills due to the risk of cross-contamination. But they offer larger refillable Sanitizer Stations for businesses. It’s the best touch-free vegan hand sanitizer.
- What we like: amazing scents, sleek, non-sticky
- What we don’t like: no refills available
Key ingredients: 70% ethyl alcohol, aloe vera, radish root ferment, lemon essential oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, plastic-neutral, paraben-free, triclosan-free, non-GMO, dermatologically tested, travel size | Average rating: 4.7/5 | Price: $10 (1 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, Target
2. Noshinku Refillable Pocket Hand Sanitizer
New York brand Noshinku offers the best refillable vegan hand sanitizer. It’s the cutest little thing to slip into your pocket or clutch. Similar to Touchland, it’s a vegan sanitizer mist that smells amazing. Noshiku just has more “grown-up” scents like vetiver, lemon, and bergamot.
The vegan hand sanitizer is made of natural ingredients such as organic sugarcane alcohol and rosehip, argan, and jojoba oils. We love how it makes the hands feel clean yet moisturized. The sanitizer is also hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and free of harsh additives.
- What we like: natural ingredients, refillable, compact
- What we don’t like: the packaging could be sturdier
Key ingredients: 70% organic sugarcane ethyl alcohol, aloe, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, argan oil, coconut oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, organic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, petroleum-free, synthetic fragrance-free, dye-free, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, refillable, made in the USA in cGMP-Compliant Facility, travel size | Average rating: 4.3/5 | Price: $9 (0.6 oz)
3. Lemyn Organics Medical Grade Hand Sanitizer Gel
The best organic vegan hand sanitizer comes from Lemyn Organics. It’s also the best vegan hand sanitizer for sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic and made with 97% organic ingredients including aloe and avocado oil. It’s free of everything harsh (besides alcohol itself, of course).
This sanitizer ticks all our boxes by being vegan, cruelty-free, organic, skin-friendly, and highly effective. It’s made with 70% organic sugarcane-derived pharma-grade alcohol. Each batch is strictly tested for purity and meets the requirements to be used in healthcare facilities.
What’s great about this vegan hand sanitizer gel is that it feels very gentle and hydrating as it performs at the skin’s natural pH level. Enriched with orange extract, it has a lovely mild citrusy scent. This convenient vegan pump sanitizer is also safe for children from age 3.
- What we like: organic, hypoallergenic, effective
- What we don’t like: not travel-sized
Key ingredients: 70% organic sugarcane ethyl alcohol, aloe vera, avocado oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, orange extract, vitamins E & B5 | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, certified organic, green-certified, medical-grade, certified biobased, benzene-free, methanol-free, 1-propanol-free, acetone-free, dermatologically tested, pH balanced, safe for children, made in the USA | Average rating: 4.6/5 | Price: $19 (12 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
If you are looking for an alcohol-free vegan hand sanitizer, we recommend the Mother’s Miracle Clean Vegan Hand Sanitizer. It’s non-flammable, non-drying, gentle, and great for sensitive skin.
4. ALŌH Peppermint Eucalyptus Sanitizing Hand Mist
If you are looking for something refreshing, we love this Peppermint Eucalyptus vegan hand sanitizer from ALŌH. It’s a simple unisex vegan hand sanitizer mist that kills germs and moisturizes the hands with aloe and vegan glycerin. And it smells minty fresh!
If you don’t like fragrance, we also love the unscented vegan hand sanitizer from the same line. ALŌH also has the best vegan hand sanitizing wipes. The wipes are alcohol-free and perfect for traveling. You can get them in the same invigorating minty scent.
- What we like: refreshing minty scent, non-drying
- What we don’t like: it’s a bit sticky
Key ingredients: 70% plant-based ethyl alcohol, aloe vera, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils, vegan glycerin | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, travel size available, natural, paraben-free, clean, refillable, made in an FDA-regulated facility, antiseptic, synthetic fragrance-free | Average rating: 4.3/5 | Price: $25 (8 oz 2-pack)
5. Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer
Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer is the best affordable vegan hand sanitizer. It’s also the cleanest product around and made from only 4 ingredients: organic ethyl alcohol, water, organic lavender oil, and organic glycerin. It’s so soothing, gentle, and effective.
- What we like: affordable, organic, only uses 4 ingredients
- What we don’t like: the lavender scent is quite strong
Key ingredients: 62% organic ethyl alcohol, lavender oil, vegan glycerin | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, 100% natural, certified organic, certified fair trade, chemical-free, synthetic preservative-free, synthetic fragrance-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, travel size, safe for children | Average rating: 4.8/5 | Price: $4.99 (2 oz)
6. Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash
Aesop Resurrection is our favorite luxury vegan hand sanitizer. It’s part of the company’s signature Resurrection Aromatique collection with a scent featuring mandarin rind with rosemary leaf and cedar. It’s the most alluring product to rid your hands of bacteria.
- What we like: luxurious scent and bottle
- What we don’t like: expensive, exact alcohol percentage not clear
Key ingredients: 58-62% ethyl alcohol, mandarin orange peel oil, cedarwood bark oil, lavender oil, rosemary leaf oil, paraben-free, travel size available, made in Australia or France | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, | Average rating: 4.5/5 | Price: $47 (16.9 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
7. Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Hand Sanitizer
Hempz Triple Moisture Sanitizer is the best vegan hand sanitizer for dry skin. This moisturizing gel sanitizer is rich in nourishing pure hemp seed oil and plant extracts. It makes the hands really soft and really helps lock moisture into the skin. Plus, we love the fresh citrusy scent.
- What we like: moisturizing for dry hands
- What we don’t like: constantly sold out
Key ingredients: 63% ethyl alcohol, hemp seed oil, apple extract, avocado extract | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, THC-free, made in the USA| Average rating: 4.4/5 | Price: $15.99 (8.5 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
8. Sun Bum Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
Sun Bum Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer is another great-quality hand sanitizer that is also vegan and cruelty-free. It has the best fresh coconut scent. Every spritz feels like a tropical vacation. We also like that this sanitizer doesn’t leave your hands dry or sticky. It’s also gluten-free.
- What we like: great tropical coconut scent, affordable
- What we don’t like: coconut scent is not for everyone
Key ingredients: 62% ethyl alcohol, Monoi coconut oil (Tiare flowers infused in coconut oil), aloe, cucumber, and banana extracts, vegan glycerin | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, pediatrician-tested, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, petroleum-free, dye-free, propylene glycol-free, retinyl palmitate-free, triclosan-free, benzalkonium chloride-free, quat-free, amide-free, made in the USA, travel size | Average rating: 4.7/5 | Price: $4.49 (2 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
9. Jao Not Just For Hands Multipurpose Refresher
Jao’s Multipurpose Refresher is a fantastic natural vegan hand sanitizer. It’s a fresh gel that doesn’t dry out your hands. It also has the best green herbal scent. The sanitizer kills bacteria and germs and gives you a nice aromatherapeutic experience.
What’s best, you can also use this vegan hand sanitizer gel as an aftershave or deodorant – you name it. It uses calming chamomile and calendula extracts along with essential oils from lavender, eucalyptus, and sage. The sanitizer is refillable and available in 3 sizes.
- What we like: natural ingredients, herbal scent, multitasker
- What we don’t like: the scent can be overpowering
Key ingredients: 65% ethyl alcohol, calendula and chamomile extracts, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, sage essential oils| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, silicone-free, propylene glycol-free, PEG-free, TEA-free, DEA-free, synthetic fragrance-free, refillable, travel size available, made in the USA | Average rating: 4.5/5 | Price: $18 (8 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Credo Beauty
10. Attitude Little Leaves Hand Sanitizer
Attitude Little Leaves Hand Sanitizer is the best vegan hand sanitizer for kids. It’s made with safe EWG-verified ingredients and it kills the germs while nurturing tiny hands with emollients and botanical extracts. It’s non-drying, non-sticky, quick to use, and it evaporates instantly.
You can choose between 3 yummy natural scents: Watermelon & Coconut, Vanilla & Pear, and Mango. This vegan hand sanitizer is also eco-friendly. It’s a 100% biodegradable formula with refillable and recyclable packaging. The sanitizer is ethically made in Canada.
- What we like: safe and gentle for kids, lovely scents
- What we don’t like: no unscented option
Key ingredients: 62% ethyl alcohol, blueberry leaf extract, vegan glycerin | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, EWG-verified, safe for children, paraben-free, tocopheryl acetate-free, aminomethyl propanol-free, synthetic fragrance-free, biodegradable, refillable, travel size, made in Canada | Average rating: 4.7/5 | Price: $5.95 (3.38 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Main image: courtesy of Touchland
