Lulu Organics Hand Purifier with Resistance Oil
Important note on hand purifiers
When researching hand sanitizers and purifiers, I look at both the ingredients and whether the product has been shown to effectively reduce germs. While certain essential oils have antibacterial properties, that doesn't necessarily mean a finished product works as a hand sanitizer.
For reliable hand sanitizing when soap and water aren't available, I look for products containing at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-free products like this one are better considered hand-freshening alternatives unless appropriate testing has established their effectiveness.
Product description
Lulu Organics Hand Purifier with Resistance Oil is an alcohol-free hand product made with aloe vera, witch hazel, organic jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin, vitamin E, and a blend of essential oils.
Its Resistance Oil blend contains clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme, bay, lavender, tangerine, and clary sage. Lulu Organics describes the blend as antibacterial. The product is handmade, vegan, and free of parabens and added preservatives.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Witch Hazel, Organic Jojoba Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Essential Oils of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Thyme, Bay, Lavender, Tangerine, and Clary Sage, Vitamin E.
Ingredient sourcing: Lulu Organics identifies jojoba oil, clove, lemon, rosemary, and thyme as certified organic.
EWG Rating: 3 (Fair), based on EWG's Build Your Own Report.
What I like
I like that Lulu Organics discloses the essential oils in its Resistance Oil blend rather than listing them under a general fragrance ingredient.
The formula also includes aloe vera, jojoba oil, and vegetable glycerin, which can help soften and moisturize the skin without relying on alcohol.
I appreciate that the brand identifies which ingredients are certified organic and provides the full ingredient list.
Things to keep in mind
This product does not contain alcohol, and I couldn't verify finished-product testing demonstrating that it effectively reduces germs on hands. Although individual essential oils may have antibacterial properties, that doesn't establish that this formula provides the same protection as an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
The essential oil blend also contains several potential skin irritants and allergens, particularly cinnamon, clove, thyme, and lavender. Repeated application may be problematic for people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.
Essential oil sourcing and manufacturing are additional considerations. Independent testing has detected phthalates in some essential oil products, highlighting the importance of testing for contaminants. This doesn't establish that Lulu Organics Hand Purifier contains phthalates.
Witch hazel can also be drying or irritating for some people, depending on how it's processed and whether alcohol is used during extraction. Lulu Organics identifies the finished product as alcohol-free, but doesn't specify the extraction method for its witch hazel.
This product is best considered a hand-freshening product rather than a replacement for handwashing or an effective hand sanitizer.