Skip to content
Dove
Men+Care
Baby Dove
Meet NEW Dove Whole Body Deo: 72h odor control, all over
Find Dove Near You
Sign Up & Save

Welcome to Dove

Dove - Let’s Change Beauty logo
  • See All

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Beauty Bar
      • Body Wash
      • Body Polish & Scrub
      • Hand Wash
      • Body Care
      • See All Bath & Body
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Moisturize & Hydrate
      • Eczema
      • Acne
      • Exfoliate
    • BROWSE INGREDIENTS
      • Shea Butter
      • Coconut
      • Lavender
      • Vanilla
      • Cucumber
      • Mango
      • Pomegranate
    • Image of Dove Pampering Care Hand Wash on top of a white countertop

      Rebuild your routine for softer, healthier skin.

      Take the Self-Care Quiz
    • Discover Body Washes
    • Discover Body Shower Serums
    • Discover Body Scrubs
    • Discover Beauty Bars
    • Discover Plant Milk Collection
    • Discover Hand Washes
    • Discover Cream Body Serums

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Shampoo
      • Conditioner
      • Dry Shampoo
      • Hair Styling
      • Hair Masks
      • Hair Serum
      • See All Hair
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Hair
      • Fine Hair
      • Damaged Hair Repair
      • Color-Treated Hair
      • Curly & Textured Hair
      • Silver Hair
      • Voluminizing
      • Dandruff & Dry Scalp
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Care Between Washes
      • Love Your Hair Collection
      • DermaCare Scalp
      • Bond Strength
      • Kids Hair Care Collection
    • Enter Dove Hair Damage AI Lab

      The future of hair damage analysis starts here

      Enter Dove Hair Damage AI Lab
    • Discover Hair Damage Therapy Collection
    • Discover Intensive Repair Products
    • Discover Bond Strength Products
    • Discover Scalp Hair Therapy Products

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Spray Antiperspirant
      • Spray Deodorant
      • Stick Antiperspirant
      • Stick Deodorant
      • Cream Deodorant
      • See All Deodorant
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Even Skin Tone
      • Clinical Strength
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Whole Body
      • VitaminCare+
      • Advanced Care
      • Aluminum Free
      • Even Tone
      • Clinical Protection
      • Dove Ultimate
    • Women with arms up in the arm

      Take our quiz to discover the ideal deodorant tailored to your specific skin needs.

      Discover Your Signature Deodorant
    • Discover VitaminCare+ Deodorants
    • Discover Aluminum Free Deodorants
    • Discover Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorants
    • Discover Whole Body Deodorants

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Wash
      • Body & Face Bars
      • Deodorant
      • Hair Care
      • See All Men
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Post Workout
      • Aluminum-Free Deodorant
      • Whole Body Deodorant
      • Exfoliating
      • Dandruff
      • Relaxing
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Active Naturals Body Wash
      • Advanced Care Face + Body Wash
    • Image of man combing hair

      Find out the latest from Dove Men + Care, all in one place.

      Explore Dove Men + Care
    • Discover Plant Based Cleansers
    • Discover Whole Body Deodorants
    • Discover Micromoisture Body Washes
    • Discover Body Wash and Cleansing Bars
    • Discover Antiperspirants & Deodorants

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Bathing
      • Skin Care
      • Hair Care
      • See All Baby
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Eczema
      • Hypoallergenic
      • Fragrance Free
      • Curly Hair
      • Bedtime
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Rich Moisture
      • Fragrance-Free Moisture
      • Calming Moisture
      • Derma Care
      • Melanin-Rich Skin
      • Caring By Nature
    • Baby in bath with hands up next to a bottle of Baby Dove foaming wash

      Care for baby's sensitive skin and hair.

      Explore Baby Dove
    • Discover Bubble Bath Collection
    • 5 tips for healthy, soft baby skin
    • The secret to tear-free bathtime
    • Discover Rich Moisture Collection
    • Discover Melanin Rich Skin Collections

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Wash
      • Bubble Bath
      • Conditioner
      • Hair Spray
      • Styling Cream
      • Deodorant
      • See All Kids & Teens
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Curly & Textured Hair
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Dove Kids Care
      • Dove Teens Deodorant
    • Mother and daughter reading

      Kids deserve skin care just for them.

      Hypoallergenic skin care for kids
    • Self-care and confidence for kids
    • The Power of Positive Affirmations

    Bath & Body

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Beauty Bar
      • Body Wash
      • Body Polish & Scrub
      • Hand Wash
      • Body Care
      • See All Bath & Body
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Moisturize & Hydrate
      • Eczema
      • Acne
      • Exfoliate
    • BROWSE INGREDIENTS
      • Shea Butter
      • Coconut
      • Lavender
      • Vanilla
      • Cucumber
      • Mango
      • Pomegranate
    • Image of Dove Pampering Care Hand Wash on top of a white countertop

      Rebuild your routine for softer, healthier skin.

      Take the Self-Care Quiz
    • Discover Body Washes
    • Discover Body Shower Serums
    • Discover Body Scrubs
    • Discover Beauty Bars
    • Discover Plant Milk Collection
    • Discover Hand Washes
    • Discover Cream Body Serums

    Hair

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Shampoo
      • Conditioner
      • Dry Shampoo
      • Hair Styling
      • Hair Masks
      • Hair Serum
      • See All Hair
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Hair
      • Fine Hair
      • Damaged Hair Repair
      • Color-Treated Hair
      • Curly & Textured Hair
      • Silver Hair
      • Voluminizing
      • Dandruff & Dry Scalp
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Care Between Washes
      • Love Your Hair Collection
      • DermaCare Scalp
      • Bond Strength
      • Kids Hair Care Collection
    • Dove Hair Damage AI Lab

      The future of hair damage analysis starts here

      Enter Dove Hair Damage AI Lab
    • Discover Hair Damage Therapy Collection
    • Discover Intensive Repair Products
    • Discover Bond Strength Products
    • Discover Scalp Hair Therapy Products

    Deodorant

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Spray Antiperspirant
      • Spray Deodorant
      • Stick Antiperspirant
      • Stick Deodorant
      • Cream Deodorant
      • See All Deodorant
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Even Skin Tone
      • Clinical Strength
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Whole Body
      • VitaminCare+
      • Advanced Care
      • Aluminum Free
      • Even Tone
      • Clinical Protection
      • Dove Ultimate
    • Women with arms up in the arm

      Take our quiz to discover the ideal deodorant tailored to your specific skin needs.

      Discover Your Signature Deodorant
    • Discover VitaminCare+ Deodorants
    • Discover Aluminum Free Deodorants
    • Discover Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorants
    • Discover Whole Body Deodorants
    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Wash
      • Body & Face Bars
      • Deodorant
      • Hair Care
      • See All Men
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Post Workout
      • Aluminum-Free Deodorant
      • Whole Body Deodorant
      • Exfoliating
      • Dandruff
      • Relaxing
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Active Naturals Body Wash
      • Advanced Care Face + Body Wash
    • Image of man combing hair

      Find out the latest from Dove Men + Care, all in one place.

      Explore Dove Men + Care
    • Discover Plant Based Cleansers
    • Discover Whole Body Deodorants
    • Discover Micromoisture Body Washes
    • Discover Body Wash and Cleansing Bars
    • Discover Antiperspirants & Deodorants

    Men

    Baby

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Bathing
      • Skin Care
      • Hair Care
      • See All Baby
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Eczema
      • Hypoallergenic
      • Fragrance Free
      • Curly Hair
      • Bedtime
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Rich Moisture
      • Fragrance-Free Moisture
      • Calming Moisture
      • Derma Care
      • Melanin-Rich Skin
      • Caring By Nature
    • Baby in bath with hands up next to a bottle of Baby Dove foaming wash

      Care for baby's sensitive skin and hair.

      Explore Baby Dove
    • Discover Bubble Bath Collection
    • 5 tips for healthy, soft baby skin
    • The secret to tear-free bathtime
    • Discover Rich Moisture Collection
    • Discover Melanin Rich Skin Collections

    Kids & Teens

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Wash
      • Bubble Bath
      • Conditioner
      • Hair Spray
      • Styling Cream
      • Deodorant
      • See All Kids & Teens
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Curly & Textured Hair
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Dove Kids Care
      • Dove Teens Deodorant
    • Mother and daughter reading

      Kids deserve skin care just for them.

      Hypoallergenic skin care for kids
    • Self-care and confidence for kids
    • The Power of Positive Affirmations
  • Our Mission

    See All

      • #NewYearsUnresolution
      • Size Freedom
      • The Real Cost of Beauty
      • Project #ShowUs
      • Learn More About How Dove is Redefining Beauty
    • Two women smiling together

      Real and Inspirational Stories

      Beauty Portraits
    • Discover Our Purpose Campaigns
    • Discover Our Product Campaigns

      • Parent & Mentor Resources
      • Educator Resources
      • Youth Leader Resources
      • #KeepHerConfident
      • Stand up for #KidsOnlineSafety
      • Real Virtual Beauty
      • #DetoxYourFeed
      • The Selfie Talk
      • Learn more about the Dove Self-Esteem Project
    • Smiling girl with track field in the background

      Dove x Nike teamed up to help keep girls in the game

      Building Body Confidence in Sports

      • The CROWN Act
      • Dove x LinkedIn
      • Black Birth Equity Fund
      • Commit to C.A.R.E (Care About Racial Equity)
      • Learn more about how Dove is working for Racial Equity
    • Women with half straight hair and half natural hair

      Create more inclusive and equitable workplaces for Black women.

      Dove x LinkedIn

      • Postpartum Support
      • Black Birth Equity Fund
      • Paid Paternity Leave
      • Celebrate Black Dads
      • Learn more about how Dove is helping caregivers redefine Parenthood
    • Mom holding crying baby while filling baby bottles

      Raise awareness and connect to resources for postpartum mental health issues.

      Under Pressure

      • Paid Paternity Leave
      • Commit to C.A.R.E (Care About Racial Equity)
      • Learn more about how Dove supports Positive Masculinity
    • Paid Paternity Leave

      Help give new dads the time to bond with their little ones.

      Paid Paternity Leave

      • Cruelty-Free Real Beauty
      • Circular Care
      • Protecting & Restoring Nature
      • Regenerative Ingredients & Agriculture
      • Ingredients We Do Use
      • Rethinking Our Ingredients
      • Ingredient Transparency
      • Learn More About Dove’s Commitment to Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability
    • Dove cutout with nature in the background

      We’re working to contribute to a healthy, thriving future for our planet and protecting it for future generations.

      Protecting & Restoring Nature
      • #NewYearsUnresolution
      • #KeepBeautyReal
      • #KidsOnlineSafety
      • The Real Cost of Beauty
      • Project #ShowUs
      • Learn More About How Dove is Redefining Beauty
    • Two women smiling together

      Real and Inspirational Stories

      Beauty Portraits
    • Discover Our Purpose Campaigns
    • Discover Our Product Campaigns
      • Parent & Mentor Resources
      • Educator Resources
      • Youth Leader Resources
      • #KeepHerConfident
      • #KidsOnlineSafety
      • Real Virtual Beauty
      • #DetoxYourFeed
      • The Selfie Talk
      • Learn more about the Dove Self-Esteem Project
    • Smiling girl with track field in the background

      Dove x Nike teamed up to help keep girls in the game

      Building Body Confidence in Sports
      • The CROWN Act
      • Dove x LinkedIn
      • Black Birth Equity Fund
      • Commit to C.A.R.E (Care About Racial Equity)
      • Learn more about how Dove is working for Racial Equity
    • Women with half straight hair and half natural hair

      Create more inclusive and equitable workplaces for Black women.

      Dove x LinkedIn
      • Postpartum Support
      • Black Birth Equity Fund
      • Paid Paternity Leave
      • Celebrate Black Dads
      • Learn more about how Dove is helping caregivers redefine Parenthood
    • Mom holding crying baby while filling baby bottles

      Raise awareness and connect to resources for postpartum mental health issues.

      Under Pressure
      • Paid Paternity Leave
      • Commit to C.A.R.E (Care About Racial Equity)
      • Learn more about how Dove supports Positive Masculinity
    • Paid Paternity Leave

      Help give new dads the time to bond with their little ones.

      Paid Paternity Leave
      • Cruelty-Free Real Beauty
      • Circular Care
      • Protecting & Restoring Nature
      • Regenerative Ingredients & Agriculture
      • Ingredients We Do Use
      • Rethinking Our Ingredients
      • Ingredient Transparency
      • Learn More About Dove’s Commitment to Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability
    • Dove cutout with nature in the background

      We’re working to contribute to a healthy, thriving future for our planet and protecting it for future generations.

      Protecting & Restoring Nature
  • Tips & Tools

    See All
    • Skin Cleansing & Care
      • Cleansing
      • Hair Removal
      • Skincare Routines
      • Underarm Care
      • Products & Ingredients
      • All Skin Articles
    • Hair Care
      • Styling Tips
      • Cleansing & Conditioning
      • Damaged Hair Care
      • Healthy Scalp
      • Products & Ingredients
      • All Hair Articles
    • Men’s Care
      • Skin
      • Hair
      • Underarms
      • Daily Routines
      • Products & Ingredients
      • All Men’s Articles
    • Parents & Kids
      • Infant & Baby Care
      • Kids & Teens Care
      • Pregnancy
      • Parenting
      • Products & Ingredients
      • All Parents & Kids Articles
    • Explore All Quizzes & Tools

      Uncover personalized beauty tips and discover the perfect products just for you.

      Explore All Quizzes & Tools

Meet NEW Dove Whole Body Deo: 72h odor control, all over
Sign up
Sign up
Sign up

Unlock Exclusive Offers & Beauty Tips!

Join our Community and Discover the Dove Difference

Sign Up & save

Get exclusive offers, product recommendations and more when you sign up for Dove Men + Care!

Sign Up & save

Get exclusive offers, product recommendations and more to help you on your parenting journey.

Sign up

Save by signing up to receive communications from dove and other Unilever Brands about exclusive offers, product updates, and more! By signing up, you agree to our Sign-Up and Save Policy and our Privacy Notice.

  1. Learn About Dove
  2. Skin & Hair Care Tips & Guides
  3. Body & Bath Tips
  4. hand-sanitizer-vs-hand-washing-which-is-best
Dove Lady smiling swinging hair

Hand sanitizer vs hand washing: which is best?

When it comes to limiting dirt, viruses and bacteria, regular hand-washing is a no-brainer. Regular hand-washing helps to keep hands clean and sanitized in order for us to go on with our day. But in a busy world, lathering up at the sink regularly can be tricky, with many of us opting for travel-sized sanitizers instead, hoping they do the job just as well. If you’re wondering how the two really compare (is hand sanitizer better than washing?) and what exactly the benefits of hand sanitizer vs hand washing are, read on. Here, we’re breaking it down in simple terms.

06 December '23

Hand washing: the facts
How often do you (truthfully) wash your hands? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we should be washing our hands at specific times during the day, which are different for each person. These key times usually include: before, during and after preparing food, before eating, after using the bathroom, changing diapers or touching an animal or garbage. The same goes if you’ve recently blown your nose, coughed or sneezed. Makes sense, right?

Wash like a pro
Not sure you’re doing it right? Studies show we should be scrubbing our hands for at least 20 seconds under running water (the time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ two times) in order to remove dirt and germs. If you’re tempted to rush, remember this: the aim of lathering and scrubbing hands is to physically wash away germs from the skin’s surface.The friction detaches dirt and germs which are then rinsed away.

A thorough clean involves carefully scrubbing the whole hand area, including palms, backs of hands, wrists, underneath nails and between fingers. There’s no need to burn your fingers though – water temperature doesn’t make much of a difference when it comes to washing away germs. Dry your hands after washing by using a clean towel, or by air drying them.

Once you’ve nailed the technique, consider the products you’re using. As well as effectively removing dirt and germs, it’s important to care for your skin too. Anyone else experienced super dry hands from too much washing?

The good news is that keeping clean doesn’t have to mean stripping or drying out skin. Take our dermatologist approved Dove Antibacterial Nourishing Foaming Hand Wash. The foaming formula eliminates 99% of bacteria on hands in seconds and provides lasting skin nourishment. It also smartly balances antibacterial performance with that all-important dryness protection.

Sensitive skin? Don’t put off washing for fear of itchy, dry or reactive skin. Our hypoallergenic Dove Deep Cleansing Hand Wash Sensitive Skin makes washing away germs on sensitive skin a piece of cake. The sulfate-free and paraben-free hand wash is made without dyes and alcohol so you can enjoy a gentle but effective wash. This hand wash with 5X Moisturizer Blend, complete with 5 skin nutrients and moisturizers makes caring for sensitive skin an effortless task.

Hand sanitizer: What you need to know
Both hand wash and hand sanitizer remove germs, but there are distinct differences. Soap and water should be used any time hands are visibly dirty or greasy and a handwashing station is available. Alcohol-based sanitizers are great for on-the-go, and should be used when hands are not visibly soiled and soap and water are not available.

A final sanitizing tip? Don’t skimp on product, and avoid applying it to soiled or greasy hands, since it may not work properly (for example, if you’ve been gardening or playing sports). Apply enough to cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Don’t rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer. There’s no need to panic about dry hands, either – our Nourishing Dove Hand Sanitizer is not only 99.99% effective against many germs, but it provides 8 hours of moisturization, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth afterward.

The verdict
In a rush or on the go? Sanitizers are a great time-saving tool if, for example, you want to quickly sanitize your hands after touching door handles or elevator buttons or are going to grab a quick bite outdoors. At home? If you have access to a bathroom it makes sense to wash hands often (it’s also a nice opportunity to encourage your kids to follow your cleanliness lead, too). Ultimately, however you choose to keep your hands clean is your call, just be sure to choose the best products for the job at hand.


TAGS:

  • antibacterial
  • hand sanitizer
  • hand wash
  • moisturized skin
  • removes bacteria
  • removes germs
  • sanitizing
  • standard article
  • washing

Related articles

  • Dove #WashToCare
    BATH & BODY
    #WashToCare: The importance of hand washing
    We’re sharing advice about the importance of hand washing frequently and properly. We can all make a difference if we #WashToCare.
  • Dove 3 ways to get (and maintain) radiant skin
    BATH & BODY
    3 ways to get (and maintain) radiant skin
    3 ways to get (and maintain) radiant skin
  • Dove 4 reasons you’ll love our gel & foaming hand wash range
    BATH & BODY
    4 reasons you’ll love our gel and foaming hand wash range
    Wash your hands with our pampering range for soft, smooth, skin
  • Women wearing a headscarf with a light smile looking off to the left
    BATH & BODY
    5 hand sanitizer myths: debunked
    Read our hand hygiene myths, and how our nourishing formulas debunk them all.
SEE ALL ARTICLES

Sign Up & Save

Sign up and be the first to know about exciting offers, product updates and more from Dove and other Unilever brands. For further information, please refer to our Privacy Notice.

Enter your email Address

SIGN ME UP
Baby Dove
Men+Care
Kids & Teens
About Dove
FAQs
Contact Us
Ingredients
Smart Label
Community guidelines
Where to Buy
What's in Our Products
Privacy
Terms of Use
Accessibility
Sitemap
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy
Limit Use of My Sensitive Personal Information

FOLLOW US ON

facebook
twitter
instagram
Dove TikTok
youtube
  • LANGUAGE

    Ver el sitio en Español

    LOCATION

    us United States
Dove - Let’s Change Beauty
unilever logo

© {{dynamicYear}} Unilever

This website is directed only to U.S. consumers for products and services of Unilever United States. This website is not directed to consumers outside of the U.S.