Gel, foam or wipes? They are three ways to do the same everyday job when soap and water aren't nearby. The difference is in the format: how it's packed, how much you carry, and where it lives. Here's how the three ZOVIRO formats compare.
The short version
| Hand sanitizer gel | Foaming hand sanitizer | Hand sanitizing wipes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Flip-cap bottle | Pump bottle | Pre-moistened wipes in a pack |
| Sizes | 1 fl oz (29 ml) and 2 fl oz (60 ml) | 9.5 fl oz (281 ml) | 20-count travel packs; 80-count packs |
| Packs | 25, 50 or 100 bottles | 4 bottles | 10 travel packs; 6 × 80-count |
| Active ingredient (per label) | Ethyl alcohol 70% | Benzalkonium chloride 0.12%, alcohol-free | See the Drug Facts on the pack |
| Scent | Lavender Breeze (1 fl oz), Refreshing (2 fl oz) | Citrus Fresh | Tea Tree (travel), Jasmine (80-count) |
| Best fit | Pocket, bag, desk, carry-on | Front door, kitchen counter, reception desk | Car, gym bag, laptop sleeve |
Hand sanitizer gel: the one you carry
ZOVIRO gel comes in clear flip-cap bottles, so it opens with one thumb and closes with a click. The label lists ethyl alcohol 70% as the active ingredient, with aloe and vitamin E among the other ingredients. The 1 fl oz bottle in Lavender Breeze is scented with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils. The 2 fl oz bottle comes in the Refreshing scent.
Choose gel if you want something that lives on you: in a pocket, clipped to a bag or in a carry-on quart bag. Both sizes are within TSA's 3.4 oz (100 ml) container limit for carry-on liquids.
Foaming hand sanitizer: the one that stays put
The foaming hand sanitizer is alcohol-free. Its label lists benzalkonium chloride 0.12% as the active ingredient, and the formula includes aloe, glycerin and panthenol. It pumps out as a light foam with a Citrus Fresh scent, and it doesn't need rinsing.
At 9.5 fl oz, it is a stay-at-home bottle. Put one by the front door, on the kitchen counter or at a reception desk. It comes in a 4-pack, so one order can cover several rooms.
Hand sanitizing wipes: the one for the car
ZOVIRO hand sanitizing wipes are pre-moistened and made for use on hands only. The travel packs hold 20 wipes each, come 10 to a box and carry a tea tree scent. They are flat and light, which suits a car door pocket, a gym bag or a laptop sleeve. The Jasmine 80-count packs come six to a box for home or office; check the wipes collection for current availability.
Choose wipes if you prefer something you can use and throw away, or if a bottle in your pocket isn't your thing.
Alcohol-based or alcohol-free?
This is mostly a matter of preference. The gel uses ethyl alcohol; the foam uses benzalkonium chloride and contains no alcohol. Each product lists its active ingredient, directions and warnings in its Drug Facts. Read the label for the exact product you buy and use it as directed.
Choose by place, not by product
- Pocket or purse: 1 fl oz gel
- Desk drawer: 2 fl oz gel or a travel pack of wipes
- Front door or kitchen: foaming hand sanitizer
- Car: travel wipes
- Carry-on: 1 fl oz or 2 fl oz gel in your quart bag
- Events and shared spaces: a multipack of gel bottles, so each person can take one
Mixing formats
A simple setup is two formats: a pump at home and something small on the go. A foam 4-pack plus a box of travel wipes, or a 25-pack of gel plus travel wipes, lands above $35, and orders of $35 or more ship free with standard shipping within the contiguous US. You can browse all three formats in hand sanitizer gel & foam and hand sanitizing wipes.
FAQ
Which ZOVIRO hand sanitizer is alcohol-free?
The foaming hand sanitizer. Its active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride 0.12%.
Can I use the wipes on surfaces?
No. ZOVIRO hand sanitizing wipes are made for hands only.
Which formats fit in a carry-on?
The 1 fl oz and 2 fl oz gel bottles are within TSA's 3.4 oz (100 ml) container size for carry-on liquids. Check tsa.gov for current rules before you fly.
Where can I find the full ingredients?
Each product page lists the ingredients, and the Drug Facts label on the pack lists the active ingredient, directions and warnings.
