THEThe world in recent years had become more and more one multi-touch reality: touching a screen to get information and look at photos was part of everyday life, so much so that the gesture of two fingers spreading an image (the “pinch”) is also imitated by small children. When we met someone or introduced ourselves, we shook hands, right?
Hands have always been our primary tool of interaction with the surrounding environment. Until Covid-19 arrived and we have discovered that the hands also carry germs and viruses. And washing and sanitizing them is essential to limit infections.
Covid effect, towards a contactless world
Inevitably, from 2020 the concept of interactivity has changed. From an analysis by FutureBrand (Global network of branding and innovation consultancy, part of Interpublic Group) by the strategist Elena Vardanega, it emerges how Covid-19 has imposed an acceleration of touchless technologies, such as motion detection sensors or the optical pattern recognition, screen pointing and voice control, which they allowed us to interact without using your hands.
And in the meantime have a disinfectant in your bag or pocket it has become common for everyone, so much so that i hand disinfectants they have gone from medical-surgical aids to real ones beauty products.
The hand care product market after 2020
The study highlights how the market for hand care products and hand sanitizers has grown and transformed antibacterial and antiviral gels. “An evolution due to the need for remedy the problem of skin dryness caused by continuous washing with alcohol-based products (according to WHO ithe alcohol content must be at least 60% for proper sanitation) ”, the research reads.
“The new hand sanitizers, while maintaining their primary function of sanitizers, have adopted packaging with soft and warm colors, inspired by the codes of the beauty world, and they are enriched with moisturizing ingredients and skincare formulas which eliminate the smell of alcohol, improve the texture and do not dry out the skin “. If sanitizers were scarce at the beginning of the pandemic, today the choice is wide and rich.
Hand disinfectants for the beauty routine
In its analysis, FutureBrand highlighted the players who have established themselves in the market with these innovative products. Neat Products launched a alcohol based gel (62%) and aloe vera with white and pink packaging, a choice far removed from the codes of medical devices, which makes it look more like a product of the beauty routine.
Other brands “have indulged consumers’ desire to prepare DIY alternatives”, such as Loli Beauty. When stocks of his Grape Hand Tonic sanitizer were running out, he decided to share the formula for making the gel at home with his customers, proposing recipes and BIY (blend-it-yourself) videos.
Loli Beauty hand sanitizer
Another feature that has been implemented is “the sensory aspect and hydration” explains the research. “Hybrid products were born that can sanitize and hydrate in a single gesture. The moisturizer Also by Journ with shea butter, hibiscus and jojoba kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria in one pass. The British Tan-Luxe He developed Hand-Luxe, a no-rinse disinfectant with a specific moisturizing formula based on hyaluronic acid, raspberry seed oil, aloe vera and vitamin E “.
Special ingredients
The rise in hand sanitizers of special ingredients such as, for example, was also extraordinary CBD (cannabidiol), which has become famous for its beneficial effects and healing properties “. The moisturizing value of CBD is at the heart of the CBD Hand Sanitizer & Moisturizing Pure Bloom Spray, made with 80% certified organic ethyl alcohol, vegetable glycerin and “full spectrum CBD” (containing all the molecules produced by the hemp plant).
CBD Hand Sanitizer & Moisturizing Spray by Pure Bloom
Scented hand disinfectants
The research also highlighted how “89% of consumers globally say that the use of fragrances and olfactory notes helps them feel better (Givaudan, 2020)”. So many brands have added an olfactory element to their disinfectant products as well. The typical medium scent of pre-pandemic sanitizing products was a mix of detergent and alcohol, now undermined by aromatherapy fragrances. The study cites, for example, Noble Isle which added notes of Atlantic coast sea oak, glasswort, thyme and rhubarb to its products. Or again, Aesop who made her own hand sanitizers Resurrection Hand Wash without rinsing a cult product with the iconic scent of mandarin, rosemary and cedar. And among the sanitizing sprays, that of Cowshe employs essential oils of grapefruit and lavender.
Noble Isle Hand Sanitizer
Raising awareness on hand hygiene
The research also shows how “the role of brands ineducate and sensitize people on the subject of hand hygiene “ may be important. Lush created a disposable soap that dissolves after 30 seconds – WHO recommended wash duration. The mini-bars were made in collaboration with Deliveroo in the United Arab Emirates and are delivered with food orders to promote hygiene practices even beyond the pandemic.
And for cases where prolonged use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has led to eczema, rashes and dermatitis that alter the skin’s delicate microbiome, brands have taken action and offered products halfway between sanitizer and beauty.
The American does it Dermalogica with Active Clay Cleanser based on white clay and activated carbon that deeply cleanse the skin, balancing its purifying effect with prebiotics that nourish and protect it. But also La Roche-Posay with its glycerin-based Hydroalcoholic Purifying Hand, the Dr. Ciccarelli with his Sanitizing Hand Cream, and many others.
In short, the diktat of the hands from now on will always be: sanitize and nourish.
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