Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Review and Giveaway: Infectiguard Hand Sanitizer CLOSED



Once upon a time, I had beautiful, soft, smooth hands. But now that I have a family, the endless dishwashing, laundry, baths and diaper changes have really dried them out. For only being in my mid-to-late twenties, I am simply too young for rough, alligator skin! But with cold and flu season in full swing (and H1N1 now widespread in my region), it's more important than ever to keep my hands clean, with or without water. I just wish I didn't have to sacrifice my youthful appearance to stay germ-free.

Thanks to Infectiguard, I no longer have to.

Infectiguard is a new, pH-neutral, hypo-allergenic, waterless hand sanitizer from Dr. Fresh. The most effective hand sanitizer brands contain alcohol, which effectively kills germs but naturally dries out your hands. What sets Infectiguard apart from the other brands is that it counterbalances this harsh drying effect with generous helpings of Vitamin E, Aloe and other moisturizers. But just because it's friendly to your skin doesn't mean it sacrifices bacteria-stomping power. Infectiguard actually contains 62% alcohol, slightly more than competitive products on the market, and wipes out 99.9% of germs. Even the U.S. Military uses Infectiguard!

Did you know that 75% of infectious diseases are spread by hand-to-mouth or hand-to-eye transmission? Kind of scary! And with our busy lifestyles, we may not always have access to soap and water, which makes gel or liquid hand sanitizers so useful. Many people avoid using these sanitizers because of the drying effects. This product has the ability to increase frequency of usage and overall consumption. Less germs = less viruses = less sick days!

I must admit I use waterless hand sanitizer like it's going out of style. Particularly after all diaper changes, bathroom trips and visits to the grocery store or other common public places. I have two pump bottles of Purell in our house (one upstairs in the nursery and one downstairs in the kitchen) and I also carry a small flip-top bottle of Germ-X in the diaper bag. So, when I was contacted by Megan at Light Years Ahead to review Infectiguard, I was happy to compare and see how it performed against the brands I owned.

I was sent an 8 oz. pump bottle to review. The bottle itself was very simple. The red and white design reminded me of "first aid", which I personally like. It catches my eye and reminds me to wash my hands everytime I walk by. The construction seemed a little narrower and less bulky than other brands I've tried so it was easier to handle.



The sanitizer itself resembles a watery lotion. It is white in color, unlike the traditional clear gels I'm accustomed to.



After rubbing it in and letting it air dry, my hands felt instantly soft. I was surprised there was no stickiness. The roughness just disappeared. I've used the product for about 2 weeks now and I've noticed an improvement in the feel of my skin over my Purell with Aloe.

The only disadvantage to this product is the smell. All sanitizers are a bit on the strong side to me (perhaps I'm particularly sensitive to smells), but I think Infectiguard's higher alcohol content causes a more potent fragrance than some other brands. It nearly took my breath away and burned the hairs in my nose the first time I used it, and I only used one pump. But it does fade quickly and once I rubbed it in and let it settle, it actually smelled nice. Considering it makes my hands feel so smooth afterward, I can deal with the initial alcohol smell.

Bottom line: If you use hand sanitizer regularly, or if you don't (and you should!), I would recommend using Infectiguard as a way to combat germs without drying out your hands. If you can get past the initial smell, I think it works wonderfully.

BUY IT: Infectiguard is available for purchase on their website and on Amazon, as well as Safeway, Walgreens, and AAFES. It comes in a variety of sizes and packages, including sprays, pumps, flip-top bottles (some with a convenient travel clip-on to always keep on hand - literally!) and individually-wrapped wipes (ARV $2.49-2.99).

WIN IT: Not one - but two lucky winners will win their very own 8 oz. bottle of Infectiguard!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): All you've got to do is leave a comment here telling me why you want to win or what you like most about Infectiguard. It's that simple! Be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it is not listed on your profile!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter (see sidebar) and tweet about the contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end on October 20, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Open to US only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I received an 8 oz. bottle of Infectiguard from Light Years Ahead to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for my post. The opinions expressed in this review are purely the blog owner's. You may have a different experience with this product.

60 comments:

slb3334 said...

Need a sanitizer-moisturizer.

Bonita12 said...

I have been keeping sanitizer on the kitchen counter for all to use - could use more.

Bonita12 said...

subscriber via google reader

Bonita12 said...

Entered LJBW Cloth Block giveaway.

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I use sanitizer at woprk (I'm in retail), and other sanitizers leave my hands really dry. Thanks!

miller lawn service said...

I would love to try this. I have 3 preschoolers and between all the washings and hand-sanitizings, my hands get raw in the winter. I'd love to try a sanitizer that helps combat rather than contribute to that. Thanks!

llinda29 said...

I want to prevent illness

Meredith said...

I teach school and I would love to try this to keep from getting sick.

Rachel said...

I work with kids and we would like to stay healthy this fall and winter season :)

racheliznewman(at)gmail(dot)com

Janette said...

I have a hard time using a lot of sanitizers, they make my hands really rough and they sometimes crack and peel. I've been looking for a moisturizing sanitizer that doesn't have the sickeningly sweet cover-the-alcohol-up smell.

Janette said...

Subscribed via email
decadent87@gmail.com

msrodeobrat said...

i would like to win because my germx has been drying my hands out but i hate to apply lotion right after using because then i feel like im defeating the purpose

Michele P. said...

with a new infant in the home and a 7 yr old who goes to school and after school care it is very easy to catch bugs and viruses in our home... I need something that would help out with stopping the spread of these things before everyone gets sick!

micaela6955 at msn dot com

Michele P. said...

entered the First Juice giveaway

micaela6955 at msn dot com

Michele P. said...

your twitter follower @micaela6955 tweeted http://twitter.com/micaela6955/status/4817528421

Eli's Lids said...

I would love to win this because my son has asthma so we have to be very anti germ!

Eli's Lids said...

I entered the You Can Make This Bundle

chromiumman said...

i'd love to win because i wash my hands too much, the skin tends to crack

Renee said...

I want to win some of this to fight the germs of flu season!

Renee said...

I also entered these giveaways for 3 entries:
First Juice
Putumayo Kids CD
Asheba In The Kid Zone CD
1

Renee said...

I also entered these giveaways for 3 entries:
First Juice
Putumayo Kids CD
Asheba In The Kid Zone CD
2

Renee said...

I also entered these giveaways for 3 entries:
First Juice
Putumayo Kids CD
Asheba In The Kid Zone CD
3

Renee said...

also entered the YouCanMakeThis.com Halloween Bundle giveaway

Anonymous said...

I like that Infectiguard has aloe and vitamin E to offset the drying effects of alcohol. Thanks!

sueellison@hcecwildblue.com

mail4rosey said...

I want to win because my husband is in delivery and he could sure use this on the job.

Thank you.
msurosey@yahoo.com

Metal Momma said...

i want to win because it's always nice to have some extra defense against germs

Julie said...

Perfect for my daughter to take to school

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Julie said...

email subscriber

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Kimberly said...

I like that this is more lotion like. I love hand sanitizer but hate how drying most are.

Kimberly said...

I entered your You can make this giveaway.

Kimberly said...

I entered your wow wow wubbzy giveaway.

Kimberly said...

I entered your cystex giveaway.

Wehaf said...

I want to win because with a puppy, I have to wash my hands constantly. I can't resist petting her while I'm making dinner, but to keep the food clean I have to wash my hands over and over. This would let me avoid that!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I love that it doesnt dry out your hands, that is why I dont use other sanitizers!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I am a follower!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I am following you on Twitter.

Username: wastebasket

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

Re said...

i need this to kill those pesky germs! :)

Anonymous said...

I get sick very easily, and I'm allergic to a ton of things, so I'm constantly washing my hands. The less germy I am, the healthier I hope to be!

subaruhack@sbcglobal.net

Sheila Hickmon said...

I would like to win because it's flu season! We go through a ton of sanitizer around here, and this looks great!
Thanks!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com

chaipo said...

I would love to have this product because I break out from most hand sanitizers.

chaipoak@gmail.com

chaipo said...

I follow you already.

chaipoak@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like how Infectiguard has Vitamin E, Aloe and other moisturizers! My hands get so dry from using sanitizers so much!

susan1215 said...

I would like to win this as we wash our hands a lot.

Charity S said...

I want to win because I hate the sticky feel of most sanitizers. Thanks

charisscharity (at) yahoo (dot) com

Charity S said...

Following your blog. charity/ccboobooy


charisscharity (at) yahoo (dot) com

Charity S said...

I entered the Cystex Giveaway.


charisscharity (at) yahoo (dot) com

chint76 said...

With the cold/flu season on the horizon I would love to have a bottle of this nifty sanitizer at my desk @ work.
thanks for the chance!

chint76 said...

i am also an email subscriber

Mya Brooks said...

I get sick a lot! I would use this to ward off the nasties!

mzpaw@yahoo.com

susansmoaks said...

i would like to win because i think i will really like the infectiguard

Gloria's Bits and Pieces said...

I'd love to win to keep germs away and try to stay healthy!

kngmckellar@hotmail.com

Kathy P said...

i want to win because the h1n1 thing is scary and i have been making my family use sanitizer

Unknown said...

I work with money all day so I have to use a lot of hand sanitizer
gerrie.shaeffer@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

email subscriber
gerrie.shaeffer@yahoo.com

cman said...

I'd love to try it because the ones I use now dry out my hands!

Tammy said...

I always carry around hand sanitizer in my purse to protect against germs in public places - I'd love to try a new brand

lilyk said...

I want to win because this prize looks very useful!

lisa said...

I am constantly washing my hands and they are so dry. I think i would carry this in my hand bag. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

Email subscriber. msmith572@yahoo.com

lisa said...

I entered to win the PUR Flavor Options Pitcher. msmith572@yahoo.com

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