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🧼 Are Expensive Sanitisers Worth It? Here's What You’re Really Paying For 💰
- Palmtree UK Team
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 14
You find yourself in a shop full of hand gels—sleek bottles, organic labels, eco-friendly claims—and yet the price ranges from £1 to over £10. You might ask: “Is this just premium packaging, or am I paying for something that actually works?”
Let’s get honest.
1. Alcohol Content Is What Counts 🧪
The most important factor in any hand sanitiser is its alcohol content. Research shows 70% of UK consumers look for products with at least 60% alcohol because that’s what’s proven to kill germs effectively. So, no matter the price, if the sanitiser doesn’t meet that standard, it’s not doing the job.
2. Price Doesn’t Guarantee Quality 💡
Testing by Which found that many affordable supermarket sanitisers meet the required alcohol levels and work well. On the flip side, some expensive brands don’t necessarily offer any better protection—often, you’re paying for branding, packaging, or fancy scents.
3. What You’re Actually Paying For 🧴
You may be paying extra for:
Designer bottles 🎨
Fancy scents 🌺
Imported branding 🌐
A celebrity’s name you didn’t ask for 👀
But not necessarily better hygiene.
4. Sustainability and Ingredients Matter Too ✨
If you care about eco-friendly products, look beyond price and effectiveness to what’s in the bottle and how it’s made. Some sanitisers rely on ethanol from land-intensive crops or fossil fuels, which can have a bigger environmental footprint.
So, Should You Pay More?
In short: not unless there’s a clear reason. An affordable sanitiser that meets alcohol standards, has been properly tested and is eco friendly will keep you safe. Paying extra for a name or fancy packaging doesn’t necessarily add value.
A Thought on Eco-Friendly Options
If you want a sanitiser that ticks the boxes for effectiveness, skin friendliness, and sustainability, products like those made with ethanol derived from palm tree sap offer an interesting alternative. This method avoids harming trees and uses a renewable resource, while also supporting communities in West Africa.
Palmtree Hygiene is such product — developed in the UK with a high-alcohol base, fewer harsh chemicals, and designed to be kind to skin and planet alike. No palm oil is used, and the sap regenerates quickly, so it’s genuinely sustainable.
