13 hand sanitisers that don’t smell like a hospital

This might sound grossly materialistic, but nothing says you’re a fancy pants quite like owning some Aesop. And the Rinse-Free Hand Wash is as extravagant as hand sanitiser gets. Featuring Aesop’s signature brown bottle packaging (and scent), the oils (like mandarin orange, cedarwood and lavender), outmatch the scent of alcohol with ease. It’ll leave your hands feeling noticeably soft, smooth and clean.

This pink, non-sticky hand gel from Palmolive feels surprisingly delightful on your skin, which probably has something to do with the light moisturisers in it. Palmolive Hand Sanitiser in Japanese Cherry Blossom smells glorious, and it comes in a couple of different sizes, so you can have one on your desk and chuck a mini one in your bag to keep those mitts clean anytime, anywhere.

Fact: You can’t not love Touchland Hand Sanitiser. The packaging! The colours! The scents! Not only is it 10/10 on the Instagram-worthy scale, but the Watermelon Power Mist Hand Sanitiser scent smells delicious (there’s also more subtle ones like Aloe, if smelling like a nostalgic lip gloss is not your thing). It features a fine, fast-absorbing mist that is packed with oils to keep your skin for drying out. Sounds weird, but it somehow makes hand hygiene fun.

If there’s one formula we’ll always trust, it’s good old-fashioned Dettol. You just know this stuff is legit. But if you’re not a fan of that disinfectant smell, there are some other options, like Dettol Instant Hand Sanitiser in Chamomile. Not only is it dermatologically tested, but your hands will feel unbelievably soft and clean after use.

This almost-too-cute, pocket-sized hand sanitiser spray is tough on germs, but soft on skin. Thankyou Antibacterial Grapefruit Hand & Surface Sanitiser Spray is packed full of vitamin E and aloe vera, meaning it won’t dry out your hands. The best part? Every bottle helps to get safe water and toilets to people in need. We love a world changer!

With an addictive lavender scent, L’Occitane Organic Lavender Hand Purifying Gel sure beats smelling like a doctor’s office. It’ll keep your hands feeling fresh, without drying them out. On top of that, the packaging also makes sanitising your hands look super pretty. Go on. Treat yo’self!

If you’re not super down to spend extra $$ on a hand sanitiser, this is your dude. Loaded with aloe vera (which fight all kinds of bacteria), Merci Handy Unicorn Hand Cleansing Gel works to nourish dry and dehydrated skin and leaves your hands delicately scented. It’s also vegan and uses clean ingredients, which is a major plus.

Not only do we seriously heart the cute packaging, but Soap & Glory Mini Hand Clean Maid antibacterial gel has the most delicious fruity scent (it contains natural grapefruit extract) that makes you actually want to reapply. Plus, it also includes all-important moisturising ingredients to keep your hands soft and happy.

This antiseptic gel from Grown Alchemist is formulated with ingredients like hyaluronan and antioxidants to instantly sanitise and hydrate your skin, while preventing your hands from looking like *actual* dried prunes. Perfect for on-the-go cleansing, Grown Alchemist’s Hydra Hand Sanitiser Hyaluronan & Corallina Extract also contains moisture-boosting ingredients like cold-pressed sweet orange oil and sweet almond oil to top up your skin’s hydration levels.

While it looks and feels like a regular hand sanitiser gel, Megababe Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitiser is anything but. It dries quickly and won’t leave any gross/sticky residue on your hands (major points) and it won't make you smell like cleaning products (it leaves behind a nice fresh, citrusy scent).

If all that hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitisers are leaving your hands feeling dry and rough, check out the best hand creams to add to your skin care routine.

Natural and hydrating, Sensori+ Hand Sanitiser in Gayndah Orchard leaves your hands feeling soft, clean and fresh (it pretty much smells like a botanical garden), while protecting you from skin irritations and dry cuticles. The best part? It comes in a spray form, so your hands don’t feel sticky and gross after using it.

Synergie Skin Sanitiser Spray is a hospital grade hand sanitiser that’s loaded with good-for-your-skin botanicals (it uses grain-derived alcohol). It also doubles as a surface spray, so you can crack down hard on harmful bacteria and germs on all fronts. Psst…Synergie is donating five per cent of Sanitiser Spray proceeds to the RBWH Foundation Coronavirus Action Fund.

Not only will Dr Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitiser leave your hands clean and fresh, but the soothing effects of lavender will have you feeling calm and relaxed. This guy is also certified organic and vegan, so it’s free of nasty chemicals.