After an active summer filled with adventures, it can be nice to get back into a routine. Plus, this back-to-school season feels good knowing kids will be headed back to the classroom for in-person learning. But just because school is returning to normal doesn't mean parents and kids shouldn't remain conscious of spreading germs and illness.

After all, if you have little ones who get sick, you know the disturbance it can cause the whole family. When one family member becomes ill, the rest are likely to follow suit, causing a chain reaction including unpleasant symptoms and canceled plans.

Not only is the spread of colds and viruses inconvenient, but the thought of them can also cause feelings of fear and uncertainty. Thankfully, being prepared with a plan and a trusted hand sanitizer can ease the stress of back-to-school germs.

Why are hand sanitizers important for back-to-school?

Supplying school children with the tools to maintain proper hygiene keeps kids, families, and communities healthy. "Children gathering in schools is one of the main ways germs circulate in communities," Dr. Athena P. Kourtis, a pediatrician and author of Keeping Your Child Healthy in a Germ-Filled World, told WebMD. Children's immune systems aren't as mature as full-grown adults, leaving them more susceptible to colds and viruses, especially when you pair that with close contact and habits like putting fingers into their mouths and noses. Thankfully, with some easy hygiene processes in place, most kids can avoid getting sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing your hands is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs, but the usual classroom setting doesn't have easy access to sinks. That's when hand sanitizers come in handy.

Hand sanitizers work by obstructing the outer coat of a virus and destroying the cell membrane of bacteria. Of course, if you have physical dirt and debris on your hands, washing will remove these particles when a hand sanitizer will not. But nothing beats the quickness and accessibility of a portable sanitizer when a sink isn't available.

Whether you're a teacher or a student, it's essential to devise a plan to keep germs at bay. For starters, this may include using hand sanitizer in between classes and before lunch. Keeping a travel-sized bottle in the front pouch of your backpack or in your desk or locker will ensure you have it at the ready.

The ingredients to look for in hand sanitizers

Since hand sanitizers are recommended by the government and health professionals to help stop the spread of illness, there are specific ingredients and concentrations you should look for. Most importantly, the CDC recommends an alcohol concentration of at least 60% to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Because of the key ingredient, alcohol, those with sensitive skin should look for added moisturizers in their hand sanitizers. Keep an eye out for added hydrating ingredients like aloe, vitamin e, and sugarcane-derived squalane to counteract the drying effects of alcohol and prevent dry skin.

What to avoid in hand sanitizers

The last thing you want to do is arm your kids with a hand sanitizer with harmful ingredients. With the increased demand for hand sanitizers, the FDA has thankfully been testing these products for toxic ingredients. The FDA urges consumers not to use hand sanitizer products that contain methanol, 1-propanol, benzene, acetaldehyde, or acetal. Most of the products that contain these ingredients have been removed from the market, but you can also search the FDA's hand sanitizer do-not-use list.

Just as we recommend looking out for toxic ingredients in beauty and skincare products, you'll also want to do the same for hand sanitizers. Some harmful, yet unfortunately common, chemicals to watch for are artificial dyes (Blue 1, Red 40, and Yellow 5), parabens, and Polyethylene Glycol Compounds (PEGs). When you're living a healthy lifestyle, it's always best practice to examine the ingredients list before introducing a hand sanitizer, or any product, into your home.

Try YUNI's moisturizing hand sanitizer

YUNI's Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer contains 72% plant-based alcohol, which meets CDC recommendations to kill germs and bacteria. But we thought of everything to counteract the drying nature and strong scent of alcohol. Typical hand sanitizers are incredibly drying, so we made sure to differentiate our formula to include skin-loving, plant-based moisturizers that repair the skin barrier. Organic aloe and calendula soothe and hydrate, while glycerin acts as a natural humectant. Glacial Oceanic Mineral Water, or Sea Silt Extract, extracted from Glacial Oceanic Clay, nourishes the skin and replenishes depleted minerals.

The average hand sanitizer often only does the job of killing germs without considering the unpleasant side effects. In addition to the common drying effect, many sanitizing gels have a strong aroma of alcohol. Since there's no way to eliminate the essential ingredient of alcohol, we decided to add an enticing blend of essential oils to counteract the stringent smell. One of our verified customers, Melissa, left a product review stating, "Nice alternative to the alcohol smelling hand sanitizers," and adding that it "absorbs quickly and smells great!"

Another customer, Lauren, shared how she's spread the love and taking her bottle everywhere, "This is my second time purchasing this product! I have gotten them for multiple family members as well, so they all had them on a vacation we were taking. This hand sanitizer can also be found in every bag and vehicle I own! Super hydrating and smells great."

How to stop the spread of germs

Germs, or microscopic organisms, are everywhere: our food, water, soil, and even on our skin. Some germs can even be beneficial for us, like the good bacteria found in our gut. But as you know, some germs can make you sick. Below are some tips (and reminders) on how to best protect yourself against germs.

As we mentioned earlier, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds is the best way to stop the spread of illness. Next in line is hand sanitizer, an excellent germ-fighting tool to have on the go. To ensure the best defense against bad bacteria and pathogens, rub a dime-sized amount of your hand sanitizer between fingers and across all surfaces of your hands and fingers until the product is absorbed.

Since the spread of illness in schools makes such a significant impact on communities, make it a habit to teach your kids proper hygiene at home. This means explaining that their routines at home also need to happen while they are at school, like washing their hands before meals and after the bathroom and covering their mouth when they cough. Lastly, don't forget to praise them every time they practice good hygiene.

Are you ready for back to school? Be prepared as you head into the new season by choosing YUNI's Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer.