In the week ended February 23, 2020, the dollar sales of hand sanitizers in drug stores rose by 80.7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. In the same time period, sales of hand sanitizers in multi-outlet and convenience stores grew by about 58 percent compared to the previous year. These increases were likely triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Russia fuelled the retail sales growth of personal hygiene products in the country. The highest sales growth rates for both hand sanitizers and skin antiseptics were recorded during mid-March. In the following weeks, the sales growth rates relatively decreased, yet measuring at significantly elevated rates compared to the equivalent period of the previous year.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

In week five and six of 2020, *** thousand and *** thousand hand sanitizers were sold, respectively. Compared to 2019, this is an increase of approximately ** thousand and ** thousand sold sanitizers. In contrast, hand sanitizer sales in weeks one, two and three were similar to, or lower than sales in the first weeks of 2019. Sales figures dropped off slightly in weeks seven and eight. This was not caused by a decrease in demand, but by a lack of supply.

Early stages of global COVID-19 spread

Hand sanitizers, as opposed to hand soap, can be used without water and a sink. This inherent practicality partly explains why they were an unusually popular disinfectant from week four of 2020 and onwards, around the time when the COVID-19 infection rate increased aggressively in China. The subsequent decrease in sales from week seven was a direct result of hand sanitizer’s popularity; their recent ‘clean sweep’ in supermarket sales resulted in a nationwide scarcity.

Concern among the Dutch

Extensive media coverage and emerging COVID-19 cases outside of China led to concern about the virus among Dutch citizens in late January and February, even though there were no reported cases of COVID-19 infections in the Netherlands until February ****. Hand sanitizers were not the only products that were purchased at an increased frequency in the beginning of 2020, as hygiene products and food preserves enjoyed a spike in sales as well.

Market Overview:

The global instant hand sanitizers market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2030. The growth in the market can be attributed to the increasing awareness about hygiene and rising demand for instant hand sanitizers in residential and medical applications. In terms of type, the global instant hand sanitizers market is segmented into a gel, foam, Liquid Soap, and other (spray). The gel segment is projected to dominate the global market during the forecast period owing to its easy-to-use nature and high efficacy. In terms of application, the residential use segment is projected to lead the global market during the forecast period owing to an increase in disposable income and growing awareness about hygiene among consumers.

Product Definition:

Instant hand sanitizers are alcohol-based gels that are designed to kill most types of germs on contact. They can be used without water and are usually more effective than soap and water at killing bacteria. Instant hand sanitizers can be used before or after eating, and they are also a good choice when you cannot get to a sink to wash your hands.

Gel:

Gel is a thick, semi-solid substance that is found in many instant hand sanitizers. It is made from a combination of water, alcohol, and other active ingredients such as fragrances, moisturizers, and oils. The gel helps to spread the sanitizer evenly across the hands for maximum coverage and to help prevent dripping.

Foam:

Foam in instant hand sanitizers is an ingredient that helps to keep the sanitizer in a liquid form and helps to spread the sanitizer more evenly on the hands. It also helps to make the sanitizer easier to apply and more pleasant to use. This type of foam is usually made from an emulsion of water, alcohol, and surfactants.

Liquid Soap:

Liquid soap is a main ingredient in many instant hand sanitizers. It acts as a surfactant, which helps to reduce surface tension and allows the sanitizer to spread more easily across the skin. The soap also helps to emulsify the other ingredients in the mixture, such as alcohol, helping the sanitizer to stay on the skin longer and allowing the alcohol to stay on the skin long enough to kill germs.

Application Insights:

The residential use segment held the largest market share of over 70% in 2019. The growing awareness about hygiene and safety is driving the demand for instant hand sanitizers at homes, especially in developing countries where a high standard of living is expected to boost product demand over the forecast period. In addition, governments are taking several initiatives to promote better hygiene habits among consumers including developing educational campaigns and distribution of free samples through supermarkets, convenience stores, and health food stores which will further boost industry growth during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis:

North America dominated the global instant hand sanitizers market in terms of revenue share in 2020. The region is projected to continue its dominance over the forecast period owing to the high demand for hand hygiene products and increasing cases of hospital-acquired infections. In addition, growing awareness regarding health and safety among consumers is anticipated to propel product demand further.

Growth Factors:

• Increasing awareness about the benefits of hand sanitizers.
• Rising number of outbreaks of infectious diseases.
• Growing demand for hygiene and personal care products.
• The proliferation of retail outlets and e-commerce platforms.
• Innovative product offerings by manufacturers.

Report Scope

United States Hand Sanitizer Market was valued at USD 1.25 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.76 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.93%.

As of March, 2020, online sales of toilet paper rose by 207 percent compared to the previous year. In the same time period, online sales of hand sanitizer and wipes grew by about 5,678 percent when compared to the previous year. Some of these increases were likely triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the Hand Sanitisers Market Size will be USD XX Million in 2024 and is set to achieve a market size of USD XX Million by the end of 2031 growing at a CAGR of XX% from 2025 to 2033

North America held share of XX% in the year 2024 Europe held share of XX% in the year 2024 Asia-Pacific held share of XX% in the year 2024 South America held share of XX% in the year 2024 Middle East and Africa held share of XX% in the year 2024

Market Dynamics of Hand Sanitizers Market

Key Drivers for Hand Sanitizers Market

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Hygiene Awareness are fueling the demand for sanitizers and key market drivers.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 significantly influenced the hand sanitizer market in India. The Sale of hand sanitizers increased manyfold as governments, health organizations, media campaigns, and multiple experts emphasized the importance of hand sanitizers, and people started buying them as a personal prevention tactic against the virus. Hand sanitizer production and availability increased dramatically throughout India, as producers increased their output to keep up with the rising demand, and raw materials like isopropanol were sold at higher prices due to the sudden increase in demand. Even if the initial panic buying stopped after the outbreak, hand sanitizer use has become a regular ritual. Beyond the acute stage of the epidemic, people's continued emphasis on hand hygiene is fueling a continuing demand for hand sanitizers. The need for hand sanitizers remained as public events and companies reopened, which helped the industry keep expanding. People have now integrated the use of hand sanitizers into their daily lifestyle, even in the post-pandemic times. All these factors contribute to the sustained demand for sanitizers, contributing to the market's continued growth.

Another driver in the growth of the sanitizer market is urbanization and changing lifestyles. 

Rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles are other key driver in the growth of the hand sanitizer market. Urban centers have a diverse demographic composition with fast-paced lives and larger crowds, thus leading to frequent interactions with people at public places such as malls, markets, offices, public transport, and recreational areas. Due to the larger crowd, there is are high chance of diseases getting spread, and the convenience factor of hand sanitizers plays a key role in this, as people demand portable hygiene solutions. The presence of a sanitizer dispenser at the entrance of malls, shops, food courts, parks, and different public places is also evidence of changing lifestyles. Their popularity among urban families, commuters, professionals, and students has been fueled by their convenience. Additionally, consumers' health consciousness has increased due to urbanization, and they are placing a higher priority on preventive healthcare practices. This tendency is supported by the belief that hand sanitizers are an effective way to avoid diseases, which increases demand for them in urban areas. By launching a range of sanitizers that satisfy various tastes, such as alcohol-based, herbal, and fragrance-enhanced alternatives, manufacturers and marketers have profited from this trend.

Key Restraints for Hand Sanitizers Market

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Standards are key restraints for the market growth of hand sanitizers. 

Hand sanitizers are classified as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in India, subject to regulatory oversight by authorities such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which requires manufacturers to test sanitizers for micro biocidal activity, stability, toxicity and submit test data and proposed labeling to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For instance, in June 2020, the FDA warned against using hand sanitizers from Teskibiochem SA de CV, a Mexican manufacturer due to methanol contamination, which can cause serious health issues. Therefore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues warnings about hand sanitizers containing methanol, and adherence to these regulatory guidelines and quality standards is essential for the use of hand sanitizers. Although it can be difficult and time-consuming, regulatory compliance is crucial and includes things like ...

The current performance of the US hand sanitizer industry reflects a market that has recalibrated from pandemic-era extremes and evolved into an established fixture of everyday life. Demand remains robust due to persistent hygiene habits, as regular sanitizer use in public, work and retail spaces has become an expected norm for consumers — a legacy of the pandemic period. Retailers have responded by allocating increased shelf space to hand sanitizer products, especially gel-based and scented varieties targeting younger demographics. At the same time, the industry has benefited from strong macroeconomic tailwinds: rising disposable incomes and a resurgent hospitality and restaurant sector have supported institutional and retail demand. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal incomes and consumer expenditures have grown steadily into 2025, underpinned by Americans' increased spending on travel and dining. However, despite these healthy fundamentals, industry revenue declined at a CAGR of 25.9% over the current period to 2025, reaching an estimated $663.1 million — largely a correction from the record pandemic surge. After bottoming out in 2022, the market has returned to an upward trajectory, posting a moderate 3.3% revenue gain in 2025. Amid this stabilization, manufacturers have contended with strong input costs and shifting consumer preferences. The premiumization trend has fueled product innovation. Major producers are differentiating through eco-friendly packaging, luxury branding, attractive scents and formulations with added skincare benefits to capture higher-margin segments. However, these moves, while supporting topline growth, have not fully offset the pressures on profit. Costs for key inputs like plastics and alcohol have exhibited moderate but persistent volatility, driven by global commodity supply chain disruptions such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict's impacts on oil supplies. As these prices have risen, manufacturers have been forced to pass costs on to consumers to protect profit, resulting in higher hand sanitizer prices and revenue. When input costs change faster than manufacturers are able to adapt to, this can also diminish profit, as it has over the past three years. Looking forward, revenue growth in the US hand sanitizer industry is expected to continue. The healthcare sector will be a reliable growth engine, with institutional demand rising as the US population ages and national healthcare spending outpaces GDP expansion. This expansion provides a strong baseline of demand, particularly from hospitals, outpatient centers and long-term care facilities. Concurrently, premiumization and sustainability trends are anticipated to accelerate, prompting brands to broaden their product lines in response to evolving consumer values and stricter institutional ESG mandates. New tariffs on imported sanitizer and a depreciating US dollar are also set to bolster domestic manufacturing by increasing the relative cost of foreign substitutes and improving the attractiveness of US-made products in domestic and international markets. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 3.3% to reach $780.8 million in 2030.

In the 52 weeks ending on 26 December, 2020, sales of hand sanitizer have boomed in the United Kingdom. Grab & Go was the brand with the highest sales growth in that time period, with sales increasing by over ***** percent. Other fast-growing brands included Baylis & Harding and Dettol.

Australia Hand Sanitizer Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% during 2020-2026

The demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizers in the US will grow by 571% during 2019-2021. The report provides segments on Functional Ingredients, Product Type, End-Users, Distribution Channels and Supply Chain.

Hand Sanitizer Market size, market analysis, Market Revenue, trends, Regional Outlook, competition and growth opportunities till 2027

Global Away from Home Hand Soaps and Sanitizer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% and is anticipated to reach around USD 400 million by 2026. Hand Sanitizer is a hand rubbing agent, which is applied to hand for the removal of the virus and common pathogens.

The hand sanitizer spray pen market is likely to register a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period and is anticipated to reach a market share of US$ 11.36 Billion in 2032, from US$ 4 Billion in 2021, due to its convenient packaging which makes consumers carry it easily.

Report Scope

Hand Sanitizer market in Vietnam is expected to experience positive growth owing to increased health consciousness and focus on effective sanitizing solutions.

The Jordan hand sanitizer market is booming, driven by heightened health awareness and hygiene practices stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

India Hand Sanitizer Market was valued at USD 150.63 Million in 2024 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 5.1% through 2030.

Tanzania hand sanitizer market is growing, fueled by increased hygiene awareness and a strong demand for effective sanitization solutions across the country.

India Hand Sanitizer Market is growing due to hygiene awareness, healthcare expansion, and demand for innovative and herbal products

In the week ending March 14, 2020, sales of hand sanitizers grew by 735 percent compared to the same week in 2019 in Canada. Other personal care and hygiene products which experienced a surge in sales due to the coronavirus outbreak included masks and gloves, bathroom tissue and personal wipes.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.