FOAM hand sanitizers are widely used in healthcare settings, but a recent study indicates their effectiveness may vary depending on the type of virus they’re targeting.
The study assessed five commercial foam hand sanitizers—including alcohol-based and non-alcohol-based formulations—against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses using viral surrogates. Products were applied for 10 seconds, mirroring the typical duration of hand sanitizer use in real-world healthcare environments.
The results showed strong performance against enveloped viruses, with an average 5.23 log reduction in viral activity. This suggests foam sanitizers are likely effective against common enveloped pathogens, such as influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, when used correctly.
However, efficacy dropped significantly against non-enveloped viruses. One test virus, comparable in resistance profile to human norovirus, showed virtually no reduction after 10 seconds of exposure. Another surrogate for non-enveloped viruses demonstrated only modest reductions depending on the specific product used.
This contrast highlights a key consideration for infection control: while foam sanitizers are suitable for many routine uses, their limitations against more resilient viruses could impact prevention strategies in certain clinical contexts—particularly in settings prone to outbreaks of norovirus or similar pathogens.
The findings suggest that standard hand hygiene practices using foam sanitizers may need to be adjusted in high-risk areas. In some cases, longer exposure times or alternative formulations may be warranted to achieve broader antiviral coverage.
Reference: Torko F, Gibson KE. In Vitro Efficacy of Foam Hand Sanitizers Against Enveloped and Non-Enveloped Viruses. Food Environ Virol. 2025;17(2):24.
