: Can I make a Hand sanitiser with Reagent Grade Ethanol 99.8% v/v? I have ethanol , Reagent Grade 99.8% v/v can i use this to make hand sanitizer ? is it safe for hand skin ? I will be following this guideline from WHO for

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All the alcohol based sanitizers are using ethanol as the main alcohol often with isopropylalcohol. The latter is more effective against bacteria and ethanol is better against virus

The effectiveness of alcohol as an anti-bacterial or anti-fungal disinfectant increase as the molecular weight increases. Therefore, Isopropyl alcohols, such as IPA, are more effective than ethanol alcohols, such as DE.

Denatured Ethanol is considered more effective as a virucidal disinfectant, as isopropanol is not effective against non-enveloped viruses.

Examples of non-enveloped viruses:
Hepatitis A
Rotavirus
Adenovirus
Examples of enveloped viruses:
Influenza
Ebola
HIV
Hepatitis B
Rabies
SAR virus

Non-enveloped viruses utilize capsid proteins to mediate binding to host cells, while enveloped viruses use viral proteins for this function. Enveloped viruses are surrounded by an outer lipid membrane, while non-enveloped viruses lack this membrane.

You should add glycerine as an emollient as alcohol and water alone are too harsh on the skin, again as per the WHO recipe you referenced.

Summary:

70% - 95% ethanol/propylalcohol to clean surfaces (diluted with water )
60% - 95% ethanol/propylalcohol to clean hands ( diluted with glycerine, or aloe vera )

cleanroomsuppliesltd.com/ipa-de-alcohol-disinfection-guide.asp

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Yes you can. You are safe if you use 65% ethanol mixed with 35% water or glycerine. That is what is known/sold as disinfectant hand sanitizer for viruses.