Hand Sanitizer Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Form (Foam, Gel, and Liquid), By Type (Alcohol-based and Alcohol-free), By Distribution Channel (Pharmacy Stores, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Online Retail Channels, and Others), By End-User (Schools, Restaurants, Hospitals, Household Purpose, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global hand sanitizer market size was valued at USD 2.93 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 3.01 billion in 2024 to USD 4.24 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.80% during the forecast period. Moreover, the hand sanitizer market size in the U.S. reaching an estimated value of USD 1.41 billion by 2032, driven by the manufacturers provision of products of unique and innovative ingredients to augment product demand.

Hand sanitizers are anti-infection skincare solutions designed to clean and protect the hands from disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Growing awareness regarding hygiene and cleanliness among people is enhancing the global demand for hand sanitizer products. Manufacturers are keenly focusing on incorporating newer beneficial ingredients, such as Aloe Vera, tea oil, and others into their disinfectant solutions to provide more protection to the people. Additionally, they are developing various skin wash forms, such as foams, gels, liquids, and sprays to attract consumers toward these products. Prominent companies associated with skin cleansing products, such as Unilever, P&G, and others, are using mergers, acquisitions, television, and internet marketing strategies to fulfill their brand building and business expansion objectives. These initiatives will boost the hand sanitizer market growth.

The surge in demand for hand sanitizers hassled global supply chains, leading to shortages of key ingredients, such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, which are essential components of hand sanitizer formulations. Manufacturers faced challenges in sourcing raw materials, securing packaging materials, and ramping up production capacity to meet the unprecedented demand. However, with increased awareness of the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of the virus, there was a sudden and unprecedented spike in the demand for hand sanitizers globally in 2020. The Government of Canada’s Department of Statistics reported that from 14th March 2019 to 14th March 2020, there was more than 600% spike in the sales of hand sanitizer items in Canada.

Latest Trends

Sustainable Personal Hygiene Products to be a Prominent Market Trend

Consumers are increasingly prioritizing products that align with their values and environmental concerns. Sustainable hand sanitizers, made from biodegradable ingredients, renewable resources, and recyclable packaging, resonate with environmentally conscious consumers, driving demand and market growth for these products. Therefore, demand for eco-friendly options drives manufacturers to innovate and develop sustainable formulations, packaging, and production processes, leading to the expansion of the sustainable hand sanitizer market. Additionally, the increasing preference of people toward organic personal care and hygiene products, such as naturally made washers and cleansers is creating further demand for sanitizing products. Besides, growing internet penetration across the world, coupled with the development of the e-commerce industry, will create opportunities for small businesses to expand their brand’s reach. For instance, in March 2021, Cleancult, a company specializing in sustainable waste management, unveiled its inaugural 'Foaming Hand Sanitizer.' The company is renowned for pioneering sustainability within the realm of home cleaning products and has ventured into hand sanitizer development, which aligns seamlessly with its commitment to promoting personal cleanliness and hygiene.

Growth Factors

Rising Government Support in the Promotion of Hygiene Products to Augment Market Progress

Various government programs and promotions regarding personal hygiene and cleanliness are generating demand for personal care products. For instance, on 5^th May 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a campaign named ‘Seconds Save Lives, Clean Your Hands!’ to promote the importance of hand hygiene among people. Furthermore, increasing recommendations of doctors and health associations for maintaining good hygiene habits may positively influence the demand for skin cleansing products.

In addition, growing infrastructural facilities, such as schools & colleges, hospitals, hotels & restaurants, and residential facilities, have fostered the demand for personal care accessories. The strong infrastructural growth of retail outlets, shopping malls, and specialty stores is expected to boost the supply rate of personal care items and drive the market growth. Also, increasing consumer preference toward scented beauty and personal care products may boost the demand for aromatic hand sanitizers.

Product Innovations by Incorporating Unique Ingredients to Drive Market Growth

Innovations in hand sanitizer formulations lead to the development of products with enhanced efficacy and user experience. Therefore, manufacturers invest in research and development to create formulations with higher alcohol concentrations, faster drying times, and moisturizing ingredients to address consumer preferences and needs. Moreover, nowadays, companies are consistently trying to adopt innovations in personal care products to attract consumers and increase their market reach. Some of these innovations include the addition of fragrant ingredients in various skincare categories, which will generate consciousness among consumers about the effectiveness of sanitizing products. Moreover, adding various ingredients, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, water, and many others for developing anti-aging skin sanitizing lotions will create a prominent solution for skin aging problems and drive market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Availability of Alternative Products to Restrain Market Growth

The wide availability of alternative products, such as soaps, shampoos, and oils, can decrease sales of various hand cleansing products, such as sanitizers and washers, which will restrain the product demand. Additionally, rising instances of the harmful side effects of synthetic chemical-based skin cleansers are expected to hamper the market growth. Moreover, uncertain environmental conditions, such as moisture and heavy rain, are expected to impact the quality of skin care products and restrain their demand.

Hand Sanitizer Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Form Analysis

Effective Germ Protection Feature of Gel Segment to Dominate Global Market

Based on product form, the market is segmented into foam, gel, and liquid.

The gel segment is expected to hold a considerable hand sanitizer market share as gel-based cleansers are more effective for germ protection than other sanitizers. Gel sanitizers provides more exposure and protection to the hands, providing better health & hygienic to the consumers. However, the demand for foam and liquid hand sanitizers due to their quicker sanitization effect, thus fostering the segment’s growth.

By Type Analysis

Wide Usage of Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers to Hold Leading Position in Market

Based on type, the market is segmented into alcohol-based and alcohol-free.

These product types differ based on the quantity of alcohol used in the sanitizer solution. The alcohol-based segment is expected to dominate the market as they are more effective in germ protection. Alcohol-based sanitizers are widely used in hospitals to keep people and the hospital ambiance infection-free as they promote antimicrobial resistance and are more effective than skin-washing items, such as soaps and oils.

Moreover, alcohol-based sanitizers are essentially preferred by doctors as they can prevent human-to-human transmission of disease-causing viruses, such as CORONA 229E, NL63, and many others.

However, the increasing shift of people toward organic personal hygiene products will fuel the demand for alcohol-free sanitizer products. This product is considered a more natural type of sanitizer that avoids skin irritation and itching problems that normally happen in the case of alcohol-based sanitizers due to their higher concentration of alcohol.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Convenience Provided by Supermarket/Hypermarket Stores to Hold Dominant Position in the Market

Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into pharmacy stores, supermarkets/hypermarkets, online retail channels, and others such as department stores, drug stores, and grocery stores.

The hypermarket & supermarket segment holds a dominant position in the global market owing to the availability of a wide range of hand-cleansing products from various brands at a single store and the discounts and offers given by these stores on bulk purchases.

Furthermore, the pharmacy store segment is expected to hold a considerable market share owing to the increasing recommendations of doctors to consume the right kind of medicines and influence patients to purchase medicines and other personal hygiene products from the pharmacy stores. The online retail channel segment is also expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period owing to the increasing internet penetration and growing online shopping and e-commerce industry.

By End-User Analysis

Growing Need for Sanitizers among Doctors and Patients to Trigger Hospital Segment Share

Based on end-user, the market is segmented into schools, restaurants, hospitals, household purpose, and others, such as shopping plazas, the military, the corporate sector, and hotels.

The hospital segment dominates the market owing to the increasing necessity for sanitizers to maintain a hygienic ambiance in hospitals and clinics. Additionally, larger health concerns among doctors and other hospital & clinic staff is predicted to create a constant demand for various personal care items.

Hotels and corporate sector segments are expected to hold a considerable market share due to the increasing awareness and education regarding hygiene and cleanliness among corporate professionals and hotel employees, resulting in a greater demand for personal hygiene products.

The school segment shows the fastest growth owing to the increasing promotional campaigns related to hand cleaning and sanitation by educational institutions and schools. For instance, in June, 2022, according to the report ‘WASH in Schools’ published by the WHO/UNICEF, various joint monitoring activities for sanitation and hygiene are taking place through the WASH program and have expanded across schools and colleges in rural and urban areas of various nations.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. 

In 2023, the North American hand sanitizer market was valued at USD 1.36 billion, commanding a 46.42% market share. The region is projected to lead the global market share due to the presence of prominent manufacturing companies, such as Gojo Industries Inc., Vi Jon Inc., Nice Pak, Edgewell Personal Care, and others in the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, larger infrastructural facilities for schools and educational institutes will fuel the consumption of hand-cleansing products among students, faculties, and other staff members. Moreover, increasing awareness regarding personal hygiene and sanitation practices will drive the region's market growth.

Europe is expected to hold a considerable market share due to governments’ support in developing medical infrastructural facilities in France, Italy, and Spain. In 2021 and 2020, the Italian government allocated funds to develop the country’s healthcare system. In addition, the increasing number of COVID-19 patients in these countries resulted in the widespread consumption of hand-sanitizing products for germ protection. According to the COVID 19 Situation Report published by the World Health Organization, Europe had the highest number of people with COVID-19 infection globally, reaching 4,64,212 cases as of 1st April 2020.

Asia Pacific is experiencing the fastest growth in the market owing to the increasing demand for personal care products in countries, such as India and China. As per the data collectively reported by China Beauty Expo (CBE) and China Beauty Supply (CBS), cosmetics and personal care product sales revenues in China reached USD 470 billion in 2021.

Moreover, governments are undertaking various initiatives and developing different personal hygiene and care programs in countries, such as India, Bangladesh, and others. These initiatives are mainly taken to increase awareness regarding personal hygiene among the population and are likely to fuel the demand for personal care products. For instance, in January 2021, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) introduced the ‘Acchi Adat’ campaign to promote personal hygiene in India.

The Middle East & Africa market is primarily driven by large population in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and South Africa. Growing awareness regarding hygiene and cleanliness through various government initiatives and sustainability programs is creating further demand for personal hygiene products in the African region.

According to the report ‘National Hand Hygiene Behavior Change Strategy 2016-2020’, published by South Africa’s Department of Health, the government implemented various water supply and sanitation programs, such as Non-Communicable Diseases Program, HIV/AIDS Prevention & Management Program, and Emergency Response Program to spread awareness regarding health hygiene and care.

List of Key Companies in Hand Sanitizer Market

Innovation and Effective Distribution Channels are Important Factors for Market Growth

Prominent players of hand sanitizers are constantly focusing on innovating the quality and form of disinfectants, as well as the shape and size of cleansing accessories to provide effective germ protection solutions. Also, companies are keenly focusing on establishing an effective distribution channel with manufacturers and suppliers to foster revenue generation from the personal care products segment. Additionally, they are trying to produce organic hand gel products to cater to the increasing demand for organic cosmetics and personal care products.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc (U.K.)


• Gojo Industry Inc. (U.S.)


• Henkel AG & Company (Germany)


• Himalaya Global Holdings Ltd. (India)


• Unilever Plc. (U.K.)


• Bacardi Limited (Bermuda)


• CVS Health (U.S.)


• Best Sanitizer Inc. (U.S.)


• Proctor & Gamble (U.S.)


• SC Johnson & Son, Inc. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• March 2022: The PURELL Brand announced the launch of its latest innovative hand sanitizer solutions for consumers. PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer Naturals Foam and PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer 2in1 Moisturizing Foam products are naturally fragranced with a blend of essential oils.


• March 2021: Sotera Health acquired Biosciences Laboratories to expand its antimicrobial and antiviral testing capabilities for its U.S. launch of sanitizer and surface disinfectant items.


• January 2021: The government of Ontario, Canada invested USD 1 million to fund Merit Precision Ltd. a Peterborough-based manufacturer, specializing in custom plastic injection molding produces bottles for personal hygiene disinfectants and sanitizing products. This government initiative can support the Canadian industry’s growth.


• April 2020: Nycil, the Zydus Wellness-owned talc brand, launched sanitizer products in its ‘germ protection for family’ category to expand its business during the COVID-19 pandemic period.


• April 2020 – Univar Solutions partnered with INEOS, a skincare manufacturer, to distribute solutions to customers across Europe and combat the shortage of hand sanitizers.


• March 2020 – CavinKare launched cost-effective sanitizers under CHIK, Raaga, and Nyle brands to provide protection to people from disease-causing viruses and bacteria.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, product forms, types, distribution channels, and end-users. The report includes qualitative information from various sources such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Cosmetics Europe (CE), and other authorized bodies. Besides this, the report offers insights into the latest hand sanitizer market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report gives information on the competitive landscape and several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation