Every now and then, getting hit with a pang of nostalgia for your wild party days can be a sweet reminder of where you’ve been and how much you’ve grown. However, when you’re running around with work and errands, doing fifty million things at the same time, the last thing you need is to try to sanitize your hands only to smell like regret and raspberry Smirnoff.
Per the CDC, you want a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. And while that sounds like a high percentage, let me assure you, this does not mean that you have to smell like a distillery to stay clean. There are plenty of mini sanitizers to keep in your bag or on your desk that meet the CDC’s health recommendations and still smell like something you’d want on your body.
And as flu season rages on, mini hand sanitizers have become a must-have for leaving the house, alongside your phone, keys and wallet. Every bottle listed below also falls under the TSA’s 3.4-ounce liquid limit, meaning they’re all travel-friendly and easily packable if you’re going really far from home. And again, they all contain at least 60% alcohol, so you can keep bacteria off your hands while you still smell nice.
If you’re looking for a mini hand sanitizer to take on the go, we’ve rounded up the cutest-looking and best-smelling options.
Travel friendly Purell scented with essential oils
You probably think of Purell as smelling offensively like alcohol, but these mint, lavender and mandarin sanitizers are actually pleasant. Each one-ounce bottle comes in a silicone travel loop that you can clip to your purse or backpack.
Promising review: “Perfect for work and easy access with attaching loop great scents” — Amazon Customer
ALŌH Lemongrass Hand Sanitizer Mist
Though it is 70% alcohol, the lemongrass essential oil carries the day in this Alōh spray sanitizer. Each of the brand's three scents (lemongrass, orange bergamot and peppermint eucalyptus) are designed to be uplifting and cleansing.
Promising review: "This stuff smells Great!! Not at all like normal hand sanitizer. Smells like citrus!! Leaves hands feeling soft, as well…surprisingly great find!!!" — J
Honest Company's coastal surf spray
Transport yourself to an anti-bacterial beach vacation with this hand sanitizer spray. The scent is more ocean breeze than coconut or pineapple, so it's great for people who aren't into the tutti-frutti.
Promising review: "Especially in comparison to traditional hand sanitizer, the scent of this spray is so refreshing! This is my second time ordering this hand sanitizer. I really like the spray form as I feel that it reaches more crevices in my hands and underneath my fingernails. I highly recommend this product!" — Stephanie Blount
Touchland refillable aloe spray pocket sanitizer
Fresh and crisp and a little zesty? Yes, please. This aloe hand sanitizer from Touchland has notes of lime and apple and comes in a refillable bottle that fits in pockets or small bags.
Promising review: "This is the best on the market! Well worth the price! It doesn’t dry your hands, dries non-sticky. Smell fabulous. Last long for the price. Easy to use. I’ve been using it for about 2 years now. I give it out as gifts and everyone has loved it!" — Laura W.
Dr. Bronner's organic lavender hand sanitizer spray
This is my all-time favorite spray sanitizer. It smells like what I imagine a fancy spa or lavender field would smell like, and doesn't leave a sticky or alcohol-y residue.
Promising review: "This is my favorite hand sanitizer! It smells wonderful. I keep it in my car and spray when I get in before driving. It cleans my hands and gives me a nice sense of relaxation." — Karen
Noshinku refillable bergamot pocket hand sanitizer
If you like to carry everything in your pockets or have a tiny purse, meet Noshinku's sanitizers. They're about the size of a cardholder, so they can slip easily into a pocket. This one is scented with essential oils and almost smells like perfume or cologne.
Promising review: "I love this hand sanitizer. It smells so much better than others I've tried and is much easier to carry around due to the compact size. Being refillable is a great benefit as well!" — Debby L
Everyone coconut and lemon spray sanitizer
This spray sanitizer from Everyone is the perfect mix of lemon and coconut. It's fruity and fresh without being too cotton-candy-sugar-overload-like.
Promising review: "Literally my favorite hand sanitizer ever!!! No stinging or burning when my hands are irritated. The smell is not obnoxious or strong but just right and so fresh. Drys quickly. I’ve repurchased multiple times.” — Leah
Megababe's Squeaky Clean hand sanitizer
With notes of almond and orange, Megababe's hand sanitizer is citrusy and fresh. It has almond oil in it for extra hydration, so sadly, those with tree nut allergies need to skip it.
Promising review: "This is the only, I mean ONLY, hand sanitizer I will let touch my hands. It's so nice, the citrus smell is amazing and it never dries out my hands. I always make sure to have the big bottle on hand (ha, get it?) to fill my smaller purse-size bottles. Please, you won't regret this hand sanitizer purchase!" — Sarah Hamann