Frequently Asked Questions

0.13% Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). Benzalkonium Chloride has been used effectively for years as a hard surface disinfectant. Our research and development team has been able to formulate this active with high-grade emollients for use as an over the counter drug in breakthrough technology known as MicroDerm. MicroDerm is highly efficacious, lasts for hours and is extremely gentle to the skin.

Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK) is a quaternary ammonium surfactant used as a topical anti-infective agent. Our chemists were able to take this active ingredient and provide a single formulation that simultaneously eliminates microorganisms, improves skin condition, maintains intact skin and remains effective for hours after application; this is the MicroDerm technology.

This break-through technology combines skin softening emollients and botanicals proven to soothe and condition while eliminating 99.9% of bacteria. Tests* demonstrate continued pathogen killing effectiveness for hours after use.

Products that contain antibacterial active ingredients only destroy bacteria or suppress their growth or reproduction. An antimicrobial product kills a broad spectrum of pathogens as well as bacteria. GentleCare products that contain MicroDerm are categorized as an antimicrobial.

Yes, all  products with MicroDerm will demonstrate efficacy against a broad range of microorganisms, including MRSA and VRE.

GentleCare products formulated with MicroDerm are not part of the antibacterial category that has come under the scrutiny of the American Medical Association (AMA) and Dr. Stuart Levy of Tufts University. According to Dr. Charles P. Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Arizona, “It is irresponsible for credible medical professionals to dismiss the entire category of antimicrobial products that fight disease-causing germs based on speculative scientific theories.”

MicroDerm destroys pathogen cellular walls, prohibiting reproduction. Some antimicrobials, however, (like Triclosan) permeate the cell membrane and only attack the metabolic function. Therefore, some pathogens may only be disabled and pose a mutation risk producing possible resistant strains like MRSA and VRE. MicroDerm destroys organism cell walls killing the organism and eliminating any possibility of reproducing and mutating to a resistant strain.

Independent tests have shown that Benzalkonium Chloride has residual and continues to work for hour after each use. As soon as alcohol sanitizers dries, they stop working.

A time kill study determined how rapidly GentleCare Antimicrobial handwash killed a broad-spectrum of pathogens. Test results* prove GentleCare Antimicrobial handwash removed 99.9% of the pathogens listed below within 15 seconds:
* Acinetobacter baumannil, ATCC Strain, 19606
* Enterobacter cloacae, ATCC Strain, 13047
* Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), ATCC Strain, Cl
* Enterococcus faecium (VRE), ATCC Strain, Cl
* Escherichia coli (E-coli), ATCC Strain, 11229
* Haemophilus Influenzae, ATCC Strain, 19418
* Klebsiella oxytoca, ATCC Strain, 43165
* Klebsiella pneumoniae, ATCC Strain, Cl
* Proteus mirabilis, ATCC Strain, 7002
* Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR), ATCC Strain, Cl
* Serratia marcescens, ATCC Strain, 14756
* Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), ATCC Strain, Cl
* Staphylococcus epidermidis, ATCC Strain, 12228
* Staphylococcus haemolyticus, ATCC Strain, Cl
* Staphylococcus saprophyticus, ATCC Strain, 15303
* Streptococcus pneumoniae, ATCC Strain, 6303
* Candida tropicalis, ATCC Strain, 750

Three-years from date of manufacture.

Yes! GentleCare is a first aid antiseptic to aid in skin healing while inhibiting the growth of microorganisms through abrasions and minor trauma. In addition, demonstrate a superior degree of effectiveness for hours after use. GentleCare will not sting even when applied to chaffed/cracked hands, cuts, scrapes or abrasions.

Most definitely! Regular use of GentleCare Foam in pre-school and school environments can help to drastically reduce cross contamination’s and the spread of infections. GentleCare products are gentle enough for the skin of young children.

GentleCare with Aloe is safe, non-toxic, highly efficacious, and promotes healthy skin through the inclusion of natural emollients and botanicals such as aloe vera. Independent tests have shown that with regular repeated use, GentleCare will actually moisturize and improve skin condition.

When alcohol contacts the skin, it removes the natural oils. Attempting to replace natural oils with synthetic additives is not as effective as if they were never removed in the first place.  GentleCare does not remove the natural lubrication and oils from the skin. Referred to as De-Fatting of the Epidermis and Dermis.

Yes.

Yes. For use with our 1,000mL wall mounted foaming dispenser.

Yes. When you apply GentleCare with MicroDerm , you not only have a very high rate of initial pathogen kill, you also have a lasting protection against contamination. For example; you have sanitized your hands with GentleCare and then you contact a med-cart, doorknob, IV pole, bed rail, or dispenser. The lasting protection of GentleCare will help prevent contamination to your hands by continuing to kill pathogens which may have been picked up from these surfaces.

“Good” bacteria, known as resident bacteria or normal flora, is bacteria that normally reside on the skin and do not cause infection while residing in their normal habitat, and participate in maintaining health. Normal flora is not easily removed by routine hand washing. 
“Bad” bacteria, or transient bacteria, is bacteria that when in contact with the skin can cause disease or infection. Transient bacteria can easily be transmitted from person to person by direct contact. The most common mode of transmission of transient bacteria is the hands. Hand washing is the single most effective procedure in preventing the spread of transient bacteria thus, the spread of infection. 
GentleCare with Aloe is highly effective in killing transient bacteria responsible for disease and infection. MicroDerm eliminates some but not all normal flora WITHOUT de-fatting the skin which can lead to skin irritation and dryness. Moreover, MicroDerm actually improves the condition of the skin. Intact skin is the first line of defense against infection.

No. We are happy to say that we do not and have not ever conducted any testing on animals.