An alcohol-based hand rub primarily functions to:

An alcohol-based hand rub is specifically designed to reduce the presence of bacteria on the hands, including both transient bacteria (those that are easily removed and are often picked up from surfaces) and resident bacteria (the normal flora that live on the skin). The effectiveness of alcohol as an antiseptic comes from its ability to denature proteins and disrupt the cell membranes of microorganisms, leading to their death.

This mechanism is crucial in maintaining good hand hygiene, especially in healthcare settings where cross-contamination must be minimized to prevent infections. Moisturizing the skin or providing a pleasant scent may be secondary effects due to additional ingredients in the formulation, but they are not the primary function of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Furthermore, while alcohol does have some efficacy against certain viruses, it is not exclusively protective against viruses; its broad antimicrobial action includes bacteria as well, making the focus on reducing all types of microorganisms more accurate.