Is it advisable to use hand antiseptic before washing hands?

Using hand antiseptic before washing hands is not recommended because the effectiveness of handwashing relies significantly on the mechanical action of scrubbing with soap and water to remove dirt, germs, and contaminants from the skin. When hand antiseptic is applied before washing, it does not effectively remove these physical contaminants and may lead to a false sense of cleanliness.

Handwashing with soap and water is designed to thoroughly clean the hands, while hand sanitizers are intended to reduce the number of germs when soap and water are not available. Therefore, it's crucial to prioritize washing hands properly first to ensure that any harmful pathogens are effectively removed from the skin's surface. Only after washing can hand sanitizers be utilized if additional germ reduction is necessary, but they should not substitute for proper hand hygiene practices.