What is the purpose of adding moisturizers to some alcohol-based hand rubs?

The inclusion of moisturizers in alcohol-based hand rubs primarily serves to prevent skin irritation. Alcohol can be quite drying to the skin, and frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers can lead to dryness, cracking, or irritation, especially when hand hygiene is practiced multiple times throughout the day. By adding moisturizers, manufacturers aim to mitigate these harsh effects, maintaining skin integrity and comfort while still providing the antimicrobial benefits of alcohol. This makes it more likely that users will consistently engage in hand hygiene practices, as the addition of a moisturizer can improve the overall user experience.