When should antiseptic gel or products be used for handwashing?

Antiseptic gel or products are designed to reduce the number of germs on the skin when soap and water are not available. They are effective in situations where hand hygiene is necessary, but access to traditional handwashing facilities is limited. For instance, if you are outside, in a public place, or in instances where water is not conveniently accessible, using an antiseptic gel is a practical solution to maintain hygiene.

Using antiseptic gel when soap and water are readily available is not ideal, as washing hands with soap and water is generally more effective at removing certain types of germs and dirt. Similarly, while antiseptic products can be found in hospital settings, their use is not confined to those environments alone. It's also important to note that while maintaining sterility is critical during surgical procedures, antiseptic products are not exclusively reserved for that context; they are a part of general hygiene practices. Thus, the correct context for using antiseptic gel is indeed when traditional handwashing with soap and water is not feasible.