In a surprising shift, hand sanitizer has emerged as the latest status symbol among teens, overshadowing items like the Stanley tumbler. Touchland sanitizers, available in colorful, pocket-sized containers, are attracting attention for their aesthetic appeal and pleasant scents. Middle schoolers are treating these products like collectibles, trading and rating different scents. The appeal lies not only in their function but also in how they look and feel, making sanitation 'cool' among the youth, reminiscent of trends like lip smackers and Pokémon cards of past generations.
"We all have a lot of Touchlands and use them daily," Gemma Barnhorst, a 13 year old in school in Mamaroneck, NY, told the Wall Street Journal of her friend group.
Part of the appeal is the minimalist and colorful aesthetic that looks more like a gadget than a typical hand sanitizer.
They've gotten so popular among teens and tweens that they're akin to lip smackers or Pokémon cards of previous generations, being traded as though they are prized possessions.
The fun colors are cool to have and display, and they smell good, which attracts the younger generation.
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