3 Tips for Choosing Skincare Products for Schools

Feb 10, 2026   |   Georgia-Pacific

From K 12 schools to college campuses, choosing skin care products like soaps, sanitizers, lotions, and paper towels can be complex. While cost is important, facility and procurement teams also need solutions that support health, safety, and day to day efficiency for janitorial staff.

Whether you are replacing current products or starting fresh, there is a practical way to evaluate your options. Here are three tips to help you make informed decisions plus a bonus strategy to simplify daily operations.

1. Focus on Clinically Tested Formulas

Skin care products come into direct contact with skin, so safety and performance matter. Not all soaps, sanitizers, and lotions are the same, so prioritize products with clinically tested formulas and strong safety standards.

Look for options made under FDA regulated current Good Manufacturing Practices and dermatologist tested for germ kill and skin hydration. For hand sanitizers, the CDC recommends at least 60% alcohol, ideally using high quality ethyl alcohol for reliable effectiveness.

2. Look for Ingredients with Skin Health Benefits

Frequent handwashing and sanitizing are essential in schools, but harsh products can lead to dry or irritated skin. Choosing gentle, skin friendly formulasmade for frequent use helps maintain comfort while supporting hygiene.

Look for soaps and sanitizers with moisturizing ingredients like aloe that help prevent dryness while still killing up to 99% of common germs. Offering customized selections such as scented and unscented, antimicrobial, and dye free options helps meet different needs across classrooms, locker rooms, and nurses offices. Pairing dispensable soap with paper towels ensures a complete hand hygiene system, from hand wash to hand dry. Customized selections not only promote hand hygiene but also create a healthier, more comfortable environment for students and staff alike.

3. Seek Smart & Reliable Dispensing Technology

Even the most effective soap or sanitizer will not add value if the dispensers supporting it are inconvenient to use or maintain. The right dispensing solution can save time for janitorial teams and help reduce long term costs, making it an important part of your overall skin care strategy.

Choose dispensers that offer flexibility and reliability. Features like manual or touchless options, adjustable portion control, lock and tamper resistance, and easy loading refills can simplify maintenance and restocking.

Look for dispenser systems that support both function and branding, including options for school logos or customized messaging and strong warranty coverage for long term durability. Controlled dispensing can help minimize waste and maximize each refill, and towel dispensers are just as important as soap and sanitizer dispensers to complete the hand hygiene process.

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BONUS TIP: Prioritize Supply Chain, Lead Times, and Product Standardization

Once the right products and dispensers are identified, ensuring a seamless and reliable supply chain is the next step. Even the best solutions cannot support a school community if they are frequently out of stock or in short supply.

Working with a manufacturer like Georgia Pacific, provides dependable distribution. Available through a select network of distributors, manufacturers helps ensure clear lead times and consistent product availability. Standardizing soaps, sanitizers, and dispensers across a facility can simplify ordering, reduce staff training, and streamline storage while lowering long term costs. Through its partnership with OMNIA Partners, Georgia Pacific offers publicly solicited contracts that help schools simplify purchasing and avoid the RFP process.

Advantages of Manufacturer Partnerships:

Many educational institutions meet their skin care objectives in partnership with a single 
manufacturer. One example is GP PRO, with its broad Pacific-Blue Ultra® line of soaps & sanitizers and paper towels that pair with intuitive, low-maintenance dispensers backed by a 10-year warranty. Additional products such as lotions and hair and body wash also help extend skin care beyond restrooms. Customers can rely on one platform to streamline everything from ordering to supply tracking with minimal disruption, while benefiting from the helpful customer service support of GP PRO’s GPXpress® team. By standardizing with a reputable line like Pacific-Blue Ultra®, facility managers can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with both product quality and reliability.

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