‘Disinfectant’ is defined as a substance which kills germs and/or viruses. ‘Germicide’ is defined as an agent that kills pathogenic organisms; a disinfectant.
According to the CDC, the term germicide includes both antiseptics and disinfectants. Antiseptics are germicides applied to living tissue and skin; disinfectants are antimicrobials applied only to inanimate objects. In general, antiseptics are used only on the skin and not for surface disinfection, and disinfectants are not used for skin antisepsis because they can injure skin and other tissues.