Many people reach for antibacterial soap, believing it offers extra protection against illness. However, research shows that regular soap works just as effectively to prevent the spread of germs. Using plain soap and water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop the transmission of germs at home, school, and in the community. This is particularly vital during seasonal disease outbreaks, such as the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
When washing hands, regular soap creates a lather that lifts germs from the skin, allowing them to be rinsed away with water. It’s the scrubbing and rinsing action, not the antibacterial ingredients, that removes harmful germs. For most people, antibacterial soap is unnecessary.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that plain soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap in preventing illness. Moreover, the use of antibacterial soaps could potentially do more harm than good over time.
The Concerns Around Antibacterial Soap
Antibacterial soaps, also known as antimicrobial or antiseptic soaps, contain chemicals specifically designed to kill bacteria. However, these extra ingredients aren’t needed for everyday use. In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned several antibacterial agents, including triclosan and triclocarban, from consumer soaps due to concerns about their safety and efficacy over the long term.
Antibacterial soaps present several issues:
- They can kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, which are essential for maintaining skin health.
- Overuse may lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to both antibacterial agents and antibiotics, potentially making infections harder to treat.
- Many antibacterial soaps contain harsh chemicals that raise health and environmental concerns. Regular soap is gentler on the skin and safer for the planet.
How to Identify Antibacterial Soap
It’s easy to recognize an antibacterial soap. Look for common antibacterial ingredients like benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol. Additionally, soaps containing these chemicals will have a “Drug Facts” label, which is a requirement for products with antibacterial ingredients.
Safe Alternatives
If you’re looking for a healthier soap option, many products on the market provide effective cleaning without harsh antibacterial agents. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) certifies products that meet strict health and transparency standards. Look for the EWG Verified® mark when shopping for soap, or use their Healthy Living app to find safer alternatives.
These recommended products show that you don’t need antibacterial ingredients to effectively clean your hands and protect against germs.
