Antibacterial soaps may do more harm than good

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Cosmetics soap
Picture: Pixabay

Antibacterial soaps may do more harm than good

We all try to buy the best soap / hand wash to keep ourselves and our family free from germs.

And when the cold and flu season revs up, we become even more cautious and might opt for antibacterial soaps to keep ourselves flu-free.

But turns out, the antibacterial soap is not any better than the regular soap and might even contain harmful chemicals.

This is why the food and drug association has made it a rule that would require the manufacturers to give data showing the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps.

What does the antibacterial label mean?

If the product is labelled as antibacterial, it means it has a specific agent that can kill bacteria.

This chemical in most cases is triclosan also called triclocarban.

Experts say all soaps kill germs and not only the ones with these ingredients as soaps are already antibacterial and do not need anything extra.

The additional antimicrobial substance in the soap can do more harm than good.

The Food and Drug Administration requires the antibacterial soap making company to prove that these soaps are safe and better.

As per the FDA, experts warn about the potential risk these harmful chemicals in your antibacterial soap.

The study

The lab study have found that these chemicals work as endocrine disruptors (interrupt with the way your hormones work) and can lead to antibiotic resistance.

The study was done on mice and there is no clear evidence about the effect on humans.

Bottom line

Switch to normal soaps that do not have any anti-bacterial chemicals. Many labels may won’t mention antibacterial but triclosan or triclocarban.


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