Antibacterial Soap

More information about Antibacterial Soap

Washing your hands with soap is a simple and effective way to prevent sickness and spreading germs to other people. So which soap should you choose? At Walgreens, there are many different cleansing soaps available in stores and online. Soaps come in a variety of scents and forms, including solid bars, liquid, foam and gel. It’s important to remember that no matter what soap product you use, you should wash your hands thoroughly, making sure to scrub underneath nails and lather your hands for at least 20 seconds.

What is antibacterial soap?

Antibacterial soap is soap that contains certain active ingredients or chemicals that are not found in plain soap. These ingredients may include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol. Some body washes and dish detergents also contain these ingredients. More research is needed to determine if these ingredients are more effective in eliminating bacteria than regular soap.

Antibacterial soap vs. regular soap

There isn’t enough research to prove that antibacterial soaps work better than regular soap. Studies have shown that washing your hands with plain soap gets rid of dirt and germs just as well as products labeled as “antibacterial.” When you don’t have soap within reach, hand sanitizer can also help disinfect your hands, although it doesn’t rid your hands of all types of germs.

Is antibacterial soap safe for everyday use?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found in studies that some chemicals in antibacterial soaps could pose long-term health risks, such as hormonal effects and bacterial resistance. In particular, triclosan and triclocarban are ingredients that the FDA no longer allows to be marketed. Other antibacterial ingredients are still being studied for effectiveness against bacteria and long-term health effects. In addition, some ingredients used in antibacterial products can be extra harsh or drying to the skin.

Is it OK to use antibacterial soap on your body?

Some products and body washes are formulated to be used on your body. However, different antibacterial products contain different active ingredients, which may be harsh on sensitive skin. You should always follow all directions and precautions on product labels carefully.

Since the pandemic, people have become much more “germ aware” and try to avoid getting sick and spreading germs. Washing your hands is essential in preventing illness. You can find soap and cleansing products at Walgreens in stores and online.