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Say no to antibacterial soaps

By Lori Bongiorno

Posted Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:01pm PDT

More from The Conscious Consumer blog

Global Handwashing Day, held every October, was established to promote a simple message: Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent disease. It's also the perfect time to visit the topic of what kind of soap you're lathering up with. This is an important decision that many of us don't think twice about.

The main ingredient in most liquid soaps lining store shelves is triclosan, a pesticide that kills bacteria. Turns out you just need to banish germs from your hands, not kill them. Studies show that antibacterial soaps aren't more effective at preventing illness or removing germs than good old-fashioned soap and water.

In fact, antibacterial soaps may do more harm than good.

There are concerns that triclosan may contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It's also present in human bodies and breast milk, as well as in streams. The Environmental Working Group says triclosan has been linked to developmental defects, liver toxicity, and cancer in lab studies. It also may affect thyroid and other hormones that are crucial to normal development.

The best thing you can do is avoid soaps that claim to be "antibacterial" while we wait for more research to be done. A quick read of the label will tell you if triclosan or triclocarban (a similar compound that's found more commonly in bar soaps) are active ingredients. If so, move onto another product.

Here's a small sampling of triclosan-free liquid hand soaps to get you started:

Trader Joe's Lavender & Chamomile Hand Soap
Method Hand Wash (Pink Grapefruit)
Softsoap Soothing Aloe Vera Moisturizing Hand Soap
Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure-Castile Soap (Hemp-Peppermint)
Terraessentials Organic Real Soap for Hands
Desert Essence Castile Liquid Soap with Organic Tea Tree Oil

For more suggestions, visit the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping.

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Showing 1 - 15 of 313 comments

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Posted by Aloys N. Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:19pm PDT
It was right on time,thanks.
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Posted by anna Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:27pm PDT
It amazes me that it takes a rocket scientist to relay what should have been commen sense to all. This is not news to me, just validation that commen sense isn't called commen sense for nothing. What a revelation - adding insecticides to our soaps and hense water is, well, poisonous. Can I have my honorable doctorate degree now please.
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Posted by Fred Bread Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:27pm PDT
On top of writing this article how much were u paid to advertise those soaps?
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Posted by Tom the Taco Maker Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:34pm PDT
Wow O.O i never knew that!
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Posted by Ellie (Ella Bella) Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:39pm PDT
When going out to dinner someone is always passing around to me these anti-bacterial soap thingees. I have tried explaining to these people it is best to wash with plain water(hot if possible) and soap when there is a rest room near by. They just don't get it. I hope to have this article handy for just those times needed.
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Posted by Amy (TasselLady) Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:42pm PDT
I've heard of this before. I've read some other articles about this very situation. Really, you don't need antibacterial soap. You just need soap, hot water, and you need to wash in between your fingers for at least 15 seconds and then rinse. That's all that's really needed. But this is a great article!!!
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Posted by fastandsafe@att.net Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:45pm PDT
wow, now they tell us this after all these years....guess its time to but irish springs soap bars! lol
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Posted by WILLIAM Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:47pm PDT
Thanks for that useful info after 10s of years of using antibacterial soap, and millions of people using it too, I think the damage is done!! I think the research should have been done before putting it on the market, Now can we all file a class action against all the companies that make it for slowly killing us?
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Posted by San Diego Kellers Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:49pm PDT
It's good to re-hash studies like this because most Americans have 12 hour attention spans. As a journalist I would cite and reference more studies rather than use hyperlinks in the paper. It lends more confidence to the expertise of the author and the subject. Wait... what were we talking about?
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Posted by bigswanny Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:51pm PDT
I've been reading this for years. Don't the soap manufacturers get it ? Boycott anti-bacterials.
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Posted by mary Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:52pm PDT
The best way to go is with the real deal old fashion soap and water. It help to know what you are using and why.There are to many products out on the market today and they are not what they are crack up to be. Check around for the best product for you, no one can tell you more about your body then you and your doctor. Use common sense.Don't try everything because its new learn more about what you are buying.You may save yourself a headach up the road.
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Posted by shnuk@verizon.net Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:01pm PDT
Some how you missed the most important point, if we are using pesticides on our hands,we are exposing ourselves to immunity issues, and cancer. Also, what about the germs that survive the pesticides. Do they contribute to super bugs, like MRSA? Kick it up a notch to like to a 7th grade education.
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Posted by yowala Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:06pm PDT
I hate antibacterial soaps! Not only do they make the bugs more resistant, they dry the heck out of my skin. I didn't have problems with the skin on my hands until my office switched to antibacterial soap in the rest rooms. I didn't know they had switched until I mentioned it to the building management people. I now bring my own soap to the rest room with me and my irritated skin on my hands has cleared up.
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Posted by CHARLES H Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:09pm PDT
Just remember this, everyone who has ever washed their hands, has or will die
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Posted by Gene S Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:14pm PDT
Just went shopping for refill liquid soap for my dispenser. Looked at every bottle in Rite-Aid. Every one was antibacterial, there was no choice.
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