FDA Advises Consumers To Stop Using Antibacterial Soap

Federal health officials are urging consumers to skip the use of over-the-counter antibacterial soap products sold by a number of different companies, indicating that there is no evidence showing the products are any better at preventing illness than regular soap, and they could actually be more harmful to your health over the long-term.

In an updated statement on antibacterial soap issued last month, the U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that antiseptic or antimicrobial ingredients included in many of these products unnecessarily expose consumers to harmful chemicals, while washing with regular soap and water is just as effective.

Consumers are being encouraged to follow simple handwashing practices such as: wetting your hands, lathering them with regular soap, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, rinsing and drying, which federal health officials believe is the most effective way at preventing illness and infection.

While “antibacterial” soap products are often marketed as a better way to protect families and prevent the spread of germs, the FDA indicates there’s no evidence that these soaps offer any extra protection against diseases and infections compared to plain soap and water.

“Using these products might give people a false sense of security,” Dr. Theresa M. Michele of the FDA said. “If you’re using them because you think they protect you better than regular soap, that’s not true. If you like how they feel, there are other products with similar textures that don’t expose your family to unnecessary chemicals.”

To know if a product contains unnecessary chemicals or active ingredients, look for the words “antibacterial,” “antimicrobial” or “antiseptic” on the label. Also, a Drug Facts label on soap or body wash usually means it contains antibacterial ingredients.

Harmful Antibacterial Soap Ingredients

In 2016, the FDA issued a rule banning most antibacterial ingredients from over-the-counter soaps and body washes, including triclosan and triclocarban. This decision was made because manufacturers couldn’t prove that these ingredients are safe for long-term daily use, or that they are more effective than plain soap and water at preventing illness and infection.

However, the rule does not apply to three ingredients—benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol—as manufacturers are still researching their safety and effectiveness.

This rule specifically targets consumer antibacterial soaps and body washes used with water. It doesn’t affect hand sanitizers, hand wipes or antibacterial soaps used in healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes.

For more information on the differences between hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps, you can visit the FDA website.