Here is Why Antibacterial Soap is Bad for You
Mar 29, 2018

Maria Carter
Core Spirit member since Dec 24, 2020
Reading time 2 min.

Whether it’s the flu season or not, regularly washing your hands is a good idea, because it keeps the pathogens at bay. But thanks to a generally prevailing dislike towards all microbes, many people also don’t leave the house without a portable bottle of hand sanitiser, and stock their homes with antibacterial soap, detergents, and other household products that claim to kill all bugs in sight.

In fact, most soaps on the consumer market sport “antibacterial” somewhere on the label. You can even buy sponges and chopping boards with antibacterial coating, but we wouldn’t recommend that — and here’s why.

When you clean the kitchen counter with an antibacterial surface spray, it may leave a residue of active compounds that target bacteria — but it won’t get rid of all of them, nor will it know which ones could make you sick. One of the most common substances used as an antibacterial agent is called triclosan — a compound that was originally developed for scrubbing hospital floors.

“Triclosan has a specific inhibitory target in bacteria similar to some antibiotics,” epidemiologist Allison Aiello explains to Coco Ballantyne at Scientific American. This means that bug populations that have been exposed to triclosan can go on to develop mutations that not only protect them from the antibacterial whatsit you’ve been spraying them with, but even develop cross-resistance, contributing to the whole antibiotic resistance problem we’re facing. In short, there is speculation that the widespread use of triclosan may well be adding to the rise of ‘superbugs’, or multi-strain resistant bacteria.

Even though triclosan — and its related compounds — doesn’t appear to be harmful to human health, there have been studies showing that it interferes with hormonal function in lab animals. Other small-scale studies have indicated a possible contribution to allergy increase, not to mention that the compound is also an environmental pollutant that’s negatively affecting aquatic species such as bacteria, algae, and fish. In 2010, the European Union banned triclosan from products that come into contact with food, and is now phasing it out from cosmetics, too.

Most importantly, there is no evidence that antibacterial soap actually cleans any better than regular soap. It doesn’t seem to be effective against viruses that cause flu and colds, as well as many gastroenterological problems. The lack of evidence is so glaring that in late 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that manufacturers would have to prove that their antibacterial soap is more effective than the conventional stuff, or they would have to pull it off the shelves over the next couple years.

Conversely, the only antimicrobial products that appear to have any merit are alcohol-based hand sanitiser gels. Alcohol is a highly effective antiseptic that breaks down proteins and disrupts cell membranes, killing most bacteria, fungi, and even viruses on the spot. Because the germs are quashed upon contact, there is no risk of contributing to the resistance problem, and even frequent use doesn’t cause toxicity. Hence if you go to the hospital, it’s vital that you do sanitise your hands at every opportunity, to prevent the spread of any nasty superbug trying to hitch a ride on your skin.

Even though alcohol is the best bet, there’s still conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of consistent sanitiser use as a more efficient method of disease prevention than simply washing your hands. And, of course, the hand rub only kills bugs — it doesn’t actually clean any dirt off. When it comes to keeping clean, the best approach is to use plain soap or detergent, lather up, and rinse well with water. This applies to all types of cleaning — from hands to kitchen surfaces.

So unless the antibacterial action is alcohol-based, it’s best to avoid the use of pointless antimicrobial products. They aren’t keeping you healthy, and may in fact be contributing to the rise of the next best superbug.

SIGNE CANE/Science Alert


Leave your comments / questions for this practitioner

To write a comment please
or
Services
Category filter
Concern filter
Type filter
Sort
 

All categories

Herbal therapy
$10 USD
consultation
The calendula/marigold. One of my favourite herbs to prescribe inside and out.

My name is Leonie Quigley and my business is called Herbal Naturiel. I am a practising herbalist, nutritionist, community worker and doula but am also qualified in nursing, aged care and social work.

The clinic is a small but comfortable room at the front of my home which is situated in Kingsley, Western Australia and has separate access from the house. My husband has helped me immensley in setting up beautiful comfortable consulting and waiting rooms plus a herb garden out the front.

Services are holistic and centre around treating the whole person. I am skilled in assessment and in the prescribing of herbs, supplements and diet and lifestyle recommendations. It is really helpful if people bring me a list or their medications including supplements, any pathology they have had done and any doctor or specialist reports they may have relating to the problems they are seeing me for. I am skilled in reading and analysing most reports and can help you sort out complicated medication regimes. My job is not to work in opposition to the medical profession, rather to complement the work they do by improving your holistic wellbeing.

Nutrition is a large part of my work. I do not recommend specific diets, fasting etc, rather work on an ideal nutrition plan to suit the individual person in order to help them reach optimum health.

Leonie Jill Quigley
Herbal therapy
$100 USD
coaching session
60 Minute Cannabis Wellness Coaching Session

Choosing the right kind of strain, dosage, potency, or even figuring out what terpenes will be beneficial for you can be very overwhelming.

I am here to help you use this magical plant to compliment your health & lifestyle.

Looking forward to connecting with you!

-Anna

Anna Rivera
Herbal therapy
$10 USD
coaching session
15 Minute Cannabis Wellness Coaching Session

This introductory 15 minute mini session will be dedicated to answering your questions about incorporating cannabis in your wellness routine.

Already a cannabis consumer? No problem! I'll gladly help with any questions and provide direction and clarity you may need.

Let's connect!

-Anna
Green Annalist

Anna Rivera
Herbal therapy
$50 USD
healing session
Ionic Detox Foot bath

Gently remove toxins from the body in a relaxing and rejuvenating way by placing your feet in a water foot . Living in society we absorb environmental impurities that disrupt the way our body functions. This process can help your body work to remove those toxins.

Healing4thes🌙ul

Related Articles

View All
Registered individuals enjoy all the possibilities of Core Spirit.