Let’s talk about antibacterial soaps, those trusty bottles that many of us have lined up in our bathrooms, ready to tackle our kids’ sticky hands after school. I’ll admit it—I’ve often chosen the no-frills, green antibacterial variety over the fancier, scented soaps, convinced I was being the ultimate #superparent. Spoiler alert: it’s more like #overlycautiousparent.
Well, it turns out the FDA has a different take. According to their recent findings, there’s zero evidence that antibacterial soaps do anything better than plain old soap and water. In fact, they might even be doing more harm than good in the long run. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a final rule that prohibits the marketing of certain over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic wash products,” the FDA states. If you’ve been relying on these products, you may want to rethink your strategy.
What’s the Deal?
Manufacturers couldn’t prove that their antibacterial ingredients were safe for daily use or that they outperformed regular soap in preventing illness. Some companies are already swapping out these questionable ingredients from their formulas, but don’t get too excited—this ban doesn’t apply to hand sanitizers or wipes, just soap.
Dr. Sarah Lindner, a spokesperson for the FDA, mentioned, “Consumers might believe antibacterial washes provide better protection against germs, but we don’t have any scientific proof that they are more effective than good ol’ soap and water.” In fact, some studies hint that the ingredients in these soaps could lead to problems like bacterial resistance or hormonal imbalances. The culprits? Triclosan and triclocarban—no thanks!
The Bottom Line
The bottom line, as the FDA reiterates, is that washing with plain soap and water is still one of the best ways to keep illness at bay and stop the spread of germs. If soap and water aren’t an option, they recommend using an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
Manufacturers have a year to comply with this new rule—time to either clear their shelves of these products or reformulate them to ditch the antibacterial ingredients.
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In summary, the FDA has decided that antibacterial soaps aren’t worth the hype and have banned their sale unless proven effective and safe. So, stick with soap and water for a clean slate—literally!