Are antibacterial soaps better than regular soaps? We tell you

The coronavirus pandemic has everyone washing their hands and covering their faces with a tissue paper as they sneeze and cough. Sadly, it is something we should all have been practising even without a looming fear of falling prey to COVID19 - as handwashing is the most effective way to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. As the hand sanitizers and toilet papers continue to fly off the shelves, people have also begun stocking the good, old soap.

When you shop for soaps and handwash, you must have noticed that there is a variety of soaps. Some fancy ones claim of providing with enough moisture to make your skin as soft as rose petals, while the others boast of antibacterial properties. While we cannot vouch for the claims of either, it is the latter which is problematic.

Your typical antibacterial soap is said to be more effective in getting rid of the germs and keeping you and your family safe. While the most common antibacterial ingredient in these soaps is said to be triclosan, some may also contain alcohol, benzalkonium chloride and other antibacterial agents. As a result, there is no dearth of people who gravitate towards antibacterial soaps and handwash in a quest to keep the virus and bacteria at bay.

The antibacterial soaps and handwashes seem like good options when it comes to lowering the risk of getting sick, spreading germs and getting infected. However, there is a catch. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is “no evidence” that these antibacterial soaps are more effective than the regular ones. Yes, to date there has been no intensive study or research which can prove the benefits of antibacterial soaps and that they do a better job at keeping the germs and microbes away.

Besides the effectiveness of the antimicrobial soaps, the FDA was also concerned whether or not the chemicals and the ingredients present in the soaps were fit for daily use over a long period of time. When manufacturers couldn’t prove either, FDA issued a final rule deeming these ingredients in antibacterial soaps unsafe.

The statement read, “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, we, or the Agency) is issuing this final rule establishing that certain active ingredients used in over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic products intended for use with water (referred to throughout this document as consumer antiseptic washes) are not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRAS/GRAE) and are misbranded”

Another important factor to be noted that both antibacterial and regular soaps are most effective when warm water is used to build a lather. So, why should we choose a costlier alternative?

While using antibacterial soap may provide you with peace of mind, the golden rule still remains the same i.e. you have to wash your hands thoroughly for at least 30 seconds to get rid of the dirt, grime and germs. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol.