August 19, 2024 – When you buy soaps and shower gels, do you reach for products labeled “antibacterial” in the hope that they will keep your family safer? Do you believe that these products will reduce your risk of getting sick, spreading germs or becoming infected?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no evidence that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are any better at preventing illness than washing with regular soap and water. In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good in the long run.

“Simple handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many types of infections and illnesses at home, at school and elsewhere,” said FDA’s Dr. Theresa M. Michele. “We can’t recommend it enough. It’s easy and it works.”

The FDA issued a final rule in 2016 banning most antibacterial agents, including triclosan and triclocarban, from being marketed in over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products. These products include liquid, foam and gel hand soaps, bar soaps and body washes.

The FDA made this decision because manufacturers have not demonstrated that these ingredients are safe for daily use over long periods of time. Additionally, manufacturers have not demonstrated that these ingredients are more effective than regular soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of certain infections.

The FDA rule does not apply to three ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol. Manufacturers are developing and plan to submit new data on the safety and effectiveness of these ingredients.

The FDA’s final rule applies only to home-use antibacterial soaps and body washes used with water. It does not apply to hand sanitizers, towelettes, or antibacterial soaps used in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. To learn more about the difference between home-use hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps, visit the FDA’s webpage on the subject.

What makes soap “antibacterial”?

Antibacterial soaps (sometimes called antimicrobial or antiseptic soaps) contain certain chemicals not found in regular soap. These ingredients are added to many consumer products to reduce or prevent bacterial infections.

“There is no data to show that these medications provide additional protection against disease and infection. Using these products can give people a false sense of security,” says Michele. “If you’re using these products because you think they’ll protect you better than soap and water, that’s not true. If you’re using them because they feel like they will, there are many other products with similar compositions that won’t expose your family to unnecessary chemicals.”

How do you know if a product is antibacterial? For over-the-counter medications, antibacterial products generally have the word “antibacterial” on the label. A drug label on a soap or shower gel is also a sign that a product contains antibacterial ingredients.

Continue washing with regular soap and water

What should consumers do? Wash your hands with regular soap and water.

Washing your hands is simple and one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.