Written by Elizabeth Mika
Founder and Maker, Bramble & Bear™ Soap Co.
About this Editorial: This article addresses a common question about soap in general. It is intended as general educational information and does not refer specifically to Bramble & Bear soaps.
For everyday handwashing, available evidence has not shown an added health benefit from consumer antibacterial soap compared with plain soap and water.¹
The word “antibacterial” can sound as though it offers an extra level of protection. But ordinary soap already performs an important job: it helps loosen and remove dirt, oils and microorganisms from the skin so they can be rinsed away.
The key question is not whether an antibacterial ingredient can affect bacteria. It is whether adding that ingredient to an everyday cleansing product provides a meaningful additional benefit for routine use.
What Makes a Soap “Antibacterial”?
Antibacterial soaps contain active ingredients intended to provide antimicrobial effects beyond the ordinary cleansing action of plain soap.²
That makes them different from ordinary soap, which primarily cleans by helping lift and remove material from the skin during washing and rinsing.
Products making antibacterial or antiseptic claims can also fall under different regulatory requirements because those claims go beyond ordinary cleansing.
Does Antibacterial Soap Work Better for Everyday Washing?
For routine consumer handwashing, studies have not shown an added health benefit from antibacterial soap compared with plain soap and water.¹
An antibacterial ingredient may have antimicrobial activity, but that does not automatically mean a person using the product in everyday life is less likely to become ill than someone washing properly with plain soap.
In 2016, federal rules affected 19 active ingredients used in over-the-counter consumer antiseptic washes, including triclosan and triclocarban. Manufacturers had not provided sufficient evidence showing that those ingredients were both safe for long-term daily use and more effective than plain soap and water at preventing illness or the spread of certain infections.²
Does That Mean All Antibacterial Soap Was Banned?
No. The 2016 rule applied to specific active ingredients used in consumer antiseptic wash products. It did not prohibit every antibacterial ingredient or every antimicrobial product.²
Three ingredients—benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol—were not included in that final determination while additional safety and effectiveness information continued to be evaluated.²
The rule also did not apply to hand sanitizers, antiseptic wipes or products intended for healthcare settings.²
What About Healthcare Settings?
Healthcare is a different environment. Hospitals and other clinical settings may use antiseptic hand-hygiene products because infection-control requirements are different from ordinary household washing.¹
Those specialized uses should not be taken to mean that antibacterial soap provides an additional benefit for routine washing at home.
Does Plain Soap Have to Kill Bacteria?
No. Plain soap does not need to work like a disinfectant to clean effectively. Its primary role during handwashing is to help loosen oils, dirt and microorganisms from the skin so they can be removed with running water.³
That is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting.
For ordinary handwashing, physically removing microorganisms is an effective part of the cleaning process without requiring the soap itself to kill them.
What About Antimicrobial Resistance?
Some research has raised concerns that certain antibacterial ingredients may contribute to antimicrobial resistance.¹
That is another reason why the word “antibacterial” should not automatically be interpreted as meaning an everyday cleanser is better.
Plain soap performs its normal cleansing function without relying on antibacterial active ingredients.
So What Should You Look For?
For ordinary handwashing, the word “antibacterial” on a label should not be treated as an automatic sign of superior cleansing. Effective washing technique matters more: use soap and clean running water, wash thoroughly, rinse well and dry the hands.³
The Bottom Line
For routine consumer washing, available evidence has not shown an added health benefit from antibacterial soap over plain soap and water.¹
Antiseptic products may be appropriate in healthcare and other specialized settings, where hand-hygiene requirements are different from ordinary household washing.²
For everyday use, plain soap remains an effective choice.
Related reading
Sources
¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Hand Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions” and “Handwashing Facts.” Current guidance states that studies have not found an added health benefit for consumers using antibacterial soap compared with plain soap, while recognizing different requirements in healthcare settings.
² U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Skip the Antibacterial Soap; Use Plain Soap and Water,” and “Consumer Antiseptic Wash Final Rule Questions and Answers.” FDA explains the 2016 rule affecting 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, and clarifies that benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol were handled separately while additional data were evaluated.
³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Hand Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions” and “Handwashing Facts.” CDC explains how soap, water, lather and friction help remove germs and other material from the hands.
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