Every day, we come into contact with millions of bacteria and pathogens. Many of us use antibacterial products to lower our chances of getting sick or infecting others. But have you ever wondered what makes antibacterial soap different from ordinary soap? To assist you in deciding which of these two types of soaps best meets your needs, this article will examine all of their differences with regard to composition, purpose, and the pros and cons of each.
Antibacterial Soap
Antibacterial soap contains an antibacterial agent called Triclosan. Triclosan is a synthetic and naturally active ingredient added to get rid of bacteria, fungi, and other germs. Triclosan is very effective at killing the bacteria that cause illness and diseases. Sometimes other ingredients such as alcohol or triclocarban are added to antibacterial soap.
Regular Soap
Regular soap does not use an antibacterial agent but still kills bacteria by killing the bacteria cells. Regular soap is made with vegetable oil, water, and sodium hydroxide (lye). The lye reacts with the oil and water, producing a greasy type of soap. Regular soap does not contain any synthetic ingredients, so the product is not just for preventing infections but also for cleaning items.
Antibacterial soap is just like regular soap but has a different ingredient added to help kill bacteria. Regular soap and antibacterial soaps clean the skin, but antibacterial soaps contain an additional ingredient, Triclosan.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Antibacterial Soap
Antibacterial soap is very effective at killing the bacteria that cause illnesses. Antibacterial soap kills 98% of the bacteria that causes infections. The main advantage of Antibacterial Soap is that it can prevent the infection from spreading from one person to another. Antibacterial soap is also easy to find in a variety of stores, such as grocery stores, drug stores, and department stores.
The main disadvantage of Antibacterial Soap is that it kills beneficial bacteria in the skin. Antibacterial soap kills all the bacteria which can cause health problems. The body needs a certain amount of bacteria for it to function properly. When overused. It can cause mild irritation to the skin, causing redness, itching, and minor rashes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Regular Soap
Regular soap without antibacterial additives is frequently a good choice for people seeking cleaning supplies on a budget because it is typically much less expensive. It is rather simple to understand why ordinary soap can be a wise choice when considering this and that it is believed to be just as effective at destroying germs and bacteria when used properly as antibacterial soap. Regular soap does not include triclosan or benzalkonium chloride. Therefore there are no worries about it destroying healthy skin microorganisms.
However, if you use ordinary soap, you could have fewer options because most soaps on the market today are antibacterial. Additionally, using regular soap effectively takes a little more effort and time, particularly when cleaning your hands. For ordinary soap to effectively kill off germs and bacteria, people must wash their hands thoroughly.
Which is the Best Option?
The best soap is one that meets all of your needs. You, therefore, need to consider various factors:
Effectiveness
Antibacterial soap has a better track record of effectiveness against illness-causing bacteria, but it is less effective at removing dirt, oils, and other substances from the skin.
Environment
Many antibacterial cleansers are persistently shown to be damaging to the environment. Regular soap, on the other hand, poses no greater environmental threat than others like shampoo or dish detergent.
Cost
Regular soap is cheaper than antibacterial soap and achieves comparable results.
Safety
The chemicals used in antibacterial soap are not always fully tested and may cause various side effects. Antibacterial soap is made with Triclosan which has also been linked to allergies and reduced effectiveness of vaccines. Do your research and evaluate how you feel about such claims.
Housecleaning: Regular or Antibacterial Soap
It’s a good idea to let your house cleaning know ahead of time if you have a preference between the two. You may proceed as long as the soap satisfies your criteria.