Are bar soaps and body washes really anti bacterial?

Question

Meaning are we really washing away germs and 'cleansing' ourselves with the body washes and bar soaps that we use or are we just making ourselves smell good?

Answer 1

anti bacterial.. fights bacteria.. but with it being in everything we now use, we're building up an immunity to drugs that we may need to help us fight off bacteria later on..
or am I wrong..

Answer 2

1. You could say all soaps are antibacterial in that by washing, it gets rid of grease and soil containing germs. Soap makes removing this material easier than, say, just plain water, which in that way is also antibacterial. The alcohol a doctor rubs on your skin before an injection is also anti bacterial, but it isn't really. The sterile alcohol simply provides a surface that will not promote bacterial growth. It also helps cut grease on the skin, wiping away germs.

2. Anti bacterial soaps ARE anti bacterial in that they contain ingredients that actually KILL bacteria. Anti bacterial soaps and hand cleaners will clearly state that they are so that you will be willing to pay more for this feature.

3. Over use of antibacterial soaps are helping to create new, antibacterial-resistant germs. As these germs learn to resist the antibacterial ingredient in these soaps, it reduces the soaps effectiveness.

BEST practiices is to wash your hands often with REGULAR soap and keep clean. Don't give bacteria a place to grow on you and infect you.

Answer 3

The anti-bacterial bit is really just a marketing ploy - people are SO paranoid about this! Matter of fact the water free hand sanitizers can make you MORE prone to infection, since the alcohol dries out your hands, and can tiny tears in your skin.

I'd read quite a few articles a while back about studies which determined that antibacterial soap was no more effective than just plain soap and water. So, I found one of these articles for you.


Just Soap and Water


Tuesday, November 1, 2005; Page HE03

The Question Walk into any store selling soap and you'll be overwhelmed by the array of antibacterial products: hand cleaners that don't require water, body washes and soaps in colorful bottles beckoning consumers seeking extra protection from germs. But do these antibacterial products offer better coverage than plain old soap and water? And do they carry potential public health risks?

Last week an advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates antibacterial and antiseptic cleansers as nonprescription drugs, found they are no more effective at preventing infections than ordinary soap and water, based on a review of studies. The 12-member group heard testimony about the theoretical risks posed by triclosan, an ingredient in many non-alcohol-based cleansers, which FDA officials say may accumulate in groundwater. Some scientists say they fear that overuse of triclosan and another germ-killer could spawn the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.



(Courtesy Of Procter & Gamble Cor - Courtesy Of Procter & Gamble Cor)
Such concerns, the advisory panel said, do not apply to alcohol-based hand sanitizers because they evaporate. Alcohol-based cleansers, which have been installed in many hospitals and day care centers, have proven useful in places where there is no easy access to water, the committee said.

The Rebuttal The Soap and Detergent Association, an industry group that represents manufacturers of antibacterial products, said in a statement that "more than 30 years of research" has proven these products are safe and effective in reducing disease-causing bacteria. Any link with increased bacterial resistance is speculative, said spokesman Brian Sansoni.

The Future The advisory panel did not recommend that the FDA take specific action, but endorsed further study of the potential risks and benefits of home antiseptics. The group also recommended that the FDA require manufacturers to provide data demonstrating the effectiveness of their products.

Tufts University microbiologist Stuart B. Levy, founder of the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, testified before the committee. He said consumers should avoid the use of antiseptic soaps and instead wash their hands with regular soap and water. If soap and water is not available, an alcohol-based product is acceptable, Levy said.


-- Sandra G. Boodman

Answer 4

Yes the ones that claim they are Antibacterial are, they take out about 99% of the germs on your body. However, if that is really healthy is debatable still. People who take antibiotics should not use these kinds of soap because germs are needed so your body can learn to fight off infections etc. However if you are a normal healthy person, you can use them with no problems and they may keep down colds, flu, and other diseases.

Answer 5

it is extra useful to apply in basic terms water. Your ladyparts are self cleansing and take care of a mild pH stability. It possibly does not harm to apply cleansing soap not often regardless of if it is extra useful to easily save on with water. If it is smelling humorous inspite of the incontrovertible fact that remember to make certain a doctor! that must be indicative of a yeast or bacterial an infection!

Answer 6

well. yes, soaps actually get rid of the "germs" on our bodies. (clean under your nails well - germs like to hide there). HOWEVER, antibacterial soaps actually increase germs' resistance to antibacterial properties. SO, use regular old soap and warm water, and you'll be fine. I'd avoid anything that says "antibacterial" on it, however.

Answer 7

I don't know but think about this;
if you use bar soap, What if the germs STICK to it? Then wouldn't it just be rubbing germs around your body?

Answer 8

Some really are, but really do not help, For the hand soaps you need to wash hands for 5 minutes, to work.

Answer 9

yes they are, but have you noticed how it says "kills 99.9% of germs" and wondered why it's not 100%? It's because the body can handle that .1 percent and can easily live through it...if it were 100%, it would create a super virus that would be devistating to the human population...crazy, huh.

Answer 10

If it says it is on the package when you buy it. This is officially the dumbest question I've seen.