What's the difference between anti-bacterial soap and regular soap?

Question

Regular soap can't be pro-bacterial... Can it?

Answer 1

Hello! Yes,there IS a difference! The active ingredient in antibacterial soap is TRICLOSAN. Triclosan is a mild derivative of phenol. Phenol was the first antiseptic (santiary agent to be used on living tissues like skin) and discovered by Dr.Lister (Listerine ring a bell?). Unfortunately, the full strength phenol was soon known to be toxic to humans. Worked great at killing germs, but made people very sick, too. Ever wonder why your hands get so dry from the antibacterial soap? Its that triclosan.

In order for an antibacterial agent to work effectively, it must sit on the surface for about 10 minutes. However, to effectively cleanse your hands, it is the physical process of SCRUBBING (also known as "degerming") that washes away bacteria. The rule of thumb is to briskly move your hands around each other to lather while singing the ABCs TWICE, then rinse thoroughly.

So give up the antibacterial soap and lather with regular soap. Again, the physical action of scrubbing is what will get rid of the bacteria. Unless, of course, you've got 10 minutes to wait around with antibacterial soap on your hands.
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Actually, there isn't much difference when it comes to results. The regular soap does almost as good a job of getting rid of the bacteria as antibacterial soap does. A lot of scientist and doctors are now attributing some advent of all of these "superbugs" like MRSA on products like antibacterial soaps. What bacteria it doesn't kill it only makes stronger and more difficult to treat. That and the over prescribing of antibiotics when they aren't necessary.

Answer 3

According to wikipedia, some studies have concluded that simply washing thoroughly with plain soap is sufficient to reduce bacteria and, further, is effective against viruses. Other studies have found that soaps containing antimicrobial active ingredients remove more bacteria than simply washing with plain soap and water. Well, we want our kitchen to be germ-free, and the floor is where they would easily accumulate. From there they can spread by air and contaminate the food we prepare in the kitchen.

Answer 4

actually there is no real difference. both kinds work in exactly the same way, the surfactants in soap make it harder for bacteria to stick to the skin, so when you use soap and rinse the bacteria gets rinsed away. the so called "antibacterial" title is just a selling gimmick.

Answer 5

Maybe it is, and then the same company produces an anti-bacterial soap, so then you'll buy that after you get sick. lol.

Answer 6

hard aspect. do a search onto bing and yahoo. that will can help!