Antibacterial soaps are being widely marketed as being a more healthful alternative to regular bath or hand soap. The concept sounds good, indeed killing bacteria sounds like a good thing. But is it really? What are the ingredients used in antibacterial soap? Well the most common two are the closely related chemicals triclosan and triclocarban.

Approximately 30% of mass produced commercial soaps now contain one of these chemicals for the purpose of killing bacteria.

Let's look closely at these ingredients triclosan and triclocarban. Triclosan is commonly used as an antibacterial ingredient in detergent, dish soaps, bath soaps, deodorants, lotions and antimicrobial topical creams. One widely marketed toothpaste has used an extract containing 0.3% triclosan. The safety of triclosan has come under scrutiny as of late regarding both human and environmental health related to its uses.

The Environmental Protection Agency EPA lists triclosan as a pesticide. The chemical structure of triclosan is that of a chlorophenol it is similar to both dioxins and PCB chemicals. When triclosan is exposed to the skin, your body's largest organ system and readily available pathway for trans-dermal introduction to the body... triclosan can cause skin irritation and affect sensory nerves. Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides are stored in the fat cells of the body and can accumulate to significant levels over time. In the environment, these chemicals triclosan and triclocarban are entering rivers and streams through the wastewater via the use of these personal care products containing them. See this quote from a study done by the Environmental Work Group.

In the San Francisco Bay Area. 18 of 19 wastewater samples examined contained at least 1 of 3 unregulated, widely used hormone disruptors phthalates, bisphenol and triclosan; 2 samples contained all 3 substances.

So even though we know now that triclosan and triclocarban have negative effects on human health and that they are having a negative effect on our environment, are we even certain that the use of them in personal care items such as antibacterial soap is even warranted? To directly quote the U.S. Food and Drug Association FDA:

"Soaps and lotions that include antibacterial agents have no benefit over ordinary soap and water."

So, next time you buy soap, this is certainly something to think about. Earthceuticals soaps are completely natural and contain nothing artificial. There are no preservatives, no antibacterial agents, no artificial colors, no artificial scents, just 100% plant based oils, phytol rich plant infusions and pure essential oils and that's it.

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