A few years ago everyone wanted to use “antibacterial” soaps.  I was one of them too, until I found out that the antibacterial stuff was actually doing more harm to both your body and the environment.

Especially the very popular “triclosan” that is still widely used today in soaps and deodorants.

The main reason you don’t want to over use the antibacterial stuff is that your body will build a resistant to the bacteria.  And that could lead to new super bug, the antibiotic resistant strains such as MRSA.

In 2003, Researchers at the University of Minnesota (Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology) found when triclosan in water was exposed to sunlight, it converted into a dioxin. Dioxins are a group of chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health problems including respiratory to neurological conditions.

Because the dioxins do not degrade over time, they can accumulate in body tissues and cause a larger effect over time. Researchers say even low levels of this highly toxic chemical would become a problem because of its tendency to accumulate through the food chain.

This label is from the Bath & Body Works hand lotion.  It has good stuff like Shea butter and Vitamin E, but notice the triclosan.  I didn’t realize it contained triclosan until I got home and read the ingredient list on the back.

I do like B&BW’s packaging and product line, especially the scent of raspberry vanilla hand lotion.  A note to B & BW, maybe it’s time to stop using triclosan.

Elaine Larson, Ph.D, R.N., associate dean for research at the Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, principal investigator of the study wonder why it’s call antibacterial because according to the research, antimicrobial or antibacterial soaps provide no added value over plain soap.

Plain soap is fine, just remember to wash and scrub your hand well.  Especially during the cold and flu season.

Other natural antibacterial properties include tea tree oil.  The oil has beneficial properties including antiseptic and antifungal, antibacterial action.

Neem Oil is also widely used in India as a medicine to aid in healing of topical skin disorders such as rash, psoriasis, ecsema, burns and acne.  The fruit from the Neem tree contain kernels which are rich in oil.  Scientific research has confirmed that neem seed oil is non-toxic to mammals and may be a very effective organic antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral agent.

A note of caution, these two oils have a very strong smell and I’m not very fond of them myself!

Additional Notes:

Another good reason to want to use handmade soaps is that it’s biodegradable and doesn’t harm the environment.

Triclosan is used in many common household products including Bath & Body Works hand wash lotion, Pepsodent, Softsoap, and Dial.

Milk based soaps is not only good for your skin, drinking milk is also good for you too.  As Dr. Enig writes from her book, Know Your Fats.

Lauric acid is believed to have antimicrobial properties and is found naturally in mother’s milk, cow milk, and goat milk. Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the anti-viral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid.

Resources:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/aip/research/ar.html http://www.chem.umn.edu/groups/mcneill/CBC.htm

http://www.health-report.co.uk/triclosan.html http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090329205453.htm