Antibacterial soaps and body washes are a common household item. They are claimed to be more effective than just plain soap and water, but the FDA says otherwise. Could antibacterial soaps be doing more harm then good?

A new regulation is to be put into effect that will ban certain soaps and body washes that contain one of the 19 ingredients that have not been proved safe to use on a daily basis. Consumers are under the impression that antibacterial soaps are more effective than normal but, “…we have no evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water” (Dr.Janet Woodcock).  Woodcock also states, “…some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good.” One paper says the maybe the soaps are a cause of a dangerous drug-resistant bacteria.

The rule will take effect in one year and companies will either have to remove ingredients or take their products off the shelves. Further studies are now being conducted. What will become of these antibacterial soaps?