The first proposed monograph for an antibacterial cleanser was published in 1974, which officially defined an antibacterial cleanser as a soap containing an active ingredient with invivo and invitro activity against skin organisms. The earliest antibacterial soap was carbolic soap, which used up to 5% phenols (carbolic acid). However, fears about the safety of carbolic soaps chemical components on the skin brought about a ban on some of these chemical components. The majority of antibacterial soaps today contain triclosan, though other chemical additives are also used. Triclosan and triclocarban are the most common compounds used as antibacterials in soaps, but other common antibacterial ingredients in soaps include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol.
The use of antibacterial soaps has been largely pulled from the market due to concerns about their safety and effectiveness. Research shows that using antibacterial soaps is no more effective than using regular soap and water. In addition, the wide use of these products over a long time has raised the question of potential negative effects on health. Many liquid soaps labeled antibacterial contain triclosan, an ingredient of concern to many environmental, academic, and regulatory groups. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters the way some hormones work in the body and raises potential concerns for the effects of use in humans.
Positive aspects of antibacterial soaps include their ability to kill germs on the hands or body. However, the benefits of using antibacterial hand soap haven’t been proven. The FDA’s final rule covers only consumer antibacterial soaps and body washes that are used with water. It does not apply to hand sanitizers or hand wipes, and it also does not apply to antibacterial soaps that are used in health care settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
In summary, the first proposed monograph for an antibacterial cleanser was published in 1974, and the earliest antibacterial soap was carbolic soap. The majority of antibacterial soaps today contain triclosan, though other chemical additives are also used. The use of antibacterial soaps has been largely pulled from the market due to concerns about their safety and effectiveness. Positive aspects of antibacterial soaps include their ability to kill germs on the hands or body, but the benefits of using antibacterial han...
