FDA: Bans antibacterial soaps due to uselessness, possible harmfulness

The FDA has ruled that OTC antibacterial soaps and body washes are no longer allowed for OTC sale. It seems to me that even though manufacturers have already started to react, they may be sold for another year.

"OTC consumer antiseptic wash products (including liquid, foam, gel hand soaps, bar soaps, and body washes) containing the majority of the antibacterial active ingredients—including triclosan and triclocarban—will no longer be able to be marketed." [...] "Manufacturers will have one year to comply ...".

For one, the benefits of using them aren't proven despite requesting evidence three years ago. Washing with ordinary soap is just as effective as per available data.

Secondly, triclosan may contribute to bacterial resistances against antibiotics.

What's more, "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."

This applies to most OTC antibacterial soaps but not to hand sanitizers nor to products based on benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol as they are still under investigation. To learn more about the differences between antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers see this page.

Good, cos they're just a pointless expense. And to sound like my grandmother, there's nothing wrong with a bar of soap and a good scrub.

ATF or Ballistol is also pretty good, if you suffer from dry skin.