7 Reasons to Ditch Antibacterial Soap ! ! !
This past month the FDA made a big and bold announcement; they demanded that antibacterial soap manufacturers prove that their soap is both safe and more effective than simply washing with good old fashion soap. If it can’t be proven, antibacterial soaps and gels will be removed from the shelves.The safety issue that the FDA has red flagged is centered on the main ingredient included in all antibacterial products called Triclosan. Already ahead of most states, Minnesota, recently signed a bill prohibiting the use of Tricolsan in skin care products beginning January of 2017.To put it simply, recent research has proven that antibacterial soap does not live up to its hype and is possibly even harmful. Roughly 75% of liquid antibacterial soaps and 30% of bars use the chemical Triclosan. In addition to soap, many manufacturers have begun putting the chemical in wipes, hand gels, deodorants, toothpaste and an assortment of other common household items to destroy any and all bacteria on our planet.Based on this ongoing research these are 7 reasons why it’s best to ditch antibacterial products and opt for All Natural Skin Care, like Siena Soap Products!
1. Antibacterial soaps are all hype; in fact they are no more effective than conventional soap and water.
Since the beginning of the use of Triclosan in our skin care products over 42 years ago; the FDA and many other independent studies have been trying to discover the health benefits of using Triclosan in soaps. Unfortunately, research has not been able to find a single benefit of Triclosan or for its use in antibacterial soaps and other skin care products!“I suspect there are a lot of consumers who assume that by using an antibacterial soap product, they are protecting themselves from illness, and protecting their families,” announced Sandra Kweder, deputy director of the FDA’s drug center. “But we don’t have any evidence that is really the case over simple soap and water.”Apparently after many years of research, no data exists to show any evidence that Triclosan reduces the transmission of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections. Also it is believed that because antibacterial soaps target bacteria specifically, they are not able to attack the ever-changing viruses that cause cold and flu season year after year.
2. Antibacterial soaps have the potential to create a strong and rebel like antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The FDA is concerned about a possible range of health risks associated with Triclosan and the bacterial resistance it has helped create. Between the heavy use of antibiotic medications and antibacterial products several “rebel” resistance bacteria have formed. This resistance created a subdivision within the bacteria population that allows specific bacteria to survive despite the use of any bacteria-killing chemicals. When chemicals are used frequently, all the other bacteria are killed except for this rebel group, allowing the rebel bacteria to take over and dominate. When this happens on a large scale we are left with a strong rebel bacteria that cannot be destroyed by any chemical or medication. This obviously could pose a great risk to our nation’s health.This issue has taken the medical worlds by storm and is viewed as a large and dangerous problem. The World Heath Organization went on record saying this is a “threat to global health security.”
3. Triclosan in soap could act as endocrine disruptors.
Equally disturbing are long-term studies and research that are demonstrating how Triclosan can interfere with the body’s regulation of the thyroid hormone. It is thought to happen because Triclosan is able to mimic the way our bodies naturally produce our thyroid hormones. This is very alarming, as these studies believe that this can cause infertility, artificially advanced early puberty, obesity, and cancer.The over all consensus of these studies demonstrates that it isn’t worth the risk given the minimal benefits of long-term Triclosan use.
4. Triclosan might lead to other health problems, too.
Scientists believe that with our reduced exposure of bacteria (which is essential for your immune system to fully develop and function properly) and with many children having continual exposure to Triclosan, our nation is at risk for acquiring a wide range of allergies. Triclosan seems to increase the chance of allergy issues with frequent use.Additional studies have exposed that Triclosan can obstruct muscle contractions and muscle activity. This is believed to happen because Triclosan can penetrate the skin and go directly into the bloodstream much faster than most chemicals. A survey done in 2008 found that 75% of people tested had Triclosan in their urine.
5. Antibacterial/Triclosan soaps are bad for the environment.
Since Triclosan is such a widely used chemical in antibacterial soaps and skin care products, it often times gets flushed down the drain. A recent study found that even after treating the water at sewage plants, traces of Triclosan still exist and pollute our streams, rivers, and drinking water. Last year the University of Minnesota found high levels of Triclosan in the sediments of several lakes, harming the environment and trickling down the wild life chain.In 2009 a high amount of bottlenose dolphins (that were surveyed off the coast of Florida and South Carolina) had alarming levels of Triclosan found in their blood.
6. Antibacterial soaps leave your skin dry and flaky.
Most “soaps” on the market are really detergents, stripping your skin of its naturally occurring oils. Unlike Siena Soap Bar’s, these detergent soaps do not replace any of the oils that have been stripped from your skin. This explains why you often get that dry and tightened feeling after showering with commercial detergent soaps. Additionally, many of these soaps are loaded with skin irritating and harmful chemicals, leaving your skin dry, itchy, and even flaky.
7. Handmade and All Natural soaps are so much more fun!
Siena Soap Company offers a large variety of soaps for all ages and genders. With over 20 different bars of handmade all natural soap to choose from, we’re confident that we have the perfect bar for everyone in your entire family!Plus you can use all our products worry-free, knowing every ingredient that goes into our products is100% natural. Siena Soap Company’s bars are so natural that you can pronounce and recognize every single ingredient! When’s the last time you could say that?Natural soap also means you will get the added benefit of actually moisturizing your skin with luxurious plant-based oils all while cleansing at the same time!
What Should You Do?
It’s so simple; a good old fashion hand wash with natural soap will do the trick! You don’t really even need to use hot water as long as you create friction by rubbing and scrubbing your hands, although it’s recommend that you wash your hands for 30 seconds to have a proper cleaning. Much Love,Jessica *All resources are linked throughout the article.