Tip of the Day: Go back to the bar
Bar soap that is.
When did bar soaps disappear? All of a sudden, it seemed that we were all using liquid hand and shower soaps and bars were gone bye-bye.
Well, there are many reasons to give bar soap a second chance. Bar soap creates less packaging waste and is often packaged in a paper wrap, rather than plastic. Bar soap is also less expensive per use than liquid soap.
In addition, bar soaps are safer for you. In the Skin Deep safety database, overall, most bar soaps rate as low hazard. Even the most hazardous bar soap only goes up to the moderate score of 6 on their hazard scale. However, if you take a look at the liquid soaps, many of them rate in the high hazard category.
And as far as sharing, there's no need to worry about cross-contamination, according to this New York Times Q & A.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-17-2008 @ 1:41PM
Cynthia said...
So liquid antibacterial Dial soap is not good. Please let me know
Reply
1-17-2008 @ 1:47PM
Jan said...
Correct. Anti-bacterial soaps are not good.
Use the regular kind.
1-17-2008 @ 2:39PM
Doctor Bob said...
What are the medical credentials of the author of this specious article? Just because AOL posts it doesn't mean any of it is true. I am in the medical field, and I've been using various antibacterial soaps for 45 years now, and my fingers haven't fallen off yet. It was a tragedy when they discontinued Hexachlorophene in soaps; that stuff worked very well. Antibacterial soaps can leave a bacteriostatic residue on your skin which can protect you against becoming infected by or spreading germs. I won't discontinue its use anytime soon.
Reply
1-17-2008 @ 5:49PM
lyndi said...
I have read to stop using anti-bacterial soaps in the dental journals forever now. The epidemilogist (sp?) that we have come in our office every year for continuing education has clearly stated that everyone needs to discontinue use of anti-bacterial soaps because we are creating resistant bacteria (people do not wash long enough to kill it).
Reply
1-23-2008 @ 7:13AM
Lou Ellen said...
What about viruses like herpes and shingles? I'm constantly applying medicine to my Dad's shingles and then wash my hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap. Also, I have herpes and I'm concerned about spreading it to others in the bath/shower. What to do? Thanks.
Reply
3-22-2008 @ 9:35AM
Earth Ling said...
A Medical Doctor specializing in herpes cure research says soap kills the herpes virus better than anything else--just plain soap--castile soap such as Dr. Bronner's bar or liquid. Many major corporate soaps do not contain any genuine soap, but are derived from petro-chemicals. Medication may also be needed to deter outbreaks, but genuine castile deters spread more than anything else.