Do I Need a Special Antibacterial Soap for My Hands?

Antibacterial soaps contain high concentrations of low-molecular weight alcohols, like ethyl alcohol, that can be extremely drying to hands.  Recently, I read that some dermatologists suggest that patients use gentle and skin-beneficial facial cleansers for their hands instead, like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, shown above.  To verify if this is okay, enter the following excerpt from an interview with epidemiologist Elizabeth Bancroft, M.D., in the February 2008 Vogue.

Everyone talks about hand washing.  Why is it so powerful?

Plain soap and water works lilke a chemical bomb – the fats in the soap attach themselves to the lipid layer in the bacteria’s membrane and kill it.

Antibacterial soap – discuss.

Antibacterial soaps aren’t necessary outside hospitals and may encourage the growth of drug-resistant bugs.

As a result…

It doesn’t seem necessary to use a special antibacterial soap for your hands at all, unless you are working in a hospital or amongst the immune-compromised.  For more on making your hands look and feel their best, please consult this article.