The best antibacterial hand soap for 2022

A person during the day comes into contact with a large number of surfaces - these are handrails in vehicles, and doors in a store, and other items in public places. In order to protect yourself, you need to take care of hand hygiene. Having studied the parameters of the products on sale, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of brands, you can choose the best antibacterial hand soap for yourself.

What is

Bacteria live on the entire surface of the human body, but most of them are their own microflora, which does not harm the body, performing, among other things, a protective function. Hands most often come into contact with the external environment, which means they take over the bacteria that are on the surfaces of objects and the skin of other people. Harmful organisms get on the lips, nose, mucous membranes, because. all people often touch the face, and this leads to the penetration of pathogens.

Due to the high level of hand contact with harmful microorganisms, the hygiene of this particular part of the body is especially important. Ordinary water does not completely wash away dirt, especially greasy ones, and also cannot fight bacteria. This makes it mandatory to use soap to wash your hands. It binds contaminants, which, together with the foam, are washed off with water, and also disinfect the surface.

Antibacterial soap, unlike ordinary soap, contains special additives that are especially effective in killing bacteria. In the 50s of the 20th century. the first brands of this product appeared in the USA and were used in hospitals where citizens needed it most. In the 90s, such soap went on general sale and eventually became popular all over the world.

Compound

The main component of any soap is various soluble salts of higher fatty acids (stearic, oleic, palmitic, lauric, myristic). Salts are more often represented by sodium compounds, less often by potassium, and very rarely by ammonium compounds. It is this component that makes the product "soap" and perform the function of binding and removing pollution.

Special additives are introduced into antibacterial varieties that are responsible for suppressing the viability of bacteria:

• Triclosan. It is a synthetically produced substance that acts as a biocide or exhibits bacteriostatic properties (depending on concentration). First produced in 1965, it is the most popular disinfectant soap ingredient. Active against bacteria and some fungi. Triclosan inhibits the synthesis of fatty acids, and without this, the reproduction and synthesis of membranes in microorganisms is impossible.
• Triclocarban. Known since 1960. Acts against bacteria (mostly gram-positive). The principle of action is not fully understood, but it is believed that it is similar to the action of triclosan (with the exception of the effect on the membrane).
• Chloroxylenol (dettol). A phenol derivative containing chlorine. It is active against gram-positive bacteria, weakly shows an effect against gram-negative and staphylococci.
• Benzalkonium and benzethonium chloride. Affects the viability of bacteria (especially gram-negative), fungi, molds, herpes virus.
• Alcohols. Simple alcohols (methanol, ethanol, isopropyl and denatured) exhibit antiseptic properties. Included in liquid soap options.
• Natural ingredients. These include tea tree, birch tar, lemon, silver, propolis, plantain.

What are the types of soap

Antiseptic cleansers are available in a variety of options. The main criterion by which brands are divided is the form of release. There are the following types:

• Lumpy. The most common, traditional option.It has a solid form and is presented in the form of small briquettes in paper, polyethylene or cardboard packaging. May become limp in the soap dish, dry out or crack.
• Liquid. It is a viscous substance poured into dispenser bottles, soft sachets or large bottles. The last 2 options will require transfusion into a convenient container with a dispenser. The composition contains potassium salts, and not sodium, as for the lumpy version. Also added water. It can dry out in the corners of the package, delaminate, change the consistency, deteriorate when a foreign component enters.
• Soft. More like a paste or cream, does not harden like a lump. Contains a lot of fat, potassium salts.

There is also a division according to the type of skin for which the use of the product is intended. In general, almost all antiseptic options have a drying effect, which is not very suitable for dry skin. However, the manufacturer may add emollients and moisturizers to minimize the effect.

Health benefits and harms

The positive properties of such a product are obvious - the fight against bacteria and viruses, which is important in an unfavorable situation during the season of epidemics, as well as in the presence of skin lesions, when there is a risk of wound infection. However, according to doctors, the use of the drug can have a negative impact on health.

The negative impact on the state of the human body and its life expectancy has not been proven, but the results of an animal study are presented in the USA. According to these data, antibacterial components can lead to:

• allergies;
• contraction of muscle fibers;
• dermatitis;
• liver problems;
• development of tumor processes.

In addition, such substances can lead to subsequent immunity of the human body to antibacterial agents, because. adaptation occurs over time. The decontamination component dries the skin and also kills the entire population of bacteria, without distinguishing whether they are beneficial or harmful.

In our country, the main active substances are not banned, but in the United States, triclosan, triclocarban, and about 17 other less common options are banned in the composition of soap.

Terms of Use

To achieve the intended effect of an antiseptic, regardless of the form of release, and to avoid harm to health, the following recommendations should be followed:

1. Do not use on an ongoing basis, it is better to limit yourself to periods of high virus activity, the presence of open lesions and skin diseases. During epidemic season, it is advisable to wash your hands after every visit to the street.
2. It is worth taking this type of soap with you on trips, to the country, when performing manipulations in a particularly polluted environment.
3. It is good to lather your hands, pay special attention to the areas around the nails, fingertips, the inside of the palms.
4. The duration of soaping should be increased from 20 seconds recommended for ordinary soap to 1-2 minutes. This is necessary for the active substance to begin to act. When finished, be sure to rinse with plenty of running water.
5. After use, it is better to close the taps with a napkin or, if the design allows, with another part of the hand, and not with a brush (for example, press with your elbow).
6. At the end of use and drying of the hands, it is recommended to apply a moisturizer.

Criterias of choice

Before you buy antibacterial soap, it is worth studying the recommendations regarding what to look for when choosing. Key Tips:

• Read the description on the packaging carefully. The product must have a quality certificate, and one of the antibacterial components must be listed in the composition.
• The manufacturer must have a good reputation and long experience in the production of similar products.
• Examine customer reviews about the experience of use, if presented, then a review from physicians about the effectiveness of the product.
• Choose a product according to your skin type. For children or dry and sensitive, the best type is liquid or creamy, which contain more fats, oils, moisturizing ingredients. Also, for these skin types, you should not buy brands with scrubbing particles, sulfates, mineral oils. For those with oily skin, silicones are not suitable. For sensitive, childish and oily, inflamed skin, it is better to choose soap with natural disinfecting ingredients (tea tree, plantain extract, chamomile, calendula).
• The surface of the bar of soap should not be dry and cracked, and in the liquid there should be no clots and bundles.
• Choose the most natural product, with a small amount of ingredients, especially artificial preservatives, fragrances, flavors. The color of such products is not bright, but this is offset by a more gentle effect on the skin.

The best manufacturers whose products you should trust:

• Procter&Gamble (Safeguard);
• Reckitt Benckiser (Dettol);
• Kalina (Velvet Hands, One Hundred Beauty Recipes, Pure Line);
• Schwarzkopf (Fa);
• Colgate-Palmolive.

Rating of quality funds

Hand washing products with an antibacterial effect differ in the form of release, composition and effect on the skin. When choosing from the options presented for sale, it is worth focusing on these characteristics. Effective products do not necessarily have a high cost, there are inexpensive brands.

liquid

Dettol antibacterial, green tea

Manufacturer: RECKITT BENCKISER, France.

Active ingredient: salicylic acid.

Skin type: any.

Volume: 250 ml.

Price: 320-350 rubles.

• good antibacterial effect, kills E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus;
• has laboratory confirmation of effectiveness;
• perfectly foams, cleans from dirt;
• eliminates odors from hands;
• pleasant aroma;
• does not contain parabens and silicones;
• does not tighten or dry the skin.

• there are synthetic components;
• may cause allergic irritation;
• high price.

Safeguard Classic Dazzling White

Manufacturer: Procter & Gamble.

Active ingredient: sodium salicylate, zinc pyrithione, zinc sulfate, benzyl benzoate.

Skin type: for all.

Volume: 225 ml.

Average cost: 180-320 rubles.

• clinically proven efficacy;
• protection continues even after rinsing;
• enough for a long time;
• removes dirt well;
• easy to find on sale;
• moderate cost.

• DMDM Hydantoin can cause dermatitis;
• not everyone likes the smell;
• contains synthetic components;
• dries the skin;
• sometimes the product dries up in the “spout” of the dispenser.

Aura antibacterial Chamomile

Manufacturer: Cotton Club, Russia.

Skin type: for all.

Volume: 500 ml.

Cost: 80-150 rubles.

• does not contain silicones and parabens;
• contains a calming component - chamomile;
• large volume for a low price;
• does not dry;
• neutral smell.

• DMDM Hydantoin may cause dermatitis;
• too liquid;
• must be poured into a bottle with a dispenser.

lumpy

Safeguard gentle care with aloe

Manufacturer: Procter & Gamble.

Active ingredient: zinc sulfate.

Skin features: any.

Weight: 90, 125 g.

Average price: from 40 rubles.

• the modern formula does not contain triclosan;
• foams well, economical;
• cleans well and rinses off easily;
• low price;
• does not sag in the soap dish;
• dries, relieves inflammation.

• contains sulfates;
• contains many synthetic components;
• DMDM Hydantoin and some other substances can cause allergies and dermatitis;
• some buyers note dryness and tightness of the skin after several applications;
• not everyone likes the smell.

Absolut Classic gentle

Producer: Spring, Russia.

Active ingredient: triclocarban, tea tree.

Skin type: any.

Weight: 90 g.

Cost: about 30 rubles.

• good antibacterial effect;
• perfectly foams, cleans;
• pleasant aroma;
• recommended by RAMS;
• easy to find on sale;
• democratic price.

• as part of triclocarban;
• ends quickly;
• not the most natural composition.

Spring tar

Producer: Spring, Russia.

Active ingredient: birch tar.

Skin features: any.

Weight: 90 g.

How much it costs: 13-25 rubles.

• the minimum number of components;
• natural antiseptic;
• no artificial fragrances, preservatives, dyes;
• does not cause allergies;
• affordable;
• useful for problem skin.

• a specific smell that not everyone likes;
• does not foam very well, ends quickly;
• some buyers report dry skin after use.

CJ Lion Antibacterial

Producer: LION CORPORATION, Korea.

Active ingredient: lemon oil.

Skin type: any.

Weight: 100 g.

Average price: 75-150 rubles.

• unobtrusive aroma;
• foams very well;
• perfectly cleans;
• acts gently on the skin.

• quickly consumed;
• can not be used in the presence of open wounds;
• not cheap;
• occasionally, buyers note dry hands after application;
• the translation of the composition into Russian may contain incomplete data.

Cream soap

Velvet handles antibacterial complex

Producer: concern "Kalina", Russia.

Active ingredient: tea tree oil.

Skin type: for all types.

Volume: 240 ml.

Average price: 100-250 rubles.

• delicate texture;
• natural antiseptic, also contains silver;
• quickly removes dirt;
• no parabens, silicones, dyes;
• as part of glycerin and avocado oil, which have a softening effect;
• nice smell;
• foams well, economical use;
• easy to rinse off, does not dry out;
• enriched with vitamins.

• according to buyers, there may be a sticky film;
• Some people don't like the longevity of the scent.

Aura Derma Protect Antibacterial

Manufacturer: Cotton Club, Russia.
Active ingredient: tea tree oil, propolis extract.

Skin type: any.

Volume: 250/500 ml.

Price: from 85 rubles.

• belongs to the category "new";
• soft texture;
• natural antiseptics;
• light aroma;
• the preservative methylchloroisothiazolinone in the composition also provides an antibacterial effect;
• affordable;
• contains aloe vera juice, which promotes hydration.

• may cause allergies.

For kids

Neva cosmetics "Children's"

Manufacturer: Nevskaya cosmetics, Russia.

Type: lumpy.

Active ingredient: plantain extract, tea tree oil.

Skin type: sensitive.

Weight: 90 g.

Average price: 20-50 rubles.

• natural active ingredient;
• does not contain triclosan;
• certified products, the antibacterial effect is established by the "Protocol of Microbiological Research";
• does not cause dryness, irritation;
• contains no dyes;
• unobtrusive smell;
• inexpensive.

• enough for a while.

Lion Kirei Kirei flower

Producer: LION CORPORATION, Japan.

Type: liquid (foam).

Active substance: isopropylmethylphenol (a thymol isomerization product).

Skin type: sensitive.

Volume: 250 ml.

Average price: 320-750 rubles.

• forms a thick foam that children like;
• foams well, 1 press is enough, which gives a guarantee of cost-effectiveness of use;
• pleasant aroma of rose and lily of the valley;
• does not cause allergies and irritation;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• does not cause dryness;
• You can buy replacement blocks.

• high price;
• difficult to find on sale, you have to order online in an online store.

Absolut kids antibacterial

Producer: Spring, Russia.

Type: lumpy.

Active substance: extract of calendula, propolis, tea tree.

Skin features: for normal and sensitive skin.

Weight: 90 g.

How much it costs: 30-55 rubles.

• does not contain triclosan;
• hypoallergenic composition;
• lathers abundantly;
• does not dry out the skin;
• does not contain dyes;
• inexpensive.

• not everyone likes the smell;
• some buyers note the sticky film.

Antibacterial soap helps to get rid of bacteria that get on hands due to frequent contact with various surfaces in public places. Each buyer can choose the option that suits him, focusing on the form of release, the active substance and the naturalness of the composition.