It washes off bacteria, but does not kill it: Roskoshestvo studied baby soap. There is a question: “Is soap dirty?

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People spend money on special germ-killing soap, but does it really protect against infection and dirt? A recent experiment reported by Medical News Today showed that there was no significant difference in the fight against bacteria between antimicrobial and traditional soaps.

Wash your hands before eating

Since childhood, we have been told: “Wash your hands before eating.” Indeed, the process of cleaning your hands with soap is simple and effective way getting rid of infections. Hand washing removes various germs and dirt, viruses and bacteria from the skin.

At the end of the last century, in the process of combating pathogens, antimicrobial agents gained wide popularity. Soap labeled “antibacterial” is one of the types of detergents that contain elements that are effective against microbes.

Triclosan is the most popular antibacterial soap ingredient. Simple soap does not contain such substances. But in science there is a lot of disagreement regarding the effectiveness and safety of products with antibacterial properties.

The department that controls the quality of food and drugs in the United States at the end of 2013 created certain standards for companies involved in the production of goods. One of the rules says that the manufacturer must indicate that a product with antimicrobial components is much more effective.

Soap with triclosan is not always healthy or effective. This is proven various studies scientists.

And researchers from the University of Seoul in Korea, who conducted experiments, set out to understand whether antimicrobial soap can really give a greater effect.

What is triclosan

So, what is triclosan? It is an antimicrobial agent that contains phenoxyphenol. The latter was created in the 60s, and since the 70s it has been used in industry as a component that destroys microbes and fungi. Triclosan is added to various products: cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion. It is worth noting that it is even used in the production of textiles and ceramics. In this way, manufacturers are trying to reduce the contamination of products with bacteria and their proliferation.

Triclosan is effective remedy to eliminate pathogenic microbes, viruses and fungi. But there is evidence of side effects: allergies, disorders endocrine system, resistance to antibiotics, possibility of bioaccumulation.

Some scientists have even discovered carcinogenic components in it. In addition, there is no clear evidence that such soap has increased efficiency compared to simple.

Benefits of hand washing

Let's look at some information about the benefits of hand washing:

experts believe that half of deaths from diarrhea can be prevented by regular hand washing;
in addition, the researchers calculated that with regular hand washing, at least 1 million deaths could be prevented per year;
This hygiene rule will help reduce the risk of developing respiratory infections by 16%.

Scientists from the University of Seoul compared two types of soap by using them in real and laboratory conditions. The findings were published in a special publication.

Science experiment

In a scientific experiment, soap was exposed to 20 strains of bacteria that the FDA recommends to determine antimicrobial effectiveness. The study was conducted under conditions simulating those suitable for hand washing.

Both products contained the same ingredients, except that the antimicrobial contained triclosan in an amount of 0.3%. The microbes were exposed for 20 seconds, that is, during the period that is considered sufficient for normal hand washing. The water was 40 and 22 degrees, since these indicators are “warm” water, which is suitable for this procedure.

Although it is better to wash your hands warm water, the manufacturer often does not indicate the recommended temperature. But experts suggest exactly 40 degrees for tests.

The experiment showed that there is almost no difference between plain and antimicrobial soap.

The soap was tested in the laboratory using 22 and 40 degree water, and 16 volunteers washed their hands under 40 degree water. When washing their hands, they followed the experts' recommendations, washing their hands vigorously for half a minute.

Result this study I did not find a difference between an antimicrobial agent and simple soap if the water reaches 22 and 40 degrees.

Why Triclosan Doesn't Kill Bacteria

This substance is known to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties, so why doesn't triclosan kill bacteria as the experiment reports?

Scientists believe there are several reasons for this. First of all, soap affects the skin for a short period of time. In other studies, researchers tested compliance more frequently to a standard that requires antibacterial soaps to last for 24 hours. As the study showed, E. coli, which was exposed to antimicrobial soap with triclosan 0.3%, was alive for another day, and after plain soap– 3 days.

Scientists believe that the information that was or was received is an accurate reflection of the action of soap in reality. They are confident that it is time for industry and the law to reconsider soap labeling standards.

Harm of antibacterial soap

What harm can antibacterial soap cause? Scientists identify some factors that concern them when using triclosan in antimicrobial soaps. Some potential risks are as follows:

health disorder. Animal experiments show that triclosan causes muscle contractions to slow down. It is not yet clear whether there is such harm to people, but according to scientists from California, triclosan can cause a violation normal condition health. In order to accurately determine its harm, additional experiments are required, but no one has conducted them, therefore the sale of antibacterial soap is not yet prohibited;
antimicrobial soap can kill and beneficial bacteria. In addition to health problems, such soap will also kill beneficial bacteria from the skin. Some of them have a beneficial effect on the skin of the hands and fight harmful microbes that cause diseases;
there is a chance of the formation of resistant strains of microbes. Over time, if bacteria are constantly exposed to triclosan, they will develop resistance to it, which will make the process of fighting them more difficult. This has happened with new strains of microbes that are resistant to certain types of antibiotics.

Antibacterial soap. Terms of use

Even if you are not afraid of everything said about antibacterial soap, you should follow the rules for its use.

Too much frequent use detergent for hands with antiseptic additives is not beneficial. Any doctor will tell you that constant use antimicrobial agent becomes the reason that the body develops a habit of it, so the substance loses its effectiveness.

Over time, many microbes that cover the skin of the hands become accustomed to triclosan and other antibacterial substances, so the required effect is not achieved.

Besides hand soap, there are other types antibacterial agent, which are more useful.

The way out of this situation is to use various types antimicrobial soap. It is also reasonable to alternate the use of plain soap and antimicrobial soap. Correct option: permanent shift brands, varieties and flavors.

It is important to use antimicrobial soap in a special way, slowly. The option that won’t work here is to quickly lather yourself and rinse off the soap. In order for the product to perform its functions, you need to wash your hands for about 30 seconds, or better yet, a minute. This is required because the antiseptic that is added to the soap is not able to act on germs in a couple of seconds.

Types of antibacterial soap

There are several types of antibacterial soap. Let's look at them in more detail:

For intimate hygiene.

To care for the intimate area every day, doctors advise using gel and soap specifically for these areas, which contains disinfectant and antimicrobial components. They won't just destroy pathogenic flora, but are also hypoallergenic, do not cause dryness, and refresh. Many products do not contain triclosan, but natural elements: aloe, tea tree, chamomile. These components fight infections and inflammation of the mucous membrane. But such drugs are not suitable for treating STDs.

When purchasing soap for intimate areas, choose one that contains lactic acid.

Mycoseptic soap.

Everyone knows that a fly in the ointment spoils a barrel of honey. But not everyone knows that tar can treat diseases. Tar soap with antibacterial components has long been known useful qualities. It fights dermatitis, itching, irritation, and cracks. For problem skin It is useful to wash your face with this soap twice a day for 4 weeks. In addition, it is effective for psoriasis, lichen, vitiligo, eczema, etc.

January 16, 2014

Antibacterial soap has become incredibly popular in lately, it is used in hospitals, offices, schools and at home. Scientists say antibacterial soap is more effective against bacteria than regular soap, and helps protect the body from various types germs and diseases. Of course, you need to wash your hands with soap, because this way we kill pathogenic bacteria, but is antibacterial soap really more effective than regular soap? The answer will most likely be negative. In our article, we will explain why using regular soap and water is just as effective as using antibacterial soap.

The mechanism of action of ordinary soap

The two most important components of soap are fats and lye. In the past, soap was made from animal fats, but is now commonly used fatty acids derived from fat. Fatty acids combine with sodium hydroxide, that is, an alkali. Other ingredients added to soap are fragrances and additives that help shape the texture and color of the product.

Perhaps soap will seem to you simple means, but usually its effectiveness is explained chemical compounds acid and neutralizing base. When you wet and soap your hands, the ingredients combine to hold water but also repel it. Dirt and bacteria stick to the soap and are washed away. Therefore, it is important to understand that soap without additional antibacterial additives will still remove bacteria from the skin.

What turns regular soap antibacterial?

Antibacterial soap has been used as a cleaning agent in hospitals for decades. What makes soap antibacterial? Adding a special ingredient that kills bacteria. Most liquid antibacterial soaps sold today contain triclosan. Also often added in the production of antibacterial soap triclocarban, although it is not as popular as triclosan.

Both triclosan and triclocarban are considered antimicrobial agents because they are able to neutralize wide range microorganisms. These two chemicals work by affecting the metabolism of the bacteria they come into contact with. They differ from other antimicrobial chemicals, such as alcohol and chlorine, which evaporate quickly and leave no active residue. Triclosan and triclocarban have completely opposite effects and leave behind active residues.

What are the risks of using antibacterial soap?

Researchers have identified several factors of concern when using triclosan in antibacterial soaps. Some of the potential risks are:

Health problems: Animal studies have shown that triclosan slows muscle contraction. It's not yet clear whether triclosan causes the same problems in humans, but triclosan may be a cause of health problems, according to the University of California, Davis. In order to find out what danger triclosan poses to human health, additional research is needed, but none has been done, therefore the US Food Administration has not yet banned the sale of antibacterial soap, but buyers should still be aware of the possible dangers;
Antibacterial soap also kills “good” bacteria. In addition to causing health problems, antibacterial soap also kills normal bacteria that live on the skin. Some of the “good” bacteria have a beneficial effect on the skin and also fight pathogens that can trigger the development of various diseases;
Resistant strains of bacteria may emerge: Over time, if bacteria are continually exposed to an antimicrobial agent such as triclosan, they become more resistant, making them more difficult to control. This is exactly what happened with new strains of bacteria that are resistant to certain types of antibiotics.

Let's conclude

Although necessary additional research to prove that antibacterial soap can be harmful to the human body, most researchers agree that they are not necessary, because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibacterial soap can be successfully replaced with regular soap, which is just as effective. Therefore, in order to protect yourself from various infections and diseases, you just need to wash your hands more often, and regular soap can help you fight infection as effectively as antibacterial soap.

It is important to simply know how to wash your hands correctly. This process may seem simple to you and does not require special knowledge, but many people often either wash their hands incorrectly or not often enough. You should wash your hands before preparing or eating food and before taking off or putting on contact lenses, before treating the wound. You should also always wash your hands after using the toilet, preparing food, or playing with your pet.

No less important factor is also a hand washing technique. You need to scrub your hands well using soap and water. The Mayo Clinic advises washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to wash the entire surface of your hands, including your nails, between your fingers and back side palms.

And although it has not yet been proven that the use of antibacterial soap can provoke serious problems with health, scientists advise using regular soap, because this is one of the best ways to keep your hands clean and avoid diseases.

baby soap. Imported and Russian samples were tested on 21 indicators, including the ability to clean, prevent the growth of bacteria and foam. In addition, when studying allergenicity, the soap was tested with blood. Which soap will wash away all pathogenic bacteria, and which will cause irritation - in a study by Roskachestvo.

As part of the study, experts evaluated 31 samples of children's toilet soap produced both in Russia and abroad. The study included products from Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, the UAE, Poland, Ukraine, and many regions of Russia, including Altai Territory, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod and Samara regions, the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The laboratory testing program included 21 quality and safety indicators.

The study proved the complete safety of baby soap - not a single violation of current safety standards was identified. A third of the products are high-quality goods that meet not only the requirements of technical regulations and GOSTs, but also the increased standard of Roskachestvo. Thus, ten samples have increased hypoallergenicity and bacteriostatic activity - the ability to prevent the growth of bacteria. The decision to assign the state Quality Mark to goods under trademarks “D”, “Nevskaya Cosmetics”, “Beauty Recipes”, “Umka” and Baby’s soap experts will accept after conducting a production assessment, during which the level of product localization will be determined. Samples "Velvet Hands", "SpongeBob", Bebble, Johnsons baby and Weleda, are also recognized as high quality goods, but they cannot claim Russian Sign quality due to its foreign origin. In addition, the study confirmed that Russian soap can easily compete with popular foreign brands.

An important vector of research was the study of soap for its cleansing properties. It is also important to refute the common consumer myth about antibacterial properties soap: Roskoshestvo confirmed that toilet soap does not kill bacteria, but rather “washes away” them due to the abundance of foam.

However, high-quality baby soap must have high bacteriostatic activity - the ability to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms, for example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and coli, Staphylococcus aureus and diploid fungi, including Candida.

“The surface of solid bar soap may be subject to contamination (contamination with microorganisms harmful to human health). This happens if the soap was used by a person who is sick or is a carrier of a microorganism that can cause a disease of staphylococcal, streptococcal or intestinal infection", they report specialists from VNIIZhG Rospotrebnadzor.

The study showed that 60 minutes after last used Staphylococcus was still living on half of all the soap samples examined. This is not a violation because this indicator is not regulated by Russian legislation. However, Roskachestvo, using recognized European testing methods, deprives these products of the potential opportunity to receive a Quality Mark.

In addition, as part of the study, experts examined each sample for its ability to cause allergies. In order to check whether the soap contained allergenic components, samples were tested for early sensitization - curiously, this test was not without blood. During the study, pre-donated blood from experts was injected with doses of soap, and it was observed whether auto-plaque-forming cells would react to the allergen and at what concentration in the blood plaques would begin to form.

"The higher alkaline reaction soap suds, the more actively it removes the protective fatty mantle from the skin. The disappearance of fatty impregnation greatly increases the aggressive effect of the chemical components of soap, which can cause both skin irritation and allergic reaction. The reaction may also be caused by fragrances, essential oils, preservatives, flavors, various surfactants, coloring agents, as well as antibacterial components, for example, triclosan and triclocarban. If parents notice that after washing their hands or bathing, the baby’s skin turns red or itches, then they should change the brand of soap used,” says a pediatrician, allergist-immunologist, gastroenterologist, expert on radio and television, head of the “Smart Mom” school, candidate medical sciences Elena Antsiferova.

It’s nice that the study did not reveal a potentially unsafe allergenic soap, however, in order to protect yourself from potential risks, experts advise carefully studying the composition.

“If it is written that soap contains Vaseline oil and chamomile extract, but the child is allergic to chamomile, you should avoid this soap. Availability information active ingredients, such as oils and extracts, must always be included in the labeling. It is also desirable that the smell of baby soap not be too strong,” noted chief specialist Associations of manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, goods household chemicals and hygiene, candidate of technical sciences Galina Ulantseva.

In addition, as part of the study, experts paid attention to the characteristics of the soap stated on the label. In 13 cases out of 31, the difference between the net weight declared on the packaging and the actual weight of the soap was more than 4.5%, however, such deviations in the actual weight cannot be considered a violation, since Russian legislation does not have such requirements for “underweight.” However, these products will not be able to qualify for the Russian Quality Mark.

Nevertheless, the study identified four formal “violators.” During the Roskachestvo study, samples with an underestimated quality number were found. Products under the trademarks “Alice” and “Tik Tak”, which are indicated on the GOST packaging, do not comply with the state standard for the quality number indicator, which is misleading the consumer. Also, an underestimated quality number was found in two more products, but these samples were not manufactured in accordance with GOST.

“The qualitative number is the mass of fatty acids per mass of a bar of soap. An underestimation of the number may be due to a reduction in the cost of the piece itself. Also, a decrease in quality numbers may be due to insufficient control or due to some kind of failure in the production process. Subjectively, it is believed that the lower the quality number of soap, the worse its cleaning ability,” said Ekaterina Nesterova, executive director of the Association of Producers and Consumers of Oil and Fat Products.

By the way, there is an opinion that the longer the soap is aged, the better it becomes: as the soap dries out, it loses weight without losing the fatty acids it contains. Accordingly, its qualitative number increases. It is not for nothing that for many people of the older generation, soap first served as a fragrance for linen in the closet, and only then, after a year or more, migrated to the bathroom.

In two more cases, under the “Children’s” and “Honey kid” trademarks, an excess amount of salt was found. Since these manufacturers declared on the packaging of the product that it complies with GOST, they are violators of the standard, unlike two more manufacturers who exceeded it, but did not declare it to GOST.

Detailed research results for each specific sample are available at

Which soap kills germs, does not dry out and protects your skin? Experts tested popular brands of soap to
answer this question.

In the composition of soaps, in addition to the usual emollient additives, you can find so many components that it’s easy to get confused. Unfortunately, not all of them are harmless and safe. Let's figure out which soap is right for you. The Product-test examination agency will help us with this.

SIDE EFFECTS

“When we dissolve (lather) soap in water, fatty acids and alkali are released,” says agency employee Yaroslav Klyuchnikov. – This composition effectively removes impurities from the skin, but not without side effect: we damage the protective membrane of the skin, kill beneficial bacteria and provoke the growth of pathogenic ones.”

Therefore, manufacturers adapt soap compositions, supplement them with softening and moisturizing additives, and make them gentle on the skin.

Product-test analyzed the range of soaps in retail chains in 9 major cities and selected the most popular ones. Samples were sent to laboratories for testing based on 6 critical criteria: skin exposure, base quality, foaming, washability, packaging and piece weight.

WEIGHT

The weight of many popular soaps, according to test results, does not correspond to the declared weight. For example, for the Autumn Waltz and Absolut soaps, the actual mass turned out to be 10% lower! Timotei “Caribbean Assorted” has a discrepancy of up to 8%, and Monpari Lure of Flame has a discrepancy of up to 5% of the mass declared on the package.

By the way, as a rule, deviations do not exceed 2%, so in the above cases, the underweight almost certainly occurred during the production of these soaps, and not during storage or transportation.

EFFECTS ON SKIN

Soap from famous brand Fa Senses “Soft Care”, according to reviews from test participants, tightens and dries the skin of the hands. In addition, tests revealed that it does not foam well and often cracks some time after opening the package. While, for example, Natural “Cream Soap with Silk Proteins” fully lives up to its name: it carefully cleanses and moisturizes the skin.

BASE QUALITY

The most alkaline soaps in our tests were such well-known soaps as Absolut “Gentle Antibacterial”, Autumn Waltz
St. John's wort and Safeguard Nature. Their pH turned out to be above 10, almost like that of laundry soap! After using this soap
the skin becomes dehydrated and discomfort dryness and irritation, so the above soaps cannot be recommended for regular use.

Optimal pH was found only in Dove Go Fresh Restore and Dove Supreme Cream Oil soaps.

Generally most solid soaps have an alkaline pH that is unsafe for the skin, but you can avoid this by replacing solid soap with liquid soap: composition liquid soaps more adapted to the needs of the skin.

It's interesting that bad soap Ukrainian production was not included in the rating, although Monpari Lure of Flame soap showed poor performance. Fa Senses “Soft Care” (Poland) and “Autumn Waltz “St. John's Wort” (Russia) were recognized as the worst.

Ten best products looks like this:

1. Dove Go Fresh Restore (Germany)

2. Dove Supreme Cream Oil (Germany)

3. Natural “Cream soap with silk proteins” (Russia)

4. Clean line “Calendula” (Poland)

5. Glycerin “New” (Russia)

6. Nivea “Strawberry and Milk” (Türkiye)

7. Duru Gourmet “Cherry Pie” (Türkiye)

8. Johnson’s Baby “With Almond Butter” (Greece)

9. Velvet handles “Royal Argan” solid soap (Poland)

HOW THE QUALITY OF SOAP WAS EVALUATED

Each model solid soap was studied by a test group consisting of at least 60 people. To assess the quality of the base of each solid toilet soap, three tests were carried out in the laboratory: on the quality of the components used, pH level studies and a test on the tendency to crack from environmental humidity.

NUMBER

1 kg/year

Soap is consumed by the average citizen in Ukraine. About a thousand people annually turn to dermatologists due to illnesses caused by low-quality soap.

The Russian quality system (Roskachestvo) has completed a study of children's soap. This is reported on the organization's website.

Imported and Russian samples were tested on 21 indicators, including the ability to clean, prevent the growth of bacteria and foam.

All children's soaps on the Russian market are good - yes

As part of the study, experts evaluated 31 samples of children's toilet soap produced both in Russia and abroad. The study included products from Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, Ukraine and many regions of Russia, including the Altai Territory, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod and Samara regions, the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Thus, ten samples have increased hypoallergenicity and bacteriostatic activity - the ability to prevent the growth of bacteria. The quality mark will be awarded to soap "D", "Nevskaya Cosmetics", "Beauty Recipes", "Umka" and Baby’s soap. Samples "Velvet Hands", "SpongeBob", Bebble, Johnsons baby and Weleda are also recognized as high quality products.

Baby soap works the same way as antibacterial soap - no

An important vector of research was the study of soap for its cleansing properties. During the inspection, the consumer myth about the antibacterial properties of soap was refuted: Roskoshestvo confirmed that toilet soap does not kill bacteria, but rather washes them away due to the abundance of foam.

However, high-quality baby soap should have high bacteriostatic activity - the ability to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms - for example, Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and diploid fungus, including Candida.

Bacteria can live on the surface of soap - yes

The surface of solid bar soap can become a breeding ground for bacteria. This happens if the soap was used by a person who is sick or is a carrier of a microorganism that can cause a disease of staphylococcal, streptococcal nature or intestinal infection, Rospotrebnadzor specialists said.

The study showed that 60 minutes after the last use, half of all soap samples tested still had staphylococcus living in them. This is not a violation, since this indicator is not regulated by Russian legislation. However, Roskachestvo, using recognized European testing methods, deprives these products of the potential opportunity to receive a Quality Mark.

Baby soap is hypoallergenic - yes

As part of the study, experts examined each sample for its ability to cause allergies. In order to check whether the soap contained allergenic components, samples were tested for early sensitization - curiously, this test was not without blood. During the study, doses of soap were injected into the experts' previously donated blood and it was observed whether the blood cells would react to the allergen and in what concentration.

The higher the alkaline reaction of soap foam, the more actively it removes the protective fatty mantle from the skin. The disappearance of fatty impregnation greatly increases the aggressive effect of the chemical components of soap, which can cause both skin irritation and an allergic reaction. The reaction can also be caused by fragrances, essential oils, preservatives, flavors, various surfactants, coloring agents, as well as antibacterial components - for example, triclosan and triclocarban. If parents notice that after washing their hands or bathing, the baby’s skin turns red or itches, then they should change the brand of soap they use,” says a pediatrician, allergist-immunologist, gastroenterologist, expert on radio and television, head of the “Smart Mom” school, candidate medical sciences Elena Antsiferova.

However, the study did not reveal any potentially unsafe allergenic soaps. However, to protect yourself from potential risks, experts advise carefully studying the composition.

If it is written that the soap contains petroleum jelly and chamomile extract, and the child is allergic to chamomile, such soap should be discarded. Information about the presence of active ingredients such as oils and extracts should always be included in the labeling. It is also desirable that the smell of baby soap not be too strong,” noted Galina Ulantseva, chief specialist of the Association of Manufacturers of Perfumery, Cosmetics, Household Chemicals and Hygiene Products, Candidate of Technical Sciences.

Weight disorders

Inspectors noted underweight in some bars of soap. Branded products "Alice" and "Tic Tac" which are indicated on the GOST packaging, do not comply with the state standard for the quality number indicator, which misleads the consumer.

In two more cases under trademarks "Children's" and Honey kid an excess amount of salt was detected. Since these manufacturers declared on the packaging of the product that it complies with GOST, they are violators of the standard, unlike two more manufacturers who exceeded it, but did not declare it to GOST.