With hand sanitisers readily available everywhere, we may be unintentionally neglecting the importance of regular handwashing.
Undoubtedly, maintaining a habit of handwashing is crucial for our well-being. However, it's logical to wonder if using antibacterial washes provides even better protection than regular washing.
The answer, in a nutshell, is no.
After extensive research and testing, the United States FDA have reached a decisive conclusion. They have ruled that consumer antiseptic and antibacterial wash products, including liquid, foam, gel, and bar soaps, as well as body washes, containing the well-known antibacterial active ingredients, will no longer be permitted to be marketed as such in the USA.
The reasons behind this ruling are compelling:
1: Manufacturers have failed to substantiate the safety of these ingredients for daily use over extended periods.
2: The antibacterial chemicals used in these products find their way into our water systems, the environment, and eventually, our bodies. The long-term effects of these substances remain unknown to researchers.
3: Most importantly, there is no solid evidence that antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular soap and water in preventing illnesses and the spread of infections.
The good news? All you need to keep your hands clean and yourself and family safe is good old-fashioned soap (we strongly recommend our natural pure olive castile washes) and water. Get those hands rubbing for a good twenty seconds (or two rounds of ‘Happy Birthday To You’, preferably sung as loudly as possible!) and you’ve done one of the most effective things you can to keep yourself healthy!
From all of us at Four Cow Farm
xxx
Further reading: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/antibacterial-soap-you-can-skip-it-use-plain-soap-and-water
