From the Research
No, soap with triclocarban is not the best choice for antibacterial purposes. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2016 in The Journal of Hospital Infection 1, found that triclocarban in soap does not lead to a meaningful reduction in bacterial levels during use. This study examined the bactericidal effects of plain and antibacterial soap containing 0.3% triclocarban against 10 Gram-positive and 10 Gram-negative bacterial strains. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the effects of medicated and non-medicated soap at either temperature.
Key Points to Consider
- Regular soap and water is actually the recommended approach for everyday hand washing, as the mechanical action of handwashing with any soap effectively removes dirt and microorganisms.
- For healthcare settings or specific situations requiring antimicrobial action, products containing chlorhexidine, benzalkonium chloride, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers (with at least 60% alcohol) are more appropriate choices, as supported by a study published in 2019 in the American Journal of Infection Control 2.
- Concerns about triclocarban include potential hormonal effects, environmental persistence, and contribution to antimicrobial resistance, making plain soap a safer choice.
- A meta-analysis published in 2011 in the Journal of Food Protection 3 found that although differences in efficacy between antimicrobial and nonantimicrobial soap were small, antimicrobial soap produced consistently statistically significantly greater reductions, but this does not necessarily support the use of triclocarban.
Recommendations for Hand Washing
- Use plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to cover all surfaces including between fingers and under nails.
- For specific situations requiring antimicrobial action, consider using products containing chlorhexidine, benzalkonium chloride, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers (with at least 60% alcohol).
- Avoid using soap with triclocarban due to its potential risks and lack of significant benefit in reducing bacterial levels.