Why you need to stop using Hand Sanitizers

In 2016, the USDA banned 19 antibacterial additives found in antibacterial soaps.

Why?

Because if you’re washing your hands with antibacterial soap, you’re exposing yourself and the environment to increased amounts of harmful chemicals without any measurable benefit.

And so FDA banned triclosan and 18 other common antibacterial agents to household soaps. The additives can be hormone disrupting, immune weakening and antibiotic resisting toxic chemicals. They may also cause muscle weakness.

Many companies have replaced triclosan with one of three other chemicals in their antibacterial products. These 3 ingredients include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and/or chloroxylenol (PCMX). The FDA has given companies another year to provide more data on the safety and effectiveness of these ingredients.

Oh and just as an FYI, triclosan can still be found in personal care products such as deodorants and toothpaste.

The rule is part of a broader effort by the FDA to encourage consumers to skip antibacterial soaps and get back to using regular soap and water.

“There’s no data demonstrating that antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water,” the agency said in a press…