The importance of hand washing has been drilled into us for many years as one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs –living microorganisms, some of which can cause annoying illnesses such as colds right through to potentially serious diseases like pneumonia and food poisoning.
Well, it’s certainly true that hand washing is a very effective way to stop the spread of pesky germs! Antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers are commonly used nowadays in the home or workplace, in restaurant kitchens, in schools and of course in hospitals where germs frequently hang out, so they are generally seen as effective products to banish germs.
But before you reach for the sanitizer again, you might be interested to know that antibacterial soaps and sanitizers aren’t the only tools for the job and in fact that there are some very good reasons to avoid them altogether!
3 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Antibacterial Soaps and Hand Sanitizers:
1. They’re packed full of chemicals
Many antibacterial hand washing products contain an antibacterial chemical agent called Triclosan. There have been some concerns raised about the effects of Triclosan on general health as it’s been shown to disrupt immune system function and hormone regulation. In addition, some forms of bacteria may in fact be developing antibiotic-resistance and immunity through being exposed to antibacterial agents like Triclosan. This affects the general public through the onset of “superbugs”!
Another chemical compound found in antibacterial soaps and sanitizers are Parabens; preservatives which make these products last longer. Parabens are essentially toxins which researchers have found may be linked to health problems such as skin irritation or worse – the damage of the reproductive or immune system and even cancer!
Aside from checking the label on your antibacterial products, a good way to determine whether your hand sanitizer is loaded with chemicals is to smell it. If it’s artificially fragranced, it’s very likely to contain a number of unknown toxic chemicals because companies aren’t required to disclose the ingredients of fragrances.
2. Frequent use can damage your skin
As well as washing away germs, antibacterial soaps and sanitizers can actually wipe out your skin’s natural bioflora, leading to your hands looking old and wrinkly before their time! In some cases, contact dermatitis can be caused by regular exposure to the chemicals found in these products.
3. Being “too clean” could cause allergies and asthma in young children
Some experts believe that if young children aren’t exposed to germs, they may be more likely to suffer from asthma or allergies later on in life, according to The Hygiene Hypothesis. This theory is based on the fact that being overly hygienic could prevent children from being exposed to the good bacteria we need to build up our immune system.
Natural Alternatives to Manufactured Antibacterial Soaps and Hand Sanitizers:
When you consider the many possible side effects of antibacterial soaps, there’s much to be said for plain old fashioned traditional soap and hand washing which is just as effective at promoting good hygiene.
Even better, there are some great natural alternatives to antibacterial hand sanitizers and soaps which will not only help you to keep your skin (and the rest of your body) healthy, they are also effective at combatting germs too.
One option to consider is making your own natural antibacterial hand soap product. Herbs have been used for thousands of years as scents and disinfectants to name just a couple of uses. Known antibacterial herbs include Lavender, Peppermint and Rosemary – they can be added to a soap base really easily.
Many essential oils also have natural antibacterial properties which are resistant to many forms of bacteria. In particular Lemongrass, Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Orange Oils are known to be effective. So is making your own antibacterial hand sanitizer or soap difficult? You’ll be pleased to know that it’s very easy to do! You can use Aloe Vera Gel as a base and there are some fantastic homemade recipes available online.
You can also buy some premade natural cleansing bars which are chemical free and hypoallergenic, such as the Probiotic Cleansing Bar available right here on this site. This particular cleansing product has been made with carefully blended, hand-harvested raw botanical ingredients designed to complement and help your skin’s own bioflora.
