Antibacterial handwash no better than plain soap for fighting germs

Are "antibacterial" and "antimicrobial" soaps  really better than plain soaps? A recent study shows little significant difference between the bactericidal effects of plain soap and antibacterial soap when used under real-life conditions. Handwashing with soap and water is an important and inexpensive method for preventing the transmission of disease, as it removes contaminants, including pathogenic bacteria or viruses, from hands. Antibacterial hand washes have proliferated in the fight against harmful germs. "Antibacterial" refers to soap containing ingredients with active antimicrobial activity, of which triclosan is the most common. Plain soap, on the other hand, contains no such ingredients. Yet, there is some controversy over the effectiveness and safety of antibacterial products. In December 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule stating that manufacturers must provide data to demonstrate that antibacterial soap is more effective than plain soap or water. A team from the Korea University in Seoul, led by Dr. M.S. Rhee, set out to investigate whether this is the case, putting focus on triclosan. Triclosan is a phenoxyphenol antimicrobial agent first developed in the early 1960s and widely used as an antibacterial or antifungal agent since the 1970s.  
It is added to various personal care products and cosmetics, including soap, toothpaste, lotions, shampoos, even clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys, with the aim of reducing or preventing bacterial contamination and growth
Triclosan has proven effective against bacteria, fungi and viruses. However, adverse effects have been reported, including allergies, antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, acute/chronic toxicity and bioaccumulation; one study even identified carcinogenic impurities.

Antibacterial handwash no better than plain soap for fighting germs

Are antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps really better than plain soaps? A recent study shows little significant difference between the bactericidal effects of plain soap and antibacterial soap when used under real-life conditions. Handwashing with soap and water is an important and inexpensive method for preventing the transmission of disease, as it removes contaminants, including pathogenic bacteria or viruses, from hands. Antibacterial hand washes have proliferated in the fight against harmful germs. Antibacterial refers to soap containing ingredients with active antimicrobial activity, of which triclosan is the most common. Plain soap, on the other hand, contains no such ingredients. Yet, there is some controversy over the effectiveness and safety of antibacterial products. In December 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule stating that manufacturers must provide data to demonstrate that antibacterial soap is more effective than plain soap or water. A team from the Korea University in Seoul, led by Dr. M.S. Rhee, set out to investigate whether this is the case, putting focus on triclosan. Triclosan is a phenoxyphenol antimicrobial agent first developed in the early 1960s and widely used as an antibacterial or antifungal agent since the 1970s. It is added to various personal care products and cosmetics, including soap, toothpaste, lotions, shampoos, even clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys, with the aim of reducing or preventing bacterial contamination and growth Triclosan has proven effective against bacteria, fungi and viruses. However, adverse effects have been reported, including allergies, antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, acute/chronic toxicity and bioaccumulation; one study even identified carcinogenic impurities.