Bar soap or shower gel? Microbiologist reveals what's safer
Which is safer for washing? (photo: Magnific)
Debates about what is safer for skin health — a classic bar of soap or liquid shower gel — have finally received a definitive scientific answer from microbiologists, according to the Daily Mail.
What is better for washing — soap or shower gel?
Clinical microbiologist Primrose Freestone explained which product minimizes the risk of catching an infection and pointed out a much greater hidden danger that actually exists in every bathroom.
Liquid soap and shower gels clearly win when it comes to daily hygiene due to their sealed packaging. They are stored in isolated containers with dispensers, which completely prevents direct contact of the contents with the skin of multiple people.
Because of this, liquid products are almost not exposed to external contamination by bacteria or pathogenic fungi.
In contrast, a solid bar of soap inevitably collects and accumulates microorganisms from the human body during each use.
Scientific studies confirm that the more often and the more people use the same bar of soap, the higher the concentration of microbes on its surface becomes.
Experts from the UK National Health Service (NHS) also note that a bar of soap can potentially serve as a reservoir for transmitting infections within a household.
However, the risk should not be exaggerated, as the actual chance of infection through soap remains low.
The structure of soap itself is designed to dissolve and break down surface fat, dirt, viruses, and fungi on the skin, which are then easily washed away with clean running water.
The real enemy of your skin is not in the soap dish
A significantly greater biological risk during daily washing comes from ordinary washcloths, sponges, and loofahs. Their pores and fibers constantly trap dead skin cells, which, combined with the warm and humid environment of a shower, create an ideal incubator for rapid microbial growth.
In addition to accumulating infection, harsh washcloths can also injure the skin.
They leave microscopic scratches that become open entry points for bacteria to penetrate deeper tissues, significantly increasing the risk of dermatological diseases.
To keep daily washing safe, experts recommend following these care rules:
- Prefer pump-dispenser gels if the bathroom is used by several family members.
- Thoroughly rinse bar soap after use and store it only in a dry soap dish with drainage holes.
- At least once a week, disinfect washcloths and sponges by soaking them in a 10% bleach solution.
- After disinfection, rinse accessories with clean water and let them dry completely outside the humid bathroom environment.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
