The Truth About Triclosan in Antibacterial Shower Gels

Antibacterial shower gels are commonly used by a lot of individuals these days to cleanse themselves from dirt and bacteria. Many of these shower gel body wash contain a chemical called triclosan designed to kill bacteria and other germs. But does triclosan work as well as it claims to? So, what are the facts with triclosan in antibacterial shower gels?

Triclosan is found in many antibacterial products because it can kill germs. When you use a shower gel that contains triclosan, it generates lather, which helps remove dirt and microbes from your skin. This may cause you to feel cleaner and fresher post-shower. But some health experts say that triclosan may not be any better than just using soap and water at killing bacteria.

10 Myths and Facts About Triclosan

Triclosan has many myths associated with it. It is reputed to be bad for your health. But studies indicate that it is safe to use at small doses. The bigger concern is that over time, triclosan could contribute to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. What this means is that the bacteria can learn to ignore triclosan, rendering it less useful at killing germs.

Using Triclosan in Shower Gels and its Risks

Although triclosan is relatively safe, there are some risks to use this in shower gel. For instance, triclosan can alter the bacteria that live on your skin, which can increase your chances of getting infections later. Then there is the fact that triclosan affects hormones and contaminates the environment as it goes down the drain into rivers and lakes.

Other Consumer Products to Stay Clean With

If you are concerned about the perils of triclosan, there are lots of other ways to remain clean and germ free. Choose shower gels with natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil or coconut oil. These may help kill germs without the potential downsides of triclosan. You can also simply use soap and water, which is effective at washing dirt and germs off your skin.

The Science Behind Triclosan

Triclosan targets a very specific part of bacteria that disrupts their cell walls and kills them. And that sounds great, but the issue is: over time, bacteria build a resistance to triclosan, rendering it useless. This can result in infections that are difficult to treat. And triclosan can accumulate in the environment and be toxic to fish and other aquatic animals.

Ultimately, although triclosan is effective in killing germs when included in antibacterial shower gels, it is crucial to give consideration to the risks associated with using products containing this chemical. Now that you know how triclosan works, you can help smarts choices about how to stay clean and maintain your health by being on the lookout for alternative options. LifestyleHealthy living: 5 things you need to know to make your life healthierRemember, you can be healthy without endangering your health or damaging the environment. Pick your good shower gel wisely, and stay clean safely!