Can you use antibacterial hand soap to treat acne?

Although both are antibacterial, hand washing soap cannot be used to treat your acne. Hand soap is only intended to clean the hands, not the face or other acne prone skin.

Because the types of antibacterial agents in hand washing soap and face wash for acne are different. The antibacterial agent in hand soap is usually triclosan, while the antibacterial agent in face wash is benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur.

In contrast to the content of antibacterial agents, different bacteria are targeted for destruction. Triclosan works to attack a type of bacteria that is more common in the skin of the hands so that it does not enter and infect. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur work specifically to attack acne-causing bacteria, namely Propioni acnes.

It should also be understood that bacteria is only one of the many causes of acne. Hormonal factors, excess oil production, and accumulation of dead skin cells also contribute to their respective roles in causing acne.

In addition, antibacterial hand soap is not suitable for treating acne because the formulation tends to be harsh. The texture of the skin on the hands is thicker than the face, so it really needs a soap that is harsher in order to be effective in cleaning. When used on a thinner face, antibacterial hand soap can make the skin sensitive, as well as dry and flaky.

Therefore, you cannot carelessly use antibacterial hand soap to treat stubborn acne.

Use an antibacterial face wash

To treat acne, don't use antibacterial hand soap. You need to use a facial cleanser that can control all the factors that cause it. It's not just getting rid of bacteria.

Use a special cleanser for acne prone skin that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Anti-acne face wash is also made to treat various causes other than bacteria.

Reporting from research in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, besides killing the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, benzoyl peroxide also helps prevent clogged pores that can cause acne to appear.

Meanwhile, salicylic acid helps accelerate skin cell turnover and keeps pores from getting clogged. Not only that, this active ingredient also helps dry out excess oil in the pores.

In addition to cleansers, also use acne medications that contain the same active ingredients. Using a combination of a suitable cleanser and acne medication helps to lighten the severity of acne.

The right way to wash your face for acne prone skin

Never use antibacterial hand soap to treat your acne.

Choose a product that suits your skin type, the type of acne you have, and the severity of the acne. Don't forget to clean your face while massaging it gently. Use your hands to wash your face and do not use any other scrubbing tools to prevent pimples from breaking out.

If the acne has started to get worse and doesn't go away even though it has been treated, consult a dermatologist. Don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist and genitalia specialist (Sp.KK) in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment.