Liquid and bar antibacterial soap, which one is better?

Antibacterial soap is made with special ingredients to kill germs that stick to the surface of the skin. There are various forms, there are liquid bacterial soaps and some are bar soaps. Which of the two is better for health? Liquid or bar antibacterial soap?

Which is better: liquid or bar antibacterial soap?

Every day your body is exposed to various kinds of bacteria and dirt. Rinsing with water alone is not enough. You need soap to kill stubborn bacteria that stick firmly to the surface of the skin.

To provide more protection, many people choose to use antibacterial soap.

In the market, antibacterial soap is packaged in liquid and bar form. Which one you choose, is actually free as you wish.

However, there are medical considerations that you need to know about this type of antibacterial soap.

Elaine L. Larson, PhD, a lecturer in epidemiology at Columbia University explains her opinion on this on the page Huffington Post .

According to him, germs can stick anywhere, even on antibacterial soap at home.

However, bar soap is more likely to be exposed to bacteria than liquid soap that is placed in a closed container.

Antibacterial soap bar is used directly by placing it in the hand. This allows the transfer of bacteria from the hands to the soap.

Also, bar soap containers are often submerged in water, which makes them damp and a good place for bacteria to breed.

Since bacteria are more prone to transferring to antibacterial bar-shaped soap, liquid soap may be the best choice.

Even so, you don't need to worry about using bar soap. The bacteria that stick to soap are usually weak, so it's less likely to make you sick or have a skin infection.

However, the exception is if you have a weak immune system. Choosing a liquid antibacterial soap is the right step, compared to bar soap.

To find out more for sure, consult a doctor to get a soap that is suitable for your skin condition.

So that your bar soap is free from bacteria

Regardless of the form of soap, whether liquid or bar, the way you use antibacterial soap also needs attention.

You can minimize the exposure to bacteria in your soap bars. The trick, rinse hands first with water before handling soap.

Also rinse your soap bars before rubbing them on your hands or body. Also make sure the bar soap container is always dry and clean.

Meanwhile, if you use liquid soap, don't forget to clean the container periodically.

However, should you use antibacterial soap?

Whether or not you need to use antibacterial soap, either bar or liquid form, depends on your situation and skin condition.

The use of antibacterial soap is usually recommended in places where exposure to bacteria is stronger and a lot, such as hospital establishments, day care centers, or nursing homes.

Meanwhile, at home, you can simply use regular soap. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States (FDA) states that using ordinary soap is actually quite effective in cleaning germs.

Using bacteria-killing soap too often or in the long term is known to reduce the number of healthy bacteria on the skin.

In addition, using liquid or bar antibacterial soap can make bacteria much more resistant and difficult to treat (bacterial resistance) with regular antibiotics. So, use antibacterial soap at home wisely, yes.