Here's one about soap, kids! I know, I know, it has been awhile.
But it isn't a review, a recommendation, or even a poem about the loveliness of cleansing bars (although I should get around to writing one). Rather, it is on a topic that has been on my mind for the past few days.
I know many won't agree with me on this and that's ok. But, dear readers, this has been on my mind and I want to write about it.
I did something last weekend that lead to a recommendation to use anti-bacterial soap. I won't say what it was here (although it is nothing offensive) but if you know me well enough, you can probably guess.
My internal hackles went up a bit. I don't own any antibacterial soap and really don't want to own any. I have a healthy fear of germs and try my bet to mitigate disaster involving them but I also believe that kids should eat a certain amount of dirt while growing up and some germs are necessary.
Also, most commercial anti-bacterial products (soap, hand sanitize, etc) contain a chemical called triclosan. I'm no chemist and recognize that some chemicals cannot be avoided. However, as I have ranted before, I don't like them in my soap. So I decided to keep using my normal, non-chemically, hand made soaps and do a little research.
The results are interesting. The triclosan industry is a billion dollar one. So many products use this, from mouth wash to the aforementioned soaps and sanitizers, that trying to combat its use would be pretty impossible. The truth is, it is found in 76% of the liquid soaps on the market. Luckily, I get to make decisions for myself.
There are many alarming things about triclosan. Some say it may be linked to cancer. Others, that it can lead to resistance to bacteria after long term use. Perhaps, the most alarming to me is that many studies show that anti-bacterial soap kills no more germs that other soaps. Some say it might, if you leave it on your skin for 2 full minutes...which very few do. According to this article, the CDC has concluded in studies that antibacterial soap isn't any more effective than regular.
And here is one more tidbit of knowledge. Triclosan is in so much, that it can be detected in most people's blood. In fact, "about three-quarters of adults and children older than six" in 2004. Hmmmm...I'm not sure I like that...at all.
The debate has gotten so intense, that just this May, the FDA announced that it was going to step in to evaluate. How effective I think THAT will be is another topic.
So, for me, the bottom line is that something that controversial and involving my health is something I will happily avoid. Besides, I like my good bacteria, it keeps me healthy and triclosan does not differentiate between good and bad...it kills all in its path.
However, killing bad bacteria isn't a terrible thing. So are there ways to get some results without commercially made, chemical containing anti-bacterial soaps?
Of COURSE there are!
Here are some ingredients I love:
First and foremost, tea tree oil. The CEO puts this on everything and it seems to work for him. A confirmed antifungal, some studies have shown that this liquid wonder is even effective in fighting MRSA infections. Plus, I like how it smells.
Lavendar! Right? Who knew something that smells so awesome can also kill germs? There have been studies on this wonder that may lead to believing that it can inhibit the growth of some bacteria that have proven difficult to kill with antibiotics!
Vinegar is also a winner...it has been used for a long time for a reason. It kills bacteria, mold, fungus, and adds a delicious flair to your supper.
There are so many others that deserve mentioning: thyme oil, peppermint oil, birch bark, the list goes on. Sea salt also works wonders in killing harmful bacteria.
And, since I love Etsy, I can say that many soapers are well on this bandwagon and offering alternatives that contain many of these ingredients.
After all my studies, I think I will be sticking with my hand made cleansers. Further, I think I will be on the lookout for triclosan in other cleansers, cosmetics, mouth wash, etc. I'm going to try and cut down on the stuff in general.
/rant
NoM
~EK
But it isn't a review, a recommendation, or even a poem about the loveliness of cleansing bars (although I should get around to writing one). Rather, it is on a topic that has been on my mind for the past few days.
I know many won't agree with me on this and that's ok. But, dear readers, this has been on my mind and I want to write about it.
I did something last weekend that lead to a recommendation to use anti-bacterial soap. I won't say what it was here (although it is nothing offensive) but if you know me well enough, you can probably guess.
My internal hackles went up a bit. I don't own any antibacterial soap and really don't want to own any. I have a healthy fear of germs and try my bet to mitigate disaster involving them but I also believe that kids should eat a certain amount of dirt while growing up and some germs are necessary.
Also, most commercial anti-bacterial products (soap, hand sanitize, etc) contain a chemical called triclosan. I'm no chemist and recognize that some chemicals cannot be avoided. However, as I have ranted before, I don't like them in my soap. So I decided to keep using my normal, non-chemically, hand made soaps and do a little research.
The results are interesting. The triclosan industry is a billion dollar one. So many products use this, from mouth wash to the aforementioned soaps and sanitizers, that trying to combat its use would be pretty impossible. The truth is, it is found in 76% of the liquid soaps on the market. Luckily, I get to make decisions for myself.
There are many alarming things about triclosan. Some say it may be linked to cancer. Others, that it can lead to resistance to bacteria after long term use. Perhaps, the most alarming to me is that many studies show that anti-bacterial soap kills no more germs that other soaps. Some say it might, if you leave it on your skin for 2 full minutes...which very few do. According to this article, the CDC has concluded in studies that antibacterial soap isn't any more effective than regular.
And here is one more tidbit of knowledge. Triclosan is in so much, that it can be detected in most people's blood. In fact, "about three-quarters of adults and children older than six" in 2004. Hmmmm...I'm not sure I like that...at all.
The debate has gotten so intense, that just this May, the FDA announced that it was going to step in to evaluate. How effective I think THAT will be is another topic.
So, for me, the bottom line is that something that controversial and involving my health is something I will happily avoid. Besides, I like my good bacteria, it keeps me healthy and triclosan does not differentiate between good and bad...it kills all in its path.
However, killing bad bacteria isn't a terrible thing. So are there ways to get some results without commercially made, chemical containing anti-bacterial soaps?
Of COURSE there are!
Here are some ingredients I love:
First and foremost, tea tree oil. The CEO puts this on everything and it seems to work for him. A confirmed antifungal, some studies have shown that this liquid wonder is even effective in fighting MRSA infections. Plus, I like how it smells.
Lavendar! Right? Who knew something that smells so awesome can also kill germs? There have been studies on this wonder that may lead to believing that it can inhibit the growth of some bacteria that have proven difficult to kill with antibiotics!
Vinegar is also a winner...it has been used for a long time for a reason. It kills bacteria, mold, fungus, and adds a delicious flair to your supper.
There are so many others that deserve mentioning: thyme oil, peppermint oil, birch bark, the list goes on. Sea salt also works wonders in killing harmful bacteria.
And, since I love Etsy, I can say that many soapers are well on this bandwagon and offering alternatives that contain many of these ingredients.
After all my studies, I think I will be sticking with my hand made cleansers. Further, I think I will be on the lookout for triclosan in other cleansers, cosmetics, mouth wash, etc. I'm going to try and cut down on the stuff in general.
/rant
NoM
~EK
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