A question that has bitterly divided the internet may finally have an answer: is bar soap or body wash more hygienic? While some swear by a bar of soap for a clean feeling, others label it 'disgusting'. Now, a microbiologist has settled the debate, and it is bad news for fans of traditional bar soap.
Expert Verdict on Bar Soap vs Body Wash
Dr Primrose Freestone, a clinical microbiologist from the University of Leicester, told the Daily Mail: 'Because bars of soap come into contact with a microbially rich environment such as the skin, it will pick up skin germs. Liquid soap is usually in a container and so does not have direct contact with the skin and is therefore more hygienic as it is less likely to become contaminated with skin bacteria.'
A YouGov poll from 2018 found that 36 per cent of US adults still prefer bar soap in the shower. However, experts warn that bar soap can act as a 'reservoir of infection' for bacteria and fungi.
Social Media Divides Over Shower Hygiene
The debate has raged on social media platforms. On Reddit, one user complained that 'liquid soap is worse than bar soap in every way,' calling fears over sharing soap a 'baseless neuroticism foisted upon us by greedy cosmetic companies.' Others praised bar soap for superior cleaning: 'I'm a bar soap man. I don't feel really, really clean whenever I use body wash.' Another user claimed: 'I had Eczema that I simply could not get rid of until my doctor suggested switching from liquid to bar soap. Cleared it up almost instantly.'
Conversely, shower gel advocates were equally emphatic. One commenter wrote: 'If you're just rubbing the bar soap directly on the skin that's weird.' Another added: 'I haaaate using bar soap. I hate using it and I absolutely hate how my skin feels afterwards.' A furious user simply stated: 'Bar soap dries out my skin. F*** bar soap.'
Scientific Evidence on Hygiene
According to Dr Freestone, both liquid and bar soap are equally effective at removing germs, but bar soaps can harbour bacteria. 'Heavily used soap was found in a scientific study to have more microorganisms compared to less used soap. It was concluded that a bar of soap used frequently could potentially act as a reservoir of infection.'
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust states that liquid soap is preferred because it is 'less likely to become contaminated'. Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust also notes that 'bar soap may pass on germs'. Liquid soaps like shower gels are cleaner simply because their containers protect them from outside contaminants.
Risk of Infection from Bar Soap Is Low
However, even with bar soap, the risk of passing on diseases is relatively low. Soap works by creating micelles that trap dirt and germs, which are then rinsed away with water. Dr Freestone explains: 'Soaps clean by complexing and loosening surface dirt and bacteria, fungi and viruses on the skin, which is then rinsed off with clean running water. The rinsing step of hand washing would tend to remove any additional germs picked up from the soap, as would hand drying.' Studies show that transfer of infectious bacteria via bar soap is unlikely when people wash properly.
Loofahs Pose Greater Infection Risk
The bigger source of infection risk is washing aids like washcloths, soap bags, or loofahs. 'Bath sponges and loofahs trap skin cells as they move over the skin, as well as the bacteria and fungi that live on the skin. This means the bacteria can eat the trapped skin cells within the sponge or loofah and so could increase in numbers,' says Dr Freestone. Loofahs can worsen infection risk due to their abrasive action, damaging the skin and providing bacteria access to cause infections.
If you use a sponge, Dr Freestone recommends washing it at least once a week by soaking in a 10 per cent bleach solution, rinsing, and drying. This kills most bacteria and fungi, preventing you from making yourself dirtier while trying to get clean.
