Is All Soap Antibacterial? And the Benefits of Natural Soap

(Ilona Frey/unsplash)

Regular readers of the Packer’s Pine blog might know that we are huge fans of two things: soap and nature.

Our brand is built around these two passions, by manufacturing natural soaps that are as friendly to the earth as they are to your skin. However, neophytes to the world of soap may wonder, why exactly is natural soap so great?

• Natural Soap Is Kinder to Your Skin

• Antibacterial Soaps Can Create New Problems

• Some Skin Bacteria Is Good

• Why Do We Have Antibacterial Soaps?

• Are Some Natural Soaps Better Than Others?

• Frequently Asked Questions About Antibacterial Soap

Natural Soap Is Kinder to Your Skin

Natural soaps are generally made from ingredients that are skin friendly. Natural soaps may contain ingredients like glycerin, pine tar, natural fats from plants or dairy, and natural fragrances. These ingredients are generally gentler on the skin compared to some chemicals found in factory-made soaps. Some ingredients, like pine tar, are actually used for healing skin conditions.

Soaps made by big corporations, like most antibacterial soaps, often contain harsh ingredients that can cause irritation. Sulfates, detergents, and powerful, artificial fragrances can cause skin inflammation in people with sensitive skin. For people with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, these harsh ingredients can trigger or exacerbate flare ups. Additionally, ingredients like alcohol and triclosan can dry out the skin, leaving it flaky, irritated, and more vulnerable to cracking.

Antibacterial Soaps Can Create New Problems

Antibacterial ingredients like triclosan can create new problems when it comes to microorganisms. Because bacteria breed quickly and easily adapt to new environments and challenges, washing constantly with antibacterial ingredients can create highly-resistant bacteria strains.

That matters because as bacteria become more resistant to antibacterial products, they become harder to kill. This makes even common infections more severe, and even life-threatening.

We are essentially in an arms race, with scientists inventing new ways to kill or limit bacterial growth, while bacteria rapidly adapt to each new antibacterial and antibiotic. Washing constantly with antibacterial soap limits our ability to fight bacteria, by allowing them to adapt to our best defenses.

Why Doesn’t Natural Soap Cause Resistance?

Unlike antibacterial soaps, natural soaps don’t actually kill bacteria. Instead, they simply help remove bacteria from our skin. When we cover our skin with soap, the soap surrounds dirt, grime, and bacteria like an envelope. As we rinse off with water, the soap carries the grime off our skin and down the drain.

Because natural soap doesn’t use any biochemical mechanism to kill bacteria, there’s nothing for bacteria to adapt to. Rather than attacking bacteria directly, natural soap helps us sidestep bacterial threats entirely.

Some Skin Bacteria Is Good

Natural soaps are also friendlier for your skin by sparing some of the bacteria that is supposed to be on your skin. Though you can’t see it, your skin is actually home to millions of bacteria. Don't let the make you feel dirty. Some bacteria is meant to be there and is actually extremely beneficial.

Having good bacteria colonized across your skin actually prevents harmful bacteria from taking hold. Just like you can't move into a house where someone else lives, harmful bacteria can't grow in a part of your body that already has good bacteria.

Unfortunately, antibacterial soaps don’t have any way to tell good and bad bacteria apart. It is equally effective against both. As a result, it strips away a layer of protection from your skin and can leave you more vulnerable to some types of infections.

Why Do We Have Antibacterial Soaps?

There are certain times and settings where antibacterial soaps have their place:

1. Surgeons preparing for a sterile procedure should probably use antibacterial soaps

2. Researchers who need to maintain sterile environments as part of their research

However, regular people who just need to shower or wash up for dinner don’t have a need for complete sterility. All you really need is a medium to remove soilage from their hands and body.

Are Some Natural Soaps Better Than Others?

Yes, but it depends on what you mean by “better.” If you’re ranking by fragrance, then the best soap for you will depend on preference. If you’re shopping for specific features like “sensitive skin friendly” or “camping safe,” then pine tar soap is one of the best options to look for. Legacy brands like Packer’s Pine use pine tar as a key ingredient to keep skin healthy, moisturized, and inflammation-free. Additionally, natural ingredients in pine tar soap can inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, without risking antibacterial resistance.

Other natural ingredients, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or shea butter can help keep skin moisturized. For people with dry skin, these ingredients act as an emollient, which locks moisture onto the surface of the skin and prevents flaking, dryness, and itching. Getting familiar with natural ingredients and the benefits they have for your skin is one way to take control of your skin’s health and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions About Antibacterial Soap

Is All Soap Antibacterial?

No, not all soap is antibacterial. Most regular soaps are designed to remove dirt, oils, and microbes from the skin through a process called emulsification, which allows germs to be rinsed away with water. Antibacterial soaps, on the other hand, contain specific chemical agents to kill bacteria. However, studies have shown that regular soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap for everyday handwashing when used properly.

What Makes Soap Antibacterial?

Soap is considered antibacterial when it contains active ingredients specifically formulated to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Common antibacterial agents include triclosan (now restricted in many products), triclocarban, and benzalkonium chloride. These ingredients target bacterial cells, disrupting their structure or metabolic processes. In contrast, natural or traditional soaps rely on physical removal of microbes rather than chemical action.

Is Antibacterial Soap Good?

Antibacterial soap is not necessarily better for routine use and may come with downsides. For most people, regular soap and water are highly effective at removing germs and maintaining hygiene.

Overuse of antibacterial products may contribute to antibiotic resistance and can disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome, potentially leading to dryness or irritation. Health organizations like the FDA and CDC generally recommend using plain soap for everyday handwashing, reserving antibacterial products for specific medical or high-risk settings.

6 Natural Soap Benefits Infographic

Exploring the benefits of natural soap ingredients for your skin is a great way to care for your skin’s health and comfort. Learn more about natural soap benefits and Packer's Pine products.