There’s nothing quite like taking a nice hot shower after a long, tiring day of work or an intense workout. Not only does a shower allow you to decompress, but it cleanses your body of sweat and dirt. Depending on which body wash you use, however, you may not be washing off all of the bacteria your body accumulates throughout the day — which is why you should be using the best antibacterial body wash.
If the pandemic and the ensuing illnesses have taught us anything, it’s the importance of washing our hands. There are about 60,000 germs that you come in contact with daily, and while the majority of those germs aren’t harmful to you, some can cause skin irritations. Aside from coughs, colds, the flu and COVID, these germs can also cause things like athlete’s foot, ringworm or rashes that can have a severe impact on your productivity.
That’s why we recommend using an antibacterial body wash to fight off bacteria and suppress its ability to reproduce. (As a bonus, these extraordinary body washes can remove pesky body odors too.) Antibacterial body washes are formulated with antifungal and antimicrobial properties that kill harmful bacteria and fungi on contact.
For some expert advice on antibacterial body washes and skin care, we consulted Dr. Michele Green, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a Q&A with her and look for her advice throughout.
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Ingredients To Consider
When shopping for the best antibacterial body wash, make sure it’s gentle enough for daily use and that it moisturizes the skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid body washes with added fragrances or alcohol.
Some disinfecting ingredients to look for when buying antibacterial body wash include:
- Tea tree oil: One of the most popular natural ingredients in cleansers, this is found in myriad body washes thanks to its natural antiseptic properties and fresh scent. “Tea tree oil is effective in treating acne, dandruff, fungal infections and even insect bites,” Green says. “It works on reducing acne by calming the redness, swelling, and inflammation associated with it while also reducing the risk of acne scars.”
- Oregano oil: The oil from this popular herb contains phenols, which kill harmful microbes and give this ingredient its antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal properties.
- Exfoliators: Mechanical exfoliators (like charcoal powder) and chemical exfoliators (like benzoyl peroxide) can have significant antibacterial and cleansing effects. Though mechanical exfoliators don’t kill bacteria, they can help absorb toxins and wash them away.
- Benzalkonium chloride: As defined by the European Medicines Agency, this is an antiseptic and disinfectant with actions and uses similar to those of other cationic surfactants and can be used as an antimicrobial preservative for pharmaceutical products.
- Isopropanol/Isopropyl alcohol: At concentrations greater than 60%, this ingredient effectively kills germs while fighting microbes like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
- Bentonite clay and kaolin clay: These two clays are rich in minerals and have antibacterial effects. “[Bentonite clay] also contains strong antifungal and antibacterial properties that bind toxins and bacteria on the skin,” Green says. They’re both great for treating acne by soaking up excess sebum and oil.
- Chlorhexidine gluconate: This additive begins killing a variety of germs, bacteria and fungi on contact and continues working even after rinsing.
Is Antibacterial Soap Good for You?
Here’s the issue: There is some negativity surrounding antibacterial soaps and body washes. The Food & Drug Administration tells us that many antibacterial soaps include something called “triclosan,” an ingredient that some studies have shown could alter hormones and cause human issues. The problem? We simply don’t know if it does or not. More research is needed on triclosan’s effect on humans for scientists to make a formal case for or against it in antibacterial soaps. Ultimately, the FDA banned it in 2016 for over-the-counter products, including antibacterial body washes, meaning it shouldn’t be of concern, but it’s always good to be wary when shopping.
Sure, antibacterial soap has the ability to rid bacteria from your body, but it might not be the best product for everyday washing. Green suggests those with typical skin will be OK using an antibacterial body wash three times a week, but if you’re suffering from any skin irritation or inflammation, cut back your usage or stop using the body wash entirely. In general, it’s best to do a test wash on a small patch of skin before using a body wash all over. If a product irritates your skin, better to find out before irritation is all over your body. In addition, some bacteria on your body is good for you. If you want to learn more about the body’s natural biome, jump to the bottom.
What Is the Best Antibacterial Body Wash?
We curated a list of the best antibacterial body washes to make your body feel clean and refreshed while eliminating bacteria and germs.
Natural Riches Tea Tree Oil Body Wash
If you prefer a body wash made from all-natural ingredients, this is our top antibacterial body wash. The body wash contains several potent oils, including tea tree, coconut, jojoba and aloe. All ingredients are formulated to moisturize and nourish the skin while killing off bacteria. Incorporating this body wash into your daily showering routine helps eliminate body odors, athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch. It can also be used to soothe and heal dry, itchy and inflamed skin.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Read More: Best Tea Tree Body Wash for Men
Dove Men+Care Antibacterial Body Wash
This antibacterial body wash from Dove is formulated specifically for men as it’s tough on dirt and grime. It eliminates 99% of bacteria found on the skin, which also makes it one of the best antibacterial body washes for body odor. This body wash has micro moisture technology with skin-strengthening nutrients that will keep you feeling fresh and moisturized. Oh, and did we mention it can be used as a face wash too?
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Dial Coconut Water Body Wash
Dial may be your go-to brand for antibacterial hand soap, but it’s about to be your new favorite body wash. This hydrating body cleanser washes away bacteria and germs without drying out skin. It has odor protection to keep you fresh all day, no matter how much you sweat. You won’t find a better antibacterial body wash at an affordable price.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? Triclosan is not listed, but BeyondPesticides.org mentions the potential of Dial products, including triclosan.
Read More: Best Body Wash For Sensitive Skin
Derma-Nu Antifungal Therapeutic Soap
Derma-nu Antifungal body wash is an organic, all-natural soap free of harmful chemicals, fragrances, and dyes, making it suitable for skin types. It uses a blend of tea tree oils, mint, eucalyptus and peppermint to eliminate bacteria that can cause athlete’s foot, yeast infection, jock itch and other skin irritations. In short, it’s our top pick if you’re looking for the best antibacterial antifungal body wash.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Read More: Best Body Wash for Acne
TruRemedy Naturals Antifungal Remedy Soap
This body wash by TruRemedy is a highly recommended antibacterial body wash for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The product fights off common germs and strong body odors, keeping you feeling fresh and clean all day. Most body washes often dry out your skin, but this soap contains essential oils to soothe and moisturize it. Other ingredients in the body wash include vitamins E, C, and omega acids that can heal skin irritations.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Artnaturals Tea Tree Body Wash
Showers are great, but sometimes you want to relax in a bubble bath. Enter this body wash from Artnaturals, which helps you unwind. The body wash has aromatherapy properties like peppermint and eucalyptus oils to reduce stress and soothe joints. Other botanical ingredients found in the soap are chamomile, oregano and rosemary. These ingredients fight bacteria and fungus, making this bottle a gentle wash that is good for daily use.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Vita Vie Antibacterial Body Wash
Vita Vie is a pure cleansing antibacterial body wash that kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria on contact. It has a subtle, unisex lemon scent and is gentle enough to use on any skin type. (No worries about skin irritations with this bottle!) This body wash does contain fragrance and alcohol, so it’s not recommended to use as a face wash.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Fieldworks Supply Company Organic All Natural Body Wash Soap
Get in and out of the shower faster with this antibacterial body wash and shampoo combo featuring a unique ingredient: bentonite clay. The fine powder, which forms when volcanic ash ages, is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that detoxifies and soothes. Fieldworks body wash is also antifungal and antiseptic, but it’s organic and completely natural, which makes it gentle enough for dry and sensitive skin.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Blu Atlas Classic Body Wash
There’s no muss, no fuss with this bottle of antibacterial body wash, and that’s why we love it. The clean label is just as clean as the ingredients within, which are 99% derived from plants, fruits and minerals. There’s green tea, for one, and soothing aloe vera and coconut-derived emollients to give you calm and clear skin from head to toe.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.
Humane Regular-Strength Acne Wash
Best known for fighting acne, benzoyl peroxide works by killing acne-causing bacteria at their source. The Humane Regular-Strength Acne Wash brings that power to your body with a moderate 5% benzoyl peroxide so you can eradicate germs and acne wherever possible.
Ingredients Including Triclosan? No mention of triclosan.