A Soapy Reality

Since earliest recorded history soap has been an essential. Soap has come a long way since its Neanderthal days, with many changes. As soap companies grew during the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era, they began looking for ways to cut costs while increasing the effectiveness of their products. This search led to the discovery of synthetic ingredients that are much cheaper and go a lot further.

According to Michael Bronner, the owner of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, “current FDA regulations prohibit bar soap from proclaiming themselves as soap if they are made with synthetic ingredients.” The same is not true for liquid soaps. When Softsoap first introduced its synthetic liquid soap in the 1970s, government regulation didn’t apply because it wasn’t a bar. Since then, nothing has ever been done to enforce the policy on liquid soaps, so most today are not truly soap.

Aside from saving a few bucks, there can be health issues that arise from using synthetic soap, whether in bar or liquid form. Think about it — skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin covers every part of who you are, and it is designed to absorb. When you lather the entire body with a soap that is synthetic, it’s just like taking a bath in chemicals. Will the chemicals get you clean? Of course. A little too clean.

Synthetic soaps are engineered to be appealing to the consumer, so they lather quickly, rinse with little residue and don’t leave a film behind. One of the primary downsides to using artificial soap is that it cleans so well that it strips the natural oils from the skin and hair, which can lead to eczema, rashes and hair damage. Another health concern with using synthetic soaps is that they are typically used in a hot shower. The chemicals in the soap turn into a gas and enter the lungs, which can spur on asthma and allergies.

Some of the most common side effects that go unnoticed are:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sinus disease
• Asthma
• Headaches
• Throat irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

Most liquid hand soaps that are antibacterial use triclosan as the main ingredient in eliminating bacteria. Triclosan is great at killing bacteria, even good bacteria. Good bacteria is essential for human survival, as it aids the body in warding off bad bacteria. When all bacteria is killed, the immune system is actually more open to attack from harmful bacteria. Triclosan has also been shown to kill skin cells, dry out the skin and encourage eczema. It even possibly contains dioxin, a common carcinogenic found mainly in bleach products, according to Serendip at Bryn Mawr College.

Synthetic soaps are also harmful for the environment. Almost all detergents and soap byproducts end up in the drain, entering the water system. Natural soaps have very little negative impact on the environment, considering they are all-natural. Synthetic detergents, on the other hand, can kill fish, birds and other wildlife by poisoning their natural environments.

The best way to buy soap is to look for “all-natural” soaps. Natural soaps will either be handmade or will disclose the ingredients. Most natural soaps have less than four to five ingredients, and the ingredients are recognizable, such as olive oil, glycerin or other natural fats and oils. Some of the most trusted natural soap brands are Pure and Natural, Tom’s of Maine and Clearly Natural. These brands are readily available at most grocery and big box stores, making it an easy choice to make the switch.

One of the best ways to prevent illness and sickness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is to wash your hands often. Using natural soap and hot water will kill 99% of all harmful bacteria. Individuals do not need to use harsh, synthetic chemicals to keep their bodies and homes safe. Stay close to nature in your hygiene and you could be preventing chronic health issues.