Soap and alcohol or alcohol-based cleansers have been used as hand disinfectants and routine hand washing material for a long time. With the COVID-19 being pandemic, there is an increase in the routine use of soap and sanitizers. No doubt washing hands for 20 seconds with proper technique and proper soap could kill the Coronavirus but the effect of regular use of soap on the skin is not addressed by the general public. It has been shown by the in vitro as well as in vivo studies that the frequent use of soap and detergents may harm the skin. The harsh surfactants in cleansers can damage skin proteins and lipids and can cause dryness, irritation, barrier damage, and itching problems. Furthermore, the use of soap can change the natural pH and deplete the natural flora of the skin giving the pathogen an opportunity to transiently colonize the skin surface. This paper explains the damages that may be caused to skin due to excessive use of soap and detergents, the ways to mitigate those damages, and potential alternative to detergent-based soaps.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.