Soap and water ‘could be more effective’ at stopping germs than antibacterial handwash

BUYING antibacterial handwash is a waste of money and may cause you harm, say experts.

Soap and water can be more effective at stopping germs.

2

Yet shoppers spent £87million on handwash last year.

Janet Woodcock said: “We have no scientific evidence that antibacterial washes are any better. Some data suggests their ingredients may do more harm than good.”

Soap picks up the grease on the skin that carries bacteria and washes it away when hands are rinsed.

2

RELATED STORIES

DIABETES DISCOVERY

People who nap for an hour or more 'are more likely to get diabetes' as Britain suffers epidemic

WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR?

Pill that tricks the body into thinking you've been exercising has been invented

So disgusting

Is this the most pus to EVER come out of a spot? Queasy clip shows a man’s neck cyst lasered… and then squeezed

HOW CLEANING COULD SAVE YOU

Dangerous chemicals found lurking in DUST 'can cause cancer and infertility'

But over the past five years, the number of bars sold has dropped by eight per cent. Liquid handwash is more expensive but sales have risen by a quarter.

A 250ml bottle of Carex handwash, which costs £1.49 at Tesco provides about 75 hand washes per bottle, or 2p per wash. A four-pack of Imperial Leather soap bars costs £1.75, lasting about 100 hand washes, or 0.4p per wash.

A study by the US-based Food and Drug Administration has led to 19 ingredients being banned from antibacterial handwash as makers had not proved their effectiveness and safety.