The low down on liquid soap

Liquid soaps have become more and more popular in the past 15 years, both in the home and in public places such as hospitals and toilet facilities. They are now firmly resident in kitchens and bathrooms up and down the country. And for good reason; they are less prone to bacterial growth than bar soap and are less messy too.

However, have you ever wondered what goes into the liquid soaps you so often use? Some people find them drying on the skin and experience skin irritation after using them. This is known as contact dermatitis and it is particularly common in those who use liquid soaps regularly as part of their job; perhaps in a hospital or kitchen, where cleanliness is vital.

Green People’s organic liquid soaps are developed to be mild yet still effective at keeping your hands sanitised. They do not contain either of the ingredients discussed below and have been developed as an alternative for those who wish to use liquid soap but want to avoid synthetic chemicals.

SLS and Triclosan in liquid soap

There are two chemicals often used in liquid soaps which are responsible for most cases of contact dermatitis. The first of these is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), a foaming agent used in many personal care products. As well as liquid soap, you’ll find it in shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste; potentially in pretty much anything that foams! Quite a few people are sensitive to SLS and may experience skin dryness or contact dermatitis after using products with it in.

The second ingredient, which we will look at in a bit more detail, is Triclosan. This is primarily an antibacterial agent but it also has some antifungal and antiviral properties. As well as being used in liquid soap, it is also commonly found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, shaving creams and deodorants. It is a very widely used ingredient, found to be present in over half of all commercial soaps by a study carried out in 2000.

As well as being used in personal care products, Triclosan has a multitude of roles in other areas of life. It is known under a few different names depending on its purpose, such as Microban and Biofresh, but it can be found in some children’s toys, mattresses, bin bags and even escalator hand rails! It is present in many areas of our lives, whether or not we know about it.

There are a number of possible issues with such widespread use of Triclosan, relating to both human health and the natural world. In 2009, the American Public Health Association (APHA) proposed that it would endorse the banning of Triclosan for household and non-medical uses. At the time of writing (also 2009), this proposal has not yet been taken any further.

One reason cited in the APHA proposal was the reports of both contact dermatitis and photo contact dermatitis linked with Triclosan exposure. Photoallergic contact dermatitis occurs when a chemical, in this case Triclosan, apparently causes a skin reaction when exposed to sunshine. It normally takes the form of a rash on sun-exposed areas of the body.

However, it is important to see the wider impact of Triclosan, as it does not seem confined to skin reactions. Large amounts of Triclosan leave our houses in our waste water every day and end up in rivers and other water courses as it is not removed by water treatment plants. It is highly toxic to some types of algae and, if chlorine is present in the water, has been found to form potentially harmful chemicals called dioxins when exposed to sunlight.

The environmental impact of Triclosan has lead the Swedish nature conservation body Naturskyddsföreningen to recommend a national ban on consumer products including the chemical. The Swedish Dental Medical Association is also calling for controlled sale of toothpastes controlling Triclosan. Unfortunately, UK organisations have not yet followed suit in proposing restrictions on Triclosan in personal care products.

Don’t worry – you can trust our organic liquid soap

Green People’s organic liquid soaps are free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Triclosan and do not have a negative impact on the environment once it has left your house. They are all made with pure, natural ingredients which do not harm the natural world when returned to it.

If you have suffered from sensitive skin when using liquid soap in the past, you may well find ours do not have that drying effect. Our natural liquid soaps are kind to your skin and have natural antiseptic properties to keep your hands clean and fresh.

Please click the links below to see more information about each organic liquid soap:

Aloe Vera Liquid Soap
Rosemary Liquid Soap
Antibacterial Liquid Soap
No Scent Liquid Soap