A 2015 study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found there was “no significant difference” between the ability of antibacterial and normal soap to kill bacteria when used for normal handwashing. Researchers used antibacterial soap containing 0.3% triclosan, the maximum amount allowed in many countries, including the European Union and Canada.

Only after nine hours of soaking the bacteria in antibacterial soap did it perform “significantly better” than regular soap.

Triclosan is the most commonly used antibacterial biocide found in cleaning products and hand soaps. The widespread use of antimicrobial agents may be contributing to growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics and possible hormonal problems.

[Source: The Guardian]