When it comes to the best antibacterial body washes, the good news is that there are several options on the market, many of which not only promise protection from creepy illnesses and super bugs but come with divine aroma as well.
The bad news is that most antibacterial body washes are not perfect for all skin types. And most often than not, you need to narrow down your search and choose an option that addresses your skin concern, which can be irksome and frustrating.
If you have sensitive skin or suffer from folliculitis, here is a list of the best antibacterial body washes that can give you a quick fix.
Explore Our Picks For The Best Antibacterial Body Wash
Medicated Antibacterial Antifungal Body Wash Treatment of Folliculitis by OVANTE is a stellar product. With various options available, it still tops this list as the best body wash for severe cases of Folliculitis.
CLn BodyWash is a great alternative to Medicated Antibacterial Antifungal Body Wash Treatment of Folliculitis by OVANTE. The formula used is suitable for both children and adults.
Demodex folliculitis can be stubborn if you don’t use the right treatment. Demodex Control Body Wash provides fast relief from itching irritation and stops skin crawling feeling associated with Demodex mites’ incursion.
While mild cases Folliculitis often clears up in about a week without any treatment, you can speed up the healing process by using Hibiclens Antiseptic/Antimicrobial Skin Liquid Soap.
If you want to treat Folliculitis as well as keep other skin infections like acne, eczema, at bay, we can’t recommend any other body wash than Oleavine Antifungal Soap with Tea Tree and Neem for Body.
Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash is another versatile soap that promises and delivers. For sensitive and dry skin, try it and you’ll be surprised how it transforms your skin.
Dove Beauty Bar, Sensitive Skin is an alternative to Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash. If you don’t prefer liquid soaps, then this bar soap can be your buddy.
Cetaphil Antibacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar is all in one treatment for several skin infections like eczema, acne, blemishes and skin irritation. It’s a fantastic soap if you want something multipurpose.
If you are treating residual effects of acne, eczema, and other skin infections, try Dudu Osun Black Soap because it restores and brings back the suppleness of the skin.
For oily, sensitive skin, use Organic Soapberry Body Wash. It removes dirt, bacteria and also moisturizes the skin without stripping the skin of its natural oil or nutrients
Best Antibacterial Body Wash For Folliculitis
Medicated Antibacterial Antifungal Body Wash Treatment Of Folliculitis By OVANTE
Dermatologist can’t talk about controlling Folliculitis without mentioning Medicated Antibacterial Antifungal Body Wash Treatment of Folliculitis by OVANTE. It’s one of the top choices as far as controlling Folliculitis is concerned.
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If you have been suffering from severe cases of Folliculitis, don’t waste your money on expensive types of treatments; this is the solution, and you’ll see results within just a few days into usage.
Specially formulated to provide relief from itchiness and irritation in the scalp and body, caused by Folliculitis, this treatment system is a combination of both antifungal and anti-bacterial agents thanks to the natural oils, herbal extracts, and mineral vitamins.
As a natural antifungal and antibacterial soap, this product combats yeast and bacteria that cause infection of hair follicles. It also has soothing properties courtesy of the mineral vitamins that are included.
While this body wash effectively cleans the skin without leaving it greasy, customers complained of a disgusting natural scent.
Pros:
- Cleans skin without leaving it greasy
- Effectively eliminates fungi and bacteria that cause infection of the hair follicles
- Therapeutic, non-drying, non-irritating and soothing properties.
- Fragrance and dye-free
Cons:
- The natural smell might not be suitable for every person.
CLn BodyWash
CLn BodyWash is a remedy for some of the most common skin infections including eczema, rash, folliculitis, acne, etc.
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Developed by professional dermatologists, this gentle and non-drying body wash works by cleaning compromised skin and decreasing the spread of infection. It also reduces the appearance of tenderness and relieves dry, flaky skin.
The key ingredient present in this gentle body wash is sodium hypochlorite or bleach. Bleach has been added in low concentration to help cleanse the skin and reduce the spread of infection without irritating the skin or intensifying dryness.
As an effective alternative to steroid or antibiotics, CLn BodyWash is also clinically tested and proven to be safe for children six months and older since it’s paraben-free, hypoallergenic and cruelty-free.
Compared to other body washes, this one only requires two weeks to start providing results.
Pros:
- Offers an improved skin in as little as two weeks
- Leaves skin balanced and refreshed
- Gently cleanses with bleach
- Safe for children six months and older
Cons:
- Sodium hypochlorite can be damaging to the epidermal barrier of the skin if left for a long time.
Demodex Control Body Wash
Demodex Control Body Wash is one of Avant’s skin care product that’s designed to combat Demodex folliculitis. With a soapless soap formula, this body wash provides relief from irritation and itching of the skin caused by Demodex mites.
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As a non-drying and non-irritating skin cleanser, Demodex Control Body Wash is fortified with natural essential oils like Neem oil, tea tree oil, lemon grass oil.
Neem oil acts as an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide agent hence suffocates Demodex mites. Lemon oil, on the other hand, is responsible for controlling and reducing the population of Demodex mites and restores flexibility and balance of the skin.
Tea tree oil is one of the renowned treatments for skin parasites and its eggs. It’s responsible for various functions; providing fast relief from itching irritation and stopping skin crawling feeling associated with Demodex mites’ incursion.
If you want to try this product, it’s recommended you also add Demodex Control therapeutic body lotion to your daily anti-Demodex regimen. It contains soothing botanical ingredients that bring down inflammation and improve wound healing.
Pros:
- Effectively controls and reduces Demodex folliculitis and its symptoms
- Restores skin balance and flexibility
- Has a mild and pleasant smell
Cons:
- Might not stop the itching for folliculitis
Hibiclens Antiseptic/Antimicrobial Skin Liquid Soap
Many people recognize Hibiclens Antiseptic/Antimicrobial Skin Liquid Soap as a pre-surgery soap and surgical hand scrub. Well, it can do several other things.
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As an antiseptic and antimicrobial skin cleanser, this high-quality soap is used to reduce and kill bacterial population in the skin of patients suffering from bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
While Hibiclens is a powerful and gentle skin antiseptic, it can also provide 24 hours protection after the initial application.
The main ingredient, Chlorhexidine gluconate, present in this commendable body wash works by bonding with the skin to kill microorganisms even after washing. In fact, Chlorhexidine gluconate is a universally accepted touchstone in providing immediate protection with a vestigial effect of up to 24 hours.
Hibiclens is also used as a preoperative skin antiseptic hence preventing any incidence of postoperative infections – it is thus safe and effective means of removing and reducing harmful bacteria or fungal from the body.
Pros:
- Protects the skin for up to 24 hours after the initial application
- Eliminates the risk of transfer of infection from one body part to another
- Kills and remove harmful bacteria, virus, and fungus
Cons:
- Easily stains, and it’s difficult to remove the stain.
Oleavine Antifungal Soap with Tea Tree and Neem for Body
Oleavine Antifungal Soap is by far one of the most popular soaps that are used to wash away and protect against infectious fungus, bacteria, and yeast that attack the skin surface.
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As a natural plant-based body wash, it is formulated with a broad spectrum of natural ingredients, including tea tree essential Oil, a blend of essential oils, and botanicals such as neem oil.
Aside from protecting against embarrassing bacterial infections like Folliculitis, this powerful body wash can defend against acne and skin rashes. Also, if you spend most of your time outdoors and have a skin prone to several bacterial infections, you can never find a better body wash than Oleavine Antifungal Soap with Tea Tree and Neem for Body.
Even though it’s harsh on bacteria, this body wash is still safe for use as a protective soap, both for removing odor and keeping bacteria at bay, leaving the skin smooth, supple, and healthy.
While it might seem trivial, many customers still complained of the hard plastic used; it’s hard to squeeze, and you’d be struggling actually to let the contents inside to drip or come out.
Pros:
- Strong defense against harmful bacteria
- Helps with dryness and inflammation.
- Gentle enough for everyday use
Cons:
- A hard plastic bottle which is hard to squeeze and let the content out.
Best Antibacterial Body Wash For Sensitive Skin
Dove Body Wash Pump, Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, a special and effective skin care regimen is necessary. Try this product, and you’d be surprised just how you have transformed your skin.
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Formulated to cleanse and provide moisture for your skin, Dove Body Wash Pump, Sensitive Skin offers just that, while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture as well as depositing skin’s natural ingredients. After just one shower, your skin will feel soft, hydrated and smooth.
Unlike other body wash, Dove Body Wash contains NutriumMoisture, a moisture defense mechanism that absorbs moisture into the skin and protects against its loss. So, you don’t have to worry about the gentle and active ingredients doing their job and leaving your skin dry and dull.
Another useful feature about this mild body wash is its hypoallergenic properties, meaning it cleans, moisturizes and soothes the skin, and leaves it comfortable and feeling nice – no allergies or sensitivity.
This soap is coming from one of the renowned beauty product manufacturers that focuses on real skin care products, which they say, tangibly improve your skin and hair condition.
Pros:
- Gently cleanses and minimizes dryness
- Hydrated, smoother and softer skin after just one wash
- Nourishes skin below the surface
- No allergic reactions
Cons:
- Strong and awful fragrance
- Can cause burns and rashes on some skin
Dove Beauty Bar, Sensitive Skin
If you don’t prefer liquid soaps, Dove has created a beauty bar which promises to gently cleanse your sensitive skin without drying it out, unlike regular soaps.
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Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar combines both cleansing and moisturizing ingredients to give your skin a hydrated, silky and nourished look. It’s truly a mild beauty bar that injects your skin with the right ingredients.
This product is not scented, hypoallergenic, and better than your ordinary soap because it doesn’t leave the skin dry, tight or looking dull. It’s dermatologically tested and comes from one of the prominent skincare and beauty product makers.
For best results when using Dove Beauty Bar to remove dirt and bacteria, it’s recommended that you thoroughly rub it between your hands while spreading the rich, creamy lather over your body before rinsing with warm water.
Pros:
- Gently cleanses and minimizes dryness
- Hydrated, smoother and softer skin after just one wash
- Nourishes skin below the surface.
- No allergic reactions
Cons:
- Strong and awful fragrance
- Can cause burns and rashes on some skin
Cetaphil Antibacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar
Cetaphil Antibacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar has been on the market long enough to earn its place on this list. In fact, it’s one of the antibacterial soaps you won’t miss on your dermatologist’s shelf when you go seeking for options.
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Intended to help dry and sensitive skin, this body wash bar effectively cleanses the skin, removes harmful bacteria from the surface of the skin and sucks excess oil without stripping the skin of its natural oils. It’s also perfect for controlling acne, eczema and other troubling skin infections.
Other important features that we like about this product include non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores), moisturizing (provides the skin with a unique moisturizing effect), hypoallergenic (no allergies or sensitivity), and fragrance-free.
It also provides lather faster and rinses easily as well. Can be used to wash children six months and older.
Pros:
- Effectively removes harmful bacteria from the surface of the skin.
- Sucks excel oil without leaving the skin dry
- Moisturizes the skin leaving it soft, smooth and refreshed
- Can be used to wash children from age six months
- No allergies or sensitivity
- Prevents other skin infections like eczema and acne.
Cons:
- Don’t put much hope if you have sensitive, acne prone skin – can cause breakouts.
Dudu Osun Black Soap
Time to give one of Africa’s antibacterial body wash a try. 
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Entirely formulated with natural ingredients and herbs including dried plantain skins, palm leaves, and cocoa powder, this complimented body wash surely is an enemy of bacteria and dirt. However, it’s also perfect for restoring damaged skin as a result of acne, eczema, freckles, and dark spots.
Scented with Camwood extract, honey and citrus juice, aloe vera, and natural vitamins, you can be sure of a refreshed and soft skin
If you’re a natural freak, this is your perfect fit because no chemicals are added, free from artificial colors and preservatives.
The good news is, while the color might seem staining, the truth is; it doesn’t. It lathers on the surface faster and rinses easily as well.
As a bonus, black soaps are said to be a source of vitamins because of the ingredients and formula used. Hence, it’s perfect for hands, face, body and even hair.
Pros:
- Moisturizes and exfoliates the skin
- Reduces oiliness
- Reduces irritation and itchiness
- Repair and restores damaged skin cells
- The color is not staining
Cons:
- Highly scented – can cause sensitivity or breakouts.
Organic Soapberry Body Wash
If you’re just hearing about Organic Soapberry Body Wash now, then you’ve been missing nature’s most gentle soap.
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This body wash contains saponin, an extract from the pulp of the soapberry; it produces a highly nourishing lather that enlivens your skin’s natural sparkle.
Bottled straight from the forest, this ultra-gentle body soap is packed with natural ingredients like organic shea butter, aloe vera, and cucumber which can help lock in moisture, soothe and soften your skin; giving it a refreshed and hydrated look.
With a balanced pH, this body wash is suitable for dry, itchy and irritated skin, eczema, acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea and frequent allergies that affect your skin.
It’s fragrance-free, chemical-free and lathers and cleans effectively, removing both dirt and bacteria from your skin’s surface without leaving it oily or greasy.
Pros:
- Made up of natural ingredients only.
- Moisturizes, soothes and softens the skin.
- Balanced pH that leaves the skin supple and treats other skin infections
- Safe for all including children
Cons:
- Can further dry the skin and cause discomfort.
How To Prevent Bacterial Skin Infections
It’s normal to visit a doctor and seek antibiotic treatment when faced with bacterial skin infection. However, did you know that many people develop antibiotic resistance? Quite a number if you didn’t.
Bad and harmful bacteria can resist the effects of an antibiotic, causing more harm to your skin than you can ever imagine. Considered as one of the most pressing public health problems, antibiotic resistance results in harmful bacteria hurting the healthy bacteria in your body, and wind up attacking and destroying your immune system.
Keeping that in mind, it’s is prudent to get the hang of how to prevent bacterial skin infection and their effects in your skin and body in general.
Unless the disease is mild to moderate, it’s still important to seek medical attention.
Here are simple strategies and a few changes you can make to your habit to reduce the chances of getting bacterial skin infections;
Clean your Hands Regularly to Reduce Skin Infections
Proper and frequent hand washing is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent bacterial skin infection. Often overlooked, hand washing is simple and effective.
When washing your hands, use soap and water, and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds before rinsing with warm water. Use a paper towel or an air dryer to sear your hands.
You can also apply hand sanitizers to clean your hands when water and soap aren’t accessible. Just remember to apply it to all the surface of your hands and rub together until dry.
Don’t Forget to Moisturize
While washing your hands properly and regularly help prevent bacterial skin infections, it can leave your skin dry and dull. Dry skin is often scaly and cracked which can allow bacteria into the skin resulting in deadly infections.
To minimize these risks, it’s advisable to use a moisturizing lotion. But, some moisturizers contain harmful ingredients, so be heedful of the kind of moisturizing product you’re using. Plain and creamy moisturizers tend to be colorless and fragrance-free and contain more preservatives which keep your skin fresh and hydrated – they are the best and most effective to use.
Care for your Damaged Skin
Skin injuries including cuts, scars, scrapes or surgeries can open the door for bacteria leading to skin infections.
If you have damaged skin, take good care of it to avoid further infections. Clean and dress cuts and wounds properly and frequently. To help the damaged skin heal faster, use skin care products like petroleum jelly which keeps wounds, cuts and scars moist and from forming a scab (lengthens the healing process).
You can use proper home remedies to treat minor injuries, but if the damage is deep and painful, seek medical attention right away.
Clean and Disinfect Household Surfaces
Overly used household surfaces hold more germs and can be a source of infections. According to a study carried out by University of Arizona researchers, the average cutting board holds more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. This can cause several diseases including skin infections.
It’s thus important to clean household surfaces as frequently as possible. Use disinfectants or sanitizers to keep such items and places bacteria-free.
When cleaning some areas like locker room floors and doorknobs, use barriers (gloves) to avoid skin contact, which can lead bacterial skin infections.
Avoid Sharing Personal Items
Despite the pervasive attitude that some personal items are shareable, you have to be thoughtful of the consequences, especially when the person you are sharing with your personal item has bacterial skin infections.
Things like clothes, razors, makeup, nail clippers, a bar of soap are said to hold germs which can lead to the transmission of diseases. The last thing you want to experience is a bacterial skin infection after using another person’s stuff.
Are Bacterial Body Washes Any Better Than Regular Soaps?
Most of the over-the-counter antibacterial products including antibacterial body washes allege to perform better than ordinary soap and water. It turns out that they are not.
As I mentioned earlier in this post, the FDA announced that antibacterial body washes were no better than regular soaps. They are not safe nor effective in preventing infections. In point of fact, they contain triclosan and triclocarban which can cause more harm to other users, especially pregnant and breastfeeding women.
However, we are still adding antibacterial products to our arsenal. Why?
Well, to answer the question, let me break down the process of making soap and how it removes dirt, impurities, and bacteria during hand washing.
To make soap, you need two essential raw materials: acid and alkali. The most commonly used acid and alkali are fatty acids/ triglycerides and sodium/potassium hydroxide respectively.
When combined, the fat reacts with the alkali to produce soap and glycerin. To separate the mixture, it is treated with salt thus forming an actual soap.
When dissolved in water, soaps performs two important functions: reducing the surface tension of water and suspending oil, dirt, and bacteria.
The two functions are possible because water is an emulsifying agent, meaning it acts as a stabilizer for immiscible liquids, preventing them from separating – and this is how soap can suspend dirt or bacteria in such a way that they can be removed.
This precept is what makes ordinary soaps effective at removing dirt, impurities, and bacteria. But, the actual question is if antibacterial soaps can do it better than ordinary soaps, right?
Well, it could be. However, some point you need to consider before showing antibacterial body washes your back are:
- The main ingredients, triclosan and triclocarban, added to most antibacterial body washes and intended to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination, take more time to work than ordinary soaps. And most people don’t wash their hands long enough for these antibacterial ingredients to do their tasks.
- Bacteria can also form some resistance towards antibacterial drugs, including body washes.
- Some bacteria are actually ‘friendly’ to our bodies and protect us against infections.
- Viruses cause more human illnesses than bacteria hence are not prevented by antibacterial products
Finally, by now you should realize that antibacterial soaps are no better than regular soaps in preventing bacterial infections.
More importantly, according to studies, long-term use of these products can cause hormonal imbalance and cause bacterial resistance to antibiotics as well.
Final Thoughts
Back in December 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) challenged antibacterial soaps and body wash manufacturers to demonstrate that their products were safe and effective for long-term use. This was following FDA’s research which had repudiated antiseptic wash products containing triclosan and triclocarban as better than regular soaps and water in preventing infection and the spread of certain bugs.
Despite all the researches and studies about antibacterial products, they’re still part of our infection prevention strategy because they make us ‘safe’.
If you’re this kind of person, you don’t want to purchase any random antibacterial product you find in your local store. You want something that promises and offers the best results.
Medicated Antibacterial Antifungal Body Wash Treatment of Folliculitis by OVANTE tops our list as the best antibacterial body wash for severe cases of Folliculitis. For sensitive, acne prone skin, we can’t recommend any body wash than Dove Body Wash Pump, Sensitive Skin.
We hope you’ll find our recommendations high-quality and remarkable for controlling your skin infection.
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