In our daily cleansing routines, we often encounter various products that claim to have "antibacterial" properties. Among these, antibacterial soap and green amino acid shampoo bars are two common choices. So, do they have the same antibacterial action? The answer is: their mechanisms of action and primary purposes differ.
Antibacterial Soap: A Chemical Weapon Against Bacteria
Traditional antibacterial soaps (or hand sanitizers) primarily aim to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria by adding specific chemical ingredients.
Active Ingredients: In the past, common active ingredients included Triclosan and Triclocarban. These chemicals worked by interfering with bacterial cell membranes or inhibiting their key enzymes.
Mechanism of Action: They were designed to directly act on microorganisms, chemically "killing" or preventing bacterial reproduction.
Primary Purpose: To reduce the number of bacteria on hands and skin surfaces, with the goal of lowering infection risk.
However, it's worth noting that in 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of Triclosan, Triclocarban, and several other antibacterial ingredients in consumer wash products (outside of healthcare settings). This was due to a lack of evidence that they were more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness, as well as concerns about potential long-term health risks and contributing to bacterial resistance.
Green Amino Acid Shampoo Bar: Gentle Cleansing with Natural Antibacterial Support
The primary function of a green amino acid shampoo bar is to gently cleanse hair and scalp while providing nourishment and balance. While it doesn't market itself primarily as "antibacterial," its ingredients may include plant extracts with natural antimicrobial properties.
Active Ingredients: The core of an amino acid shampoo bar consists of amino acid-derived surfactants, which provide gentle cleansing. Additionally, many green amino acid shampoo bars incorporate various natural plant extracts, such as rosemary, polygonum (he shou wu), green tea, tea tree oil, neem, turmeric, etc.
Mechanism of Action:
Gentle Cleansing: Amino acids themselves effectively remove dirt, oil, and microorganisms by physically washing them away, rather than directly "killing" them.
Natural Antimicrobial/Anti-inflammatory: The added natural plant extracts may contain phenolic compounds, terpenes, alkaloids, tannins, and other components that have been shown in laboratory studies to possess antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory properties. For example, polyphenols in green tea, and active compounds in rosemary and polygonum, might help inhibit the growth of certain microorganisms on the scalp or alleviate inflammation caused by them, thereby indirectly improving scalp health and reducing issues like dandruff.
Balancing Scalp Microbiome: Certain ingredients (like prebiotics) may help maintain a healthy microbial balance on the scalp, thereby reducing the proliferation of harmful bacteria.
Primary Purpose: To cleanse hair and scalp, provide nourishment, improve hair quality, and support a healthy scalp environment. Its antibacterial action is more of a supportive role derived from natural ingredients, rather than direct chemical sterilization like traditional antibacterial soaps.
Similarities and Differences in Antibacterial Action
In summary:
Antibacterial soap and green amino acid shampoo bars differ significantly in their antibacterial actions. Antibacterial soap is designed to directly kill bacteria through chemical components, but its efficacy and safety have been questioned. In contrast, green amino acid shampoo bars focus on gentle cleansing and nourishment, with their potential antibacterial effects primarily stemming from added natural plant extracts. These effects are more supportive, aiming to promote scalp health rather than directly treating infections like a medicinal product.
Therefore, if you're looking for daily gentle cleansing and overall hair and scalp health, a green amino acid shampoo bar is an excellent choice. If you have specific skin infection concerns, you should consult a doctor and may require professional products with medicinal ingredients.
