Triclosan: Is it Safe?

I know that many of you carry around hand sanitizers in your purse or bag. While I am all for clean hands, I am not excited about many of the ingredients in conventional hand sanitizers.

Let's take triclosan for example:  According to the FDA, recent studies have raised questions about whether triclosan might be hazardous to human health. Research has shown that triclosan:

• Alters hormone regulation in animals
• Might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs
• Might be harmful to the immune system

When you use a product containing triclosan, you can absorb a small amount through your skin or mouth. A 2008 study, which was designed to assess exposure to triclosan in a representative sample of U.S. children and adults, found triclosan in the urine of nearly 75 percent of those tested.

Triclosan isn't an essential ingredient in many products. There's no evidence that antibacterial soaps and body washes containing triclosan provide any extra benefits, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

For me personally, that raises a lot of red flags. I would much rather just use soap and water or a great anti-bacterial essential oil like lemon or tea tree. 

If you still would prefer to use a hand sanitizer or lotion, then there are better products out there. Mother's Therapy Organics just sent me several of their products to try. I was very pleased to see they use wonderful organic ingredients such as: organic aloe vera, organic coconut oil, lemon essential oil, and organic oregano.

They do not use triclosan in any of their products; however, I was quite disappointed to see that they do use an artificial fragrance of cucumber. The scent is very strong, and I try to stay away from artificial fragrances with my family. These products would be fantastic without that fragrance!

 

As you are out and about this holiday season, make sure to wash up with soap and water, use some essential oils or find a safe and effective antibacterial product that doesn't contain triclosan.