If you’ve had a few dirty days at work, have bad body odor or dry and itchy skin, or just want to give your skin the care it deserves, antibacterial soap is something you’ll need in your toolkit. Normally, your regular soap will do just fine, but it’s always good to give your skin a good cleanse every once in a while.
Most soaps will clean the dirt and grime off your skin, as well as its natural oils (which accumulate over time, unlike in hair where they clean themselves out), but regular soaps are not made for removing or clearing your skin of the millions of bacteria that live on it. Some of these are harmless, and many, you will never even notice!
But some bacteria and fungi can be dangerous, including but not limited to E.coli, Athlete’s foot, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Infections caused by these can be painful and irritating, take a while to get rid of, and may involve time-consuming treatments or medications, so using antibacterial soap is a great way to maintain healthy, soft, and clear skin and prevent bad bacteria buildup.
We’ve done all the groundwork for you and have found the 14 best antibacterial soaps in 2023 for you to use on your skin every day or keep in the cupboard for use every once in a while. Take a look!
1. Blu Atlas Body Wash
Clean, preserve and sterilize your skin with this Body Wash by Blu Atlas. It’s a swiss-army anti-bacterial body wash that can elevate anyone’s skincare routine. Think of it as one of the best ways to eliminate harmful bacteria and clarify your skin. You can use it any way you want too, from lathering it on your skin with your hands to using a loofah if desired. But make sure to thoroughly rinse your skin for its full effectiveness.
Green tea extract is a star player in this product, which has detoxifying properties and is the primary antibacterial agent in this soap. The body wash also contains coco-caprylate, a softening gel that’s derived from coconut alcohol when mixed with caprylic acid and feels absolutely luxurious on your skin. In addition, it provides long-lasting smoothing benefits and has the ability to penetrate deep into cracks and gaps to help restore and heal your skin.
Blu Atlas prioritizes your safety, and that’s why this body wash is vegan and made from all-natural ingredients, including sustainable plants such as the aloe barbadensis leaf, which contains moisturizing and healing properties and is derived from the succulent plant. It’s a gentle yet potent body wash that, with its natural mix of moisturizers, makes this body wash the best antibacterial soap of 2023.
2. Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash
Phthalate-free, formaldehyde-free, and cruelty-free, this antibacterial body wash by Dr. Lift aims to provide nourishment and long-lasting skin benefits that defend against germs, whether someone around you has the flu or there’s a fungal infection that’s going around.
We love that this antibacterial body wash is infused with spirulina, which is known to kill germs and provide nourishment to the body due to its natural properties, making it feel less heavy and helping you exfoliate.
The body wash is also certified organic and includes lavender and calendula extract, both of which help clear and remove dead skin cells, but they can also provide relief from abdominal cramps and other unpleasant gastric problems, as all of them provide a therapeutic effect and help decrease pain when used.
It’s safe and is great for dry, cracked, old, or otherwise softer and more sensitive skin. By using natural and safe ingredients, Dr. Lift has created one of the best antibacterial soaps of 2022.
3. Vita Vie Antibacterial Body Wash
Vita Vie is a brand that caters to the younger audiences among us, from babies to teens struggling to figure out skincare or those of us with more soft and sensitive skin. The antibacterial body wash is formulated with natural ingredients that kill most germs within seconds of contact. As the body wash is made from pure natural ingredients, it’s perfect for those sensitive to chemicals such as parabens.
It will elevate your shower with its scent containing lemon extract, making it one of the best antibacterial soaps of 2023.
In this body wash, the active ingredient is Benzalkonium Chloride, a powerful antiseptic used at a higher concentration clinically for cleaning out surgical sites, clearing wounds of debris, and ensuring disinfection.
In this formula, it helps kill bacteria and any other microbes that happen to be lurking within the cracks or the small gaps in your skin. It also provides an exfoliating effect by clearing away dead skin cells and naturally removing inflamed cells. This antibacterial soap is also balanced with glycerin, which helps create a smooth lather and soft skin.
4. Dettol Antibacterial Soap
The poster child of antibacterial soaps, Dettol is one of the most reliable and trusted brands of all time and is used by hospitals for its medical-grade ability to cleanse and sterilize the skin. The powerful formula kills germs and leaves your skin hydrated.
If you suffer from asthma or an immune disorder, you’ll want to use this soap daily, as it significantly reduces the risk of infection. It’s used by surgeons to sterilize their hands before surgery, so you know this soap will keep you safe, and ensure your skin is in good health.
The reliability and name associated with this brand ensures it will make its way into any list of antibacterial soaps, including this one for 2023.
5. Hibiclens Antimicrobial Soap
The Hibiclens Antimicrobial soap is trusted by dermatologists and recommended by pharmacists, with a formula that works to remove and help with acne, prevent infections, and is effective for both skin cleansing and hand washing.
A testament to its trusted quality, the soap is often used in pre-operative procedures for bathing patients, as well as sterilizing the hands of medical staff operating on them, as the active ingredient is chlorhexidine gluconate 4%, a potent antiseptic with the ability to kill most microbes, due to its strong disinfectant properties.
It’s a gentle soap that is made out of safe ingredients and aims to prevent skin irritation and infections.
6. Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Body Wash
Dove is known for making products for those with vulnerable skin, and while many antibacterial body washes and soaps can be harsh on the skin, Dove tends not to be, preserving the natural oils that hold in that precious moisture that keeps your skin healthy and soft, with other soaps sometimes stripping this in an attempt to kill all microbes possible on the skin’s surface.
Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Body Wash eradicates 99% of bacteria while moisturizing damaged and dry with a blend of natural ingredients.
The lightweight, soothing formula is cruelty-free, as it is PETA-certified, and the bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic. It's also free of artificial chemicals such as sulfates and parabens, which can irritate your skin.
With these in mind, Dove’s Care and Protect is one of the most gentle antibacterial body washes on the market and is no doubt a great contender for this list of the 14 best antibacterial soaps in 2023.
7. Derma-nu Antifungal Therapeutic Soap & Body Wash
If you struggle with fungal infections or recurring Athlete’s foot, you should consider buying Derma-nu’s antifungal soap and body wash. It is especially important for people who hit the gym often, work in manual labor or other intensive industries, or just sweat a lot, as these kinds of jobs and activities can provide the perfect environment for bacteria to make their way into your skin and cause infections.
Derma-nu’s antifungal body wash is formulated to fight bacterial odors. The therapeutic soap is full of organic ingredients aimed at cooling and relieving damaged and dry skin. Its most potent ingredient is tea tree oil, which along with the spearmint and wintergreen, is used to treat fungal and bacterial infections on the skin.
This is a soothing, gentle, and super effective soap. It’s also cruelty-free and not tested on animals, and has mostly organic ingredients — creating a perfect cleansing formula that relaxes your skin. Best of all, it’s free from artificial fragrances or other artificial chemicals and creates a strongly neutral scent that leaves you feeling fresh after a shower.
8. Manuka Biotic Body Wash
Manuka Biotic’s Body Wash is a nourishing body wash made out of certified manuka oil, kanuka oil, and glycerine, making it all-natural and excellent at killing bad bacteria. It is very effective at healing cuts and scrapes and works great on sensitive skin due to its natural composition.
It has incredible properties that help to prevent damage and signs of aging. The formulation with manuka oil balances the skin’s pH levels and repels free radicals to encourage healthy aging. It’s also a great way to treat skin infections.
We also love that this product prioritizes the health of your skin, being free of parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oils, and added artificial fragrances, making it a great choice for those with allergies to these substances, or just those that don’t want to use non-natural and non-safe products on their skin. The brand also prioritizes responsible cosmetics production and takes pride in farming sustainably.
9. Dial Antibacterial Bar Soap
This antibacterial soap is perfect for someone who wants that after-shower smell all day long, with its antibacterial and light properties giving it that smell of someone who’s just washed their hair. When used, it forms a creamy lather that provides long-lasting moisturization and protection from hostile elements.
Using its powerful formula, Dial has incorporated potent antiseptics such as benzalkonium chloride and other odor-control agents that enable you to keep you feeling fresh all day (or night!) long.
We recommend using an antiperspirant after using this soap to lock in the scent. It’s also an indulging experience, with the fragrance of lavender providing relaxing benefits.
10. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar
CeraVe is known for making dry-skin products, as well as their bar soaps, that are filled with restorative and moisturizing ingredients. The hydrating cleanser bar works for most skin types, but it is especially suitable for dry and sensitive skin, as it’s a hydrating soap that helps restore the silky smooth texture that so many people want out of their skin.
The formulated hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to retain the skin’s natural moisture. The glycerin and ceramides present in the soap helps to nourish from the inside out.
Its fragrance-free properties means it’s a very hypoallergenic soap. It’s especially good for those who are suffering from acne, as its lack of irritants can be really gentle on all skin types. It’s also non-comedogenic, and its formula won’t clog up your pores — helping with acne and acne healing.
As far as soap goes, it’s quite heavy, and that’s why we recommend applying a reasonable layer to your skin, then thoroughly washing it away, ensuring that none of the soap is left, as it can prove quite flaky otherwise.
11. Solpri Shield Antifungal Soap Bar
This soap by Solpri is infused with the power of lemongrass, eucalyptus, lime, and other essential oils that allows for it to effectively clean your skin while keeping it healthy. The eucalyptus infused with this soap gives it potent antimicrobial properties, allowing the soap to keep your skin disinfected.
The soap has a special formula of amino acids that help remove most harmful bacteria from your skin within your first use and without drying skin. Vegetable glycerin is also present in this blend, which helps bring intense moisturization to your skin and removes fungus.
The characteristic orange color of this soap comes from orange oil, which is the active ingredient. This helps to achieve that signature clear and smooth look on your skin and is based on an antiseptic plant extract that, alongside the lemongrass and eucalyptus oil extract, produces a thorough cleansing effect. Orange also has a zesty and rejuvenating scent, and is ideal for those who want to feel clean after a long day at work.
12. Organic African Black Soap
Organic African Black Antifungal Soap is a unique blend of natural ingredients that work together to provide a powerful solution for fighting fungal infections. The soap is made with a combination of cocoa pods, palm oil, coconut oil, and other natural anti-oxidants and oils that, together, will keep your skin soft, supple, and free of fungal infection.
The soap is rich in vitamin A, and this is important for maintaining healthy skin and is also high in fatty acids, which help keep skin soft and supple. It is also rich in lauric acid, which can help to strengthen the skin's natural barrier.
The combination of these natural ingredients makes it an effective solution for treating fungal infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm. It can also be used as a preventative measure to keep fungal infections at bay. In addition, it helps to moisturize the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
This soap is free of synthetic chemicals and artificial preservatives, making it a safe and natural alternative to traditional antifungal soaps and gentle enough for daily use. Overall, Organic African Black Antifungal Soap is an effective and natural solution for everyone in the family.
13. Terrasil Tinea Antifungal Cleansing Bar
Terrasil's Antifungal Cleansing Bar is a soothing and effective solution for those dealing with fungal skin conditions such as athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
The soap contains shea butter, which is a natural emollient that helps hydrate and moisturizes the skin. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamins that help to repair and protect the skin from damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for soothing irritated skin.
In addition to olive oil and shea butter, this soap also contains activated minerals, specifically chosen for their antimicrobial and deodorant properties. These activated minerals work together to create a powerful combination that effectively fights against fungal infections.
It’s also formulated with a unique blend of essential oils, which have been chosen for their antifungal properties. These oils work together to create a synergistic effect that helps to combat fungal infections.
The product is free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, making the cleansing bar safe for even the most sensitive skin. This soap is cruelty-free and vegan, making it a great choice for those who are environmentally conscious.
14. The Yellow Bird Peppermint & Tea Tree Soap Bar
The Yellow Bird Peppermint Soap Bar is an invigorating blend of essential oils that will leave your skin feeling clean, clear, and refreshed. This soap is made with a combination of tea tree and cajuput essential oils, which work together to eliminate odors and keep your skin clear.
The soap’s essential oils are known for their powerful antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The peppermint essential oil in this soap provides a refreshing and invigorating scent that will leave you feeling energized and refreshed. Peppermint oil is known for its ability to soothe and cool the skin, making it a great choice for those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
It’s also made with other soothing natural ingredients, including coconut oil, olive oil, and palm oil. These ingredients are known for their ability to moisturize and nourish the skin, making this soap an excellent choice for those with dry or sensitive skin.
Overall, the Yellow Bird Peppermint Soap Bar is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a refreshing and invigorating soap that will leave their skin feeling clean, clear, and refreshed. With its combination of tea tree, cajuput, and peppermint essential oils, this soap is sure to help eliminate odors and keep your skin clear. Whether you have dry, sensitive, or oily skin, this soap is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and energized.
