Myth #4: It Disrupts the Skin's Flora

Meet Your Skin’s Microbiome: Nature’s Hidden Protector

Skin microorganisms are more than passive inhabitants; they actively contribute to skin health. Through symbiotic relationships with the skin, these microbes play important roles in protection, hydration, and immune system support. Understanding the skin microbiome provides important insight into skin function and resilience.

Clicke here to learn more about the skin microbiome.

The Myth: Soap Harms Skin Flora

Some believe that using soap can disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome by removing beneficial bacteria that help protect the skin from harmful pathogens. These claims are often based on the assumption that soaps—particularly antibacterial formulations—are overly harsh, stripping the skin of its natural oils and affecting its microbial balance.

What the Science Says: Soap and Skin Flora

The skin is home to a diverse population of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that play an important role in protecting against infections, regulating skin pH, and even aiding in immune function. While some harsh detergents or antibacterial soaps have been shown to disturb microbial balance of these microorganisms, research suggests that regular soap, when used appropriately, does not have the same disruptive effect.

Here’s what the science tells us:

Skin Flora Balance is Resilient
A study published in Nature Reviews Microbiology (2017) suggests that the skin’s microbiome is remarkably resilient and can recover from disruptions caused by washing, including the use of soap. The research indicates that while washing with soap can temporarily reduce microbial counts, it does not eliminate the skin’s microbiota. The skin’s microbiome typically re-establishes itself after routine washing.
Soap vs. Antibacterial Agents
While antibacterial agents in soap, such as triclosan, have been shown to affect skin microbiota, studies have shown that traditional soap does not carry the same risk. FDA has stated that there is no evidence antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular soap and water for preventing illness. In fact, antibacterial ingredients can lead to antibiotic resistance and an imbalance in the skin’s microbiome. For this reason, public health agencies such as the CDC and the FDA recommend regular soap and water for routine handwashing.
The Role of Regular Soap in Skin Health
A study in Frontiers in Microbiology (2019) reported that typical soap use does not severely disrupt the skin’s microbial balance. It temporarily alters the pH and removes surface oils and dirt but does not strip the skin of all its beneficial microorganisms. Soap works by emulsifying oils and dirt, lifting them from the skin to be rinsed away, without causing long-term disruption to the skin’s microbiome.

Why Soap Doesn’t Harm Skin Flora

Soap is Rinse-Off, Not Leave-On: Unlike moisturizers or antibacterial agents, which are designed to stay on the skin, soap is a rinse-off product. Beneficial microorganisms are not permanently removed; their numbers may decrease briefly and then recover after washing.
Natural Recovery: The skin’s microbiome is in constant flux, and even with regular washing, it remains balanced. The skin naturally replenishes beneficial bacteria from the environment and from the deeper layers of the skin.
pH Balance and Skin Flora: The skin’s pH, usually around 5, is slightly acidic, which helps maintain a healthy microbiome. Soap, particularly if made with balanced recipes, does not dramatically shift this pH or harm skin flora. Traditional soap’s effect on skin pH is temporary, with the skin returning toward its typical acidic range.

Conclusion

The idea that soap destroys the skin’s natural flora is largely based on misconceptions, particularly regarding antibacterial soaps. Regular soap, when used as intended, does not appear to cause lasting harm to the skin’s beneficial microorganisms. It may momentarily alter the microbiome, but it does not strip away the skin’s natural defenses. It effectively cleanses the skin while allowing the microbiome to remain resilient.

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The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It is intended to share general knowledge about traditional soapmaking, ingredient behavior, historical context, and manufacturing processes.

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