Short answer
Soap is not bad for you - it helps kill germs and stop the spread of illness. Just make sure to avoid any soaps containing fragrance, parabens, sulfates and triclosan, as these chemicals can cause serious skin irritation and even hormone disruption.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
We use soap every single day, multiple times a day. It’s supposed to be a healthy habit that helps fight the spread of germs and bacteria to prevent sickness. And for the most part, it does. However, not all soap is created equal. Some varieties contain harmful ingredients that can do serious long-term damage.
To protect yourself, you don’t have to stop lathering up at the sink and in the shower. Just read soap labels and avoid anything that contains fragrance, parabens, sulfates and triclosan.
First, let’s talk about what “fragrance” actually refers to. On the label, “fragrance” is usually listed as one ingredient. But in actuality, it could refer to hundreds or even thousands of different chemicals. Some of these additives are fairly innocuous... but others may result in skin irritation or allergic reactions while others are potentially toxic. And to protect industry trade secrets, manufacturers do not have to legally disclose which ones they used.
Secondly, steer clear of parabens. These chemical preservatives are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in toiletries (including soap) to prolong the product’s shelf life. But some studies suggest that parabens can disrupt the body’s hormones. Parabens have also been found in the tumors of breast cancer patients. Scientists still aren’t quite sure what the connection is—but it’s worth noting that a link exists.
Next, look out for sulfates. These are the chemicals used to make soap sudsy. Most of us associate the suds with cleanliness—nothing feels fresher than working up a good lather! However, in the process, sulfates dry out the skin by stripping it of its natural oils. They are a known irritant, particularly for those with sensitive skin or eczema.
Lastly, you should avoid any soap with triclosan. Once commonly found in antibacterial soap, studies now show that washing with triclosan isn’t any more effective than ordinary soap and water. In fact, the opposite is true: triclosan actually promotes bacterial resistance to antibiotic cleansers. If that’s not bad enough, it also acts as an endocrine disruptor. Numerous studies have found that triclosan may disrupt the body's thyroid hormone regulation. It’s important to note that this is all based on animal studies—but the FDA refers to the findings as “a concern.” Because if the same holds true for humans, researchers fear that long-term triclosan exposure may lead to the early onset of puberty, obesity, infertility and even cancer.
So what soap is safe? Generally speaking, the fewer ingredients a soap contains... the better it is for you. Opt for all-natural bar soaps or liquid Castile, and avoid anything scented or antibacterial.
Possible short-term side effects
- skin irritation
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allergic reaction
Possible long-term side effects
- bacterial resistance
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endocrine disruption
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infertility
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cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- washes away dirt
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kills germs/bacteria
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helps prevent illness
Our favorite natural soaps
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