A Method for the in Vivo Evaluation of Skin Sanitizing Soaps

Abstract

Each subject serves as his own control during the exptl. period; a different soap is used on each hand, and is applied 3 times/day. It is possible to compare an unmedicated soap with a medicated soap, or to compare 2 medicated soaps simultaneously. The method is simple, and gives results in 5 days. Reduction of the skin flora by hexachlorophene compares favorably with that shown in a modified Price method. Either method is capable of demonstrating skin sanitizing properties of compounds other than bis-phenols in soap.