Antimicrobial vs. Antibacterial: What Do You Need To Stay Safe? 

It’s safe to say that over the last 18 months, we’ve all become more concerned with keeping ourselves and our loved ones protected from germs and viruses. Because of this, words like antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral have become increasingly common in our everyday lives. We see them on product packaging, at the doctor’s office and on the news – sometimes even included in the dialogue of scripted television programs. But what do these words actually mean?  

It’s important to know the difference between antimicrobial vs antibacterial agents – and their applications. Read on to learn more about how each keeps you and your family safe and protected from illness. 

What Is Antimicrobial?  

If a product or agent is described as antimicrobial, it means it is designed to destroy or prevent the growth of microorganisms, especially those pathologic in nature. A microorganism is any microscopic living organism and includes things like bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. If the microorganism in question causes a disease, it is considered a pathogen.  

Examples of common antimicrobial products include hand sanitizer, rubber gloves and personal protection equipment (PPE). Medical facilities often use antimicrobial products to help protect patients and medical professionals alike. 

What Is Antibacterial?  

This is where things can become a little confusing. Antimicrobial products kill many types of microbes, but antibacterial products are designed to only destroy or inhibit bacteria. Bacteria come in many shapes and sizes. Some bacteria are good, like the ones that are part of our gastrointestinal system and help us digest food. Others are harmful or even deadly, like E. coli or Salmonella.  

Examples of common antibacterial products include soap, mouthwash, wet wipes, and detergents. You probably have one or more antibacterial items in your home right now. 

Antimicrobial vs. Antibacterial: Which One Is Better?   

When choosing between an antimicrobial or antibacterial product, it’s important to remember that both can help promote good hygiene and protect from illness. It really comes down to what your needs are. If you want to kill or prevent the growth of bacteria specifically, an antibacterial agent is a good option. However, since antimicrobial agents can protect against a wide range of microorganisms, they definitely have a competitive edge. 

So which do you pick? To keep yourself safe and protected, we recommend looking for antimicrobial products when shopping for items like hand sanitizer and surface cleaners. That way you can have confidence you’re getting safe protection from many types of microbes. Antibacterial products like soap are still viable options, however. In fact, the CDC recommends soap and water as your first defense when hand washing.  

Just Human Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer  

As we know, alcohol-based hand sanitizer has its downsides. Just Human’s 24-Hour Hand Sanitizer is a better alternative. It’s made with Benzalkonium Chloride, a non-alcoholic antimicrobial agent that is safe to use on the skin. With just one application, you can get all-day protection from bacteria and viruses – and it doesn’t wash off when washing your hands with soap.