Did you know that soap is among the best products for hidradenitis suppurativa? That’s right, the way you wash your skin can help keep the condition under control.
Although there is no permanent cure for hidradenitis suppurativa yet, dermatologists recommend keeping clean with antibacterial soap and antiseptic wash. This prevents a secondary infection and promotes healing.
Check out the best soap for hidradenitis suppurativa below:
| The best soap for hidradenitis suppurativa | Highlights |
|---|---|
| CLn SportWash |
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| Dial White Antibacterial Deodorant Soap |
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| Dove Beauty Bar, Antibacterial |
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| Secura Total Body Antimicrobial Foam Cleanser |
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| Hibiclens Antiseptic & Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser |
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| Vanicream Gentle Body Wash |
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| Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Sulfate-Free Body Wash |
|
Contents
How to identify hidradenitis suppurativa
If you’re worried that you might have HS (hidradenitis suppurativa), here’s what to look for. At first, you might think that the bumps are caused by blackheads, ingrown hairs, acne, or boils. They are often found in places where the skin rubs, like armpits.
The condition is more common among women in their twenties and thirties, and Black Americans are more often affected, especially if there is a history of it in their family.
What happens is that the hair follicles get blocked, and the lumps that appear can be quite painful. Sometimes they rupture and leak pus and blood. Also, in advanced stages, tunnels linking the sores form under the skin (1).
If you’re concerned that you might have hidradenitis suppurativa, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor or dermatologist. The sooner you get treatment, the faster the recovery, and the easier it is to maintain healthy skin.
How to take care of HS at home
At a doctor’s office, you might get a prescription for topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, or even hormone therapy. You may receive a steroid injection to shrink the sores. Plus, the doctor might suggest taking over-the-counter pain medication.
If the case is severe, a doctor may debride the skin, perform laser therapy, or do surgical removal. But if the case is mild, or if you’re in the middle of a pandemic and can’t easily visit a doctor, there are still things you can do at home to control HS.
Self-care includes cleansing the skin with an antiseptic wash or antibacterial soap. However, don’t try to pop the sores, shave, or remove hair. The idea is to help the skin heal without irritating it. Don’t even use a washcloth or loofah to scrub the skin.
If HS isn’t flaring up, feel free to use a gentle bath soap or body wash. We recommend ones made for sensitive skin like the ones below (2).
Next, try soothing the affected spots with a warm, wet compress. Wear loose clothing that doesn’t rub the area – or use soft, tight-fitting clothing that’s breathable and protects against friction.
Remember to eat healthy, with less sugar and more water, to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation in the body.
Lastly, learn how to do a bleach bath, or use a product like the CLn body wash with sodium hypochlorite (see it below in the reviews).
Best Soaps for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in 2023
CLn SportWash
Here’s a shortcut to a bleach bath. It was created by doctors for use after workouts and sports, but it’s also helpful for treating HS, folliculitis, and acne. Washing with it sanitizes the skin without the need for antibacterial soap.
However, there’s a catch. To get the most from it, you need to let the body wash sit on your skin for two minutes before rinsing. Thankfully, it’s non-drying and hypoallergenic. Users say it leaves the skin supple and doesn’t cause itching.
The gel-like formula uses diluted sodium hypochlorite for a natural, deep clean. This potent ingredient kills off bacteria, fungus, and viruses without the risk of creating antibiotic-resistant microbes.
The soap contains no artificial fragrance or parabens and it won’t bleach or towels, clothes, hair, or skin. It makes a pleasant lather and leaves the skin fresh and clean.
Pros:
- Diluted bleach body wash is highly recommended for managing HS
- Antimicrobial, protects against bacteria, fungi, and viruses
- No artificial fragrance or parabens, hypoallergenic
- Non-drying, leaves skin soft and supple
- Does not contribute to antibiotic resistance
- Won’t stain or bleach clothing, towels, skin, or hair
Cons:
- Slippery gel slides easily off the hands, so it’s a little tricky to make lather at first
Dial White Antibacterial Deodorant Soap
Dial makes gold and white antibacterial soap. We prefer the white because it’s less drying than the gold. It has a moisturizing formula that smells clean and leaves the skin with a fresh scent for hours afterward.
Moreover, the hard milled soap makes a pleasant lather. It rinses clean and doesn’t leave a residue unlike some “moisturizing” cleansers do. Still, people with dry skin will probably need lotion after bathing.
The active antibacterial ingredient is benzalkonium chloride 0.10%. This is an antimicrobial ingredient still under review by the FDA, but currently found in many antiseptic products (3). If you’re concerned about the safety of antibacterial soap, use it only on skin parts affected by HS, and only when the condition is flaring up.
A bar of this soap will last for weeks if left to dry in a well-drained soap dish. Plus, it’s easy to pack compared to a bottle of liquid soap.
Pros:
- Moisturizing bar soap with a pleasant scent that makes lots of lather
- Rinses clean, leaves a pleasant fragrance behind
- Kills microbes that cause infection and odor
Cons:
- Contains an antimicrobial ingredient under review by the FDA
Dove Beauty Bar, Antibacterial
Is there Dove soap for hidradenitis suppurativa? As a matter of fact, there is. Just like Dial, Dove uses benzalkonium chloride to get rid of bacteria on the skin. It works so well that it removed 99% of E. coli with only twenty seconds of washing.
What’s also nice is that it’s just as moisturizing as traditional Dove soap. It’s mild enough to use on the face and body. Users say it’s gentle, yet helps clear up boils. Happily, it has a delightful fragrance, although it may be a little strong for some.
Pros:
- Clears up skin irritation while moisturizing
- Mild enough for the face and body
- Can remove 99% of bacteria from the skin in twenty seconds
Cons:
- Not fragrance-free
- Contains an antimicrobial ingredient under review by the FDA
Secura Total Body Antimicrobial Foam Cleanser
What happens if you can’t bathe in water? If you’ve just had surgery to treat hidradenitis suppurativa, you might not be able to soak in water for a while. Or perhaps your skin is so sensitive that holding it under the shower is just too painful. The solution is to use foam cleanser and do a sponge bath like hospitals do.
This one contains benzethonium chloride 0.13%, a potent antimicrobial. It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and won’t sting the skin. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe off grime and leave the skin clean and refreshed. Also, it can be used as hand sanitizer. The formula won’t stain or harm towels or clothing.
Pros:
- Medical-grade foam wash with benzethonium chloride
- Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, doesn’t sting the skin
- Removes dirt, leaves the skin fresh and clean without the need for rinsing
- Won’t stain towels or clothing
Cons:
- Not soap, but doesn’t require water
Hibiclens Antiseptic & Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser
It seems like everyone has heard of Hibiclens for wound cleansing. Unlike the foam cleanser above, you’ll need water to use it. Rinse the affected part of your body, then massage a small amount of Hibiclens into the spot. Let it sit for three minutes and rinse again.
As you might imagine, this non-soap skin cleaner is best for washing small areas, not as a shower gel. On the bright side, each time you use it, it becomes even more effective because it has a cumulative effect. Furthermore, the active ingredient, chlorhexidine gluconate, bonds to the skin to keep killing microbes for up to six hours.
There is one little-known fact that you should be aware of: you need to store it between 68 to 77°F to keep it fresh.
Also, the active ingredient will cause stains if comes in contact with other chlorinated products. Most importantly, do not get this stuff in your eyes as it may cause blindness.
Pros:
- Wound cleanser for managing HS flares
- Antimicrobial action keeps working for up to six hours after washing
Cons:
- Must be stored at the appropriate temperature
- Dangerous to eyes
- May cause stains if used with other chlorinated products
Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
As the FDA has pointed out, you don’t always need antibacterial soap. A gentle body wash like this one prevents inflammation, irritation, acne, and more. It also has the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association because it’s safe, mild, and moisturizing.
The formula has no fragrance, masking fragrance, parabens, formaldehyde releasers, dyes, sulfates, or cocamidopropyl betaine. It’s also gluten-free and dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin.
It’s non-drying enough for many people to forget about applying moisturizer after washing. It leaves the skin supple, not tight or itchy. Plus, there’s no residue left behind.
Pros:
- The perfect moisturizing body wash for sensitive skin
- Free from pretty much every irritant found in other soaps and body washes
- No sulfates, alcohol, fragrance, masking fragrance, parabens, etc.
- Carries the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association
- Doesn’t leave a residue and doesn’t dry out the skin
Cons:
- None unless you must have a pump top bottle (it has a flip top)
Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Sulfate-Free Body Wash
We hope you never find out firsthand what it’s like to undergo chemotherapy and suffer from stressed-out, hypersensitive skin. But if you do, just know that this body wash was tested on adults undergoing oncology treatment. It was a stunning success, with 90% of the participants reporting that it’s gentle and moisturizing.
That’s not surprising as it uses Aveeno’s time-tested technology based on oats. The oats soothe itching and dryness and promote skin repair alongside pro-vitamin B5 and aloe.
The formula has no artificial fragrance, phthalates, sulfates, or parabens. Technically, it’s not even soap, but a creamy cleanser for daily use. It comes in a convenient pump top bottle.
If there’s any downside, is that it contains cocamidopropyl betaine. This surfactant makes lather and lifts away dirt and oil. Unfortunately, the American Contact Dermatitis Society named it Allergen of the Year in 2004 because it can cause skin sensitization for some individuals.
Pros:
- 90% of oncology patient participants in a trial said that it’s gentle and moisturizing
- No artificial fragrance, sulfates, parabens, or phthalates
- Creamy, soothes itching
- In a convenient pump top bottle
Cons:
- Contains a potential allergen
Conclusion
It’s time to get the upper hand on HS. Using the right soap for hidradenitis suppurativa manages symptoms and may prevent flare-ups.
We hope our reviews helped you find the best antibacterial cleanser or body wash for your needs today. May it help you heal faster and feel more comfortable as soon as possible.
Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/symptoms-causes/syc-20352306 by Mayo Clinic Staff, published August 6, 2021
2. https://www.self.com/story/hidradenitis-suppurativa-symptoms Could Your Skin Symptoms Be Hidradenitis Suppurativa? By Allyson Byers, published July 7, 2020
3. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/antibacterial-soap-you-can-skip-it-use-plain-soap-and-water Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water, updated May 16, 2019
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