Those suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) know too well that certain skincare products can make the condition worse or even trigger a flare-up. That’s why finding the right soaps, creams, and lotions is paramount to managing the condition.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin condition that causes painful bumps and lesions on the skin in areas where there is a lot of skin-to-skin friction, like the armpits and the groin.
There isn’t a definitive cause of hidradenitis suppurativa, and some cases are linked to genetics or smoking.
That being said, there are some things you can do the manage this condition at home. For example, using the right soap can help prevent secondary infections and help the skin heal.
So what are the best soaps for hidradenitis suppurativa? The best soaps prevent bacteria from growing and spreading with antiseptic and antibacterial properties. However, these soaps should also be gentle and hydrating because skin affected by hidradenitis suppurativa can be tender and sensitive.
In this article, we are rounding up the best soaps that are both antiseptic and gentle on the skin, so you can use them to help manage this condition and prevent it from getting worse.
Buyer’s Guide
Here are the most important factors to look for when selecting the right soap if you have hidradenitis suppurativa:
Antiseptic Properties
Although hidradenitis suppurativa is not caused by bacteria, some people can get secondary infections in areas where they have open bumps and lesions. These secondary infections can be painful and cause an unpleasant odor.
A great solution to that is to use a soap with antibacterial properties. If used daily, antibacterial or antiseptic soap can prevent the growth of bacteria, thus preventing an infection.
Without secondary infections, the condition becomes much more manageable and much less painful and prevents further discomfort.
In our search for the best soaps for hidradenitis suppurativa, we focused on soaps that contain ingredients like triclosan, triclocarban, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol.
Additionally, antiseptic soaps containing chlorhexidine and benzoyl peroxide work well, too. If you’re looking for natural ingredients, there are some essential oils, like tea tree oil, that have antiseptic and antibacterial qualities as well.
Gentle On The Skin
Another factor to look for in soap for those suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa is how gentle it is on the skin.
If you have this condition, chances are your skin is already very sensitive. You may have painful bumps on the skin, and in some cases open lesions.
These things are painful enough – the last thing you want to do is use a harsh soap that further irritates, stings, or dries out your skin!
Unfortunately, many regular antibacterial soaps can do just that. This is why for our guide, we specifically looked for antibacterial soaps that also contain nurturing and calming ingredients that help soothe the skin.
It’s also important to look for soaps that don’t contain any irritating ingredients like fragrances, parabens, or dyes. These things are unnecessary and can further irritate your delicate skin.
Affordable Price
Another factor that we all have to have in mind is the price of the soap. Nobody wants to spend a fortune on soap, but some specialized soaps are worth the extra dollar.
We kept costs in mind when putting together our guide for best soaps to use when you have hidradenitis suppurativa, to ensure that you’re able to find an effective product that fits your budget.
Best Soaps For Hidradenitis Suppurativa
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | CLn BodyWash | Gentle on the skin with strong anti-septic ingredients |
| 2. | Remedy Soap Tea Tree Body Wash | All-natural antibacterial soap that contains skin-soothing ingredients |
| 3. | Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash | Simple ingredients and powerful antibacterial results |
| 4. | Dove Beauty Bar Antibacterial | Simple and affordable antibacterial bar soap that leaves skin feeling moisturized |
| 5. | One With Nature Dead Sea Salt Activated Charcoal Soap | All-natural formula that relies on Dead Sea minerals and activated charcoal to cleanse and detox the skin |
| 6. | Dettol Sensitive Body Wash Shower Gel | Simple antibacterial body wash with a pleasant floral scent |
| 7. | Hibiclens Antimicrobial and Antiseptic Soap | Medical-grade antibacterial soap used for infection prevention in hospitals, safe for daily use |
| 8. | Rite Aid Antiseptic Skin Cleanser | Medical-grade and powerful, for severe cases of HS |
| 9. | Folliculitis Soap by Terrasil | Contains salicylic acid instead of antibacterial ingredients - great for mild forms of HS |
1. CLn BodyWash
This body wash is the best of both worlds – antimicrobial yet gentle, making it perfect for those who have hidradenitis suppurativa.
Dermatologist-recommended and popular among those with various skin conditions, this body wash cleans and disinfects the skin with the power of bleach.
Bleach sounds scary, but don’t worry. The type of bleach in this formula is sodium hypochlorite, and it’s gentle on the skin.
It targets germs, bacteria, and fungus to prevent any secondary infections from developing. In addition to that, it has a hydrating and gentle formula that keeps your skin from getting red, dry, and flaky.
In addition to helping with hidradenitis suppurativa, this body wash is great for those who have eczema, folliculitis, acne, and other skin infections.
The best way to use this wash is to lather it on your body each time you shower and let it sit on the skin for 1-2 minutes before rinsing it off. Letting it sit on your skin is key to allowing the active ingredients do their job at preventing infections. This body wash is gentle enough to use daily.
Users rave about how well this wash works for hidradenitis suppurative. One user writes, “I’ve had HS for many years, nothing has worked. I have been using this every day, twice a day for almost 2 weeks and I see and feel a huge difference.”
If you want something that’s gentle on the skin, yet effective at treating and preventing bacterial infections – give this a try!
2. Remedy Soap Tea Tree Body Wash
If you’re looking for a more natural approach, look no further than TruRemedy’s Remedy body wash with tea tree oil.
This body wash is made using a bunch of powerful natural ingredients, all of which work together beautifully to eliminate bacteria and soothe the skin without relying on harsh chemicals.
Essential oils are the main stars of this formula. Tea tree, rosemary, mint, and eucalyptus oil fight bacteria, and fungus, while olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera soothe and moisturize the skin.
With no added parabens, preservatives, petroleum, sulfates, silicones, synthetic fragrances, or dyes, this body wash smells fresh and pleasant thanks to the natural oils and leaves you feeling squeaky-clean.
It’s gentle enough for daily use but effective enough to be a top seller among people with hidradenitis suppurativa.
If you’re looking for an all-natural antibacterial soap that contains skin-soothing ingredients, this one is one you don’t want to miss.
3. Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash
Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash is a nice blend of powerful antibacterial ingredients with nourishing natural botanicals, so you get the best of both worlds.
This body wash will cleanse and get rid of bacteria, all while soothing and hydrating your skin.
Formulated with a powerful antiseptic, benzalkonium chloride, this body wash contains no harsh ingredients like parabens, fragrances, formaldehyde, phthalates, or lanolin.
It’s a clean formula that is designed not to irritate or dry out your skin, while providing antiseptic properties.
Added botanicals, like lavender, chamomile, and lemon extract provide additional cleansing and healing benefits. The body wash has a gentle herbal-minty smell and leaves you feeling fresh and clean.
If you’re looking for something simple, yet powerful, Dr. Lift has you covered.
4. Dove Beauty Bar Antibacterial
If you’re looking for bar soap, rather than a liquid body wash, the Dove Antibacterial bar might be just what you’re looking for.
Dove is known for adding a lot of moisturizing ingredients into their soaps. Each bar of soap is made with ¼ moisturizing cream.
If you are concerned about dryness or flakiness, this soap helps fight that thanks to its nourishing formula.
This moisturizing bar is designed to remove 99% of bacteria and protect the skin from dryness, giving you clean and soft skin after every use.
Another thing we love about this soap is how cost-effective it is. Each pack comes with 4 bars of soap, and they last a while! You can also use them safely on your face, hands, and body.
If you’re looking for a simple bar soap that prevents bacterial infections and leaves your skin feeling soft and healthy, without breaking the bank – this is a great option.
5. One With Nature Dead Sea Salt Activated Charcoal Soap
Don’t let the color of this soap freak you out. Yes, it’s black, and the it lathers grey, but it will make you feel cleaner and fresher than ever.
Made with activated charcoal and Dead Sea Salt minerals, this soap uses the powers of natural minerals to gently cleanse and detox your skin.
Activated charcoal has antibacterial properties, and has been used for centuries to pull impurities and germs out of wounds and cuts.
So it works really well at eliminating bacteria from the surface of the skin without being too harsh.
Dead Sea minerals include rich levels of magnesium, potassium, calcium, bromide, and sulfur, all of which help further cleanse and condition the skin.
The cleansing and nourishing qualities of this soap make it a great option for those with hidradenitis suppurativa, because it helps prevent infections and leaves you feeling fresh.
Additionally, this soap is made with argan oil and shea butter, which are very hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. Your skin won’t feel dry or tight after using this soap.
If you like the idea of an eco-friendly and all-natural soap that leverages the power of the earth’s minerals to cleanse and condition your skin, you’ll love this soap!
6. Dettol Sensitive Body Wash Shower Gel
Looking for a simple shower gel that smells great and kills bacteria, without wreaking havoc on your sensitive skin? This Dettol Sensitive Body Wash is perfect for that.
It was specifically designed for sensitive skin, so it won’t irritate or cause dryness. It also smells really nice – most people describe it as a gentle floral scent with a dash of vanilla.
Smelling delicious isn’t the only thing it does for you. It kills 99% of bacteria, effectively preventing secondary infection caused by hidradenitis suppurativa. All while keeping your skin hydrated and soft!
In fact, some of the studies Dettol has done show that this product helps keep the skin moisturized for 8 hours. So, if you’re looking for hydration, a pleasant scent, and powerful antibacterial properties, this shower gel is for you.
7. Hibiclens Antimicrobial and Antiseptic Soap
Hibiclens is a little more heavy-duty than some of the other suggestions on our list, but some people with HS swear by it.
Hibiclens Antiseptic Soap has been a trusted product among many hospitals and care centers for over 40 years as a skin cleanser in pre-operative patient bathing, and for help in reducing the risk of surgical site infections.
It contains powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which make it a great choice for someone who struggles with secondary HS infections.
Its active ingredient chlorhexidine gluconate begins killing a variety of germs, bacteria and fungi on contact and continues working even after rinsing.
Although it’s often used in hospitals and other medical settings, Hibiclens is perfectly fine to use at home, even on a daily basis. It’s formula contain skin-soothing ingredients that are well-tolerated by most people when used daily.
One reviewer with hidradenitis suppurativa shared, “I have HS and this helps with flare ups. It keeps the wound or problem areas clean. My doctor always recommend this product to keep problem areas clean to prevent infection.”
8. Rite Aid Antiseptic Skin Cleanser
Another “medical-grade” cleanser, this one by Rite Aid is safe to use daily as well as during occasional flare-ups. It’s made with chlorhexidine gluconate, allowing it to kill a wide range of bacteria.
Formulated with no unnecessary harsh ingredients like dyes or fragrances, this cleanser is safe and effective. It won’t irritate or dry out your skin, but it will definitely help clear out any infections.
This cleanser is affordable, too. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty product that is great at eliminating odor and preventing infections without breaking the bank, this is it.
Reviewers tend to love this product for everything from surgery scars to pierced ears and everything in-between. There are many who use it for HS or other skin conditions.
If you’re looking for something affordable and powerful to prevent HS infections, this is a great option.
9. Folliculitis Soap by Terrasil
Although this bar soap does not contain any strong antibacterial ingredients, it’s good at fighting off potential skin infections in other ways.
The Terrasil Folliculitis Soap is made with salicylic acid, which is a gentle chemical exfoliant. It helps your skin shed old dead skin cells faster, preventing bacteria from finding pockets to grow and multiply.
Some people with milder forms of HS can benefit from this soap without needing to resort to stronger anti-bacterial soaps.
Additionally, this all-natural soap contains soothing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil. It also contains a lot of bacteria-fighting botanicals like lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and bentonite clay.
This soap is great for those who are sensitive to antibacterial ingredients and are looking to prevent infections in other ways.
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