You depend on soap to keep your hands clean, but, in fact, certain soaps on the market right now may be having the opposite effect.
According to the FDA, Intercon Chemical Co. has issued a voluntary recall of six of its soaps that are sold nationwide due to potential bacterial contamination.
Below, we’re sharing everything you need to know.
What is the Intercon Chemical Co. soap recall?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a report stating that Intercon Chemical Co. issued a voluntary recall of multiple soaps. It has been classified as a Class II recall, which means that the products may cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” The products included in the recall are:
- Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 28.7 fl. oz.
- Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 1000 mL
- Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, 28.7 fl. oz.
- Vestis Foaming Hand Soap, Fresh Pear Scent, 33.8 fl. oz.
- Laura Lynn honey apple crisp Liquid Hand Soap, 8 fl. oz.
- Laura Lynn Foaming pear scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers, 7.5 fl. oz.
These soaps were identified as being potentially contaminated with bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these types of bacteria can cause infections in the blood, lungs and urinary tract.
The recall includes 20 different companies — 19 wholesalers and one retailer — across 16 states, including California, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas and more. If you have one of these products, you should stop using it and dispose of it immediately.
If you’re looking for other ways to keep your hands clean, we’re sharing editor-recommended soaps and hand sanitizers here.
The best hand soaps, according to editors
“Mrs. Meyer’s is one of the brands I always gravitate toward for cleaning products in my house,” says editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson. “We always keep these little jugs in the classic scent on hand to refill the soap dispenser in our bathroom. I also love their seasonal scents and this season’s apple cider offering is just delightful.”
Stewart-Jackson was surprised by how much she liked the scent of this soap when she first used it. “I thought the rosemary was going to be overpowering and I’m not really a rosemary fan, but it was complemented by the lemon eucalyptus really well,” she says. “It has a luxe scent and feel, without the luxe price tag.”
“This may be a hot take, but one of the best things you can buy at Williams Sonoma is their hand soap,” shares deputy managing editor, Jess Bender. “My mom got me hooked on this section of the store when I was a teen and I’ve been following her suit ever since. It has a luscious feel with both aloe vera and olive oil in its formulation, so it leaves your hands feeling extra smooth once you’re done scrubbing. Their Meyer lemon scent in particular is super special.”
“A new favorite of mine is Element Brooklyn because of the scents; they have really elevated washing your hands,” Editor Vivien Moon says. “I especially love the Genovese scent, but I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. They have refills, and that makes it easier than going out and repurchasing new bottles all the time.”
“Blueland has been my go-to hand soap in the kitchen for years now,” says associate editor Lauren Witonsky. “I love that I can reuse the same glass bottle over and over for a sustainable swap. Plus, every time I run out, I look forward to picking out a new scent tab for the season. You can buy refill tabs separately to save you money in the long run.”
Naomi Los Angeles Terroir Aromatic Hand Wash
“I never thought I’d be opinionated about soap, but I’ve gotten very into this newly launched one lately ... and it’s made me realize how meh my previous kitchen soaps have been,” shares associate market editor Audrey Ekman. “It was initially developed for Michelin-starred restaurants and uses bread yeast enzymes to break down food odors better than other hand soaps I’ve tried. Plus, it has a phenomenal scent.”
Moon shares that this soap “smells delightful,” but that isn’t the only thing to love. “It is such great quality, and I love that there are refills available, too! I didn’t expect to fall in love with the brand and the soap so much; it really elevates hand washing.”
“Okay, hear me out: I know a bar of soap doesn’t sound very exciting, but it’s unreal how much of a difference a quality product makes in your self-care routine,” Bender says. “The cooling peppermint scent that emits from this is unmatched, so much so that I could smell it from rooms away. The exfoliants contained within the soap (sea salt and poppy seeds) are less abrasive than other options I’ve tried in the past, but they work just as effectively with smoothing out my skin. Finally, true to its name, this soap brick is just that — it’s huge! This baddie is going to last me a long time, so I can justify the price on it.”
“While this is definitely the most expensive hand soap I’ve ever owned, I can’t deny that it looks really pretty on my counter and I always get questions about it from guests,” says Stewart-Jackson. “I put the matching hand lotion next to it so people can have the full experience, and it’s always a hit.”
The best hand sanitizers, according to editors
“I don’t think there’s a person on the team who isn’t a huge fan of Touchland,” Moon says, adding that she’s “gotten multiple friends hooked” on the affordable formulas.
“Gemi hand sanitizers are so fragrant, which I love, and they last a while, too,” Moon says about this award-winning product. “I love that the top is built to turn so you don’t accidentally press on it and spray it all over when its in your bag.”
“I tried this hand sanitizer and now I’m down to the last spritzes,” says social media video producer Anita Chomenko. “The scent is palo santo and juniper and it smells more like a candle I’d reach for rather than a harsh sanitizer, so I don’t mind spritzing it all over my hands. The brand also features other travel-friendly cleaning essentials.”
How we chose
While reporting on this news, we wanted to provide alternative options for those looking for new products to help clean their hands. All of the above options were recommended by our editorial staff.
Dr. Brandt Wrinkle Release Serum
Dr. Brandt Wrinkle Release Serum
