Do these two cancel each other out?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential interaction between two handwashes and whether mixing them would cancel out their antibacterial effects. Participants explore the ingredients of each handwash, focusing on their antibacterial properties and how they might affect each other.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if mixing the two handwashes would cancel out their antibacterial effects.
  • Another participant states that sodium benzoate is the main antibacterial agent in both handwashes and suggests they won't interfere with each other.
  • Additional ingredients in the second handwash include methylchloroisothiazolinone and potassium sorbate, which are also antibacterial, but their interaction with the first handwash is uncertain.
  • A participant expresses gratitude for the detailed explanation of the ingredients and suggests that while handwash 1 may not weaken handwash 2, the reverse could be possible.
  • One participant concludes that it is unlikely either handwash will interfere with the other but recommends sticking with handwash 2 for antimicrobial purposes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the two handwashes are unlikely to interfere with each other, but there is no consensus on whether one may weaken the other. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved regarding the specific interactions of the ingredients.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that sodium benzoate requires an acidic environment to be effective, which may influence its antibacterial efficacy when mixed with other ingredients. There are also uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of the handwashes when combined.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in the chemistry of personal care products, particularly those concerned with antibacterial properties and ingredient interactions in handwashes.

XIshaX
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I'm wondering if by mixing these to handwashes, the antibacterial effect of both is cancelled.

Handwash 1: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride, glycerin, polyquaternium-7, parfum, sodium benzoate, lactic acid, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol, limonene, hexyl cinnamal, butylphenyl methylpropional, linalool, CI 42051

Handwash 2: Aqua, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium chloride, citric acid, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium benzoate, cocamide DEA, disodium EDTA, glycerin, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, chamomilla recutita flower extract, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, potassium sorbate

Any idea?

Thanks
 
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XIshaX said:
, , methylisothiazolinone, potassium sorbate

Any idea?

Thanks

In both cases, the main antibacterial is sodium benzoate. They won't interfere with each other.
The second handwash has methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, and potassium sorbate. It is unlikely that anything in the first handwash would interfere with these, but I don't know.

Here's the ingredients for the first one:

Aqua: water
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: a soap and surfactant
cocamidopropyl betaine: a natural mix, a surfactant
Sodium Chloride: salt
glycerin: probably included to provide a sweet scent
polyquaternium-7: antistatic or "fabric softener"
parfum: fragrance
sodium benzoate: preservative, this is your first antibacterial agent, it requires an acid environment to be effective
lactic acid: and here's you acid environment
tetrasodium glutamate diacetate: preservative booster (antibacterial)
benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol: protects this mixture from UV
limonene: orange scent
hexyl cinnamal: fragrance
butylphenyl methylpropional, fragrance
linalool, fragrance
CI 42051: blue coloring

Additional ingredients in second one:
citric acid: provides acid environment and perhaps fragrance
cocamide DEA: foaming agent
disodium EDTA: water softener
PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate: skin conditioner
chamomilla recutita flower extract: fragrance
methylchloroisothiazolinone: antibacterial
methylisothiazolinone: antibacterial
potassium sorbate: antibacterial
 
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.Scott said:
In both cases, the main antibacterial is sodium benzoate. They won't interfere with each other.
The second handwash has methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, and potassium sorbate. It is unlikely that anything in the first handwash would interfere with these, but I don't know.

Here's the ingredients for the first one:

Aqua: water
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: a soap and surfactant
cocamidopropyl betaine: a natural mix, a surfactant
Sodium Chloride: salt
glycerin: probably included to provide a sweet scent
polyquaternium-7: antistatic or "fabric softener"
parfum: fragrance
sodium benzoate: preservative, this is your first antibacterial agent, it requires an acid environment to be effective
lactic acid: and here's you acid environment
tetrasodium glutamate diacetate: preservative booster (antibacterial)
benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol: protects this mixture from UV
limonene: orange scent
hexyl cinnamal: fragrance
butylphenyl methylpropional, fragrance
linalool, fragrance
CI 42051: blue coloring

Additional ingredients in second one:
citric acid: provides acid environment and perhaps fragrance
cocamide DEA: foaming agent
disodium EDTA: water softener
PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate: skin conditioner
chamomilla recutita flower extract: fragrance
methylchloroisothiazolinone: antibacterial
methylisothiazolinone: antibacterial
potassium sorbate: antibacterial
Wow - thank you so much for that detailed reply! I'm pleased that you've explained what the different ingredients do - always wanted to know that!

So, it looks like handwash 1 wouldn't be weakened by handwash 2, but it's possible that handwash 2 is weakened by handwash 1. Have I got that right?
 
XIshaX said:
Wow - thank you so much for that detailed reply! I'm pleased that you've explained what the different ingredients do - always wanted to know that!

So, it looks like handwash 1 wouldn't be weakened by handwash 2, but it's possible that handwash 2 is weakened by handwash 1. Have I got that right?
It is very unlikely that either will interfere with the other. But if you are looking for an antimicrobial handwash, stick with handwash 2; it was specifically developed for that. Mixing it with handwash 1 won't make it more antimicrobial.