Why is povidone iodine a skin disinfectant?

[sameeralord]

I know this is a well known skin disinfectant, but my note say iodine is inactivated by organic matter. Isn't skin organic matter, so how does this work. Thanks

 

[Dr_Morbius]

Ya but in the process it kills bacteria and other organisms. It works pretty much the same as bleach but bleach is stronger.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Povidone-iodine

 

[oliviajane]

I remember reading an article that Dawn dish liquid was shown to be equally or more effective in removing bacteria before puncturing skin, but that Iodine has been used for so long that's it's just tradition to do so.