Many antibacterial soaps contain triclosan, an ingredient that kills bacteria and acts as a preservative. But the David Suzuki Foundation identified it on their “Dirty Dozen” list of chemicals to avoid in cosmetic products because research shows it may interfere with hormone function and may contribute to a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Environment Canada has identified triclosan as potentially toxic to aquatic life because it doesn’t biodegrade easily and can hang around in the environment long after you rinse it down the drain.

Research suggests that good old-fashioned soap and water is just as effective at preventing illness as antibacterial formulas. Try replacing often-pricier “germ-killing” products with fragrance-free, olive-oil based soap, which is both gentle and moisturizing. For clean hands on the road, the EWG suggests using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer rather than an antibacterial formula.