Is Dial Soap Actually Antibacterial? A Deep Dive into Its Ingredients and Effectiveness

October 8, 2025 •

2 min read

Since its introduction in 1948 as the first antibacterial soap in the United States, Dial has been a household name. The question many still ask is, is Dial soap actually antibacterial and what does that mean for your health? This article explores the science behind the soap.

Quick Summary

Dial soap is antibacterial due to its active ingredient, benzalkonium chloride. This article explains how it works, its history after the FDA's 2016 triclosan ban, and how it compares to plain soap for effective hand hygiene.

Key Points

Active Ingredient: Modern Dial soaps use benzalkonium chloride as their active antibacterial agent.
FDA Regulation: In 2016, the FDA banned triclosan, Dial's former active ingredient, from consumer soaps, leading to reformulation.
Mechanism: Benzalkonium chloride kills bacteria by disrupting their cell membranes.
Efficacy: While Dial kills 99.9% of bacteria, the FDA and CDC state there's no proof antibacterial soap is better than plain soap and water for preventing illness.
Plain Soap's Power: Proper handwashing with regular soap for 20 seconds effectively removes germs without the risks of antibacterial agents.
Historical Context: Dial was the first antibacterial soap in the U.S., launched in 1948.
Ongoing Review: Benzalkonium chloride is still permitted by the FDA, but the agency has sought additional data on its long-term safety and effectiveness.

The History of an Iconic Brand

Introduced in 1948 by Armour and Company, Dial was the first antibacterial soap available to consumers in the U.S.. Initially containing hexachlorophene, it was reformulated with triclocarban and triclosan after hexachlorophene was removed from the market. Dial's marketing historically emphasized its germ-killing abilities.

The FDA's 2016 Ruling and a Major Shift

A significant industry change occurred on September 2, 2016, when the FDA banned 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, from over-the-counter consumer antiseptic washes. This decision was based on a lack of evidence that these ingredients offered greater effectiveness than plain soap and water for preventing illness, along with concerns about long-term risks such as bacterial resistance and hormonal effects. The FDA deemed the potential risks of triclosan to outweigh its benefits for the average consumer, prompting manufacturers like Dial to reformulate.

Dial's New Active Ingredient: Benzalkonium Chloride

Following the FDA's ban, Dial replaced triclosan and triclocarban with benzalkonium chloride in its bar and liquid soaps. Benzalkonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound used in antibacterial products for decades. It functions by disrupting microbial cell membranes, effectively killing a wide range of bacteria. Dial claims its formulas with benzalkonium chloride eliminate 99.9% or 99.99% of common household bacteria in 30 seconds. This ingredient was not included in the 2016 ban, but the FDA requested more safety and effectiveness data while allowing products containing it to remain available.

How Does Antibacterial Soap Compare to Plain Soap?

Unlike antibacterial soaps that aim to kill bacteria, plain soap works by using molecules that dissolve and lift germs from the skin, which are then washed away with water. {Link: WAXIE info.waxie.com/antibacterial-update}. The FDA and CDC state there's no evidence antibacterial soaps are more effective than plain soap and water for preventing illness. The FDA highlights washing with plain soap and water as crucial. Experts also express concerns about potential antibiotic resistance and disruption of skin's natural bacterial balance with excessive antibacterial use.

Comparison of Soap Types


Feature	Plain Soap	Triclosan-Based Soap (Pre-2017)	Benzalkonium Chloride Soap (Current Dial)
Mechanism	Mechanically removes germs	Aims to kill bacteria on contact	Aims to kill bacteria on contact
Active Agent	None	Triclosan	Benzalkonium Chloride
FDA Status	Recommended for general use	Banned from OTC consumer soaps in 2016	Permitted, but under review for more data
Effectiveness vs. Plain Soap	-	No proven extra benefit for illness prevention	No proven extra benefit for illness prevention
Potential Risks	Minimal, can cause dryness.	Bacterial resistance, hormonal effects	Skin irritation, potential for resistance

Conclusion: So, Is Dial Soap Antibacterial?

Yes, Dial soap is formulated to be antibacterial with benzalkonium chloride. However, health authorities emphasize no established evidence that antibacterial soap offers superior benefits over plain soap and water for preventing illness during routine hygiene. Proper handwashing for at least 20 seconds is key. While antibacterial, it's not necessarily more effective than regular soap for staying healthy. For handwashing guidelines, visit the CDC's Handwashing page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The active antibacterial ingredient in current Dial bar and liquid soaps is benzalkonium chloride, typically at a concentration of 0.10% to 0.13%.

Dial changed its formula in response to a 2016 FDA ruling that banned triclosan and 18 other ingredients from consumer soaps due to a lack of evidence of their superior effectiveness and concerns about long-term risks like bacterial resistance.

According to the FDA and CDC, there is no scientific evidence that antibacterial soaps are any better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.

The active ingredient, benzalkonium chloride, is a quaternary ammonium compound that kills a broad spectrum of bacteria by disrupting their cell membranes.

The FDA has allowed products with benzalkonium chloride to remain on the market but deferred a final rule to allow for the submission of new safety and effectiveness data. Some studies have linked it to potential skin irritation.

Benzalkonium chloride has been shown to be effective against enveloped viruses (like influenza and coronaviruses) but is less effective against non-enveloped viruses (like norovirus). However, the most important action for removing viruses is the mechanical friction of washing with any soap and water.

Yes, when Dial was introduced in the U.S. market in 1948, it was the first commercially available antibacterial soap.