Dermatologist Dr. Russell Brenneman said it’s an illusion to think antibacterial soap will disinfect your hands.

“The only way you can sanitize your hands is to boil them,” he said.

Brenneman said it’s easy to use a plain, mild soap and clean your hands effectively.

“Wash between the fingers and on the back of the hand as well as the front,” he said. “Wash up to the wrist, and be sure to dry between the fingers. Avoid fragrances, and look for neutral pH products.”

Some people may have problems if washing dries out their skin, especially in the winter when humidity drops below 40 percent.

Moisturize with lotion or something similar immediately after washing,” Brenneman said. “When the air is dry, the skin does not hold moisture well.”

Experts say the word “antibacterial” on a label doesn’t mean the soap product is any better than old-fashioned bar soap.

It’s an effective advertising gimmick, but it’s costing consumers more cash.

Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health reviewed 27 studies examining the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial products containing the active ingredient triclosan.

That includes most commercially-available soaps and detergents with the word “antibacterial” on their labels (with the exception of alcohol-based hand gels).

Soaps containing triclosan at concentrations often seen in products sold to the public were no better for killing bacteria and preventing infectious illness than soaps that did not contain triclosan.

That doesn’t surprise Steve Abbott. A long-time believer in chemical-free products, he recently bought Nature’s Health Food Center on East Side Boulevard.

“Most of the germs that cause the common cold have to do with airborne transmission and contact with the hands, then touching the nose, mouth, eyes or ears,” he said. “All you need is normal, everyday, old-fashioned mild hand soap. As a body, soaps sold in health food stores are less alkaline (milder than name-brand soaps). It’s a feature of how they’re made. They’re all very balanced to the skin.”

Some name-brand soaps are mild, but it may mean reading the label carefully to find that information.

WebMD.com reports that effective handwashing is important in preventing the spread of infectious illness, especially at critical points like after using the toilet, changing a baby, or handling raw foods.