Don't use Clarcon skin products, says FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use any skin products made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the products during a recent inspection.

Clarcon manufactures skin protectants and sanitizers marketed under several different brand names, including CitruShield, Dermassentials, Magic Touch, and Pure Effect. The company's claims that their products treat open wounds, damaged skin, and protect against infectious disease are particularly troubling. One such product, Magic Touch, is marketed as a lotion, an antibacterial, an antibiotic, and a germicide that is "great to apply open wounds because it helps heal the skin without scars."

While these products are primarily for use in industrial, janitorial, restaurant, and healthcare settings, if you've purchased a Clarcon product for personal or home use, the FDA advises you not use it, throw it away, and report any serious adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program. And if you use Clarcon's products in your workplace, talk to your employer about the FDA's warning. Our experts recommend avoiding all antibacterial cleaners in the home, since they don't kill viruses and can lead to resistant forms of bacteria. Widespread use of antibacterial products may make antibacterial soaps less effective for people who really need them, such as hospital and nursing-home staff. You can prevent infection at home by washing your hands with plain soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitizer like Purell.

—Ginger Skinner

Read the dos and don'ts of disinfecting viruses in your home.

—Aaron Bailey