Is triclosan in hand soap and toothpaste safe to use during pregnancy?

What's actually in it

Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical that used to be in hand soaps, body washes, toothpastes, and even kitchen cutting boards. The FDA banned it from over-the-counter hand soaps in 2016, but it's still allowed in some toothpastes and can show up in imported products, cosmetics, and household items that aren't covered by the ban.

Triclosan is an endocrine disruptor. It can interfere with thyroid and reproductive hormones. It also builds up in your body over time because it's absorbed through your skin and gums.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Ecotoxicol Environ Saf used multi-omics analysis to figure out how triclosan causes gestational diabetes. The researchers identified specific molecular targets and pathways that triclosan disrupts during pregnancy. The chemical threw off normal glucose metabolism by interfering with key metabolic processes.

This isn't the first study to connect triclosan to pregnancy problems. Earlier research found links to lower birth weight, preterm delivery, and thyroid disruption in pregnant women with higher triclosan levels in their urine. The 2026 study adds detail to the "how," showing the specific mechanisms that go wrong.

Even though triclosan is fading from the market, most people still have detectable levels in their bodies. A national survey found triclosan in about 75% of urine samples from the general population. It gets in through toothpaste, residual exposure from older products, and trace amounts in water supplies.

If you're pregnant or planning to be, check your toothpaste label. Most major brands have dropped triclosan, but some still use it. Switch to a triclosan-free formula. For hand washing, plain soap and water works just as well as antibacterial soap anyway.