VERIFY QUESTION

Lately, our hand soap bottles are running dry faster than a dessert in the summer sun -- cough cough it's flu season, after all. That's why WFMY News 2 colleague asked if, in a pinch, you can use dish soap in place of hand soap.

VERIFY SOURCE

In our research, we found a popular article from Reader's Digest. The author talked to a renowned dermatologist in Long Island.

VERIFY PROCESS

Dr. Kally Papantoniou explained just because soap is advertised to clean dishes does not mean it can't clean your hands. It can kill germs, though there are some caveats.

Dishwashing liquid is harsher than hand soap. So, just like it cleans grease off your plate, it cleans natural oils off your hands. Therefore, your hands could feel irritated or chapped, especially if you are prone to dry skin or eczema. Even if you need to use dish soap in place of hand soap in a pinch, do not use it in place of body soap. The skin on the rest of your body is too delicate to handle the dish soap.

VERIFY CONCLUSION

Yes, you can use dish soap in place of hand soap, but be wary if you have sensitive skin.