Silver is a powerful antiseptic with a unique way of stopping bacteria in their tracks. Here’s what you should know.
Silver as an Antiseptic
Silver differentiates itself from other antiseptics because of its multimodal approach to bacterial cell disruptions that include preventing reproduction, inhibiting enzymes, and disrupting protein.
- Bacterial Cell Damage: Silver ions have been observed causing the separation of paired strands of DNA in bacterial cells, thus weakening the bacteria.
- Enzyme Inhibition: Silver ions can disrupt the potassium ion homeostasis, which is key in regulation of enzymes that help bacteria thrive.
- Protein Disruption: Thiol groups are key proteins that help bacteria thrive. Silver ions bind to these disrupting normal functions and creating environments conducive to cell death.
What Sets Silver Apart From Other Antimicrobial Products
The biggest distinction is resistance. Silver, with its multi-pronged attack, makes it far less likely for bacteria to develop resistance—giving it a unique edge as an antiseptic.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
1. Jung, W. K., Koo, H. C., Kim, K. W., Shin, S., Kim, S. H., & Park, Y. H. (2008). Antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of the silver ion in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Applied and environmental microbiology, 74(7), 2171–2178. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2292600/
2. University of Arkansas. (2020, April 9). How silver ions kill bacteria. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 17, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200409140021.htm