3M Skin and Nasal Antiseptic

3M Skin and Nasal Antiseptic is a preoperative antiseptic solution containing povidone-iodine 5% w/w (0.5% available iodine) designed for application to the skin and nasal mucosa prior to surgery. Its primary mechanism of action is the rapid, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of povidone-iodine, which disrupts microbial proteins and oxidizes cell components, leading to cell death. The product is formulated with a pH-balanced buffered system and film-forming polymer for increased persistence on skin or mucosa. It reduces bacterial load—including Staphylococcus aureus—by up to 99.9% within minutes of application, with effects lasting at least six hours on the skin and up to twelve hours in the nares[2][3][5]. It is used as part of infection prevention protocols in surgical settings to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs), especially those caused by endogenous nasal flora[2][6]. Developed by 3M Health Care (now Solventum), it supports antibiotic stewardship by providing an effective non-antibiotic decolonization option that has not been shown to induce resistance[2][5].

Brand names

3M Skin and Nasal Antiseptic

Other names

povidone-iodine solutionpovidone iodine topical