When you used to think of bar soap, it was always that strongly perfumed item in your mum’s bathroom. Now, soaps have come a long way and have a lot of benefits to offer. They can be ideal for people with sensitive skin or those that are just kind of the environment. Perhaps you want something made from organic ingredients or something that will lock in moisture rather than strip it.
Whatever your needs, there are so many options for the best bar soaps out there it can be hard to tell which is best. Thankfully, we have created a list of the top ten bar soaps, and there is something for everyone included. Some can be used all over your body, whilst some are best kept in the bathroom for washing hands.
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Our Top Picks for the Best Bar Soaps
Pre de Provence French Soap Bar with Shea Butter, 150g
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An exceptional soap bar that is traditionally crafted, making it even easier to love. Crafted with age-old methods, it has a remarkably smooth texture and lasts a long time. This means the slightly bigger price tag than some of the bigger companies can be forgiven. It certainly has a luxurious feel and creates a moisturizing lather.
Their enticing scents are some of the most pleasant we have found and include the likes of Honey Almond, Angel’s Trumpet, and Amanda, among others. Made in France, they are enriched with Shea butter and other natural ingredients to give you a soap that is made the way every bar should. Sticking to its proud traditions, each fragrance has something different to offer and comes in 150g & 250g sizes.
Tom’s of Maine Natural Beauty Bar
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You can’t beat a bit of variety, and that’s what you get from Tom’s of Maine. Their cruelty-free soap bars are some of the most popular you can find, and with their selection of aromas, it is easy to see why. For those with sensitive skin, you might appreciate their natural, unscented chamomile bar that is super soft on the skin.
Their Lavender & Shea bar is a hit, and they use organic ingredients to make surer it passes their high standards. With no artificial colors, preservatives, or unnecessary flavor, it certainly lives up to our expectations. Tom’s of Maine makes generous donations to charity; a big ten percent of their profits go to good causes. A wholesome bar from a wholesome company.
The Yellow Bird Activated Charcoal Soap Bar
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A natural bar soap that has the pleasant scent of lemongrass and lavender. It’s an organic product that gently cleanses your skin and can be used on the face, body, and anyone who suffers from the likes of eczema, acne, rosacea, and other skin difficulties. Because they are made from the highest of standard organic and natural ingredients, they are a great option for those with sensitive skin. Cold-pressed and made in the USA, this is soap how it should be made. It has a calming scent and lathers up nicely to provide a pleasant experience the activated charcoal helps to eliminate blemishes. It is free from parabens and sulfates and is cruelty-free.
Bali Soap – Natural Soap Bar Gift Set
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From Bali comes these exciting soaps, and in a pack of six, you get to try out some great scents. They don’t leave any sticky soap residue which is one of the first things to look for in a quality soap bar. They contain ingredients that prevent dry skin, so they are fine for daily use. The blend of organic ingredients is quite different from the standard, meaning you get an exotic array in each pack.
The bars are individually wrapped and make excellent gifts. You will find flavors such as Papaya, Vanilla, Jasmine, and others. They never test on animals, and these come with a 100% money-back guarantee if you do not love them. These soaps are great for exfoliating skin, soothing itches, and moisturizing dry skin.
Dove More Moisturizing than Coconut Soap Bars
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From a leading brand comes an excellent bar soap that comes in a pack of six. Made from coconut milk and blended with a Jasmine scent, it is one of the nicest-smelling soaps you will find. Strongly recommended by dermatologists, it is made up of 1/4 moisturizing cream. Because it is a gentle cleanser, it helps your body maintain its natural moisture. Because it doesn’t dry your skin, it is suitable for daily use.
A big reason this comes so highly recommended is the value. Some soap brands are 3x the price and don’t offer all the same benefits. Use it on your hands, body, and face to receive a lasting clean from its natural moisturizers. With no soapy residue left behind, just rinse thoroughly.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Pure Castile Bar Soap
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A versatile soap bar that is stubble for use on your body, face, and hair. These soaps don’t dry out your skin and create lots of suds which can be a bit of a hard thing to find with a soap bar. It is made from organic oils that will leave a smooth feel. There are no dyes included, only vegan ingredients that are mild. The fragrance is natural; it’s described as a family soap for a reason! They are kind to the environment as they are fully biodegradable, they never test on animals, and they remain cruelty-free – as they should be. Even the wrapper is made from recycled wrappers, so this is clearly a company that cares.
Dove Men+Care Body and Face Bar, Extra Fresh, 4 oz, 20 Bar
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Because men like to feel good, too, we have included what we consider to be among the best men’s soap bars on our list. Dove is a huge brand in the industry, and its men+care range maintains its high standards. Tailored for facial and bodily use, this 20-bar pack will last a long time, but you won’t want to change it anyway.
A quarter of the formula is made up of moisturizing cream, giving the user a soft feeling of skin after use. It doesn’t leave a sticky feel and rinses easily for a thorough clean. The scent is uplifting but not overpowering. They even patented the design, which shows how much they believe in this product. Some men swear by it, and we can see why.
Crate 61 100% Vegan Cold Process Bar Soap – 6-Pack Box Set
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An environmentally friendly product that is suitable for vegans. This is a high-end soap for those who care about how they wash their hands and what goes into each bar. All the materials they use are 100% natural and raw. Nothing synthetic is used, and each bar is fragrance-free, so you only get natural scents from premium oils.
It contains a good variety so you can put a different one in your bathroom to your en suite. Their most popular bars are all here, including Lemongrass, Coconut, and Avocado Grapefruit. Responsibly sourced, and with six in each pack, they are suitable for the whole family. This gives you more of an opportunity to enjoy the natural scents of these cold-pressed bars.
Method Experiential Bar Soap, Deep Detox, 4 Count
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It isn’t always the big brands that can make a quality product. Method Experimental has created a wholesome bar that has a lot going for it. A large bar will last a long time, and with ingredients such as Green Tea, Cucumber, and Seaweed, you’re going to hope it does. The ingredients vary depending on what type you are looking for, but you can pick up a bar that is designed to nourish, energize, or detox. Free from parabens, the wrapping is also made from 50% recycled paper. It washes away the pollutants that can build up during the day, leaving you with clean, fresh-feeling skin that isn’t stripped of the good stuff.
Bar Soap Buyers Guide
Whether you are trying to get rid of acne or use bar soap to clean up in the shower, there is a lot to know. Because they are so different, many people aren’t aware of some of the benefits, as well as some of the traits to avoid. This is why we have created the following buyer’s guide.
By the end of it, you’ll know exactly how to find a quality product.
What To Look For In Bar Soap
No Residue
After the lather has been rinsed, there should be no residue left behind when using quality bar soap. This is easier said than done, with some of the more oily products being particularly guilty of this. The last thing anyone wants when washing their hands is to feel like they still need a good clean.
Moisturizers
There are many products out there promising silky smooth skin after every use, but some of them are much better than others. Looking for certain ingredients that will moisturize the skin, such as shea butter and even aloe vera. Some soaps can be guilty of drying the skin, so anyone who suffers from the likes of eczema will want to use a product with natural moisturizers.
Anti-Bacterial
For anyone wishing to lessen the effects of acne or make sure their hands get a proper wash (and who could blame them in recent times especially!), antibacterial bar soap is a must-have. Easy to find, they can help keep the family from coming down with a stomach bug or worse.
Nothing Artificial
This is going to be especially important for products that are used every day, so no artificial colors, flavors, perfumes, and anything else is going to be a good thing. These ingredients can be irritants, worsen skin conditions, and have even been linked to causing allergies.
No Harmful Chemicals
This is a little more specific in that a lot of store-bought bar soaps contain some nasties that it is best to avoid. This includes sodium lauryl sulfate, an ingredient commonly found in laundry detergent. It is also not unheard of for some brands to include ingredients found in pesticides, so the more natural, the better!
Value
Not every bar soap has to be the luxury kind, with many brands making quality soap at a reasonable price. Also, look for multi-packs, as it is easy to pick up a year’s supply for multiple bathrooms in one purchase.
Pleasant Scent
For a lot of people, this will be the priority, and who can blame them? There are plenty to choose from, including geranium, vanilla, bergamot, violet, manuka honey, and many more.
What Are The Bad Ingredients In Bar Soap?
Some of the ingredients to avoid include the likes of perfumes and, generally, anything that looks near impossible to pronounce. These include Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, any parabens, methylisothiazolinone, and triclosan, among others.
What Is The Best Bar Soap?
We found that after reviewing multiple products, the best was Pre de Provence French Soap Bar with Shea Butter, 150g. Not only does it use traditional soap-making methods, but the shea butter will moisturize without drying out the skin. It lasts a long time and has a luxurious feel, yet it doesn’t break the bank.
Is Bar Soap Better Than Body Wash?
Both have their benefits, with bar soap being better for the environment, and when purchasing a natural product, kinder on the skin. However, the body wash can be good for acne and hydrating the skin, even exfoliating, although all of these traits can be found in some types of bar soap.