Even though liquid body soap has reigned supreme in showers across the country since the late ’90s and early aughts, I’ve always preferred using bar soap. I like that it’s an affordable, plastic-free option with a small footprint — though I understand why body wash can be so appealing. It smells divine, there are myriad brands and formulas to choose from, and the packaging is often very chic.
Community Goods, Amazon
But you might be surprised to find that there are a few benefits to picking a bar soap over a liquid soap for your daily body care needs. Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, pointed out that bar soaps can actually be more effective at removing oil, dirt, and residue from skin than liquid soaps. “Liquid soaps are water-based, which means they are more diluted than bar soaps,” he explained, which could make them less effective. The fact that they’re water-based also makes them “more prone to contamination with bacteria,” he added. So, while you may have heard the myth that bar soap is germy, the opposite might be true.
Dr. Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist and the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Connecticut, mentioned that “bar soaps are better for the environment — from production and transportation to packaging and waste, they have a lower impact.” She also explained that liquid soaps often “rely on artificial preservatives to extend their shelf life and are stored in plastic containers that might not be BPA-free.” Bar soaps, on the other hand, are waterless and don’t need synthetic chemicals to keep them fresh.
Because soaps, in general, can be drying, Camp recommends looking for those with hydrating ingredients like “shea butter, avocado oil, glycerin, and ceramides.” He also noted that those with sensitive skin should avoid soaps with fragrances and dyes, as they can potentially be irritating. If that sounds like you, Mraz recommends seeking out a bar soap with colloidal oats to nourish your skin.
If you’re interested in swapping out your liquid soap for a bar soap, you don’t have to compromise on quality. Below, we’ve rounded up the best bar soaps for your skin based on the experts’ recommendations. Not only are they effective cleansers, but they’re nourishing and hydrating while remaining affordable as well.
Expert Picks
1. Avène XeraCalm A.D Ultra-Rich cleansing bar
Dermstore
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, recommended this French pharmacy staple from Avène. Made with evening primrose oil and thermal spring water, he noted that this hydrating bar soap can effectively cleanse skin "without disrupting the skin's natural microbiome." It's a great option for people of all ages and can calm eczema-prone skin.
Get it from Amazon for $14.
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2. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser bar
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Mraz is a fan of this multi-tasking, fragrance-free, hydrating cleansing bar from CeraVe. You can't go wrong with this dermatologist-beloved brand, and the bar soap is no exception. It's gentle enough to use on both face and body, effectively getting rid of grime, sweat, and dirt while helping to boost your skin's natural moisture barrier.
Get it from Amazon for $5.97 (also available in multi-packs).
3. Community Goods shampoo bar
Community Goods
And just in case you were looking to expand your package-free bar soap repertoire to hair care as well, Mraz recommends the shampoo and conditioner bars from Community Goods. She told us that this shampoo pairs the "eco-friendly benefits of bar soap with the formulations for hair." She recommends this gentle, nourishing shampoo for all your upcoming summer travels.
(I have been known to love a good bar shampoo as well, and tend to favor the Ethique one.)
Get it from Community Goods for $15.99.
Editors' Picks
4. Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter beauty bar two-pack
Amazon
There are lots of great options from Dove out there, but Shopping writer Tessa Flores loves this shea butter soap, in particular. "The fragrance doesn't irritate my skin, and it actually hydrates my dry skin," she said. This two-pack is as nourishing as it gets, drenching you in yummy ingredients but never feeling greasy, thick or like it leaves film behind on the skin.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
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5. Valitic Kojic Acid dark spot remover bar soap
Amazon
This cult fave is also recommended by Flores, who uses it "on my arms for my KP and my underarms for any hyperpigmentation — and it really works," she proclaimed.
These bar soaps harness the power of active ingredients like vitamin C and retinol combined with the nourishing benefits of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, shea butter, and olive oil to potentially help even out skin tone, lighten dark spots, smooth skin, and reduce blemishes. This two-pack has myriad glowing reviews attesting to its prowess, and could be a good tool in your skin health arsenal.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in multi-packs).
6. Dial Antibacterial Refresh and Renew bar soap
Amazon
My colleague's tattoo artist recommends this antibacterial body bar soap from Dial. It thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture barrier, making it perfect for repairing damaged, dry, or recently-tatted skin. It'll infuse the skin with a hefty dose of moisturizing ingredients that will leave skin feeling baby soft.
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $8.69.
7. L'Occitane Shea Butter Extra-Gentle solid soap
Amazon
My mother raised me in the cult of L'Occitane, if you ask us it's the height of luxury. I love the soft lavender scent of this bar soap, it makes me feel like I'm bathing in the French countryside. It's gentle and effective, leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed without that icky squeaky clean feeling that strips the skin. This bar soap is excellent for leaving skin deliciously balanced, soft and smooth.
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in three scents).