Dermatologists Reveal Why Bar Soaps Outperform Body Wash

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While liquid body wash has dominated showers nationwide since the late ’90s and early 2000s, I’ve always leaned toward bar soap. Its affordability, eco-friendly plastic-free nature, and compact form appeal to me, though I get the allure of body wash. With its enchanting scents, endless brand and formula options, and often stylish packaging, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

If you’re considering switching from liquid soap to bar soap, quality isn’t an issue. Below, we’ve curated the best bar soaps for your skin, based on expert advice. These options are not only effective cleansers but also nourishing, hydrating, and budget-friendly.

Expert Recommendations:

Editors' Favorites:

While liquid body wash has dominated showers nationwide since the late ’90s and early 2000s, I’ve always leaned toward bar soap. Its affordability, eco-friendly plastic-free nature, and compact form appeal to me, though I get the allure of body wash. With its enchanting scents, endless brand and formula options, and often stylish packaging, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

Top picks include Avène XeraCalm A.D Ultra-Rich cleansing bar, CeraVe hydrating cleanser bar, and Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile bar soap.

Amazon, Dermstore

Surprisingly, bar soaps offer several advantages over liquid soaps for daily body care. Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, highlights that bar soaps excel at removing oil, dirt, and residue. “Liquid soaps are water-based, making them more diluted and potentially less effective,” he explains. Their water-based nature also increases the risk of bacterial contamination. Contrary to the myth that bar soaps are germy, they might actually be cleaner.

Dr. Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Connecticut, adds that “bar soaps are more eco-friendly, with lower environmental impact from production to packaging.” She notes that liquid soaps often rely on artificial preservatives and are stored in plastic containers that may contain BPA. Bar soaps, being waterless, don’t require synthetic chemicals to stay fresh.

Since soaps can be drying, Camp suggests opting for bars with hydrating ingredients like “shea butter, avocado oil, glycerin, and ceramides.” He advises those with sensitive skin to avoid fragrances and dyes, which can cause irritation. Mraz recommends bar soaps with colloidal oats for added nourishment.

If you’re considering switching from liquid soap to bar soap, quality isn’t an issue. Below, we’ve curated the best bar soaps for your skin, based on expert advice. These options are not only effective cleansers but also nourishing, hydrating, and budget-friendly.

Expert Recommendations:

1. Aveeno Moisturizing Bar Soap

Aveeno Moisturizing Bar, designed for dry skin, is fragrance-free and weighs oz (100 g). It comes in a sleek rectangular box.

2. Avène XeraCalm A.D Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar

A set of two Avène soap bars featuring the text "Eau Thermale Avène" against a calming blue background.

3. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar, designed for dry to normal skin, comes in a pack of three. It’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and enriched with ceramides and hyaluronic acid for optimal hydration.

4. Vanicream Cleansing Bar

The Vanicream Cleansing Bar, ideal for sensitive skin, is showcased with its packaging. The box emphasizes its dermatologist-tested formula, free from dyes, fragrances, and gluten.

5. Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Bar Soap

Dr. Bronner's All-One Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castile Bar Soap, 5 oz, displayed against a blue background. Made with organic and fair-trade ingredients.

6. Community Goods Shampoo Bar

Community Goods

If you’re looking to extend your package-free bar soap routine to hair care, Mraz highly recommends the shampoo and conditioner bars from Community Goods. She shared with HuffPost that this shampoo combines "the eco-friendly advantages of bar soap with hair-specific formulations." Ideal for summer travels, this gentle and nourishing shampoo is a must-have. (As a fan of bar shampoos, I personally lean toward the Ethique option.)

Available at Community Goods for $16.