You may not have thought about bar soap in a while, except when you’re suddenly confronted with it in a hotel room shower or a guest bathroom. It seems retro, like something you used when you were taking baths as a kid, but we say it’s time to re-examine the power of the bar.
Body washes may be exceedingly popular among men, especially those who struggle with dry skin, but the kind of clean you get from a bar soap is second to none. While they are not self-cleaning as Joey Tribbiani once claimed, they get the job done with less mess and can last longer than a bottle of wash.
Plus, in our current age of sustainability and eco-friendliness, bar soaps come with less waste. Think about it: they’re smaller, you can use them till they’re completely gone, and there is no plastic bottle to throw into the recycling bin when you’re done. Many soap companies are even changing their packaging to make bar soap an even greener option. In short: there is no way Greta Thunberg uses body wash.
Bar soaps are versatile and can be great for you no matter what your skin type. You can find a soap for oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and everything in between. Check out the 12 best bar soaps and we promise, you won’t go back to the bottle.
Baxter of California Vitamin Cleansing Bar
BAXTEROFCALIFORNIA.COM$18.00
One of the biggest complaints about bar soap is that they can make your skin feel too dry; not this one. It contains sunflower oil and glycerin to keep your skin hydrated and smooth all over. Plus, the citrus and musk fragrance is one of our favorite men’s scented soaps.
Method Men Sea + Surf Exfoliating Bar Soap
METHODMEN.COM$5.00
Exfoliating bar soaps have a little grit in them to help smooth away dry, dead skin cells and leave your body feeling clean and fresh. This one contains minerals, instead of microbeads (better for the environment) and the scent is fresh without being overpowering.
Dove White Beauty Bar
AMAZON.COM$12.84
This dermatologist-endorsed bar is one of the best for your face, but here’s a secret: you can use it all over your body, too, especially if you have sensitive skin. It’s contains gentle moisturizing ingredients that hydrate and clean skin without overstripping it.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Gentle Cleansing Bar
AMAZON.COM
Another soap bar that can be used on your face as well as your body, this one includes colloidal oatmeal, which is known for its skin-soothing properties. It’s ideal if you struggle with sensitive or dry skin and other skin issues like eczema.
Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap, Unscented
AMAZON.COM$15.99
The unrefined shea butter in this soap is incredibly moisturizing, but gentle on skin, which makes this bar perfect for every skin type from the driest to the most sensitive. There’s still a slight, natural (good) scent in this unscented version, and all Alaffia’s products are fair trade.
The Rich and Clean No 09 Bar Soap
THERICHANDCLEAN.COM$12.00
For guys with oily skin or who sweat a lot, the charcoal in this soap helps soak up excess oil and leave you fresh without that telltale tight feeling. The Japanese peppermint is said to help curb oil production, but also gives this soap a bite of fresh, but not overpowering, fragrance.
Caswell-Massey Cold Cream Luxury Bath Soap Set
AMAZON.COM$29.00
Triple milled soap is known for its silky-smooth texture and it cleans effectively with less lather (which can strip away your skin barrier). The natural vegetable base of this soap is gentle enough for all skin types and the subtle almond fragrance smells fresh, without being in your face.
Ursa Major Morning Mojo Bar Soap
DERMSTORE.COM$14.00
It’s called Morning Mojo, because the peppermint and eucalyptus fragrance in this soap gives you a jolt of clarity in the morning, even before you have your first cup of coffee. It has grit to it, but doesn’t feel rough on your skin, thanks to moisturizing honey and coconut.
Oars + Alps Natural Moisturizing Alps Bar Soap
AMAZON.COM$9.60
Want to smell like you just got back from a hike through the Rockies? This soap delivers a woody, outdoorsy scent that says “I’d rather be exploring.” It also contains shea butter, so it’s gentle on even dry skin.
Organic Bath Co. Zesty Morning Bar Soap
ORGANIC BATH CO.
ORGANICBATH.CO
$8.00
There are enough oils in this soap to keep even the driest skin moisturized and protected (but still clean), but what we really love most about it is the bright citrus scent. It’s not overpowering, and doesn’t linger too much on your skin, but definitely gives your shower game a kick.
Ethique Pumice, Tea Tree, & Spearmint Bar Soap
ETHIQUE.COM$6.00
Ethique has every kind of bar you could imagine (even shampoo and conditioning bars), but we like this exfoliating and clarifying bar because it helps get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil at the same time. It’s ideal to keep in your gym bag for a refreshing post-workout shower.
Lush Karma Bar Soap
LUSHUSA.COM$7.95
This handmade soap sounds like it would be overpowering, but it also has citrus which helps temper what could otherwise be a heavy fragrance. Bars are made fresh with natural ingredients and last for months.