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While bar soaps aren’t necessarily new — they’ve been around for decades and have been used for generations — they are definitely having a comeback. Today, the best bar soaps stand out for their milder, gentler formulas, which won’t strip the skin of essential oils to balance out the potentially drying surfactants. Bar soaps are also great since they are easily portable — as such, they’re especially great for travel — and waterless, making them less likely to harbor bacteria. Additionally, most of our top picks can be used on both the face and body, making them incredibly versatile.
While there is a slew of exceptional bar soaps to choose from, some are better for specific skin types and concerns than others. For example, those with oily or acne-prone skin may steer clear of bar soaps with comedogenic ingredients such as coconut oil. Conversely, consider a bar soap enriched with exfoliating or oil-absorbing ingredients such as clay or charcoal, respectively. Also, those with dry or dehydrated skin should look for nourishing and moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, olive oil, shea butter, and squalane, to name a few. Sensitive-skinned folks, meanwhile, should look for bar soaps formulated without phthalates, parabens, and/or sulfates, which can be irritating.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite bar soaps on the market, conveniently broken down by category.
Best Overall:
This soap from TQE-beloved brand Flamingo Estate is a favorite for its plant-based floral-infused formula — packed with jasmine and damask rose — and abundant essential oils, including moisturizing powerhouses like olive and babassu. Rose clay provides gentle exfoliation, while prickly pear powder is high in antioxidants and vitamin K, renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties. All ingredients are carefully sourced, and everything is made by hand.
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Best for Body:
Formulated especially for use on the body, this bar soap provides intense hydration, making it the perfect pick for dry skin. Ingredients include nourishing shea butter, antioxidant-loaded argan oil, conditioning shea butter, and soothing aloe extract. The signature scent, Fragrance Originale, features notes of amber and sweet florals.
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Best for Face:
Upon contact with water, this purifying facial soap from Japanese skincare and makeup brand Clé de Peau Beauté transforms into a rich foam lather. It gently removes dead skin cells, impurities, dirt, and residue in one fell swoop courtesy of ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, moisturizing squalane, and free radical-fighting vitamin E. We’d also be remiss not to mention the delightful rose scent.
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Best for Dry Skin:
Banish dry skin for good with this SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Bar Soap, which gently but effectively cleanses, softens and rejuvenates the skin. As you can guess by its name, its hero ingredient is coconut oil, which boasts hydrating, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Additional highlights include vitamin E-rich coconut milk and nourishing shea butter. Oh, and did we mention it’s cruelty-free and formulated without phthalates, parabens, and sulfates?
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Best Budget:
At just $5 apiece, this Dr. Bronner’s Citrus Bar Soap is a total steal. Not only can it be used on the face, body, and hair, but it’s also 100% cruelty-free and vegan. It features a combination of natural ingredients such as moisturizing jojoba, olive, and coconut oils; fatty acid-packed hemp oil, vitamin E; and citrus, a hefty dose of citrus botanical oils from lemons, limes, and oranges. The recycled packaging is a bonus, too.
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Best for Oily Skin:
This deep-cleansing charcoal bar from celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas’ namesake skincare line features — you guessed it — charcoal, which absorbs excess sweat and oil sans stripping the skin. With this in mind, this soap stands out among our favorites for oily skin. Shea butter conditions, while glycerin and olive oil pack plenty of nourishing properties. The result? Cleansed, balanced skin.
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Best for Sensitive Skin:
L'Occitane is renowned for its hand creams, but you won’t want to sleep on its soaps, either. This aptly named extra-gentle soap is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types since it’s infused with moisturizing and softening shea butter. It’s also packed with fatty acids from coconut and sunflower seed oils.
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Once you’ve stocked up on bar soaps, consider snagging some body oil for even softer and smoother skin!
