When was the last time you used a plain ol’ bar of soap to freshen up? Since the introduction of mass-produced
body washes and
liquid hand soaps in the 1980s, demand for
bar soaps has steadily decreased, especially amongst younger consumers between the ages of 18 to 24. In fact, a study conducted in 2016 by
Mintel, a marketing intelligence agency, found that 60% of young people mistakenly thought bar soaps harbored bacteria and also considered them to be less convenient.
Another common misconception is that bar soaps dry out your skin. That’s because the traditional way of making soap is to combine a fat (such as shea butter) with an alkali (such as lye) which creates the suds you are familiar with. This traditional method changes the chemistry of your skin, often leaving it feeling drier.
It’s evident that bar soaps have been given a bad rap in recent years, but do they deserve more attention? And what about their environmental impact?
Best Natural Bar Soap: Explore 12 Top Sellers
A better choice for planet earth
The biggest reason bar soaps are making a comeback is for their eco-friendliness. In general, bar soaps that are low in synthetic ingredients have a lower environmental impact when compared with their liquid counterparts. This is in part due to packaging, with bar soap usually being packaged in minimal paper-based wrapping compared with plastic disposable bottles for liquid options that require around 20 times more energy to produce.
Another reason why bar soaps take the lead in being eco-friendly is that they usually contain fewer artificial, petroleum-based ingredients, plus they are lighter and more compact, making them more efficient to transport than liquid soap, which is heavier due to its water content. All in all, their
carbon footprint is almost a third of liquid soaps.
With many eco-friendly bars now including natural, moisturizing ingredients such as
cocoa butter, mango seed and
shea butter or
goat's milk to offset their alkaline effect on skin, it’s about time bar soaps got a second chance. Here are some top-selling bars that are divinely aromatic while also being affordable, gentle on your skin and less harmful on the environment.
12 Natural bar soaps you'll love from Vitacost
Plantlife Herbal Deodorant Bar Soap
Are you an active person who works outdoors or exercises regularly? Plantlife’s Herbal Deodorant Bar Soap may be just what you need after an active day. Utilizing the antibacterial properties of
rosemary,
tea tree and
eucalyptus essential oils, consider whatever odor-causing bacteria you may be harboring from your latest physical efforts to be expertly expired. In combination with the fresh scent of
lemon,
peppermint and
lemongrass essential oils, this soap will leave you feeling reinvigorated and smelling even better.
Brixy Citrus Body Wash Bar
How about unwinding while you cleanse? Not only does Brixy’s Citrus Body Wash Bar contain coconut oil and shea butter to soften and hydrate skin, but it’s also naturally scented with grapefruit essential oil which energizes while also helping to manage stressful and anxious feelings. Use this soap, in addition to Brixy’s
shampoo and
conditioner bars in citrus, to fill your bathroom with the uplifting smell of grapefruit to help balance your mood while you shower so you can successfully tackle the rest of your day. You’ll also be supporting a healthier planet as a small percentage of all Brixy sales go to ECOEVO, a nonprofit focused on replenishing natural habitats.
Saavy Naturals Handcrafted Sweet Orange Soap
Skin feeling dull, tight or dry? Try Saavy Naturals Handcrafted Sweet Orange Soap, which delivers a nourishing blend of moisturizing ingredients including virgin coconut, organic jojoba and sweet almond oils, plus pure aloe vera and sustainably sourced vitamin E. A combo like this will certainly soften your skin. Orange peel oil offers a dose of mood boosting citrus aroma as well as skin brightening vitamin C. Be prepared to glow!
Nature By Canus Fragrance-Free Goat's Milk Bar Soap
For those with sensitive skin, Nature by Canus’ Fragrance-Free Goat's Milk Bar Soap may be the perfect antidote as it does not carry any dyes, colorants, synthetic perfumes or even essential oils. Instead, the presence of goat’s milk helps to regulate the skin’s pH naturally, soothing flare ups and inflammation while also gently exfoliating and increasing cell turnover with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that are naturally found in lactic acid via milk. Your skin also gets a big dose of vitamins and antioxidants as goat’s milk contains vitamins A, D and E which protect skin cells from oxidative stress.
Nubian Heritage Cruelty-Free African Black Detoxifying Bar Soap with Shea Butter
If your skin type leans toward oily, try using Nubian Heritage’s Black Detoxifying Bar Soap. Made with the absorptive properties of colloidal oatmeal and soothing aloe vera, it follows traditional African Black Soap recipes with the inclusion of ultra-hydrating shea butter and cocoa pod ash, which detoxifies and exfoliates. This soap will purify your skin without over-drying, an important element for those prone to breakouts. Cleaning thoroughly without stripping reduces future blemishes and maintains a healthy skin barrier you can be proud of.
Auromere Ayurvedic Exfoliating Body Bar with Neem Herbal Spice
Attention exfoliation lovers! The presence of apricot kernels in Auromere’s Ayurvedic Exfoliating Body Bar make it great to use on rough, flakey skin or for a deeply exfoliating total body experience. Formulated for all skin types, cinnamon and turmeric increase circulation, bringing fresh blood to nourish your skin cells. Neem and hydnocarpus cactus oils help to reduce odor producing bacteria and fungus while adding a dose of moisturizing fatty acids and antioxidants. Time to get scrubbing!
One With Nature Fragrance Free Feminine Cleansing Bar
Infused with powerful apple cider vinegar and a beneficial blend of oils, including coconut, avocado, sweet almond, argan and mango seed butter, One with Nature’s Fragrance-Free Feminine Cleansing Bar is the perfect soap for those oh-so sensitive nether regions which require more delicate pH balancing than the rest of the body. Enriched with probiotics and oatmeal to soothe and calm, it's designed for all genders, and will keep you clean, fresh, and well balanced.
The Grandpa Soap Co Face & Body Bar Soap
Acne prone? Grandpa Soap Company’s Face & Body Bar Soap is for you! Formulated with 3% sulfur, it acts much like salicylic acid on your skin only gentler, with antimicrobial and naturally drying properties that help remove dead skin cells and oil, which can clog pores, leading to pimples and blackheads. Jasmine oil in this cleansing bar contains acne fighting benzoic acid and keeps skin toned and firm, while also providing deeply hydrating qualities.
Dr. Woods Naturally Mild Unscented Baby Bar Soap
Parents take note! Dr. Woods Naturally Mild Unscented Bar Soap is perfect for your entire family. It’s so mild it won’t sting your youngest children’s eyes yet it creates a silky lather that is full of moisturizing ingredients including coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp seed oils plus shea butter. Well suited to those with sensitive skin as it is formulated without any synthetic ingredients or fragrances, it is also perfectly appropriate in environments where frequent hand washing is a must, as it won’t strip your skin of its natural oils.
Vitabath Men Soap on A Rope
Who doesn’t like soap on a rope? With a built-in cord, Vitabath’s Men Soap on A Rope in Amber Woodland allows you to have full control of your cleansing experience by simply looping the rope around your wrist. You can also hang your soap to air dry when you’re done, which is more hygienic and allows less soap scum to accumulate on bathroom surfaces. This soap is infused with the clean, musky aroma of cool water compounds mixed with smooth amber and white woods, and though it may not be considered traditionally feminine, its blend of olive and hemp seed oils, shea butter and oatmeal and vitamin E will soften skin and support a healthy skin barrier for any gender.
Sappo Hill Glycerine Cream Soap Aloe Vera
Looking for a simple soap from a small, reliable company? With only 8 total ingredients, Sappo Hill’s Glycerine Cream Soap in Aloe Vera is a tried-and-true soap brand that has been around for almost 50 years. Their traditional kettle process makes soap in small batches at a time, where they carefully blend cold-pressed palm and coconut oils to create the perfect, rich lather. Organic aloe vera makes this particular cleanser great for itchy, inflamed skin that perhaps has seen a little too much sun or dryness.
Tierra Mia Organics Sham-Pup Pet Soap Bar
What about your pets? Tierra Mia Organics’ Sham-Pup Pet Soap Bar has you covered! Formulated with tea tree oil and arabica coffee to ward off fleas and other bugs, raw honey and brewer's yeast help reduce dandruff and other dry skin conditions. Free of harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances, this cleanser contains goat milk, cocoa butter, as well as organic coconut and olive oils to bring softness and shine to your favorite furry friend’s coat.
