The 5 Best Soaps for Men

Soap was invented thousands of years ago, probably before recorded history. We've come a long way since then, and soaps have too. Nowadays, rather than rubbing caustic lard onto our faces, we have the benefit of choosing from a wide variety of sudsy options. With so many to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect soap. That's why we've done the research and found the best of the best. Here, we list our top five favorite soaps for men, from the bulk buy to the premium pick.

Dr. Squatch Men’s Soap Sampler Pack, 3 bars, Pine Tar, Cedar Citrus, Nautical Sage, Natural Manly Scented Organic Soap

Organic is manly

This pack of three sublime-smelling soaps from Dr. Squatch wins our top pick for its first-class formula and smooth feel.

Best Overall

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Though it admittedly costs quite a bit, this three-soap sampler from Dr. Squatch is actually a great value pack. That’s because these dense bars of soap last much longer than do the generic-brand bars. A little goes a long way, and the ingredients won’t irritate your skin or harm the environment. All-natural and organic, these bars smell good and deliver a supreme clean. With sage, pine, and cedar to choose from, it doesn’t get much manlier than this. Although the scent doesn’t linger all day long, the hydrating and moisturizing effects do. Dr. Squatch has boomed in popularity since hitting the market, and it’s easy to see why.

Pros

Handmade
USA-based company
Ethically-derived, hypoallergenic ingredients

Cons

Expensive

Dove Men+Care Deep Clean Body and Face Bar, 10 4-Ounce Bars

Bulk up, soap up

Those not interested in spending an arm and a leg for a simple bar of soap should consider this tried-and-true option from Dove.

Best Bulk Buy

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Maybe you’re seeing the other options on our list and thinking, do I need to take out a small loan for a quality bar of soap? The answer is no. This bulk buy of ten bars is 40 ounces of sudsy sanity. Although this option doesn’t sport the same top-of-the-line ingredients as its competitors, it’s still a deeply cleansing soap that will get the job done. It also hydrates the skin really well, so you’ll save money on both soap and moisturizers. Not everyone likes the scent, and some users found it to be stronger than they anticipated. However, the scent doesn’t last long, and at this price point, you can’t go wrong.

Pros

Deep clean
Moisturizing
Great value for the price

Cons

Strong scent

Marlowe No. 102 Men’s Body Scrub Soap, 7 Ounces, Best Exfoliating Bar for Men, Amazing Ingredients

A premium soap for a premium price

For those flush with cash and in the market for the best soap that money can buy, we recommend this exfoliating option from Marlowe.

Best Premium

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It’s hard to justify paying almost ten bucks for a bar of soap. That is, until you try Marlowe No. 102. This bad boy may have an unassuming label and look like any other bar of soap, but it hides powerfully-enriching ingredients and the most effective exfoliating power that you can get. Starting with Willowbark extracts, it delivers a deep cleanse that doesn’t irritate or dry out the skin. Then, the passionflower fruit and green tea give this option a uniquely energizing property and a sophisticated aroma. Be warned, once you try out this premium pick soap, you’ll likely never buy the cheap option again.

Pros

Superior cleanse
Exfoliates and soothes
Subtle, exquisite scent

Cons

Expensive
Exfoliation isn’t for everyone

Everyone Men’s 3-in-1 Soap, Body Wash, Shampoo, and Shave Gel, Cedar and Citrus

Squeaky-clean in a couple squirts

For those that prefer the 3-in-1 liquid variety, we recommend this affordable and effective option from Everyone.

Best Liquid Soap

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This liquid soap from Everyone may actually be the option with the best value. That’s because you’ll save money on shampoo and conditioner when you buy this affordable soap. A great option for men on-the-go, you’ll be clean head to toe in no time. Just a couple pumps are enough to soap up your entire body, and the lightly-viscous liquid is easy to spread around. While most liquid soaps run out quickly, you’ll find that a little goes a long way with this natural, plant-based formula. As a bonus, the cedar and citrus scent smells great, though it disappears once you dry off.

Pros

Gluten-free, cruelty-free, non-GMO
Contains vitamin E and vitamin B5
Can be used for bubble baths

Cons

Doesn’t lather

Crate 61 for Him Soap 6-pack Box Set, 100% Vegan Cold Process Bar Soap, Scented with Premium Essential Oils and Natural Flavors

The "Sixth Scent" of soaps

With six different "flavors" to choose from, this variety pack from Crate 61 Organics is an all-around great soap option.

Best Variety Pack

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We weren’t sure whether to award this one best ingredients or best variety pack, so we just settled on the latter. That’s because this 6-pack box set by Crate 61 contains some of the best ingredients that you can put into a soap. Containing no parabens or synthetic chemicals, these soaps are au-naturale. Best of all, there are no added fragrances, so you can rest assured that the six scents are the real deal. Choose between Tango Mango, Patchouli Lime, Oatmeal Shea, Eucamint, Alpine Spice, and Activated Charcoal to add a little flavor to your day.

Pros

Rich-yet-subtle scents
Eco-friendly ingredients and packaging
Hand-made
Non-irritating

Cons

Some are more hydrating than others

Frequently Asked Questions

What are parabens and why should I avoid them?

Many of the soaps featured on our list are paraben-free. While we generally believe that it’s better to be safe than sorry, the debate is still ongoing in regard to the negative properties of parabens. Parabens are antibacterial, so it’s clear why they’re found in soaps. However, some studies have suggested that they can imitate oestrogen. Any chemical that could potentially imitate hormones probably shouldn’t be rubbed into your scalp. That being said, the research findings aren’t very conclusive and no consensus has been reached within the scientific community about the health hazards of parabens. Because effective alternatives are available, your best bet is to probably avoid such chemicals.

Can you be allergic to soap?

Some people may discover that they’re allergic to their soap. If you break out in a rash or experience extreme itching after bathing, one or more of the ingredients in your soap of choice may be the culprit. The most common allergens in soap are coconut oils, sodium laurel sulfate, and any oils derived from tree nuts, like almonds. However, there are tons of different ingredients used in different soaps, so we recommend going with a choice containing minimal ingredients.

If you’re unsure of which ingredient is causing an adverse reaction, you can try a skin test. Rub a tiny amount of two different soaps onto different parts of your arm, and see which one causes redness. It’s not recommended for those with severe reactions, but can be a good way to whittle down the ingredients to determine which one is causing the problem. Those already aware of their allergies are well-advised to check the list of ingredients before using their soap.