The Best Bar Soap

Adding the right bar soap to your routine can instantly elevate the entire bathing experience. Whether you prefer floral, fresh, or musky scents, we've rounded up the best ones on the market to help you upgrade your shower experience so it feels more like a spa than your own bathroom.

Dove Beauty Bar for Softer Skin

Get Softer Skin Instantly

This coconut milk bar soap adds tons of moisture for supple skin.

Best Overall

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This bar soap is the perfect gentle cleanser for your whole body. Ideal for your face, body, and hands, the soap has the welcoming scent of coconut and jasmine to comfort you and elevate your senses. Recommended by dermatologists, this bar soap has moisturizing cream to infuse your skin with the hydration it needs to stay firm and plump. Get a radiant glow with this innovative addition to your beauty routine.

Pros:

The versatile soap can be used on your face, body, and hands for a one-size-fits-all approach
The coconut milk and jasmine scent is a warm and inviting aroma you’ll love
The bar is made with with 1/4 moisturizing cream to keep your skin soft and smooth

Cons:

The smell may be overpowering for people with an extra-sensitive sense of smell

Dove Beauty Bar

Bar Soap Made for Sensitive Skin

Avoid irritation with this gentle, unscented product.

Best for Sensitive Skin

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Designed to be gentle on sensitive skin, this soap is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and sulfate-free. Filled with dermatologist-recommended ingredients, the formula washes away bacteria and replaces it with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients to keep your skin soft and smooth. When wet, the soap creates a luxurious and gentle lather that won’t dry out skin like other bar soaps; instead, it is made from 1/4 moisturizing cream to give your skin the moisture it needs to stay firm and youthful. Use this soap every day to give your skin the care and attention it needs without causing irritation, breakouts, or rashes.

Pros:

The soap is hypoallergenic and fragrance- and sulfate-free, making it perfect for even the most sensitive skin
The soap is mild while still delivering the moisture your skin needs
The bar is crafted with 1/4 moisturizing cream to leave your skin feeling smooth and soft

Cons:

Only available in packs of 16 bars, which may be too much for some people’s needs

Dr. Squatch Men’s Soap 4-Pack Bundle

An Exfoliating, Nourishing, and Musky Scent

This effective soap bundle is perfect for even the pickiest men.

Best for Men

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This soap is handmade in the United States in small batches, making it a luxurious addition to your bathroom. It is made using a cold-press process and is free of parabens, harsh chemicals, and palm oil, making it a product that’s not only good for you, but that you can also feel good about using. Perfect for exfoliating, shaving, or simply washing your hands or face, this soap will quickly become your new favorite.

Pros:

The soap’s scent lasts even after use, giving you a long-lasting fragrance throughout the day
The soap creates a good lather and is tough on dirt and grime to ensure you feel clean and fresh
A little soap goes a long way, so you don’t need much for each use. This means that each bar will last a long time

Cons:

As a natural, cold-pressed soap, it will wear away faster than less natural soap alternatives
When kept in the shower, the soap will stay soft from the heat and moisture

Pre de Provence Artisanal French Soap Bar

Ooh-La-La

Sourced straight from France, this honey and almond soap instantly transports you to the spa.

Most Luxurious

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Made using old-world methods for an elevated and sophisticated final product, this soap will add class and style to your beauty routine. Made with high-quality ingredients like shea butter, it is free of impurities and harsh chemicals such as parabens, ethyl alcohol, and sodium lauryl sulfate for a totally natural approach to personal care. The soap creates a creamy and luxurious lather that keeps your skin clean and moisturized at the same time, ensuring that it will undoubtedly become your go-to product for washing both your face and your hands.

Pros:

The soap is smooth and has a lovely texture thanks to the high-quality ingredients
Free of impurities and parabens, this soap is a natural addition to your beauty routine
The soap is never tested on animals, so it’s a product you can feel good about using

Cons:

The soap has exfoliating beads throughout, which some may not want
The soap’s scent is subtle and doesn’t linger throughout the day like other, similar products

Crate 61 Best Seller Soap 6-Pack

All-Natural Vegan Bar Soap

This cold-pressed soap uses only the most natural ingredients to keep your skin safe.

Best Vegan

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Made without harsh fragrances and synthetic chemicals, this soap is an all-natural alternative that gives your skin exactly what it needs. The production process utilizes only essential oils to add a hint of fragrance like coconut, lavender, and lemongrass. Made with care in Toronto, Canada, these soaps are the perfect way to infuse your day with a little bit of luxury that you can feel good about, thanks to the quality and care the company puts into making each bar.

Pros:

The set includes six different fragrances including avocado grapefruit, lavender, lemongrass, coconut, eucamint, and seaweed & sea salt
The vegan soaps are made with all-natural ingredients and are free of synthetic chemicals
They’re made with a cold-press process to give the soap a firm and hard-milled texture

Cons:

Because the scent is made with natural oils, it is subtle and fades throughout the day
The soap isn’t designed exclusively for those with sensitive skin, so it’s possible it can cause mild irritation for some people

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bar soap bad for your face?

Some bar soap products can have harsh chemicals that can dry the skin and cause irritation or breakouts. When using bar soap, be sure to check that the particular product you buy is designed to be used on your face along with your hands and body.

Is bar soap better?

Bar soap tends to have fewer chemicals than its liquid soap alternatives, making it a great option for those looking to remove harsh chemicals and additives to their routine. Just be sure to check the specific ingredients of the soap you’re purchasing to ensure it meets your requirements and particular preferences.

Is bar soap better for the environment?

Some studies show that bar soap has less of an environmental impact than liquid soap. Using bar soap can help reduce your carbon footprint, lessen toxins that enter the environment through water, and reduce the amount of packaging being wasted. Ultimately, which soap you choose to use is a personal preference.