The personal care industry has produced so many interesting and unique products such as shower oils and shower masks that it is no surprise that the traditional bar of soap has not been given as much attention these days. However, even soap bars have gotten quite fancy recently, with formulations that are designed to suit a variety of skin types and concerns.
If you’re in the market for a good old classic soap bar, check out this list of highly-rated options!
Dove’s soap bars are an affordable yet widely-liked classic, and this White Beauty Bar features a moisturising formulation that works on both the face and body. It is unscented and paraben-free, with a mild cleansing agent that does not strip the skin of natural oils and moisture. It also has Dove’s signature ¼ moisturising cream, which will help you maintain soft and healthy-looking skin.
This soap-free cleansing bar uses a “bare minimum” formula that ensures the gentlest cleanse without disrupting highly reactive skin types. It can be used on both face and body, and rinses easily. The ingredients include glycerin for moisturisation and does not contain any harsh detergents.
A cult-favourite of the beauty world, African Black Soap is considered a highly effective ingredient for irritated and blemish-prone skin. This soap bar has a combination of several botanical ingredients, including tamarind peel, palm ash and more to help with excessive oil production. Vitamin E, oat extract and aloe are also helpful to soothe breakouts and reactive skin.
For a gentle cleanse with a heavenly scent, try this soap bar from L’Occitane. It is enriched with rose water and rose flower oil, along with sunflower seed oil to help balance your skin’s hydration and pH levels. Rose is also high in antioxidants and has antibacterial properties, and the scent can also act as a mood enhancer to help you relax.
Pamper your skin with a rich foaming lather with this exfoliating soap bar, which contains actual rose petals. Massaging the lather into your skin will help you achieve soft and smooth skin that feels moisturised. The formula also includes glycerin, shea butter, soybean oil and hibiscus flower extract to help condition and hydrate the skin.
With a formulation that has been around for over 75 years, this is truly one of the best detoxifying cleansing bars that you can find. The therapeutic Dead Sea mud refines your complexion, improves blood circulation and encourages skin renewal. It has a naturally exfoliating formula, removing blackheads and impurities while also balancing and nourishing the skin with minerals. While it is recommended for the face, it can also be used on the body.
It is important that you don’t strip the skin of good bacteria as they are helpful to protect your skin. This soap-free cleansing bar uses prebiotics, which supports the skin’s good bacteria but has an antibacterial effect against bad bacteria. It also has lactic acid to help provide a gentle exfoliation and improve the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
If you need a detoxifying soap bar to deal with body acne and blemishes, then this bamboo charcoal soap bar is an excellent option. It is made purely from all-natural ingredients including tea tree oil and kaolin clay, but its star ingredient is activated bamboo charcoal that helps to draw out impurities from the skin’s pores, giving you a deep cleanse that is great for oily and blemish-prone skin.