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Bar soaps aren’t typically the first thing we think about when it comes to cleansing the skin. To be honest, whenever I hear the words “bar soap”, I always think back to my mom furiously rubbing my face with Irish Spring. What was once a leading beauty product has now been eclipsed by its liquid alternatives.
However, thanks to the improvement of formulas and the vast variety of soaps, the new wave of bar soaps are gentler, even luxurious, and seriously next-level. I’m talking hydration, anti-aging properties, soothing ingredients, and lovely, uplifting scents. So bid adieu to those bad bar soap memories (sorry, Mom!) and say hello to your new beauty MVP.
Here, our top bar soap picks that your skin will love.
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We love this tried-and-true all-star. This award-winning bar is ultra-gentle, great for skin that tends to be dry, sensitive, or easily irritated. While it does replenish skin’s natural oils for hydration and softness, it also effectively cleanses to rid your skin of dirt, excess oil, and environmental pollution. Because the formula is so mild, it’s perfectly safe to use on the face and body and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Developed with dermatologists, this bar feels so lovely on the skin. Hyaluronic acid and ceramides hydrate and plump, so expect a fuller, more youthful complexion after use. Because it’s made with 5% CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, this moisturizing formula is made for thirsty skin, though all skin types can reap its benefits.
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This bar soap has a permanent home in the bathrooms of many thanks in large part to its moisturizing formula that doesn't dry out the skin or cause irritation as it gently cleanses. Suitable for use on the face, body, and hands, this classic formula leaves skin feeling smooth and soft, and looking visibly more radiant all at the same time.
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Key Ingredients
Manuka honey is produced by honey bees that feed on the manuka tree in New Zealand and Australia. Most honey derives its antibacterial nature from hydrogen peroxide, but the manuka variety is unique in that it contains both hydrogen peroxide and another component called methylglyoxal, which means it's highly antibacterial.
Slough away dead surface cells with this rich exfoliating soap, made up of nourishing oils, soothing Manuka Honey, and probiotic filled Yogurt. Vitamin C brightens while Aloe invigorates and soothes skin.
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Touted as a “gourmet soap”—we’re hungry already—this olive-oil-laced soap has unbelievable lather and quite the invigorating scent. It’s refreshing and hydrating, leaving your skin supple and plump. One user notes that the scent reminds her of her grandparents’ orchard, so prepare to be transported.
Key Ingredients
Shea butter is a plant lipid that comes from African shea tree nuts and is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It's used to help moisturize, nourish, and soothe the skin.
Newsflash: If you have oily skin, the best way to combat it is by moisturizing it. Your skin overproduces oils when it isn’t hydrated enough, hence the grease fest that can occur. Rather than stripping it even further, it’s best to use products with replenishing ingredients, like this extra-gentle soap made with shea butter and sunflower seed oil. Users find the subtle lavender scent to be calming and relaxing, so it’s the perfect addition to your bath routine.
What makes this powerhouse soap unique is it’s low pH level—other soaps typically have a pH-level of 9, while this one, in particular, is lower at 6.34. This means that while it does cleanse your skin, it doesn’t strip it, making it ideal for sensitive types. It has a plethora of benefits from removing dead skin cells through gentle exfoliation to emptying out pores of debris and excess oil.
When the itch is real, you need something strong enough to keep it at bay. Whether it’s a skin condition, reaction to poison ivy, eczema, or rashes, this heavy-duty soap will naturally cleanse and soothe these irritations. Formulated with healing neem oil and antibacterial tea tree oil, it’s definitely a soap everyone needs in their arsenal.
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This charcoal soap dives deep into your skin to purify and detoxify your pores. Excess oil, dirt, and debris are flushed out, revealing a clean and refreshed complexion. The combo of tea tree and lemongrass essential oils calms and detoxifies without drying out the skin.
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Here’s one for the minimalists. This bar literally does it all. It's a face bar, body bar, and hand bar all in one. It majorly protects against environmental damage, thanks to goat’s milk, coconut, and grapeseed oil. Although it’s a treat to have for yourself, users also love the stylish packaging, which makes it perfect to gift to someone special.
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