Bar Soaps Are Back: Why Experts Say Today's Formulas Are Better Than Ever (2024)

Bar soaps aren't new, but they are having a resurgence at the moment. And for good reason: Besides helping to remove makeup, oil, dirt and grime from skin, many of today's bar soap formulas "incorporate milder surfactants such as sodium cocoyl isethionate, which are less drying than traditional soaps," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab Director Sabina Wizemann.

They're also convenient — in addition to being travel-friendly, most bar soaps can be used on face and body, notes Monica Li, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor for the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science at the University of British Columbia. Bar soap is also waterless, so it's "less likely to harbor bacteria as long as it is not stored in water, which also means less preservatives tend to be added," Dr. Li adds.

In the Beauty Lab, our scientists have thoroughly evaluated a wide variety of bar soaps — including options for sensitive skin and dry skin — taking into consideration how well they cleanse, if they leave skin feeling dry, scent and more. Here, we've rounded up our top picks so you can wash gently and effectively.

Olay's GH Beauty Award-winning bar soap is anything but basic: Made with skin-conditioning glycerin and shea extract, the aptly named Ultra Moisture bar is gentle enough to be used on both face and body. These skin nourishers balance the purifying effects of the soap, and it's also well-priced, coming in a pack of eight bars. One tester noted that they "loved the soft lather, satiny feel and clean aroma it left on skin," though some online reviewers find the scent overpowering.

At just around $11 for 12 bars, you'll be hard-pressed to find a deal better than this one. Despite a bargain price, Wizemann calls the lather "luxurious," producing a "thick and velvety foam that leaves skin feeling smooth and satiny." She loves the silky texture of the lather as well as the "subtle and not overpowering" fragrance, which she describes as "fruity and clean." However, she does report that the lather does take longer than others to rinse off your skin.

A true classic, Dove's beloved Beauty Bar is a favorite of experts, consumers and editors everywhere — including at Good Housekeeping. GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek says the "tried-and-true product" is "gentle, yet effective," so you can comfortably use it every day. The mildly fragranced bar smells clean and floral. It "doesn't leave my skin feeling dry like traditional bar soaps," she adds. Some online reviewers share that it can leave residue on their skin, so make sure to thoroughly rinse off after using.

Give yourself (or a loved one) the gift of a luxurious bar soap. This one is a favorite of GH Beauty Director April Franzino. "It is so creamy thanks to a base of plant oils," she shares, adding that it's the perfect present. She loves this soap for the scent as well, calling it "out of this world," and describing it as "herbal yet warm and incredibly sophisticated. You just want to keep smelling it!" It's on the pricier side, but it's larger than other bar soaps and will last a bit longer.

Recommended by Dr. Li for its "ability to soothe inflamed, itchy and eczema-prone skin," French pharmacy brand Avéne's bar soap is gentle and dry skin-friendly. Dr. Li notes that it "can be used on both the face and body," so the multitasker can be lathered on anywhere on your body that's feeling extra dry. For those with extremely sensitive or dry skin, ask your dermatologist if this is the right pick for you, as some online reviewers still found their skin to be a bit dry after using.

Dr. Bronner's is a classic go-to for those looking for an affordable, natural soap. Our beauty editors love the unscented liquid version, but this lavender bar proved to perform well in our Lab evaluations as well. "The lavender scent is calming and refreshing," says Wizemann. She describes the bar as waxy and found that it lathers smoothly. "Hands are left squeaky clean, but the skin does have some friction and feels tighter." So, it might be best to apply lotion after using this soap.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tests everything from the best body washes to the best body lotions you can buy. To find the best bar soaps, GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann evaluated four options, taking into consideration aspects like how well the soap lathers, if it dries out skin, how easily it can be rinsed off skin and more. We used these testing results in combination with recommendations from our beauty editors and dermatologists to create this list of the best bar soaps on the market.