Bar Soap vs Body Wash: Which Is Better for Your Skin?
- simplehomeholism
- Feb 7, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 7
When it comes to caring for your skin, choosing the right cleanser is actually be pretty simple. After all, your skin is just one massive organ—the largest one your body has, in fact. Yet somehow, the simple question of how to clean has is becoming increasingly complicated.
We ask a lot from our cleansers as different areas in the body serve us in different ways. Your face gets the most daily exposure to the elements, while the rest of your body typically stays covered for most of the year.
Different areas have different needs, different levels of sensitivity, and different amounts of oil production. So how should we really be lathering up?
Let's dive into the bar soap versus body wash debate and help you figure out what's actually best for your skin, your budget, and the planet.
Body Wash: The Liquid Option
Body wash has become the most popular choice and it's easy to see why. Most body washes are formulated to feel luxuriously creamy on your skin, with many containing emollients— those ingredients that fill in the tiny micro-cracks in your skin and make it feel smoother.
When you use a good quality body wash, it can genuinely help replenish your skin's protective barrier, leaving you feeling soft and comfortable after your shower. The liquid feels clean and convenient, and there's something quite lush about a rich lather, isn't there?
The Hidden Concerns with Body Wash
Here's the thing - not all body washes are created equal, and many contain ingredients that are not doing your skin any favours.
First, let's talk about preservatives. Because body wash is water-based, it needs preservatives to prevent bacteria and mould from growing in that lovely moist environment. Most body washes need artificial preservatives like parabens and sulfates to do this job. While they give you that satisfying soapy lather, they can actually strip your skin of its natural oils.
So if your skin already tends toward dryness, this stripping effect can make things significantly worse, leaving you feeling tight and uncomfortable. You might find yourself needing to apply more moisturiser just to feel normal again—which seems a bit counterproductive, doesn't it?
Then there's the fragrance issue. Most commercial body washes contain artificial fragrances, and these come with their own set of problems. Not only can synthetic fragrances irritate sensitive skin, but they also have broader implications for both your health and the environment. These chemicals don't just wash down the drain and disappear—they persist in our water systems and can accumulate over time.
The Sustainability Question
Perhaps the most significant problem with body wash is what it comes in. Everyone knows plastic bottles are they're far from ideal for the environment. Even when you diligently recycle them, the process of manufacturing, transporting, and recycling all that plastic takes a considerable toll on our planet.
If you do prefer body wash, at least look for options that come in recycled or recyclable packaging, or better yet, brands offering refill options to reduce waste.
The Case for Bar Soap: Simple and Sustainable
Now let's talk about bar soap, which has been around for centuries for good reason. When bar soap is made by clean, natural makers who care about what goes into their products, it usually contains only the active ingredients you actually need—nothing more.
Here's the beautiful simplicity of it: because bar soap doesn't contain water, there's no need for those chemical preservatives to stop bacteria from breeding. What you're left with is essentially a concentrated block of pure, high-quality active ingredients. No fillers, no unnecessary additives, just the good stuff your skin actually benefits from.
The Economic and Environmental Benefits
Bar soap is significantly better value for money. A single bar can last for several weeks, depending on how you store it and how many people are using it!
When you buy less product, you're not just saving money—you're also reducing packaging waste, cutting down on the energy and resources needed in the supply chain, and generally lightening your environmental footprint. It's one of those rare situations where what's better for the planet also happens to be better for your wallet.
There's also the water conservation aspect. With bar soap, you're not paying water. You're getting concentrated powerful ingredients without all the excess.
Quality
Natural bar soaps, especially those made by small-batch artisan soap makers like me, often contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and beautiful essential oils. These ingredients work to cleanse your skin while also maintaining its natural moisture barrier, rather than stripping it away.
Many people who switch from body wash to quality bar soap notice their skin feels healthier—less dry, less irritated, and better balanced overall. Your skin's natural oils have a chance to do their job properly instead of being constantly stripped away.
The Best Choice for Your Skin
At the end of the day, the "best" cleanser is the one that works for you, your skin, your values. However, if you're looking for something that's gentle on your skin, kinder to the environment, and more economical in the long run, it's natural, handmade bar soap.
Why not give it a try? Your skin, your wallet, and the planet might just thank you for it!
And while you're thinking about the products you use on your skin every day, remember that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Treating your skin well from the outside, combined with practices like massage to boost circulation and reduce stress, creates a holistic approach to skincare that really works. If you'd like to explore how holistic treatments can support your skin health, head over to my Treatments page to learn more.
Making thoughtful choices about your daily skincare routine—from the soap you use to how you care for your whole body—is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself and the environment.
Next: Now you know why bar soap is better, read up on more of our favourite ingredients in
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