A quality bar of soap that has been designed for a man’s naturally rugged skin should not only get you clean, but also prevent any sort of irritation.
But it goes further than that.
The best bar soap should be made from quality ingredients, have a scent (or lack thereof) that you prefer, moisturize your skin, develop a nice lather, and of course give you the confidence you need when exiting the shower – like the Dr. Squatch Cedar Citrus bar of soap.
In this review and guide, you will quickly learn all the important considerations to take into account when buying a new bar of soap. We have expert reviews of some of the most popular and emerging bar soaps currently available, along with a few tips to get the most from your new bar of soap.
Let’s get started.
As we researched all the top bar soap brands, which are reviewed below, we identified seven key factors you will want to keep in mind when buying a new bar.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Skin Type
Your skin type extends beyond just your face.
When selecting a bar of soap that is to be used on your body, it’s important that you find one that is compatible with your skin type.
Here’s a general categorization of each of the most common skin types that men have:
Dry Skin
Oily Skin
Combination Skin
Sensitive Skin
Normal Skin
Here’s a few pointers to keep in mind when buying for your skin type:
Dry Skin
When buying a bar of soap for dry skin, you want to find one that is packed full of natural oils or moisturizers (more on this in a minute) that will complement the natural sebum oil your skin produces.
In addition, men with dry skin will want to steer clear of chemicals within bars of soaps that will cause unnecessary dryness.
Oily Skin
The answer for those men with oily skin isn’t to buy a bar of soap that is loaded with chemicals that will “dry” out your skin – no, that will just damage it further and likely cause the opposite to occur – an increase in oil production, a natural reaction by the skin to protect itself.
Instead, those men with oily skin should buy a bar of soap that contains natural or compatible ingredients that aren’t so heavily focused on the moisturizing aspects.
In addition to lower moisturizer concentration, the addition of either an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA – normally glycolic acid) or Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA – normally salicylic acid) will help to break down the natural oils that your skin is overproducing.
Combination Skin
Quite possibly the toughest skin type to manage, combination skin is a mixture between both oily and dry skin.
While most men don’t fall into this category, those that do require a bit of experimentation and a measured approach.
We recommend that you try a few different natural or organic bars of soap for men and see if the results are positive. If not, then you might want to experiment with a bar of soap that contains AHA.
AHA is a fair bit milder compared to BHA and shouldn’t cause any over dryness of the skin.
Sensitive Skin
When it comes to buying a bar of soap for sensitive skin, it’s important that you find one that has very few ingredients.
You don’t want harsh surfactants, detergents, or preservatives in your soap.
Naturally, the ingredients one company might use can be drastically different from the next company.
Therefore, we recommend that you go with a pH balanced or hypoallergenic bar of soap, or one designed specifically for sensitive skin.
Something to note when it comes to natural bars of soap:
While natural or organic soap is typically derived from plant-based products – you can still experience irritation with sensitive skin – don’t think that just because it came from the earth means it is good for your skin (poison ivy anyone).
So be sure to take a cautious approach here and don’t go trying natural soaps that haven’t been tested in the market yet (i.e. read product reviews).
Normal Skin
While we are hesitant to say that someone has “normal” skin type, there is really no such thing, given that your skin is a living organ (source). Men who don’t have to wrestle with any of the above skin types are lucky.
Here you can try out various soaps and scents to your heart’s desire.
Skin Ailments
Medicated bar soaps designed to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, etc. should be selected with caution.
We strongly recommend that you seek medical advice from your family doctor or dermatologist before making a purchase.
2. Ingredients
A single bar of soap can contain a plethora of ingredients.
With the recent uptick in natural soaps available on the market, men, now more than ever, have a lot to try and wade through when flipping a bar of soap over and reading the ingredients.
Here’s a few ingredients we just wanted to point out in a few of the major soap categories:
Natural/Organic
These types of soaps often rely on a mixture of natural carrier and essential oils.
By and large, carrier oils are relatively safe and can be found in a ton of naturally focused products these days.
Common carrier oils include:
Jojoba oil
Sweet almond oil
Argan oil
Coconut Oil
Avocado Oil
Grapeseed Oil
…and countless others.
As well as carrier oils, you will also find essential oils.
Common essential oils include:
Cedarwood
Sandalwood
Tea Tree
Eucalyptus
Frankincense
Lemongrass
Clove
Mandarin Orange
…and countless others as well.
Now you might be wondering what the difference is between these two naturally derived oils and why you should care.
Here’s a quick comparison of carrier oils vs. essential oils
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils provide nourishment and moisture to your skin. They very closely mimic the natural sebum oil that your skin produces. This allows for natural results that will make your skin look and feel better without feeling oily, greasy, or slimy.
Seek out carrier oils when buying a bar of soap. They are proven to work well.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are included in bars of soap largely for scent. While the science is still out on their effectiveness when it comes to homeopathic remedies along with the risks they carry (source), some men swear by them.
It’s important to know that essential oils are potent and can cause irritation if applied in too high of concentrations. Therefore, we recommend finding a bar of soap with only a little in it (as they do smell great).
Men with sensitive skin should probably avoid these types of oils though.
Glycerin
From sweeteners to a powerful humectant, glycerin is a common (and good) ingredient to search for on the soap’s ingredient label.
With its humectant (retaining or preserving moisture) properties, glycerin will work to keep your skin feeling and looking healthy.
Perfect for men with dry skin, glycerin bars of soap are often clear – making them easy to spot on the store shelf.
Chemicals
Whether it’s to deliver a manly scent or prevent the growth of harmful bacteria during shipping, chemicals contained within bars of soap are a fact of life.
While some folks may work hard to nix chemicals from all aspects of their grooming regimen, it’s always important to do your research and formulate your own decision on what you want or don’t want in your bar of soap.
But for those that want the quick and easy answers to some of the more common ingredients, here’s some great info:
Parabens – Parabens are an important ingredient for large companies that distribute their product around the world (i.e. Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, etc.). These ingredients act as a preservative in order to prevent the growth of bacteria within the soap during shipping.
But what about their safety?
Currently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states the following:
“FDA scientists continue to review published studies on the safety of parabens. At this time, we do not have information showing that parabens as they are used in cosmetics have an effect on human health.”
Hypoallergenic – Claimed by companies to produce fewer allergic reactions compared to normal products, this term is not regulated by the FDA. Their official stance is the following:
“There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term “hypoallergenic.” The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Manufacturers of cosmetics labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity claims to FDA.” (source)
Fragrance/Perfume – While it may sound rather harmful, fragrance is an umbrella term for a collection of both chemical and synthetic fragrances – so you have no idea of what’s really in the product, making it really tough for those men with severely sensitive skin or allergies.
Here’s the kicker:
While the FDA regulates this as a cosmetic since it’s applied to your skin (source), fragrance is considered to be a Trade Secret (source) and the ingredients contained within don’t need to be disclosed.
So, how does this affect you?
Well, if you have sensitive skin or want to avoid certain chemicals for personal reasons, go with a natural bar of soap instead. It is less guesswork on the ingredient label and can hopefully lead to positive results.
A word of caution:
While buying a soap marketed as unscented may sound safe, double check the ingredients. Companies may still add fragrance as a way to neutralize the scent that the other ingredients may be emitting.
3. How do you plan on using your soap (body, hand, face, etc.)?
While we fully unpack all the differences between these soap varieties later (stay tuned), you will quickly find that a visit to the soap aisle will yield a variety of results.
When looking at soap from a categorical standpoint, you will find five main varieties:
Body soap
Face soap
Hand soap
Beard soap
All-in-one soap
To state the obvious here, get a soap that matches the intent for which you plan on using it.
Secondly, don’t go with an all-in-one soap.
While all-in-one soaps can work everywhere, the results will generally be lacking when compared to a bar of soap designed for a specific use.
Therefore, be sure to read the label and know what the soap was designed for. If it hasn’t been clearly marked, assume hand use.
4. Extras
While soaps have historically always been marketed as being full of moisturizers to soothe and nourish your skin, modern day offerings have really ramped up what they can deliver.
During our research we found soaps that had these additional features:
Moisturizing
Exfoliating
Toner
Antibacterial
Here’s our quick breakdown on each, and whether you should actually care about them or if you will just be wasting your money:
Moisturizing
No matter your skin type, adding moisturizers to your bar of soap will almost always be a good thing. Remember that your skin is a natural and living organ, and therefore needs to be treated as such.
Moisturizing properties in a good bar of soap will help to make you look and feel better.
Exfoliating
Over the past decade or so, exfoliating beads have been quickly becoming the standard in bars of soap.
With the inclusion of micro particles that can be sourced from quartz, sand, and other natural minerals, they are extremely effective at removing the dead skin cells that are sitting on the surface of your skin.
Able to be used daily, exfoliating bars of soap for men are a quick and easy win when it comes to improving the texture of your skin.
Over the past few years, people have become cautious about using exfoliating bars of soap due to their harm on the environment.
Here’s why:
With the uptick in the sales of exfoliating soap bars, some companies started using micro plastic beads instead (source). When rinsed down the drain, these plastic beads cause both pollution and environmental hazards.
However, since this discovery, the following countries have implemented laws banning the use of micro beads in cosmetics:
United States
Canada
France
New Zealand
United Kingdom
And several others.
Therefore, if you live in one of the above countries (which most of the readers of this site are from), then you shouldn’t need to worry about plastic micro beads acting as the exfoliator.
Toner
Toners in bar soap are a terrific way to even out the complexion of your skin. While not nearly as good as a top-rated toner for men, the inclusion of key ingredients, such as witch hazel, into the bar of soap can help to reduce any sort of splotches on your skin.
A quick word to note:
Bars of soap containing toners are often priced at a premium, making them a steep financial investment.
Antibacterial
While many may tout the benefits of using antibacterial soap to destroy bacteria or prevent illness, according to the FDA there has been no scientific evidence to support those claims (source).
Furthermore, antibacterial soap often relies on triclosan (which prevents bacterial contamination), and it has been shown in animal studies that it alters the way some hormones work in the body.
Lastly, the wide prevalence of triclosan has been hypothesized as one of the leading ingredients that is reducing the effectiveness of anti-bacterial medications and creating super bugs.
Our recommendation here is, don’t get an antibacterial soap. It probably wouldn’t make a difference in your overall cleanliness or health.
5. Scent
Since we touched on both essential oils and chemical-based fragrances earlier, we will keep this section a bit shorter.
Bars of soaps come in a variety of differing scents.
From masculine notes of sandalwood or cedarwood, to an invigorating peppermint or eucalyptus – chances are that you can find a scent that you will love.
One tip that we wanted to share is that you will want to make sure that the scent of the bar of soap matches that of your body spray or cologne.
While the scent largely dissipates once you have dried off with a towel, there of course is some lingering aroma for the next hour or so.
Therefore, in order to prevent any sort of clashing in style – try to get like scented products (i.e. a sandalwood bar of soap to match a sandalwood cologne that you intend to wear).
6. Soap Categories
While bars of soap are made for a variety of skin types, intents, etc. we found that generally soap can be broken down into three main categories:
Conventional or Mass Produced
Brands like Dove Men+Care, Old Spice, Ivory, Tone, etc. reign supreme here. These soaps oftentimes lack the premium or natural ingredients that grooming minded men often seek out – but still do a great job at getting you clean. These soaps often are loaded with preservatives (parabens) as they are mass produced and shipped around the world.
Natural or Handmade
Whether it’s a small batch brand or one that markets itself as having a clean ingredient label, natural and handmade soaps often contain key carrier oils or glycerin and can really hydrate and nourish your skin.
These soaps tend to cost a bit more compared to the mass-produced soaps but don’t contain any suspect or harmful ingredients.
Premium or Designer
Brands like Baxter of California, Jack Black, Dr. Squatch, etc. reign supreme here. Carrying on both the above categories of being natural and widely available, these soaps are currently what many men are seeking in a good bar of soap.
Containing moisturizing ingredients coupled with exfoliating properties or other premium features, they also command a premium price tag.
7. Price
So how much should you really be spending on a bar of soap? $2, $5, or $25?
Well, it depends.
As you will see in our bar soap reviews below, prices go across the board.
In our findings, if you want a bar of soap that will not only get you clean, but make your skin feel significantly smoother and healthier, then you should expect to pay anywhere between $10 and $15 for a single bar.
While this price may seem quite high from the onset, after seeing marked improvements in your skin (be it oily, dry, combination, sensitive, etc.) coupled with a terrific smell, you will likely be satisfied with the results.
Now, onward to our roundup of some of the best soaps of 2020 that we think you will absolutely love:
The 20 Best Bars of Soap for Men Reviewed 2020
1. Dr. Squatch – Cedar Citrus
Dr. Squatch, an up-and-coming company with a great logo, offers an ingredient packed bar for deep cleaning and wonderful scent. This bar is a cornucopia of powerful oils (olive, coconut, hemp and soybean), moisturizers and soothers (shea butter and peppermint leaves), neat manly scents (cedarwood, orange and rosemary).
The Cedar Citrus bar will exfoliate and then moisturize with the best of them, but the unique woody-citrus scent will have you leaving the shower feeling awake and rejuvenated. The 5oz bar is at a great price, especially when you consider just how much is benefit is pack into each bar. Don’t like it, no problem – The doc has you backed with a ‘Sudisfaction Guarantee’ which is not only a great soap pun but a mighty good offer too.
2. Duke Cannon Men’s Bar Soap
Duke Cannon is your man’s man bar soap – three times the size of most competitors at 10oz, Duke Cannon boasts a crisp, clean scent that will wash away the grime of a hard day’s work. This is a giant brick of soap, so you’ll get more bang for your buck on sheer size alone. What’s really cool is that Duke Cannon modeled this soap after soap that GIs used in the Korean War (they use Steel Cut Grains so it has an easy grip and hearty texture).
Beyond that, Duke Cannon puts a portion of proceeds toward supporting U.S. Veteran’s and has their soap field tested by active duty U.S. Soldiers… Manly enough for you?
3. Jack Black Turbo Body Bar Scrubbing Soap’s
Jack Black’s soap is gaining a lot of notoriety for its versatility and effectiveness. For starters, the soap has a crisp and rugged pine scent. Where the bar really hits is in exfoliation; crafted with blue lotus and lava rock the bar is gritty in removing dead skin cells helping to clean and soften the fresh layer of skin.
The turbo bar follows a simple process – exfoliate with lava rock, smooth, soften and shine with the ever-beneficial Shea and Murumuru butters. This is another big bar at 6oz so it’ll naturally be long lasting which is especially important for a bar that is used on the whole body.
4. Old Spice Wild Collection Wolfthorn Men’s Bar Soap
The ever-quirky folks at Old Spice are naturally in the game for men’s specific bar soaps and have a solid product on the playing field. Their soft, yet manly scented bar is very well priced and has a line of products that follow the scent like deodorant, body wash, cologne spray and body spray.
For a big brand this is a very well-liked product and stacks up neatly with its competition, especially in terms of its popular aroma. Frankly, the Wolfthorn soap gets the job done. Standard 4oz bars can be found just about anywhere and come in 6-pack sets as well.
5. Anthony Exfoliating & Cleansing Bar Soap
Conventional bar soaps are great for everyday use, but they can occasionally dry your skin out, or worse, leave residue behind on your skin. If you’re looking for a more natural approach to a clean and healthy body, Anthony’s Exfoliating & Cleansing bar soap is the way to go.
It features a shea butter and coconut oil base with hints of cucumber extract for a refreshing after glow. The addition of Jojoba spheres makes this soap ideal for cleansing yourself of dead skin cells, which in turn makes your skin softer, smoother, and better looking with constant use.
This soap is great for all skin types, from oily to sensitive and everything in between. It is a 7oz. bar that has been tested by dermatologists, and is allergy free.
6. Baxter of California Men’s Exfoliating Body Bar
This bar of soap was made for invigorating your senses and leaving your skin smooth and soft to the touch.
It uses Jojoba meal and crushed olive seed to give your skin a new lease on life. Ideal for men with tough, cracked, or dry skin, as this soap will help to put moisture back where it belongs.
The lather is soft and silky, which in turn leaves your skin feeling the same. The exfoliating agents present in the soap helps you to shed dead skin and lingering dirt and debris.
Cedarwood and oakmoss add in a very delightful scent that is subtle but distinctly masculine, and the scent does not linger too strongly about the body, so it is ideal for close quarters. This 7oz. bar is relatively inexpensive, and lasts for a good while before needing to be replaced.
7. Art Naturals 6 Piece Soap Bar
Art Naturals offer a 6 piece soap set that is a very well-rounded way to change up your daily cleaning repertoire. Mix it up each day of the week to take advantage of a multitude of essential oil benefits – tea tree to reduce inflammation, mint and eucalyptus for a cool rush wake-up call, or maybe floral detox for a relaxing wash before bed.
Each of the bars are infused with the always popular and effective jojoba oil. Jojoba will help save your skin by softening it and leaving it with a silky touch. Besides the benefits of the soap, you benefit you wallet on a very reasonably priced set.
8. Activated Charcoal Soap Bar for Men
Nothing delivers a natural clean feeling quite like activated charcoal, an ingredient used in most everything from water purifiers, to toothpaste, to even body wash.
This dark colored soap certainly leaves its mark as it goes on, but it definitely comes off clean, as though it was never there. The gritty sensation of the soap is ideal for exfoliation, as the rough texture has a tendency to scrape off old, dead skin cells present on the surface of your skin. This gives way to younger and fresher cells that give your skin a healthy glow.
Eucalyptus offers a much needed boost, putting much needed vitamins back into the skin. Peppermint oil leaves your skin fresh and tingly as well, lengthening the time that you feel the effects of the soap.
9. Dead Sea Mud Soap Bar 100%
The Deep Sea Mud bar is the spa quality, versatile soap for a professional and thorough cleaning. Use it all over – face, hands, body – and reap the benefits of natural cleaning with essential oils like Castor Bean Oil, Sunflower Oil and Palm Oil. The scent is super fresh and rooted in other essential oils like peppermint and lemongrass with hints of eucalyptus.
The Dead Sea Mud Bar will assist with fighting dry skin like it’s counterparts, but is also beneficial in fighting acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The sleek black bar also boasts anti-aging effects by tightening the pores, and the natural grains exfoliate to give the skin a healthy glow. 100% Organic, 100% Manly.
10. Dove Men+Care Body and Face Bar
Everyone knows the Dove Brand, but their Men+Care line is relatively new and offers a solid product at a great price. The Deep Clean bars use purifying grains to get in there and, well, clean deep. The deep clean is important for exfoliation then the moisturizing cream comes in for reinforcement to soften skin and help fight the awful dry tight feeling you’d get from a standard bar soap.
Regular cleaning will make for stronger skin as the soap cleans on multiple levels – exfoliate, clean and moisture to protect and strengthen. The scent is a clean, musky scent for the classic man.
Given that this works also for your face, it’s a great substitute for even the best men’s facial cleanser.
11. Irish Spring Signature Exfoliating Bar Soap
Just about everyone knows the scent of Irish Spring – clean, subtle and uber-fresh. The Irish Spring Signature bar is very similar to standard Irish Spring in terms of scent, but has the added benefit of milled oats to exfoliate and really get in there with a thorough clean.
The price is right and the size is a notch bigger than your typical big box brand at 6oz. If you’re already comfortable with Irish Spring, add this to the mix for a deeper clean. If you aren’t an Irish Spring user this would be a smart way to jump into the brand as it is likely their most refined product.
12. Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Body Scrub
If you are looking for a refreshing, rejuvenating, and overall relaxing experience in the shower, look no further than Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Body Scrub.
This bar of soap packs a lot of punch for the ingredients it puts in, and is specially formulated to get deep into your pores and clean them out. This soap uses oatmeal and oat bran to leave your skin soft and smooth, while pumice is added to exfoliate and strip your body of dead cells and lingering residue.
When you use this soap, you won’t want to go back to your conventional store bought brand.
This has everything you need to feel clean, without the aggressive and often harsh chemicals that other soaps contain. Use this soap to soften up tough spots on your skin, such as your palms, your elbows, or even knees and heels. This product is not recommended for facial use.
13. Marlowe No. 102 Men’s Body Scrub
In terms of soap, nothing beats the antioxidant rich Marlowe No. 102 bar soap.
This soap features extracts of green tea, willow bark, and deep sea algae, which are all ingredients that contribute to overall skin health and reconstruction. This soap is rich in vital antioxidants, vitamins that empower your cells so that they remain elastic and youthful.
Marlowe No. 102 is ideal for all skin types, and works well to remove lingering residue and dirt off of your skin. It is so much better than conventional soap brands as it goes on foamy and comes off clean. The best thing about this soap is that it is exceptionally cheap to buy, and there is enough in a bar to last 2-3 weeks. When it comes for what’s best for your skin, Marlowe soap products are an ideal first choice to consider.
14. Mistral Men’s Soap
The Mistral Men’s bar is another big one at 8.8oz and has a classic scent built off calming sandalwood and cool eucalyptus like a fresh shave at an old timey barbershop.
As expected in a men’s soap, essential oils like pumpkin oil are present to cleanse and enrich the skin, while shea butter finishes the clean with moisture to protect. A unique kick is added to Mistral’s bar as it is fortified with white coffee and ginseng for some added power.
Mistral makes there product from 100% pure vegetable soap (vegan friendly) and as a result dry skin and residue are effectively eliminated.
15. Origins Charcoal Bar Soap
Charcoal has many uses, from a water purifier to an effective natural cleanser. In this soap by Origins, charcoal is used as both a cleaning agent as well as an exfoliating agent to deep clean your skin gently but effectively.
This soap features a glycerin base, and the addition of sodium palmate and sodium palm kernelate gives this soap it’s rich, fluffy lather. The main ingredients in this soap, however, are the numerous plant oils that give the soap a unique and pleasant scent that lasts all day long.
Oils such as lavender, rosemary, wintergreen, and lemon peel are combined in the soap to give your skin a refreshing, tingling feeling. This soap is gentle for use on even sensitive skin, and contains no harsh chemicals that may cause adverse reactions. Overall, a very good soap for a deep clean without aggressive chemicals.
16. Shea Moisture Mens Utility Soap
You probably expected that the Shea Mositure bar contains Shea Butter, and you were correct. What you may not know is that the Shea Mositure bar also contains Cocoa, Mango and Avocado butters that deliver ultimate smoothness and essential moisture.
Shea Moisture Utility Soap is one of the most versatile bars in that it is used for face, body and hair while giving the added dynamic of use as a fantastic lather for a close shave. The 5oz bar hangs it hat on the power of moisturizing butters so the scent is natural and manly, but given its uses the bar sits at a very modest price point.
17. Soapbox Fox Sexy Lumberjack
This product utilizes shea butter to deliver superior softness to your skin. However, that is not the only ingredient that boasts staggering benefits.
Organic burdock root, a plant known for its abundance of vitamins B and E, allows your skin to retain its moisture, elasticity, and leaves you feeling fresh and clean long after you are done showering. Organic Comfrey leaf is high in Vitamin C, a necessary vitamin for healthy, glowing skin, and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Nettle, Dandelion, and Spirulina are also present in this all natural organic soap, and provide benefits ranging from basic vitamin and mineral replenishment to anti-itch, anti-fungal, and even anti-aging bonuses. This soap is ideal for any skin type, and there is plenty of soap in a single bar that makes this product well worth its price.
18. The Yellow Bird Peppermint and Tea Tree Soap Bar
All natural soap like this one from The Yellow Bird can do more than just clean. In the case of this peppermint and tea tree soap, it can also help alleviate symptoms of athletes foot and other mild to moderate infections.
Tea tree oil is a proven anti-fungal agent that helps to relieve the symptoms of athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm.
Daily use can help maintain younger, healthier looking skin after a few weeks of use. This soap doesn’t dry out your skin, and it doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive skin. So go ahead, use it on your body, your face, wherever you think needs a good scrub. This soap is incredibly inexpensive, and buyers of the product love the way they feel after a shower.
19. Tom Ford ‘Oud Wood’ Bar Soap
Oud wood, agarwood, or aloeswood is a rare, expensive ingredient used in perfumes and luxury products, so it is no surprise that Tom Ford utilizes this exquisite scent to its fullest.
This soap dances with a blend of unique fragrances while also ensuring that you are clean and fresh throughout the day. While this soap does not have an all day holding power, it does last just long enough to make an impression and fade into the background, ideal for days where you will be in close proximity to many people at once.
The soap has a rich, thick, and creamy lather that penetrates the deepest pores of your skin, rejuvenating and reinvigorating your dermal layer. The only downside to this soap is that it is considerably more expensive than other soaps on the market today, however, the quality is one that can’t be beat.
20. Triumph & Disaster Shearer’s Soap
Sheep shearer’s have exceptionally soft hands due to the lanolin that is excreted by sheep and other wool-bearing animals. While this soap does not contain lanolin, the soap does still leave your hands softer than silk, ideal for men with weathered hands.
This soap contains poppy seeds, the main ingredient for optimal exfoliation. This ingredient, coupled with grains of salt, helps to shed dead skin and rejuvenate your hands, giving them a new lease on life.
Shearer’s soap also contains glycerin, sodium palmate, and sodium palm kernelate to help with the cleaning process.
While it isn’t an all-natural product, this soap is good for the environment and good for your skin as well. It is also ideal for many different skin types, as the bar is very gentle when it comes to cleaning and exfoliating.
Common questions men had about bar soap
As we got into our research, we found some of the same questions popping up time and time again, therefore we wanted to take a quick moment to address a few should any of them currently be on your mind as well:
Can I use bar soap to wash my face?
You can, but you shouldn’t.
While a standard body bar of soap can work in a pinch, a good face cleanser will be much more effective at ridding dirt and pollutants in a more gentle manner.
Body bars of soap are designed for tougher and thicker parts of your skin and may cause dryness or irritation when used on your face, as facial skin is thinner.
What are some dermatologist recommended soaps?
As it stands at the time of publication, the currently recommended soaps based on the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), particularly for dry skin, are the following brands:
Dove
Olay
Basis
Cetaphil Skin Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Aquanil Cleanser
Should I avoid parabens within soaps?
As mentioned earlier, there has been no conclusive scientific evidence supporting that parabens have an effect on human health. They are used to preserve the soap and to prevent the growth of bacteria or the product being spoiled (source).
What are some good mild soaps?
As you will see in our reviews, mild soaps that contain a rich mixture of natural and organic ingredients along with glycerin have proven to be effective for many men.
Are bar soaps unsanitary?
No.
According to a 1965 study, scientists put this theory to the test by having one contaminated subject wash their hands with a bar of soap and then have a clean secondary subject use that same bar of soap – the result:
No transfer of harmful bacterial.
Unscented vs. fragrance-free, which is better for sensitive skin?
Fragrance-free.
“Unscented” is largely a misinterpreted term when it comes to labeling on many grooming products. Unscented doesn’t mean that it is absent of any chemically-based fragrances or perfumes.
Instead, it simply means that the company has neutralized the scent of the other chemicals that are doing the washing.
Should you have sensitive skin – you will want to seek out bars of soap that are marked “fragrance-free.”
Bar Soap vs. Liquid Body Wash vs. Face Wash vs. Hand Soap
Now, we would have our head in the sand if we didn’t acknowledge liquid soaps or body washes in this review and guide of bar soaps.
While these categories may appear to deliver nearly identical results from the onset, there are definitely some key differences between liquids and bars.
Here’s a quick rundown on how they differ:
Bar Soap
Solid, compact, and lightweight, a bar of soap is the more versatile pick of the two. Able to be tucked away in your favorite dopp kit or suitcase – the bar of soap is an excellent travel companion that won’t get confiscated at a TSA checkpoint.
Rather than relying on cheap hotel soap or body wash that was included in your room, the ability to travel with an excellent bar of soap like those reviewed above will ensure that you have a great cleanser while travelling.
Furthermore, bars of soap that contain exfoliators will be more effective at washing away dead skin cells, giving your skin a more vibrant look.
As you saw in our reviews, bars of soap designed for men will naturally work with your more rugged and textured skin.
Lastly, lifespan.
On average, a bar of soap should last you a bit longer, when compared to body washes, making it the perfect grooming companion for those men looking to save a few bucks on their budget.
Body Wash
Much more popular and widely available, body washes come in a variety of sizes, scents, and qualities.
The best body washes should not only get you clean but should also develop a nice lather that will gently remove surface dirt and grime from your skin.
As inferred above, body washes do have some downsides – most notably it being a liquid, along with increased cost.
For starters, when buying a body wash, you will need to have it in a bottle less than 3.4 oz if you’re flying with it in a carry-on bag in the USA. While not something many readers deal with daily, it is good to know that premium brands, like Jack Black, offer a small-sized option for such a purpose.
Secondly, if you have ever ordered a liquid soap or body wash from an online retailer, you know how easy it is for these bottles to break during shipment.
While sure, your gym bag might not be going through as much as a box travelling halfway across the country, a body wash bottle can leak causing your other grooming tools to get messy – a non-problem when it comes to a bar of soap.
Face Wash
While it’s true that there are some bars of soap that are designed for facial use, by and large the majority of bars are made for either body or hand use.
The primary reason for this is that bars of soap are intended to be used in a much more aggressive manner in order to generate a rich and thick lather that will lift away the dirt.
The skin on your face is much thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your body – therefore, companies rely instead on liquid cleansers for the face.
In addition to the form factor, a face wash should also be absent of any fragrances or harsh chemicals, also because of the sensitivity issue.
While it may be tempting to simply lather up your hands with a bar of soap and use it on your face (it works in a pinch), if you care about your skin and want the best results, these two products cannot be substituted for one another.
Liquid Hand Soap (For Hands Only)
The ultimate heavy lifter in removing surface dirt or oils, hand soaps are designed for heavy-duty use.
Packed with surfactants to significantly lower the water tension, hand soaps make it much easier to remove the oil and dirt on your hands.
Available in a variety of scent options (including unscented and fragrance free), they can help to mask any foul odors that you may be trying to remove from your hands.
Furthermore, hand soaps may contain antibacterial ingredients (which have been linked to changes in hormones and are simply not any more effective than a regular hand soap).
Given that these are made to be a deeper cleanser, you should never use them in lieu of a decent bar of soap designed for your body, as they will dry out your skin.