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Gone are the days of grabbing any body soap or wash, lathering it onto your skin, and calling it a day. With everything showers taking over our TikTok feeds, there is more reason than ever to make a conscious decision between using a bar soap or body wash to cleanse the skin below the neck. Bar soaps are notorious for their dry properties and ability to strip the skin, but thanks to recent formulation makeovers, they are now an equal contender to body wash.
So, how do you know what to choose in the bar soap vs. body wash conundrum? We asked three skin-care experts for their hot take on the pros and cons of both so you can get a deep clean without compromising your skin's health.
Meet the expert
- Navin Arora, DO, FAAD is a dermatologist in Garden City, NY.
- Karan Lal, DO, FAAD, is a double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist in Scottsdale, AZ.
- Mary Berry is a skin-care formulator and the founder and CEO of Cosmos Labs.
How Bar Soap and Body Wash Formulas Compare
The most significant difference between body wash and bar soap lies in their formulation and texture. Bar soap is solid and usually more concentrated, and as Dr. Arora shares, is formed through a saponification process, usually consisting of fats and oils. On the other hand, body wash is a liquid cleanser that doesn't go through the same formulation process. Instead, it incorporates water, conditioning and moisturizing agents, and sometimes oils or active ingredients. "Both bar soap and body wash combine with oils and dirt on the skin, allowing them to rinse away with water. The surfactants in these products help to break down the oils on the skin," Dr. Arora says.
Bar soap is generally thought to dry the skin more due to its higher pH. After all, it is known to leave it feeling squeaky clean. Body wash is more hydrating while also targeting specific skin concerns. "Body wash is typically dispensed through a pump or squeeze bottle, while bar soap, which can easily be overused and disrupt the skin's barrier function, must be lathered by hand with water."
Packaging Differences
Bar soaps are often more eco-friendly due to less packaging. They usually consist of a paper or cardboard wrapper—some are even made of recycled goods—making them a more environmentally friendly option with less packaging. “They also are more cost-effective and last longer,” Dr. Arora adds. Since bar soap often contains few preservatives compared to liquid body wash, it can harbor bacteria if not stored properly.
Unlike freestanding bar soaps, body washes are housed in plastic, glass, or metal bottles and tubes, which aren't as eco-conscious but lend a far more hygienic product with limited potential for bacteria to grow. However, the amount of preservatives and additives used to stabilize the formula can be higher.
Bar Soap vs. Body Wash: Which is More Effective?
No matter if your team bar soap or body wash, as long as you use one to cleanse your skin, the overall benefit is the same. But is one cleanser more effective than the other?
Dr. Lal says bar soap is often cleaner at face value compared to liquid versions due to a lack of preservatives, but that fact has downsides when it comes to the potential of contamination. "Bar soap often grows more bacteria," he adds. "Plus, most people use bar soaps everywhere (yes, everywhere!), and using one on the face and in private areas could potentially spread bacteria."
Bar soaps get a bad rap as drying on the skin, mainly due to their alkaline nature, and some skin types notice this more than others. "The natural pH of skin is slightly acidic, around 4.5 to 5.5, while bar soaps typically have a higher pH, resulting in removing the skin's natural oils and disrupting its protective barrier. This can lead to dryness, irritation, and even exacerbate conditions like eczema," Dr. Arora explains. Bar soaps can also contain skin lipid-removing sulfates and surfactants. And Dr. Lal adds that some bar soaps are antibacterial, "which could mess up the skin microbiome."
So, is body wash a safer route? It depends on the product. While most are more hydrating and gentle than bar soap, not all liquid soaps and body washes are created equally. Dr. Lal says some can contain preservatives to reduce the growth of microorganisms, while others have sulfates. But most offer a dose of much-needed moisture and nourishment to the skin.
Most popular body washes have a pH level more aligned with the skin, so there's less risk of disrupting the skin barrier and microbiome. "There are so many varieties of formulations, tailored to different skin types and preferences, too, resulting in a more personalized and effective cleansing experience," Berry adds.
How to Choose
The choice to use bar soap vs. body wash mainly depends on personal preference and skin type. Body washes can be more versatile and user-friendly, catering to different skin types and concerns than bar soap. "Body washes typically contain added moisturizing ingredients such as emollients, humectants, and oils to help replenish moisture in the skin. It is easier for a brand to incorporate these ingredients in body wash, which is why they are so beneficial," Dr. Arora adds. Modern-day body washes can also target other skin concerns, like breakouts, discoloration, and even keratosis pilaris (KP).
While body wash is usually the go-to for more sensitive and dry skin types due to its moisturizing properties, Dr. Arora says bar soaps can be better for oily skin types or those who prefer a more straightforward cleansing routine without added ingredients that may lead to pore clogging. Also, if a paired-down ingredient list is more suitable for your skin, then a bar soap may be a better choice.
There's no right or wrong product to use to cleanse the skin on your body. At the end of the day, always consider the ingredients in a bar soap or body wash that you choose to use, and avoid ones with harsh detergents and antibacterials, artificial fragrances and perfumes, phthalates, and preservatives, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to irritation. Instead, make sure your body cleanser of choice contains ingredients that help hydrate the skin long after you step out of the shower. If the one you choose makes your skin feel good, then you've made the right choice.