13 Soap Brands That'll Elevate Your Shower Game, According to a Dermatologist
It's time to change your mind about bar soap, friend.
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No shade to your shower game, but if you think any ol' bar of soap is gonna get the job done, then you are v much mistaken, friend. After all, soap isn't just about cleansing—it's about protecting your skin barrier as well. Many "traditional" bar soaps are made with a harsh chemical called lye, which strips your skin of natural oils, whereas the best soap brands nowadays are not true "soaps," but rather soap-free cleansers that are gentler on the skin and have a more acidic pH. Not sure what to look for when shopping for a cleanser? We're here to help.
Meet the expert:
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.
Bar soap vs. liquid soap—which is better?
Bar soap gets a bad rap for being too alkaline, but believe it or not, liquid body washes aren't any more effective than bar soap. "Both liquid and bars are equally effective—the choice in formula depends on personal preference," says Zeichner. And while shower gels might be preferable for house guests, bar soaps have the benefit of using less energy in production and requiring less plastic and packaging in general, which is always a plus.
How to choose the best soap brand
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all body soap, as the best soap brand for you depends on your specific skin concerns. However! You should keep a few things in mind when trying to decide what kind of soap to get for your shower:
Skip the sulfates
Because the skin's pH is naturally slightly acidic (around 5.5), cleansing ingredients with an alkaline pH can disrupt the skin barrier and lead to irritation. That's why it's best to avoid sulfate-containing soap, especially if you have sensitive skin or eczema. "Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a harsh detergent that is very effective, but can be very drying," explains Zeichner. "In fact, it’s used in clinical trials as the positive control to elicit irritation in the skin in comparison to other products." Uh, yikes. So if you see sodium laureth and/or lauryl sulfate on an ingredients list, it's probs best to avoid.
Consider your skin sensitivity
Speaking of sensitive skin! Folks who tend to dry out or experience irritation more easily should try to steer clear of soap brands with fragrances. "For people who have sensitive skin, consider a fragrance-free option," Zeichner suggests. "In some cases, fragrances can lead to allergies and rashes in the skin."
Look for certain labels
If finding a soap brand that's natural and/or organic is important to you, then you'll wanna look for labels from USDA Organic, Made Safe, EcoCert, or B Corp, which are independent groups that vet everything from a product's safety to its environmental impact. Natural formulas tend to forgo sulfates and other harsh chemicals for gentler surfactants and plant-based ingredients, and they're almost always better the environment, too. Win-win!
Our top soap brand picks of 2022
- Best overall: CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar
- Best for dry skin: Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar
- Best exfoliating: Glossier Body Hero Exfoliating Bar
- Best for acne: SheaMoisture African Black Soap
- Best drug store brand: Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
- Best for face and body: Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar
- Best moisturizing: Peach Moisturizing Hand & Body Bar
- Best smelling: Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit Oval Soap
Ahead, all best soap brands that'll have you smelling like a rose and feeling smooth as a bb.
Packed with hyaluronic acid (a humectant that draws moisture to the skin) and ceramides (lipids that help skin retain moisture), this hydrating cleanser bar from CeraVe is suitable for all skin types and will leave your body feeling soft and dewy. It's even gentle enough to use on your precious lil face!
Zeichner's top pick: this über-hydrating bar from Dove, which is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and formulated with 1/4 moisturizing cream to gently nourish skin without ever making it feel dry or tight. And since it's ultra-mild, it's a great pick for folks with sensitive or super-dry skin.
Want a soap bar that exfoliates as it cleans? This bestselling bar from Glossier uses bamboo powder to gently slough away dead skin for softer, smoother skin. It's also packed with sunflower seed oil and aloe leaf juice, which help lock in moisture, so your skin never feels stripped.
For peeps with body acne, this SheaMoisture soap is a L-I-F-E-S-A-V-E-R. Infused with shea butter, aloe, and oats, this bar simultaneously soothes skin and targets acne blemishes, thanks to its natural clarifying properties. Plus, it's so gentle that even those with eczema-prone skin can use it.
This soap-free cleansing bar is *chef's kiss* for dry, itchy skin since it lathers without stripping skin of its natural oils and won't leave any filmy residue. You'll love that it's also unscented and hypoallergenic—and you just can't beat that price.
Suitable for all skin types, this powerful bar from Clinique is formulated with salicylic acid to help sop up excess oils and hydrating glycerin to prevent irritation. And yes, you can use this bb on both your face and body to fight blemishes.
Made with passionfruit seed oil (which is suuuuper moisturizing) and featuring a coconut oil and shea butter base, this pretty pink bar will leave ya feeling oh-so-soft and smooth with a subtle, refreshing scent. It also creates a v satisfying lather, thanks to gentle, coconut-derived sulfates.
In addition to being ultra-moisturizing (shout out to hydrating shea butter and glycerin) and gorgeously packaged, this French-milled soap from Fresh comes in sooo many delicious scents, like this Hesperides one, which is citrusy and fresh without feeling overwhelming on the senses.
Loaded with a soothing combo of activated charcoal (which extracts dirt and oil from your pores), olive oil, and shea butter, this gentle bar works to rinse away impurities without over-drying—plus, it contains bamboo powder, which is rich in minerals and elasticity-boosting silica. Hello, plump, glowing skin!
In addition to cleansing and D-E-E-P-L-Y hydrating your skin, this Oars + Alp bar is speckled with crushed juniper berries to gently buff away dead skin cells as you wash, which is SO satisfying. It also contains shea butter and jojoba oil to help lock in moisture and protect your skin barrier.
Anyone who's not a morning person (hi, it me) needs to invest in this bar soap from Ursa Major, stat. With a fresh, minty scent, this bb uses cooling peppermint extract to wake up your skin. It's also infused with volcanic rock to deliver tingly exfoliation, plus hydrating honey, coconut oil, and shea butter.
African cocoa butter, shea butter, and activated charcoal are the trio of ingredients that make this detoxifying bar from Buttah Skin so! damn! effective! And since it's also formulated with vitamin C, niacinamide, and marshmallow root, it'll help nourish your skin and leave it dewy and glowing.
Quad-milled for a denser body and richer lather, this shea butter-infused French soap from Pré de Provence smells just as gorgeous as it looks (especially the rose petal scent). Just imagine how fah-ncy will this lil bar look sitting on the side of your tub.
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
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