Bar Soap

Staying clean should be more enjoyable than just slathering on some cheap soap  that dries out your skin, leaves a residue and causes your skin to break out. Nonetheless, the tendency of most bar soap is to do just that. So why is it inevitable that, despite its flaws, we always return to the basic bar of soap? Perhaps it's because we run out of shower gel  or maybe we just like the clean feeling you get from using plain old soap. Whatever the reason, why not enjoy your bathing experience to its fullest?

Choosing Bar Soap

There are a lot of really good quality soaps on the market that will gently clean, moisturize and keep your skin's PH in check. These tips should help you find the right soap for your skin type and budget.

1. About Budget: Do you have money to spend on fancy soap? Spend it if you can find something to suit you. If you don't have lots of money to spend on frilly soaps, don't bother. The cheap varieties can be just as good as the high-priced ones.
2. Soap Type: There are many types of soaps available: from creamy milk soaps to glycerin soaps. If you have dry, sensitive, acne-prone or oily skin, these might not be appropriate, but those with "normal", balanced skin can typically enjoy and experiment with anything they'd like.

Skin Type

Before buying bar soap,  identify your skin type: dry,  oily,  sensitive  or acne-prone.  Again, balanced skin has few qualms with soaps, but if you have any skin "issues" you should be very careful about what you put on your skin. Those with skin allergies or sensitivities would be very well suited to organic products, of which there is a great abundance from which to choose.

• Dry & Sensitive Skin
• The mildest soaps, including organics, are good for those with sensitive or dry skin.
• Ingredients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, shea or cocoa butter and almond or olive oil are excellent emollients and help moisturize dry skin.
• It is best to select soaps that are fragrance-free and that don't contain harsh chemicals such as sodium laureth sulfate.
• Acne-Prone Skin
• For those with acne flare-ups, it is recommended to get a medicated or antibacterial soap  to help combat breakouts.
• Triclosan is anti-bacterial and salicylic acid is an acne treatment - both can help treat body acne.
• If you have combination skin that is also sensitive, to help reduce irritation, go for an antibacterial soap for sensitive skin over one that is medicated.
• Oily Skin
• Oily skin fares well with glycerin soaps  and "clean" or purifying formulas.
• You should choose soaps that are non-comodegenic to prevent clogged pores.

Soap Types

Below are the major types of soap. Handmade and commercial soaps usually fall under one of the first three categories listed. When shopping for products, keep in mind that it's important to look at the ingredient list to see what a soap really offers and whether or not it includes any ingredients that you want to avoid (irritants such as sodium laureth sulfate or sodium cocoate).

Glycerin Soap  Glycerin soap, often decorative in style, can come in all colors, shapes and designs with any fragrance imaginable in it. They can strip the skin, making them more suitable for those with oily skin.	Animal Fat Soaps  Soap with a tallow base (from animal fats such as goat's milk) are great for moisturizing the skin and are very mild. These are a good choice for people with skin disorders such as eczema.	Vegetable Fat Soap  Vegetable fats such as palm, olive or coconut oil and shea butter create very creamy lathers and have good moisturizing properties.	Exfoliating Soap  Exfoliating soaps can have any type of base, but what makes them special is that they contain finely ground particles to help slough off dead skin. It's good for most skin types.

Quick Picks

For Dry Skin

Dove	Tom's of Maine	Ahava	Aveeno	L'Occitane Olive Soap

Best for Acne

Neutrogena	Lever 2000 Moisture Response	Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar	Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar	Basis Sensitive Skin Bar

Organics

Kiss My Face Olive OIl Soap	Dr. Bronner's Hemp Pure-Castille Soap	Burt's Bees Farmer's Friend Poison Ivy	Clearly Natural Glycerin Soap	Ecco Bella

Designer: More Than $10

Bliss	Lush	Philosophy Grace	Claus Porto	Fresh

Related Buying Guides

• Soap Making
• Body Wash and Shower Gel
• Body Scrubs
• Body Moisturizers

External Links

• Make Stuff: How to make homemade soaps.
• About.com: Soaps and candle making-- everything you need to know.
• Pioneer Thinking: Do it yourself beauty recipes, expert articles, and more. A great "green" site.
• Acne.org: See reviews on good soaps for those who are prone to breakouts.
• Makeup Alley: Lots of user reviews are available about bar soaps.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Zeep Shopgids
DE: Seife