Bar Soap for Face: the Verdict

Are you still washing your face with the same old bar soap you use on the rest of your body? Skin is our biggest organ, and the way we care for it can make a huge impact on how it behaves. Keeping our skin clean is important, and the type of cleanser we use should be suited to our skin type and skin goals.

In a pinch, it could be argued that a bar soap is better than nothing. But is it really doing anything beneficial for your skin? When we think about how we like our skin to look and feel – soft, radiant, smooth – the question we have to ask ourselves is this: can bar soap help us achieve those goals?

The first soap that comes to mind when we think about washing our face with soap: the popular Dove facial bar. Almost every woman has gone through a phase where this soap was her daily facial cleanser (most of us during our puberty or pre-puberty years). When we remember how this soap made our face feel, it didn’t seem at the time that it was a bad choice of cleanser. But what about those ingredients? How do they sustain long-term skin health?

At first glance, the ingredients don’t seem that bad for skin. Take sodium lauroyl isethionate, one of the main ingredients in this facial bar soap (not to be confused with sodium lauryl sulfate). It’s actually coconut-derived, and a sulfate-free surfactant. But what about the other ingredients in this soap?

Two top-offending ingredient categories are used in this facial bar: animal products and synthetic chemicals. First up is Sodium Tallowate: a mix of tallow (animal fat) and lye. Or how about good ole “fragrance”: a blanket term for synthetic fragrances often linked to harmful phthalates? Ultimately, these animal-derived and synthetic ingredients are not doing anything beneficial for our skin.

Across the board, facial bar soaps seem a questionable and inefficient choice for healthy facial cleansing. Instead of using bar soaps with intense moisturizers, highly synthesized surfactants, and synthetic fragrances, try something a bit more balanced. Targeted cleansers are a smarter choice for face soap since they’re built with just the basics needed to nourish your particular skin type — no ‘one size fits all’ soaps, please!

Our cleansers are formulated with ingredients that are all natural, cruelty-free, and organic. All ingredients are (of course) only included for purity and efficacy. We’d never dream of letting synthetic fragrances or animal fats anywhere near your face!

Try purifying your skin with brightening blood orange essential oil, found in our Blood Orange Cleansing Balm. This creamy, gentle cleanser leaves the skin soft and smooth. This same cleanser can also hydrate and plump the skin, while smoothing fine lines with enriching avocado and olive oils. And for those with oily and combination skin, the Charcoal Clay Cleanser is perfect for gently deep-cleaning the pores.

But what about our dry-skinned folks who need a little calmness on the skin? If your skin is dry, flaky and irritated, our Lavender Oat Milk Soothing Cleanser makes a great option. Meanwhile, our Argan Oil Creamy Cleanser is here to lavish your skin with hydration.

Our Coconut Oil Cleansing Milk is formulated with organic, soothing, and softening coconut milk and lightweight, moisturizing coconut oil. Great for dry skin types, this moisturizing soap won’t leave a soapy residue post-cleanse (as is common with facial bar soaps) — just soft, clean skin.

If you’re looking for a potent (and natural) facial soap for acne, consider the Tea Tree & Willow Acne Clear Cleanser. The primary ingredient is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory organic lemon water. This ingredient will hydrate and cleanse the skin, while boosting radiance for a sunshine-y glow. Deep cleansing comes from organic potassium cocoate: a natural, coconut-derived surfactant. Next up is organic tea tree oil: effective for killing bacteria on the skin, to help with acne and breakouts, and regulating excess oil.

So, what’s our verdict on bar soaps for face? Here it is: they may not be totally bad for you, but they aren’t great, and they aren’t efficient. We only give our skin a few minutes a day to be pampered and nourished. We prefer to maximize those efforts with only the healthiest, most wholesome ingredients for positive, long-term results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bar Soap

Is bar soap safe to use on your face?
Bar soap can be safe for your face, but it depends on the formulation. Many traditional bar soaps are designed to cleanse the body and may be too harsh for the delicate skin on your face. They can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness or irritation. Opt for bar soaps labeled specifically for facial use, which are often gentler and formulated with moisturizing ingredients.

What are the drawbacks of using traditional bar soaps for facial cleansing?
Traditional bar soaps often have a high pH level, which can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier and cause dryness, irritation, or breakouts. They may also contain harsh surfactants or detergents that strip away essential oils from your skin. Over time, this can lead to sensitivity, redness, and a compromised skin barrier.

How do synthetic fragrances in bar soaps affect the skin?
Synthetic fragrances in bar soaps can irritate sensitive skin and cause allergic reactions in some people. These fragrances may contain chemicals that disrupt the skin’s natural balance, leading to dryness, redness, or breakouts. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid synthetic fragrances and look for products labeled as “fragrance-free” or “unscented.”

What natural alternatives to bar soap are better for your face?
Natural alternatives to bar soap for your face include gentle cream or gel-based cleansers, micellar water, and oil-based cleansers. These options are formulated to clean without stripping the skin of its natural oils. If you prefer a solid cleanser, look for bar soaps made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or aloe vera and avoid those with synthetic additives or a high pH.

What ingredients should I look for in a facial cleanser for dry skin?
For dry skin, choose a facial cleanser with hydrating and soothing ingredients such as:

• Hyaluronic acid: Helps retain moisture.
• Glycerin: A humectant that attracts water to the skin.
• Ceramides: Help restore the skin’s natural barrier.
• Aloe vera: Soothes and hydrates.
• Oatmeal: Calms irritation and provides gentle cleansing.

Avoid cleansers with alcohol, sulfates, or artificial fragrances, as these can worsen dryness.