Washing your skin is about as basic as it gets. Grab a bar, get it wet, lather it up, use it. Simple. But if you've ever wondered exactly how to use bar soap to get the most out of it, there's more to it than that.
The concept of bar soap has been around for centuries, and it's made a serious comeback over the last few years. But there's still a real debate about whether using one is actually doing your skin any favors. Here's the kicker: there's a best way to use bar soap, and a right way to store it, so you can skip the downsides a bar can bring.
Bar Benefits
Oh, and there are a few things about bar soap you might actually be pretty happy about.
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Less packaging
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Lasts longer
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Travel friendly
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Inexpensive
How to Use Bar Soap in the Shower
First, rinse yourself to loosen dirt and grime, then work up a good lather in your hands. Clean from head to toe, making sure to cover everywhere on your body, including your neck, shoulders, and legs. Pay extra attention to neglected areas like behind the ears and your feet. Finally, rinse thoroughly.
Some Caveats
Washcloths and loofahs carry a higher risk of transferring bacteria and mold, but they're excellent for creating a richer, more luxurious lather. Be sure to swap them out regularly and let them dry properly between uses.
Hot showers can dry out and damage skin, and they also cause bar soap to melt faster.
Avoid using a bar soap directly on the face or private areas. Use a cleanser formulated specifically for those areas instead. If you're using a bar-sourced product on these areas, don't apply it directly; work it into a lather first.
How to Make Bar Soap Last Longer
Sometimes a good draining soap dish isn't enough. You might need two bars in rotation. You can use two halves or two whole bars, alternating so that one has fully dried before its next use.
Use a loofah or washcloth. Seriously. Rubbing the bar directly on your skin actually wastes more product.
When you buy a new bar, it might not have cured long enough yet. Unwrap it and let it dry completely before use. It's worth looking into why French-milled soaps tend to last longer. It comes down to a longer curing process.
Here's an unexpected one: flip the toilet lid down before flushing. Bacteria can spray out from the flush and land throughout the bathroom.
Soap Bar vs Body Wash
Often, people think a bar is less hygienic than a body wash because it's exposed but that's far from the truth. A bar actually creates an alkaline, hostile environment for bacteria due to how it's made. That said, a wet bar left sitting in water can still become a breeding ground for bacteria.
People with dry skin might lean toward body wash because it's closer to the skin's natural pH. Mass-produced bars often strip the skin of its natural oils due to high alkalinity, a lack of moisturizing agents, or harsh surfactants. Artisan soap bars counteract this through craftsmanship instead of mass production and synthetic surfactants. They typically include rich butters and oils in their formulation. Check out our Organic Natural Savons to see how it's actually made!
People with sensitive skin might prefer bar soap for its simplicity, since body wash is often formulated with more potentially irritating ingredients.
Lifestyle and skin conditions both play a role when choosing between a soap bar and a body wash. Factors like how often you shower, whether you're sharing a bathroom, your skin type, and even how you travel can all influence which format makes more sense for you. Neither one is universally "better." It really comes down to what fits your routine and your skin's specific needs.