But it’s time to rethink these old criticisms, as a new generation of bar soaps – not the carbolic kind beloved by your grandma – is spearheading a resurgence in the beauty world, for both face and body that may just make you reconsider your go-to liquid cleanser.
Soap 2.0 as we like to call it are actually cleansers packaged in bar form. They’re gentle enough to use daily and are designed for dry and sensitive skin. Many are completely detergent-free, and are formulated with natural ingredients like absorbent charcoal, organic green tea, natural antiseptic rosewood and hydrating coconut oil. And as for claims that they’re unhygienic, bar soap can hold some bacteria on the bar’s surface but it’s highly unlikely to cause disease and doesn’t stick around after you wash your skin with the bar. Just keep your soap in a cool place on a dish that can drain so that it’s not sitting in a pool of water.
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And for those concerned about their environmental footprint bar soaps are more eco-friendly because of their packaging (or lack of) and they’re much easier to travel with. So forget what you’ve heard, here’s our top five, skin-friendly soaps for cleansed and glowing skin.
Top five bar soaps:
Estée Edit by Estée Lauder Mega Chlorella Algae Cleansing Bar
This bar is one for fashionistas, especially as it’s inspired by Estee Edit guest editors Kendall Jenner and street style it-girl Irene Kim. Enriched with chlorella, and algae packed with skin loving nutrients like vitamins B, C, and E, the cleansing bar’s mild lather rinses away cleanly for smooth and refreshed skin.
Embryolisse Gentle Dermatological Cleansing Bar
The French pharmacy skincare favourite produces a luxurious lather from its soap-free formula to gently cleanse and help you achieve soft, supple skin. Its perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin, as it contains plenty of emollients, while cleansing the surface of grime and impurities.
Lush Coalface
A gentle soap from the pungent high street beauty brand that’s made with antiseptic rosewood, earthy sandalwood, absorbent charcoal and liquorice root which softens the skin. It’s gentle enough for your face, but you can use it all over your body. Simply use as a soap and wash the day off.
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Cult brand Cetaphil is top of the beauty editor list for skin-saving products and its beauty bar is no exception. It’s gentle enough to use daily even if you suffer with dry and sensitive skin but effective at cleaning and leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated without irritation or dryness.
Dead Sea Spa Magik Charcoal Cleansing Bar
Another charcoal based, natural cleansing bar, this time from natural brand Dead Sea Spa Magik. The chemical and detergent-free soap is formulated with pure Dead Sea minerals to remove impurities, gently remove all traces of make-up, and neutralise the skin’s PH balance. It works for most skin types from normal to oily and acne-prone, and will leave skin glowing and conditioned.
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