But you might be surprised to find that there are a few benefits to picking a bar soap over a liquid soap for your daily body care needs. Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, pointed out that bar soaps can actually be more effective at removing oil, dirt, and residue from the skin than liquid soaps. “Liquid soaps are water-based, which means they are more diluted than bar soaps,” he explained, which could make them less effective. The fact that they’re water-based also makes them “more prone to contamination with bacteria,” he added. So, while you may have heard the myth that bar soap is germy, the opposite might be true.
Dr. Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist and the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Connecticut, mentioned that “bar soaps are better for the environment — from production and transportation to packaging and waste, they have a lower impact.” She also explained that liquid soaps often “rely on artificial preservatives to extend their shelf life and are stored in plastic containers that might not be BPA-free.” Bar soaps, on the other hand, are waterless and don’t need synthetic chemicals to keep them fresh.
Because soaps, in general, can be drying, Camp recommends looking for those with hydrating ingredients like “shea butter, avocado oil, glycerin, and ceramides.” He also noted that those with sensitive skin should avoid soaps with fragrances and dyes, as they can potentially be irritating. If that sounds like you, Mraz recommends seeking out a bar soap with colloidal oats to nourish your skin.
