Natural soap bars
123 products20 brands
Natural soap in solid bars for hands, body and travel, with organic, handmade and castile options from small makers.Natural soap in solid bars for hands, body and travel, with organic, handmade and castile options from small makers. Good soap bars list plant oils near the top of the ingredients and come in paper or no wrapping. Choose by skin first, then scent.
123 products20 brands
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Why natural soap bars work
Natural soap bars clean as well as liquid soap and usually come with far less packaging. Any soap lifts dirt, so the difference is in the oils, the scent and the wrapping. Look for plant oils near the top of the ingredients, essential oils or no fragrance, and paper or no wrap at all. Bar soap kept on a draining dish lasts weeks longer than one left sitting in water. Faith in Nature makes tea tree, coconut and aloe vera soap bars, including a box of 18 unwrapped bars for a busy household.
Handmade and organic natural soap
Handmade soap from small makers is often cold processed, which keeps the glycerin that forms during soap making inside the bar. Glycerin draws moisture to the skin, which is why a good handmade bar feels less tight after washing than a cheap one. Clean U Skincare makes artisan soap bars, Bouclé makes stem soaps such as geranium and lavender, and Sintra Naturals makes skin food soap bars and a travel soap. Douvalls makes soaps with organic argan oil. Organic Soap gathers the organic bars in one place.
Castile, vegan and everyday body soap
Pure castile soap is made from olive oil, a simple choice for skin that reacts to fragrance. Green Island makes a pure castile soap bar and a spearmint and seaweed bar. A cleansing body soap for every day can be that simple. Vegan soap is made without animal fats, honey, milk or beeswax. Not every bar here is vegan, so check each listing or go straight to Vegan Soap. trii makes slim hand and body wash bars that suit a travel bag.
Soap bars for sensitive skin
Soap bars for sensitive skin should be unscented or lightly scented, with soothing plant oils and butters. Beauty Kin makes a soothe bar, and Kutis Skincare makes soothing washing grains. Patch test a new bar and stop using anything that stings. Soap bars bought in bulk keep well in a dry cupboard, and a bar left to cure for a few weeks lasts even longer. Plastic Free Soap lists bars sold without plastic, Hand Wash covers liquid soap for the sink, and Best natural soap bars compares our favourites.
Common questions
What is the difference between natural soap and regular soap?
Natural soap is made from plant oils and butters, usually scented with essential oils or left unscented. Many mainstream bars are detergent-based, with synthetic fragrance and added colour.
Are soap bars better than shower gel?
A bar lasts longer and needs no bottle, so it usually means less packaging per wash. Shower gel lathers faster and is easier to share, so the choice comes down to habit.
How do you make a soap bar last longer?
Keep it on a draining soap dish out of the shower stream so it dries between uses. Cutting a large bar in half and using one piece at a time also helps.
Is castile soap good for sensitive skin?
Pure castile soap is made from olive oil and is often unscented, which makes it a gentle starting point. It can feel drying for some people, so follow with a moisturiser and patch test first.