It’s all about liquids, foams and creamy formulas these days, but how many of us still use solid bar soaps for anything other than hand-washing? I use them quite often, so I wanted to share with you four of my very versatile favorites.
1. Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar ($4.79 USD) – I first discovered this extra-creamy soap when I ran out of my favorite body wash and needed to use something quickly for a few days while waiting on my order, so I grabbed a tiny travel-sized bar at my local Walgreens for a dollar. Guess what? I ended up using up the whole thing before opening any of my new fancy body washes! Many dermatologists recommend Cetaphil products, and this bar in particular, for people with various skin sensitivities and allergies, because it’s super mild. I like that it doesn’t leave residue, and makes my skin clean, but not squeaky clean, so I don’t feel like I over-cleansed. Very few solid soaps are gentle enough to use on your face, and Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar is one of them, due to its non-alkaline nature.
2. LUSH Snowcake Soap ($7.95 USD) – I could mention probably any LUSH soap, because they have some of the most amazing scents. Ever! Snowcake is my personal favorite, and it’s one of the creamier bars they carry, but unfortunately it’s Limited Edition and released only for Christmas, so I always try to stock up if my finances allow for that. Snowcake smells like marzipan, and if you read my blog often, you know that I just can’t resist anything with almonds in it. The fragrance is very strong, and lingers on the skin for hours after washing. Have you tried LUSH soaps?
3. Shea Terra Organics Authentic African Black Soap ($8.00 USD) – This is probably one of the best blemish-clearing soaps I have discovered so far, if not the best. Created by a small tribe in Nigeria using ancient recipes, this genuine african black soap is best used to treat back and shoulder acne. I swear, I sometimes get the worst breakouts in these two areas, and nothing clears up my skin like this bar!
4. john masters organics birch & cedarwood cleansing & shaving bar ($8.00 USD) – One of the best shaving bars I’ve come across that replaced the foam I was using at the time. It forms a slimy lather, similar to the sticky goo residue that comes from those “moisturizing” stripes on your razor; but before you say “eeewww!” let me explain, why I think this soap is actually awesome. Thing is, unlike that razor goo, this soap is only slimy while you shave, to help with comfortable gliding; but when it’s time to rinse your silky smooth legs, it washes off completely and without a trace.
So these are my four picks: I’ve re-purchased each of these several times, and likely will purchase more in the future.
What’s your stance on solid bar soaps? Do you have any favorites?
Hmmm I don’t use bars, I guess due to storage, how do you store when not in use? I guess I ask that thinking you might have multiple ones in use for multiple things….and you don’t want to leave anything on a yucky soap dish in the shower to get goopy..
I have a little wall rack in my shower and water doesn’t ever reach there, so as soon as I’m done using the bars, I just wash the bubbles off and put them bacon on that rack, so they’re always dry and clean.
I grew up using bar soap, so there’s always one in my shower. Recently, I tried the satsuma scented soap from The Body Shop and loved it! mmmm, amazing smell. I also like Ahava’s sea salt soap for gentle cleansing. A bar of Zest will take me back to my childhood! You’re not fully clean until you’re Zestfully clean! /sings
I need to try that Ahava bar, it sounds amazing. I actually have a Zest bar somewhere too; it’s shaped like a car, and if we ever have kids over, it will be much easier to make them wash their hands with a fun-shaped soap.
I love the cetaphil bar soap!
It’s so gentle, isn’t it? Most people skeptical about bar soaps who tried it said it’s better than they expected 🙂
I like the Cetaphil in the summer on tender skin after a sunburn. LOVE LUSH Snowcake too!! I need to try that shaving bar. It sounds great. I love oil cleansers for shaving, and this sounds similar!
I highly recommend it, I think you’re going to like it 🙂
Love me some Snowcake!
It’s the best!