Bar soaps vs. body wash — dermatologists weigh in

For years I avoided bar soaps because I only associated them with my skin feeling tight and dry, something I wanted to avoid at any cost. Instead, I relied on liquid body washes or shower oils. While reporting and testing bar soaps for this story, I noticed a shift in many of their formulas — they’re not as drying as I always thought and work as well as a traditional body wash. (That dryness typically came from formulas with unbalanced pH levels — something many brands have now adjusted for, according to Dr. William Huang, a board-certified dermatologist and adjunct professor at Duke University.)

To help debunk common bar soap misconceptions, I spoke to three board-certified dermatologists about their advantages over body washes and what to consider when shopping for one. Alongside the help of my colleagues, I also tested some popular options.

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To help make this list and determine which bar soaps our team wanted to test, I spoke with experts about what to keep in mind:

• Skin type: This plays a significant role in determining which bar soap is best for you. If you have dry skin, you’ll want formulas with moisturizing ingredients, including glycerin and shea butter. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid triggers like physical exfoliants and fragrances. For those with oily and acne-prone skin, consider options with chemical exfoliants that will combat breakouts and excess oil. Our list has options for all skin types.
• Function: Although the primary function of a bar soap is to cleanse the skin, many options on the market double as an exfoliating treatment. We have both non-exfoliating bar soaps and exfoliating ones on our list.
• Price: Bar soap tends to be budget-friendly — much more so than shower oils or liquid body washes. There are soaps as low as $4 on this list, with some even including value pack items where you can get multiple bars for under $20.

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Below, is a compilation of expert-recommended soaps, ones our team tried and liked, as well as highly rated options from popular drugstore brands like Cerave and Panoxyl.

Best overall: Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar

What we like

• Can use on face and body
• pH balanced
• Non-drying

Something to note

• Not sold individually

In general, most dermatologists will recommend a bar of Dove Sensitive Skin Soap, says Dr. Maya K. Thosani, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona. That’s because it effectively cleanses the skin without irritating it, she says. Along with cleansing agents, it also has some of Dove’s moisturizing cream to combat dryness and help the skin retain moisture, according to the brand.

Dove’s bar soaps are also a favorite of NBC Select staff. “It’s a drugstore classic for a reason,” says NBC Select SEO updates editor Nikki Brown. “Just a good old fashioned soap for people who don’t want to fuss with a long or expensive skin care routine.”

Best for eczema: Vanicream Cleansing Bar

What we like

• Has a rich lather
• Helps with psoriasis

Something to note

• Nothing to note at this time

After being recommended this by his dermatologist years ago, NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez uses this gentle, non-irritating bar on his face and body. “It does a great job keeping my skin moisturized hours after a shower,” he says. The soap, which has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, is also free of common irritants like fragrances in its formula, according to the brand.

Best for sensitive skin: Avène XeraCalm A.D Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar

What we like

• Improves skin barrier
• Safe for all ages

Something to note

• Naturally scented

This NBC Select-staff favorite bar soap, which you can use on both the face and body, will preserve moisture in your skin, according to the brand. “The lather is milky and hydrating and made my skin feel nourished after using,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez, who has sensitive skin. You can use it morning and night, and because it’s unscented it’s great for those with sensitive skin. It’s also formulated with ingredients like postbiotics and thermal spring water that help soothe the skin and reduce irritation and itchiness.

Best for dry skin: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Bar

What we like

• Can use on face and body
• Safe for eczema-prone skin

Something to note

• Low lather

This bar soap’s great for those with especially dry skin since it’s formula has ceramides and hyaluronic acid, two popular ingredients that are key for hydrated skin. It’s also soap-free, meaning it effectively cleanses the skin without compromising moisture or disrupting the skin barrier, according to experts in our guide to the best body washes for sensitive skin. Reviewers say it creates a rich and creamy lather and doesn’t cause any unwanted breakouts or flare-ups. It’s one of the most affordable options on this list and has a 4.7-star average rating from over 17,400 reviews on Amazon.

Best for face and body: Vellum Street Soap Company Fat Marshmallow Bar Soap

What we like

• Lasts a long time
• Safe for kids and adults
• Suitable for all skin types

Something to note

• Doesn’t lather much

“I understand that from the outside looking in, someone covering their face in beef tallow seems gross but my skin has never looked or felt better,” says Brown. “I discovered this brand on a solo road trip and, out of curiosity, decided to give this a shot. My hormonal breakouts have decreased and I’m not even close to finishing the bar I bought well over six months ago — it lasts a very long time.”

Best budget pick: Raw Sugar Living Eco Body Bar

What we like

• Non-drying
• Easy to hold

Something to note

• No fragrance-free option

“I loved everything about this lemon verbena-scented soap,” says Fernandez, who received a sample from the brand. “It’s the perfect size for holding in your hand, and the 12 rounded knobs on it make it easy to hold on to.” You can also use the knobs as a tension reliever over your muscles while you cleanse the skin, according to the brand.

Most creamy lather: L’Occitane Shea Milk Sensitive Skin Extra Rich Soap

What we like

• For ages 3+
• Softens skin
• Can use as a shaving gel

Something to note

• Has added fragrance

When I want a bar soap that’s gentle and non-irritating on my dry, sensitive skin, I typically reach for this option from L’Occitane. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized, and though I generally avoid products with added or artificial fragrances, this one’s scented very subtly, so it doesn’t trigger or worsen my eczema patches. Its creamy lather is also great for shaving because it creates a slippery surface that makes it easy to swipe my razor over.

Most gentle: Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar

What we like

• Hypoallergenic
• Non-drying
• Has a creamy lather

Something to note

• Has masking fragrance

Fernandez also loves using this Cetaphil bar because it’s extremely gentle and “by far the most moisturizing one I’ve ever tried.” The soap-free formula has ingredients that prevent the skin from drying out, and protect it from irritation, including tightness, according to the brand. Plus, you can use it on your face and body.

Strongest scent: Papatui Enriching Bar Soap

What we like

• Effectively removes sweat
• Doesn’t leave a residue

Something to note

• No fragrance-free option
• Low lather

This bar soap removes sweat, dirt, oil, and more using mango butter, avocado oil and niacinamide. “This is one of those soaps that smacks you in the face with a distinct scent, which isn’t bad at all, but I think if you’re searching for a more subtle scent, this might not be your best option,” says NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman, who received the sandalwood scent from the brand.

Best for active lifestyles: Solpri Shield Athletic Soap Bar

What we like

• Lathers well
• Free of common irritants

Something to note

• Higher price point
• Has a light citrus scent

This plant-based soap uses ingredients like glycerin and a blend of oils (including tea tree and eucalyptus oil) to cleanse the skin and prevent fungal conditions, according to the brand. The oils help reduce the overgrowth of bacteria that’s caused by consistent sweaty conditions from working out and using communal gym equipment, according to Solpri. The soap has a 4.5-star average rating from over 3,700 reviews on Amazon.

Most longlasting: Good Time Cleansing Body Bar

What we like

• Gently exfoliates the skin
• Non-drying

Something to note

• No fragrance-free option

Brown says Good Time is the one brand of bar soap that doesn’t leave her skin feeling taut and sticky. The Cleansing Body Bar works on all skin types and is available in three scents, but Brown prefers Summer’s Here. “I absolutely adore the scent and how it lingers in the air after every shower,” she says

“Normally, I have to replace my bar soap every couple of weeks if I’m using it everyday,” says Brown. “Good Time soaps last longer, especially when stored properly in my shower — I’ll only need to replenish once a month, on average.” One bar of soap is equivalent to three bottles of liquid soap, according to the brand.

Best for uneven skin texture: Jukebox Watermelon Disco Natural Body Soap

What we like

• Minimal ingredients
• Moisturizing
• Easy to use

Something to note

• Has physical exfoliants

NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin enjoys using this watermelon-scented exfoliating bar, which has a light aroma, since it’s not too intense on her skin. “There are little poppy seeds in the bar, which act as an exfoliant, but they’re quite gentle and don’t irritate my sensitive skin,” says Malin, who received a courtesy sample from the brand. The poppy seeds throughout the bar help smooth out dry and bumpy skin for an overall smoother and even texture, according to Jukebox. “The bar also fits perfectly in the palm of my hand, so it’s very easy to get a good grip on.”

Best for oily skin: Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Bar Soap

What we like

• Can use on face and body
• Minimizes appearance of pores
• No artificial fragrances

Something to note

• Can leave a residue

With charcoal and tea tree oil in its formula, this bar soap can target any blemishes without drying out the skin, according to the brand. “It really helped smooth out the texture on my back and clear up a shoulder breakout I had,” says NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who has oily skin. “I also like the smell — it was subtle and not overpowering, which is an issue I have with a lot of other bar soaps,” she says (after trying the sample she received from the brand.) However, it can leave a slightly sticky residue, so Morris recommends following it with a moisturizing shower gel.

Best exfoliating option: Fable & Rune Sea Palm & Cypress Goats Milk Soap

What we like

• Improves fine lines
• Scented

Something to note

• Higher price point

“This produces a milky lather with very little effort and is gentle on my sensitive skin, leaving me feeling soft and moisturized.” The brand’s bar soaps come in a fragrance-free version as well as multiple fragrance options, too. “The scent is soothing without feeling overwhelming,” says Rodriguez. “I also like that the scent lingers on me more than other soaps or body washes I have used.” Each bar is formulated with goat milk, which has alpha-hydroxy acids (a chemical exfoliant) in it to remove dead skin, along with vitamin A to reduce fine lines, acne and more, according to the brand.

Best scrub: Marlowe No. 109 Coffee Soap Bar

What we like

• Not too abrasive
• Coffee-scented

Something to note

• Not easy to hold

After receiving a sample from the brand, Malin loves using this coffee-scented bar soap to wake herself up in the morning because it makes her skin and bathroom smell like a cup of espresso. “The soap develops a creamy, sudsy lather as I use it, and I found it to be very moisturizing, and my skin feels softer afterward,” she says. “There are exfoliating coffee grounds in the bar, and they’re very gentle on my sensitive skin, which I appreciate. It’s technically designed for men, though anyone can really use it, according to Malin.

Best for acne-prone skin: Panoxyl Bar Soap with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

What we like

• Safe for daily use
• Can use on face and body

Something to note

• Caution for sensitive skin

This bar soap, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,700 reviews on Amazon, uses benzoyl peroxide to treat and prevent breakouts. Reviewers say it helps control their acne, including whiteheads and blackheads, on their chest, back and face without leaving their skin feeling too dry and tight. “I use the liquid version of this whenever I have some breakouts bubbling up and I love how quickly it dries pimples up,” says NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider. “The formula’s definitely on the stronger side so I don’t use it every day.”

Best splurge: Atwater Body Scrub & Cleansing Bar

What we like

• Effectively removes grime
• Improves skin texture

Something to note

• Higher price point

“I’ve noticed that bar soap sometimes makes my skin feel really dry, but my skin felt hydrated and clean after using this,” says NBC Select social media assistant Caitlin Cusack, who received a sample from the brand. “The scrub was gentle on my skin but still left it feeling soft and smooth,” she says. She also loves that its larger size made it easier to grip and less likely to slip out of her hands.

Your skin type is the most important factor to consider when shopping and regardless of your skin type, you should look for a hydrating formula. Hydrating ingredients typically come in the form of humectants, emollients and occlusives. Humectants, like glycerin, attract moisture to the skin, while emollients (like squalane/squalene) lock in moisture, and soothe and soften it, according to experts. Occlusives, like petrolatum, create a defensive layer that stops irritants from entering (ingredients like petrolatum) and also prevent water loss. Here’s what to look for beyond hydrating ingredients:

• If you have dry skin: The more moisturizing, the better. Look for formulas with shea butter, glycerin or other oils, according to Thosani.
• If you have oily skin: Exfoliating cleansers with either beta- or alpha-hydroxy acids will be best, says Thosani. They work by removing dead skin and debris to unclog pores and remove excess oil, according to experts in our guide to exfoliating.
• If you have sensitive skin: Look for fragrance-free options (not just unscented, which often has masking fragrances to make it smell neutral). You’ll do better with simple bar soap without parabens, essential oils and preservatives, according to Thosani.
• If you have acne-prone skin: Focus on antibacterial bar soaps (they typically come labeled as so) to help minimize breakouts. Proceed cautiously with them, however, because they can cause dryness and irritation, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kseniya Kobets.
• If you have normal skin: You can really use anything and choose what formula you like based on your personal preferences, says Thosani.

As important as it is to know what to look for, it’s equally important to know what to avoid. Huang recommends staying away from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), fragrances and parabens, as they can worsen eczema, dry skin and contact dermatitis. No matter your skin type, try to minimize the use of any gritty grains and grounds (like ground apricot or walnut pits) since they can be too abrasive and potentially damage the skin barrier, according to Thosani.

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. William Huang is a board-certified dermatologist and adjunct professor at Duke University’s School of Medicine.
• Dr. Kseniya Kobets is a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care.
• Dr. Maya K. Thosani is a double board certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery at Modern Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I am an associate reporter covering beauty and wellness, and have written extensively about the body care category including recent stories on the best body lotions and body serums. For this story, I interviewed three board-certified dermatologists and shared their recommendations as well as NBC Select-staff favorites that met their guidance.

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