Years ago, I owned a bath and body boutique, Bathologie, that was filled with amazing bath and body products. There was a wall in my shop that was covered with soap from floor to ceiling. I can still smell the soaps on that wall! Those soaps were one of my favorite things about my store.
Ever since I can remember I’ve loved bar soap, especially the handmade kind. I actually learned to make soap from scratch and sold it to family and friends and at local markets. Strange as it may sound, bar soap has always held a special place in my heart when it comes to bath and body products.
Today, I thought I’d share with you some cool soaps that you don’t have to buy at a specialty store or a local market. These soaps are different from your typical bar soaps and although most are mass-produced and can easily be found at Target or on Amazon, they have the feel of small-batch soap.
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Thayers Body Bar With Witch Hazel Aloe Vera – Rose Petal
Thayers Body Bar With Witch Hazel Aloe Vera – Rose Petal is a 100% natural and 83% organic bar soap. Aloe vera is included in the formula to relieve dry and itchy skin and provide added moisture without leaving you feeling greasy. Witch hazel also has antibacterial properties that target oily skin and works alongside aloe vera in this bar to help reduce acne breakouts. Both witch hazel and aloe vera have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce itching and muscle aches. 5 oz. bar.
A NOTE ON GLYCERIN IN MASS PRODUCED SOAP – Most mass-produced soap bars have glycerin, which is a by-product of the soapmaking process, removed during the soapmaking process for stability and profitability. (Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture to your skin and can more profitably be used in lotions and other more expensive products.) Some mass-produced soaps have no glycerin at all, but you’ll see that most bars in this post have glycerin added back to the formula through the manufacturing process to provide additional moisture and hydration. Zum Bar and Dr. Bronner’s soaps do not have glycerin added back so both bars should have retained the original glycerin produced from the soapmaking process.
The Seaweed Bath Co. Exfoliating Detox Body Soap with Arabica Coffee + Cinnamon
The Seaweed Bath Co. Exfoliating Detox Body Soap with Arabica Coffee + Cinnamon contains organic, sustainably-harvested bladderwrack seaweed that acts as a natural detoxifier. Arabica coffee is anti-oxidant rich and exfoliates for improved skin texture. Cinnamon supports skin elasticity and rich Hawaiian kukui oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil soothe and moisturize the skin. 3.75 oz. bar.
Dr. Bronner’s All-One Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castille Bar Soap
Dr. Bronner’s All-One Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castille Bar Soap is an organic bar is made with certified fair trade ingredients and organic hemp oil. It’s definitely the most fragrant of the bunch and also Dr. Bronner’s most popular scent. Those with sensitive skin should be careful with this bar as the peppermint may irritate your skin. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Bar Soaps are biodegradable, vegan and can be used for washing body, face or hair!
I appreciate that it is noted on the label: “Sodium Hydroxide – **None remains after saponifying oils into soap & glycerin.” Sodium Hydroxide, also called lye, is a necessary ingredient to make soap. People get scared when they think of “lye soaps” but all soap is made from lye and they are 100% correct: none remains after the saponification (soapmaking) process. A good note to ease any concerns!
Native Coconut & Vanilla Bar Soap
Native Coconut & Vanilla Bar Soap has just the right scent mix of tropical coconut and smooth vanilla. This soap is formulated for sensitive skin and made with natural plant extracts. It is enriched with shea butter and produces a creamy lather. 5 oz. bar.
Love Beauty and Planet Argan Oil & Lavender Relaxing Rain Bar Soap
Love Beauty and Planet Argan Oil & Lavender Relaxing Rain Bar Soap is made with organic coconut oil and triple-milled, which makes this a very hard bar of soap. This large bar is enriched with argan oil and ethically sourced Lavender oil. This bar is semi-translucent and reminiscent of the clear glycerin bar soaps. Typical glycerin soap isn’t usually very creamy, but this soap was surprisingly richer and creamier than expected. 7 oz. bar.
Raw Sugar Simply Bar Soap – Lemon Sugar
Raw Sugar Simply Bar Soap – Lemon Sugar is a triple-milled soap that smells like a lemon! This one stands out from the bunch due to the 12 round nubs on the soap which makes it a massage bar to stimulate the skin and increase circulation. It is made with certified organic sugarcane and citrus extracts. This soap comes in a 2-pack. 5 oz. each.
Harry’s Stone Bar Soap
Harry’s Stone Bar Soap comes to us from Harry’s, a men’s shaving and grooming product company. The bar is made from sustainable palm oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. The mineral and citrus scent includes notes of yuzu, bergamot, and dry notes of charcoal.
This is definitely a masculine scent, but the citrus notes brighten it up. This soap provides a rich lather thanks to the palm oil. 5 oz. bar.
Yes to Tomatoes Activated Charcoal Bar Soap
Yes to Tomatoes Activated Charcoal Bar Soap is a detoxifying soap that is ideal of acne-prone and combination skin. It contains charcoal and tomatoes to detoxify and is made from 98% natural ingredients. The scent is named Tomato Vine, but I’m not sure that’s what I smell. It’s not a strong fragrance, but I don’t think it smells quite like a tomato vine. Yes to Tomatoes says this can be used as a face and body soap, but I am only using it as a body soap. I reserve my skincare made especially for the face on my face. 7 oz bar.
Indigo Wild Frankincense and Myrrh Zum Bar Goat’s Milk Soap
Indigo Wild Frankincense and Myrrh Zum Bar Goat’s Milk Soap is truly a handmade soap and made with goat’s milk to produce a rich and creamy bar. This was one of the best selling soaps from my store. You’ll probably either love or hate the scent: it’s a deep sweet woodsy fragrance. This soap is made by hand in small batches.
Since it’s a handmade soap, it will not last nearly as long as most of the other bars in this bunch. I always recommend standing the bar upright to dry rather than flat and to use a soap dish that will allow the soap to drain away any water. 3 oz. bar.
Method Bar Soap Simply Nourish – Coconut, Rice Milk and Shea Butter
Method Bar Soap Simply Nourish – Coconut, Rice Milk and Shea Butter is made from plant-based ingredients with added rice milk, shea butter, and vitamin E. It has a relaxing milky fragrance and the rice milk makes this a creamy bar. 6 oz bar.
Well, there you have it. Ten bar soaps that you can pick up at Target or Amazon are definitely not your average drugstore bar soaps. Hope you find one that you like!
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!