Bar Soap Versus Body Wash: How Should You Really Lather Up? Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

When it comes to body care, finding the right cleanser is crucial. After all, the skin is our body's largest organ, and our cleansers cover so much surface area. Bar soap has had a historically bad rap, but now that there are gentle formulas on the market, many people say they're comparable to a moisturizing body wash. So how should we really lather up? Here, we get to the bottom of the bar soap versus body wash debate, so you can streamline your shower.

But there's a catch: If you use loofahs or washcloths to get a foamy lather, you'll want to keep those scrubbers on your radar. Just because the formula itself won't breed bacteria doesn't mean you're totally in the clear. Make sure you're washing your loofahs and washcloths before each use, switching them out every few weeks. Like bar soaps, these tools have the potential to grow bacteria if left in a moist environment. 

As with all cleansers, checking your labels is key. Liquid body wash contains water, which means it requires a preservative in order to keep the formula bacteria-free (as we know by now, water is a breeding ground for bacterial growth). That's where body washes become a little tricky: You'll want to make sure your wash doesn't contain harsh chemicals like parabens or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.

Perhaps the most obvious con of using body wash versus body soap is the sustainability factor. Body soap tends to come in paper packaging and is recyclable. But, some body washes come in virgin plastic which isn’t the best choice for the environment. If you are leaning toward body wash, try to find one that comes in recycled packaging. 

When formulated by clean and natural manufacturers, bar soap usually just contains the active ingredients you need; because the formula doesn't include water, there's no need for any chemical preservatives to stop bacteria from breeding. What you're left with is just a high concentration of pure ingredients.

Liquid body wash also contains water—considering 5 billion people will be affected by water shortage by 2025, it's certainly something to consider. On the other hand, bar soaps have a waterless formula, which can support that environmental preservation. With bar soap, you'll perhaps save water, save product, and save the planet—a trifecta of sustainable triumphs from the shower alone. 

Here's the thing: Bar soap itself isn't unhygienic; rather, it's how you store the bar that matters (and what seems to give bar soaps their bad rap). If they stay moist (like, say, in a puddled soap dish), that's when the bacteria has a field day. If you use bar soap, you'll want to store it in a completely dry area and make sure you wash it before each use: "This reduces the amount of bacteria transferred back onto your body," explains Gabriel.

Of course, there are natural, conditioning bar soap brands that don't use harsh surfactants—it's important to seek those out if you go the bar soap route (our favorites, here). Your skin will thank you! 

If your skin is extremely dry, Gabriel even says you can skip cleanser entirely and just rinse with water. Of course, you'll want to use body wash on sweatier places (like the underarm and groin area), but she says using soap only two to three times a week on the skin's surface can avoid drying it further and causing inflammation. If you can't possibly imagine skipping a lather, we get it—just make sure you're using the gentlest cleanser you can find. 

These could include antioxidants to fight off free radicals that lead to skin aging, peptides to support skin elasticity, or acids for chemical exfoliation. But of course, if you have sensitive skin you may want to be wary of using body washes with too concentrated of actives. 

The liquid soap is easier to store and can be used for more than just washing the body—laundry, gentle household chores, and more. But nevertheless, if you are partial to bar soap, they have that as well. 

In terms of the bar soap versus body wash debate, there is no clear winner here. Both cleansers can have questionable ingredients and good-for-you formulas; that said, it's way more about the product's makeup than its physical form. And in case you were wondering, there isn't one that's better at cleaning your body: "Both work well to give you an effective cleanse," says Gabriel. As always, keep your skin type front of mind—if you have sensitive, dry skin, opt for extra-hydrating cleansers (which you may find more easily in body wash form). If you have normal to oily skin and are prone to sweat, you don't have to be as much of a stickler for moisture; an exfoliating bar soap may be just what you need.

At the end of the day personal preference trumps all. That being said there are certain things to keep in mind when you’re selecting your go-to wash such as skin type, skin goals, price point, and sustainability factors. If you want a quick answer: look for something with clean ingredients in a scent you love, or no scent at all if you’re sensitive to fragrance. One of the most important things to remember is to hydrate your skin with a high-quality moisturizer after you step out to lock in hydration—here’s a list of our favorites.