How to Choose a Bar Soap for Men

Wondering whether to add bar soap for men to your skin care arsenal and skip the liquid soaps? 

While liquid cleansers have their purposes—not to mention an array of appealing scents—they can have extra (and unnecessary) ingredients. And with some liquid soap cleansers, the ingredients list turns away from natural toward synthetic — and even less healthy or nourishing. A high-quality face or body wash cleans while moisturizing, but a poor-quality one might miss some caked-on grime from the job site. 

Gentlemen, that won’t do. That’s why bar soaps are the go-to for men everywhere. Not only do these skin care products have gentle ingredients and a creamy lather, but men’s soap can slough off dead skin cells and leave your skin clean and glowing. Fresh skin has plenty of appeal, plus it’s oh-so-touchably soft — and perfect for date night.

Things to Look for in Bar Soap for Men 

Soap for men should clean skin and leave a fresh scent. The best bar soap for men should also be pH balanced, long lasting, and wash away with no residue. Whether you’re cleaning up before a night out or washing up after a long day, you want a bar of soap you can rely on. To enhance your skin care routine, here’s what you should look for in the best soap for men.

Check the Ingredient List for Natural Ingredients 

First, read the ingredients. Can you pronounce most of them? The ingredients list should contain a high percentage of natural ingredients that help nourish the skin and protect it from harsh elements. 

Plus, since soap bars contain little to no water, they don’t need preservatives to keep the product stable. This is great news because some types of preservatives can lead to skin sensitivities, allergic reactions, and other issues.

Natural ingredients also show the earth some love — if that’s your jam. From essential oils to shea butters, natural clay, and herbs, natural ingredients are gentler on the planet and on your skin. 

Oatmeal, walnut shells, apricot pits, and activated charcoal are other natural soap ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin and cleanse the pores.

Look for Oils: Tea Tree Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Sustainable Palm Oil 

Oils in soap are good, and their presence highlights the difference between a soap bar and a cleansing bar. How’s that? Soap comes from the blending of lye and natural fats and oils, while a cleansing bar uses detergent surfactants to dissolve dirt and grime. Natural oils are nowhere to be seen. 

Bar soap for men should contain natural oils not only for functional cleansing but also for skin care benefits. 

• Tea tree oil is naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and it can help calm irritation and fight off body acne at the same time. 
• Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, helping revitalize the skin’s appearance. 
• Palm oil is another excellent oil for a soap bar. Like sunflower oil, it contains vitamin E and helps give the bar a rich lather that won’t dry out the skin.

Match Your Skin Type: Oily Skin, Dry Skin, or Sensitive Skin 

Once you’ve checked the ingredients list and looked for healthy oils, you should match the soap bar to your skin type. 

Oily Skin

Men with oily skin need a soap bar that helps lift away the excess oil without removing all of the moisture. If you strip the skin, you’ll end up with dried out skin that’s even slicker because your pores overcompensate to pump out more sebum. 

The best bar soaps are also noncomedogenic, which means they won’t clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Sunflower oil, jojoba oil, and tea tree oil are all safe for oily skin, but you should avoid bar soaps with coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil.

Dry Skin

Those with dry skin should look for a bar soap that locks in moisture while cleansing. Harsh soaps will cause highly irritated skin, leading to inflammation or itchiness. You should look for a bar soap containing glycerin, which helps the skin stay hydrated, as do richer natural oils like coconut oil or olive oil. Tiege Hanley’s Daily Moisturizing Bar Soap has the perfect blend of hydrating ingredients. 

Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, you know how easily it can become irritated. To keep your skin healthy day or night, you should look for a soap bar that’s gentle and fragrance-free (scented soaps are too harsh for sensitive skin). Soothing ingredients like shea butter, oatmeal, glycerin, and jojoba oil help protect your skin while the soap gently lifts away the day’s grime. 

Find an Effective Bar Soap

Are you ready to put your best face forward? Check out our FAQs and our line of body bar soaps for the one that’ll get you strutting your stuff.