The 10 Most Moisturizing Bar Soaps You Need to Try for 2024

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If you’re searching for the most hydrating bar soaps in 2024, you’ll want to contemplate alternatives like Dr. Squatch Natural Bar Soap, Oliver Rocket Pine Tar Soap, and Anthony Men’s Exfoliating Grapefruit Soap Bar.

These bars not merely moisturize your skin, but also provide diminished plastic waste, hygienic application, extended performance, and affordability compared to liquid soaps.

Vital ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides labor to maintain moisture, bolster collagen, and shield against environmental harm.

Selecting the appropriate bar for your skin type and proper care can make a profound difference.

Peruse further to delve into the finest hydrating bar soaps.

10 Best Moisturizing Bar Soaps

Looking to keep your skin soft and hydrated all year round? Check out these 10 highly moisturizing bar soaps that’ll leave your skin feeling nourished and revitalized. From Dr. Squatch’s natural formula to CeraVe’s hydrating cleanser, this list has something for every skin type and preference.

1. Dr Squatch Natural Bar Soap Men

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Dr. Squatch Natural Bar Soap Men is a highly-rated bar soap that offers a variety of scents and formulations for men. Made from natural ingredients, these soaps are known for their quality and effectiveness. The brand’s commitment to creating high-quality products has earned them a loyal following, with many customers appreciating the unique scents and skin-loving ingredients. Some key features of Dr. Squatch Natural Bar Soap Men include:

1. Natural ingredients: The soaps are made from at least 98% natural ingredients, ensuring that users aren’t exposed to harsh chemicals or synthetic additives.
2. Variety of scents: Dr. Squatch offers a range of scents, from classic woodsy fragrances to more exotic blends, catering to different preferences and tastes.
3. Cold process method: The soaps are crafted using the cold process method, which helps to retain their natural oils and provides a rich, moisturizing lather.
4. Sustainable sourcing: The brand is committed to sourcing ingredients sustainably, ensuring that their products aren’t only effective but also environmentally friendly.
5. Customer support: Dr. Squatch is known for its excellent customer support, offering free bars or replacements if customers aren’t satisfied with the quality of their soap.

To get the best results from Dr. Squatch Natural Bar Soap Men, it’s recommended to let the bars sit for a week or two before use to allow them to fully cure and develop their scent. Additionally, storing the soaps away from water and keeping them dry can help to prolong their lifespan.

Best For: Men seeking an all-natural bar soap with a variety of scents for their daily grooming needs.

2. Oliver Rocket Pine Tar Soap Set

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Oliver Rocket Pine Tar Soap Set is a luxurious black soap that softens and smooths your skin. It’s exfoliating and detoxifying, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

This soap is multipurpose, functioning as hand, beard, and body soap. Each set comes with three 6 oz bars, crafted with saponified oils of coconut oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, shea butter, activated charcoal, sea salt, pine tar extract, oatmeal, and fragrance.

Best For: Individuals looking for a luxurious, multipurpose soap that softens, exfoliates, and detoxifies their skin.

3. Anthony Mens Exfoliating Grapefruit Soap Bar

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Try the Anthony Exfoliating & Cleansing Bar for a hydrating and exfoliating experience. This dual-action soap is suitable for both body and face, using coconut-derived foaming agents to cleanse and remove impurities.

The soap exfoliates while cleansing, sloughing away dead skin cells without causing irritation. Key ingredients include jojoba spheres for gentle exfoliation, shea butter, squalene, and coconut oil for moisturization, and cucumber extract to soothe and cool skin.

The soap is free of parabens, phthalates, GMOs, DEA, triclosan, and gluten, and is allergy and dermatologist tested.

Best For: Men looking for a gentle yet effective exfoliating soap.

4. Marlowe No 102 Mens Body Scrub Soap

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If you’re looking for a deep-cleansing, exfoliating bar soap that leaves your skin feeling smooth and revitalized, Marlowe No. 102 Men’s Body Scrub Soap is a great choice. This bar soap combines ground pumice and natural extracts to gently yet deeply buff away dirt and dead skin without stripping any natural moisture or leaving behind that dried-out feeling you often get with cheaper chemical-based soaps. It’s available in a variety of fragrances, including the original scent with light scents of pine and agarwood, and the oud wood scent, which is an earthy blend of oud wood, smoked birch, cardamom, and vanilla.

Marlowe No. 102 Men’s Body Scrub Soap is also environmentally friendly. It’s made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials, and the paper wrapper is FSC certified. The soap is free of parabens and phthalates, and it’s not tested on animals. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

To use Marlowe No. 102 Men’s Body Scrub Soap, simply wet your skin and massage the soap onto your body in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat your skin dry. For best results, follow up with one of Marlowe’s body lotions to lock in moisture.

Best For: Men who want a deep-cleansing and exfoliating bar soap that leaves their skin feeling smooth and revitalized.

5. Jack Black Turbo Body Bar Scrubbing Soap

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If you’re searching for a bar soap that delivers exceptional hydration, consider Jack Black’s Turbo Body Bar Scrubbing Soap. It’s akin to a leisurely stroll through a pine forest from the comfort of your shower. Enriched with blue lotus and ginkgo biloba, this bar transcends mere cleansing; it elevates your daily wash into a rejuvenating experience.

Envision commencing your day with a soap that not just removes impurities but also invigorates your senses with its masculine, refreshing aroma. Moreover, infused with shea butter and murumuru seed butter, it leaves your skin feeling as soft as silk. And the crowning glory? A single bar lasts an impressive six months, allowing you to relish that invigorating freshness daily without straining your budget.

Best For: Those seeking an invigorating and moisturizing body soap with a masculine scent.

6. Duke Cannon Naval Triumph Men’s Bar Soap

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Duke Cannon’s Naval Triumph Men’s Bar Soap is a large, 10 oz. brick of soap that boasts a manly aquamarine fragrance. It’s designed to last three times longer than traditional bar soaps, making it a cost-effective choice for those who want to minimize waste.

The soap is triple-milled for superior quality and features steel cut grains for exfoliation. A portion of the proceeds from this soap supports U.S. veterans, and it’s made in the USA by wounded or disabled combat veterans.

However, some users have reported that it can dry out their skin, so it may not be the best option for those with sensitive skin.

Best For: Men who prefer a manly fragrance and want a bar soap that lasts longer than traditional options.

7. Aspen Kay Naturals Dead Sea Mud Soap

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Aspen Kay Naturals Dead Sea Mud Soap is a luxurious and skin-nourishing soap that’s infused with organic oils and pure essential oils. It’s made with 100% pure mineral-rich Dead Sea mud, which is known for its rejuvenating properties, especially for the skin.

The soap is scented with a blend of pure essential oils, giving it a unique citrus mint scent. It’s also made with certified organic neem leaf, which is known for its skin-loving properties.

The soap is gentle enough for all skin types and can be used as a face soap, body soap, or shaving soap. It’s handcrafted in small batches to guarantee quality and isn’t tested on animals.

The soap is also chemical-free and preservative-free.

Best For: Individuals seeking a luxurious and skin-nourishing soap with rejuvenating and skin-loving properties.

8. Baxter of California Exfoliating Body Bar Soap

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Baxter of California’s Exfoliating Body Bar is a luxurious soap that combines the benefits of exfoliation and hydration. It’s suitable for all skin types, making it a versatile choice for men seeking to maintain clean, refreshed skin. The soap is infused with jojoba meal and crushed olive seed, which help in sloughing off dead skin cells and boosting cell renewal, leaving the skin feeling smooth and revitalized.

The Exfoliating Body Bar is paraben-free and has a rich-lathering, hydrating formula that leaves the entire body feeling clean and refreshed. The subtle masculine scent of cedarwood and oakmoss adds to the overall experience, making it an excellent choice for daily use.

Key ingredients in the soap include sodium palm kernelate, sodium palmate, water, potassium palm kernelate, palm kernel acid, pumice, fragrance, potassium palmate, coconut acid, sodium gluconate, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed powder, glycerin, palm acid, sodium chloride, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), olea europaea (olive) seed powder, yellow 7, iron oxides, and green 5.

To use the Baxter of California Exfoliating Body Bar, wet the bar in the shower and massage it onto your wet skin in circular motions to create a rich lather. Avoid using it on your face, as it may be too harsh for that area.

While the soap is generally well-received, some users have noted that the scent doesn’t last long and the bar can congeal up slightly between uses. However, the benefits of exfoliation and hydration make it a popular choice for those seeking a high-quality, all-in-one body soap.

Best For: Men seeking clean, refreshed skin and those looking for an exfoliating and hydrating body soap.

9. Dove Gentle Skin Moisturizing Beauty Bar

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Dove Gentle Skin Moisturizing Beauty Bar is a dermatologist-recommended soap that leaves your skin soft, smooth, and radiant. Formulated with mild cleansers and ¼ moisturizing cream, it nourishes your skin and helps maintain its natural moisture barrier. It’s gentle enough for daily use on both your body and face, and it’s PETA-certified cruelty-free.

The bar is made with sodium lauroyl isethionate, stearic acid, lauric acid, sodium oleate, water, sodium isethionate, sodium stearate, cocamidopropyl betaine, and fragrance. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it’s hypoallergenic. Dove Beauty Bar is also free of parabens and sulfate cleansers, making it a gentle choice for your skin.

Best For: Those looking for a gentle, moisturizing soap for all skin types.

10. Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Bar 2 Pack

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Embark on a journey of skin indulgence with the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar. This dynamic duo pack is your gateway to a hydration sanctuary, featuring a formula infused with 5% CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.

It’s like bestowing your skin with a warm, comforting embrace without suffocating it, owing to its non-comedogenic nature. Bid farewell to the taut, squeaky-clean sensation as these bars are designed to cleanse without depleting your skin’s inherent goodness.

And for those with sensitive dispositions, it’s devoid of fragrances and bears the National Eczema Association‘s stamp of approval. So, lather up and allow your skin to quench its thirst for moisture!

Best For: Individuals with dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin seeking a gentle and hydrating cleanser.

Benefits of Moisturizing Bar Soaps

Abandoning abrasive body washes in favor of hydrating bar soaps can yield substantial benefits. In addition to reducing plastic waste, bar soaps are more sanitary, durable, and economical options that can leave your skin feeling supple and invigorated.

Less Plastic Waste

Bar soaps are a more eco-friendly choice for your hygiene routine. They produce less plastic waste than body washes, making them a sustainable option. Plus, they’re more hygienic since they’re not exposed to water while in storage, and they last longer.

Moisturizing bar soaps like Dove’s unscented version are a great way to keep your skin hydrated without contributing to plastic pollution.

Hygienic Use

Moisturizing bar soaps offer hygienic benefits, such as being hypoallergenic and non-irritating. They contain antibacterial properties, ensuring cleanliness without stripping skin of natural lipids. Ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and olive oil promote skin hydration. Choose a moisturizing bar soap for ideal skin health.

Long-lasting

Long-lasting bar soaps are a game-changer for those who want to enjoy the benefits of moisturizing soap for an extended period. By choosing the right soap, you can experience long-lasting effects, such as long-lasting moisture, hydration, and scent. Here are three long-lasting options to contemplate:

1. Dove Beauty Bar
2. Mitchell’s Wool Fat Bath Soap
3. L’Occitane Shea Milk Sensitive Skin Extra Rich Soap

Cost-effective

Moisturizing bar soaps aren’t only beneficial for your skin but also cost-effective. For instance, the Dr. Squatch Natural Bar Soap Men is a great option, offering a long-lasting and hygienic cleansing experience.

Another cost-friendly choice is the Dove Gentle Skin Moisturizing Beauty Bar, recommended by Dr. Rita Rakus, a dermatologist.

Additionally, the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Bar 2 Pack is a budget-friendly option for those with dry skin.

The Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar Soap and L’Occitane bars with Shea butter are also affordable and effective choices.

Key Ingredients for Hydration

If you want your skin to stay soft and supple, look for moisturizing bar soaps containing key ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. These nourishing compounds help lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a humectant that helps to retain moisture in your skin and your soap products. It works by attracting and holding moisture, which is essential for maintaining the skin’s natural moisture levels and protecting it from dryness.

When you use a bar soap infused with glycerin, you can feel confident that your skin will remain hydrated and plump, giving you a more youthful appearance.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is a popular ingredient in moisturizing bar soaps due to its rich, creamy texture and skin-nourishing properties. It’s derived from the nuts of the shea tree and is often used in skincare products for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory benefits. Some of the key benefits of shea butter include:

1. Moisturizing: Shea butter is a natural emollient that can help soften and hydrate the skin, making it particularly effective for dry, rough, or chapped skin.
2. Anti-inflammatory: Shea butter contains compounds like cinnamic acid and lupeol cinnamate, which may help reduce redness, swelling, and irritation on the skin.
3. Antioxidant: Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, which are essential for skin health and can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
4. Healing: Shea butter is often used to help soothe and heal skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and burns.

When choosing a moisturizing bar soap with shea butter, consider the following brands:

• Dove Gentle Skin Moisturizing Beauty Bar: This soap is infused with 1/4 moisturizing cream and is recommended for all skin types.
• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar: This soap contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing cream, making it suitable for dry, sensitive skin.
• SheaMoisture African Black Soap: This soap is made with raw, unrefined shea butter and is known for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Pré de Provence Artisanal French Soap Bar: This soap is made with shea butter and is known for its rich lather and skin-nourishing properties.

Remember to test a small amount of any new product on a patch of skin before applying it to a larger area to ascertain that it’s well tolerated.

Hyaluronic Acid

After diving into the wonders of shea butter, let’s splash into the pool of hyaluronic acid. This powerhouse ingredient isn’t just a hydration hero; it’s a fountain of youth for your skin, boosting collagen production, and offering anti-aging benefits that leave your skin plump and dewy.

• Hyaluronic Acid: A hydration hero, boosting skin’s moisture and plumpness.
• Collagen Production: Supports skin’s structure, reducing fine lines.
• Anti-Aging Benefits: Keeps skin looking youthful and radiant.

Ceramides

Ceramides are vital lipids that play a key role in maintaining skin’s barrier function and hydration. They help retain moisture, protect against environmental damage, and improve skin’s elasticity. Incorporating ceramide-enriched moisturizing bar soaps into your skincare routine can provide numerous benefits for various skin types, including dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin.

Choosing the Right Bar Soap

If you have sensitive skin, look for bar soaps with gentle, nourishing ingredients like glycerin, chamomile, and ceramides. For acne-prone skin, opt for bar soaps containing acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to help unclog pores and fight breakouts.

For Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, selecting the appropriate moisturizing bar soap is essential. Seek ingredients such as chamomile water, goats milk, and shea butter, which possess calming qualities and anti-inflammatory advantages. Hypoallergenic formulations are also fundamental to prevent irritation.

Expert recommendations from dermatologists can lead you in the direction of the most suitable options. Contemplate using L’Occitane Shea Milk Sensitive Skin Extra Rich Soap or a soap infused with lavender for its soothing effects.

For Dry Skin

If you’re battling arid skin, selecting the appropriate bar soap is imperative for preserving healthy, hydrated skin. Bar soaps provide durability, waste minimization, and affordability in comparison to body washes. Moreover, they can be more sanitary and suitable for sensitive skin types.

Seek soaps with constituents such as glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, renowned for their moisturizing capabilities.

Experiment with soaps containing rose quartz, black clay, or pink clay for enhanced hydration, or consider a L’Occitane soap with shea milk for sensitive skin.

For Acne-Prone Skin

If you have acne-prone skin, finding the appropriate bar soap is imperative. Seek soaps containing benzoyl peroxide for its antibacterial qualities, or those with anti-inflammatory attributes such as neem oil or tea tree extracts.

Salicylic acid or volcanic rock can also be advantageous. Bear in mind to steer clear of harsh components that may provoke skin irritation.

Always hydrate after cleansing, and consider alternative therapies like papaya extracts for their exfoliating characteristics.

Caring for Your Skin

Don’t forget to properly rinse after using your moisturizing bar soap. Moisturize your skin right after cleansing to lock in hydration and prevent dryness.

Proper Rinsing Techniques

After cleansing with your favorite moisturizing bar soap, it’s essential to rinse thoroughly to obtain the optimal results. Use lukewarm water for rinsing, as hot water can deplete your skin of natural oils. Gently blot your skin dry with a towel, avoiding vigorous rubbing.

Some suggested moisturizing bar soaps include L’Occitane Shea Milk Sensitive Skin Extra Rich Soap and Mitchell’s Wool Fat Bath Soap.

Moisturizing After Cleansing

After cleansing your skin, it’s essential to hydrate to maintain moisture. Choose natural ingredients like egg whites, goats milk, thermal spring water, evening primrose oil, and marula oil for soothing effects and anti-inflammatory properties. A gentle cleansing bar, such as a CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar, can help trap in moisture. Remember, hydrating is vital to maintaining healthy, radiant skin.

Avoiding Over-Washing

Over-washing your skin, body, face, hands, or hair can lead to various issues, including dryness, irritation, redness, flaking, and even cracks that can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infections. To avoid over-washing, follow these guidelines:

1. Choose the right soap: Opt for mild, fragrance-free soaps that don’t strip natural oils from your skin. Avoid harsh soaps that can dry out your skin.
2. Use warm water: Warm water is more gentle on the skin than hot water, which can strip oils and damage the skin barrier.
3. Dry thoroughly: Pat your skin dry with a towel after washing, leaving a thin layer of moisture for the moisturizer to lock in.
4. Moisturize: Apply a moisturizer immediately after washing to restore the natural oils and protect your skin.
5. Avoid over-washing: Limit the frequency of washing, especially if your skin is already dry or sensitive. For sensitive skin, consider using a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic soap like Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar.
6. Take breaks: Give your skin a break from cleansing by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead of frequent handwashing.
7. Select handwashing products carefully: Avoid products with harsh ingredients like parabens, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances, and sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate the skin.
8. Use barrier creams: Apply a barrier cream before work to protect your hands from over-washing and irritants.
9. Improve your post-washing routine: Incorporate a moisturizing step after washing to replace the lost oils on your skin.
10. Avoid over-scrubbing: Be gentle when washing your face, avoiding harsh exfoliants and scrubs that can damage the skin barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)