Bar soaps vs. body wash — which is best for your skin?

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.

Selected. Our top picks

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Best bar soaps of 2026

Below, I compiled expert-recommended bar soaps, ones our team tried and liked, as well as highly rated options from popular drugstore brands like Cerave and Panoxyl.

Best non-exfoliating bar soaps

Best overall

Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar

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 senior 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 .”

Editor’s pick

Lafco Chamomile Lavender Bar Soap

NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who has dry and sensitive skin, says this bar soap keeps her skin “perfectly soft and hydrated”. Each bar is infused with olive and argan oils to keep skin moisturised, and are fully plant-based and hypoallergenic, according to the brand. “This bar soap not only smells amazing —I have it in multiple scents, but chamomile lavender is my favorite— but it’s also huge, so it lasts for several weeks,” says Godio.

Best for sensitive skin

Avène XeraCalm A.D Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar

This NBC Select staff-favorite bar soap, which you can use on both your face and body, helps preserve moisture in your skin, according to the brand. “The lather is milky and hydrating, and it makes my skin feel nourished,” says former 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 also has ingredients to help soothe skin and reduce irritation and itchiness.

Best for eczema

Vanicream Cleansing Bar

After his dermatologist recommended this 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, according to the brand.

Best for dry skin

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Bar

This bar soap is great for those with especially dry skin since it has ceramides and hyaluronic acid , two popular ingredients that are key for hydrated skin. It’s also soap-free, meaning it cleanses the skin without compromising moisture or disrupting your 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 18,000 reviews on Amazon.

Best unscented

Ayéya Traditional African Black Soap Bar

Ayeya is one of our favorite Black-owned beauty brands , and this natural African black soap from the brand is a favorite of NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. “Since I combine my bar soap with a hydrating body wash, I want something that’s gentle and not too fragranced,” she says. “This Ayeya bar is one of my favorites — a little goes a very long way, and it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. Best of all, it never irritates my dry, sensitive skin.” It’s so gentle that you can even use it on your face and as a shaving lather, according to the brand.

Best for face and body

Vellum Street Soap Company Fat Marshmallow Bar Soap

“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.”

Most gentle

Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar

Fernandez also loves using this Cetaphil bar because it’s extremely gentle and “by far the most moisturizing one I’ve ever tried,” he says. 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.

Best budget pick

Raw Sugar Living Eco Body Bar

“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 your skin, according to the brand.

Most creamy lather

L’Occitane Shea Milk Sensitive Skin Extra Rich Soap

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.

Strongest scent

Papatui Enriching Bar Soap

This bar soap removes sweat, dirt and oil 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

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.

Best exfoliating bar soaps

Best for acne-prone skin

Panoxyl Bar Soap with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

This bar soap, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 3,100 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 former NBC Select senior editor Lindsay Schneider . “The formula’s definitely on the stronger side so I don’t use it every day.”

Best for uneven skin texture