Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (2024)

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (1)

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BAR SOAP HAS become something of a lost tool in the average grooming arsenal. If you're a body wash devotee, you probably rarely give bar soap thought unless suddenly confronted with it in a hotel room shower or guest bathroom. Sure, it does seem to have a retro vibe, and may even harken back to something you used as a kid, but don't sleep on bar soap. There are bar soap options that are equally cleansing and revitalizing as body washes, and in some situations, we even prefer the bar alternatives.

Body washes may be exceedingly popular among men, especially those who struggle with dry skin, but the kind of clean you get from a bar soap is still second to none. While they are not self-cleaning as Joey Tribbiani once claimed, they get the job done with less mess and can last longer than a body wash.

Plus, bar soaps come with less waste. Think about it: they’re smaller, you can use them until they’re completely gone, and there is no plastic bottle to throw into the recycling bin when you’re done. Many soap companies are even changing their packaging now to double down on bar soaps as the greener option.

Regardless, bar soaps are incredibly versatile and can be great for you no matter your skin type. You can find a bar of soap for oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin and everything in between. So put your body wash on stand-by and pick up one of the eight best bar soaps below. Witness glorious results after one wash, then kick that plastic bottle away for good.

What to Consider

Fragrance

Whether you’re washing your face, body or both with a bar soap, the scent is going to linger on you throughout the day so it’s important to find one with a fragrance you enjoy. Similarly, if your skin is sensitive to fragrances in general you’ll want to stick with the bar soaps featuring more muted scents or ones that are entirely fragrance-free.

Skin Type

While the fragrance might be your most immediate consideration, skin type is the one that can help fight or, unfortunately, help produce the most long-term complications. Whether your skin tends to be oily, dry or sensitive, you’ll want to focus on a soap designed for that skin type to avoid any future irritation. For oily skin, look for cleansing bar soaps that work to remove excess sebum, while key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid help moisturize and combat dry skin.

Weight

The primary reason you’ll want to consider the weight of bar soap is to get an idea of how long it will last. This is not always the case, of course, as the ingredients and overall makeup of any given bar also impact its longevity, but weight is a good baseline indicator. Not to mention, bar soap makes for a perfect travel option if you’re a committed body wash guy as it's easier to pack and there's a much lesser (read: zero) chance of spillage. Worth pointing out that the TSA doesn’t limit the size of solid soap so if you see any bars promoting that they’re TSA-approved, don’t let that factor into your decision—you can fly with any bar soap, including all eight on this list.

How We Selected

For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top bar soaps for men. Experts, including our Grooming Commerce Editor Sean Zucker, put a number of bar soaps to the test and evaluated their ingredients, scent and value. We also considered top-reviewed bar soaps that had high customer ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.

Best Overall Bar Soap

Dr. Squatch Birchwood Breeze (3-pack)

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (9)

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Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (11)Made from natural oils
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (12)Medium grit level
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (13)Sustainably-sourced
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (14)Might not be for you if woodsy scents aren't preferred

Dr. Squatch will take you on a ride through the wilderness with their natural bar soap. With leading ingredients such as birch bark and pumice powder, this woodsy option has a medium-intensity scrub that's easy on the skin and leaves you feeling smooth and revitalized. Plus, it boasts a fresh scent that is reminiscent of nature's finest creations. We also found it to be one of the longest-lasting bars we tested, which is especially exciting given its middling price point.

Read more: Best Shampoos For Men

FragranceWoody
Skin TypeAll
Weight5 oz

Best Body Moisturizing Bar Soap

Kiehl's Grooming Solutions Exfoliating Bar Soap

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (15)

Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (16)Fortifying ingredients with moisturizing properties
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (17)Deeply cleanses away dirt and oil while exfoliating skin
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (18)Has a creamy lather
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (19)Not formulated for use on face
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (20)Over $15 a bar

Since 1851, Kiehl's has been a trusted source for delivering products that perfect the appearance of our skin. And their bar soap is a part of said transformation. It's responsible for sloughing off dead skin and dirt, while energizing the skin for a new feel. With key ingredients that include pumice, jojoba seed powder and pracaxi oil, it'll leave your body feeling moisturized throughout the day.

FragranceSandalwood, eucalyptus, cedar
Skin TypesDry to normal
Weight7 oz

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Best Cleansing Bar Soap

Baxter of California Vitamin Cleansing Bar

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (21)

Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (22)Pleasant citrus scent
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (23)Rich lathering
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (24)Soft on the skin
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (25)One bar lasts a long time
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (26)More expensive than other bars on this list

One of the biggest complaints about bar soap is that it can make your skin feel dry, but not this one. Baxter of California's Cleansing Bar contains sunflower oil and glycerin to keep your skin hydrated and smooth all over. Plus, the citrus and musk fragrance produces one of the best-smelling soaps we've tried. Not to mention, we found that one bar lasts multiple weeks, although this is reflected in the price.

Read more: Best Face Washes For Men

FragranceCitrus and musk
Skin TypesAll
Weight7 oz

Best Charcoal Bar Soap

Oars + Alps Charcoal Bar Soap

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (27)

Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (28)Dermatologist-Tested
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (29)Shea Butter offers moisture for dry-dehydrated skin
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (30)Doesn't last as long as other bars on this list

For guys with oily skin or who sweat a lot, the charcoal in this soap helps soak up excess oil, purges dead skin cells and leaves you feeling fresh without that telltale tight feeling. Not to mention, it will help eliminate breakouts, leaving your skin clear. Also, it delivers a woodsy outdoor scent and contains shea butter, so it’s gentle on even dry skin. Not to mention, it's been tested—and approved—by dermatologists so you know it's quality.

FragranceShea butter and charcoal
Skin TypesAll
Weight6 oz

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Best Scented Bar Soap

Malin + Goetz Rum Bar Soap

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (31)

Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (32)Contains dark rum eau de toilette
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (33)Throughly cleanses and hydrates the skin
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (34)Vegan
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (35)Some testers found the scent to diminish over time

If "you smell good" was a bar soap, it would be this rum-scented version from Malin+Goetz. The product effectively purifies and balances the skin—leaving behind traces of the most divine fragrance. Not to mention, it hydrates while rinsing free of residue without irritation, drying or stripping.

Read more: Best Colognes

FragranceDark Rum
Skin TypesAll
Weight5 oz

Best Bar Soap For Oily Skin

Atwater Charcoal Facial Cleansing Bar

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (36)

Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (37)Long lasting for its size
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (38)Fragrance free for those sensitive
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (39)Some testers found it to have an overpowering charcoal scent

Despite only being 5 ounces, we found this bar to be as long-lasting as other larger options on this list, and in many cases, it had even better longevity. Its core ingredients of charcoal and kaolin help to remove excess buildup on the skin to reduce oiliness, while its glycerin moisturizes and restores balance to the skin's barrier. The end result is skin that feels hydrated and smooth.

FragranceNone
Skin TypeOily to combination
Weight5 oz

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Best Multi-Use Bar Soap

Bravo Sierra Solid Cleanser (2-Pack)

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (40)

Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (41)All-in-one cleanser for hair, face and body
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (42)Sulfate-free and non-drying
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (43)Coconut-derived cleanser
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (44)Carbon neutral manufactured
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (45)Over $10 per bar

Bravo Sierra offers the most versatile soap bar on this list as it can be used on your face, body and even hair. If you're thinking that you'd never use a bar soap on your hair, we had similar reservations but can confirm this works as well as a quality shampoo. This no-nonsense cleanser from Bravo Sierra works into a rich lather with ingredients like coconut and oat flour added to hydrate and soften the skin. You can also pick from several scents, although we like Sandalwood and Fig the best.

FragranceSandalwood and fig
Skin TypeAll
Weight7 oz

Best Natural Bar Soap

Ursa Major Morning Mojo Bar Soap

Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (46)

Pros
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (47)Rich, creamy lather and gritty texture
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (48)Free of gluten and toxins
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (49)Gently exfoliates
Cons
  • Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (50)Smaller than other bars on this list

After trying this bar soap from Ursa Major, we quickly understood why it's called Morning Mojo, because the peppermint and eucalyptus fragrance in this soap gives you a jolt of clarity in the morning, even before you have your first cup of coffee. It has grit to it, but doesn’t feel rough on your skin, thanks to moisturizing honey and coconut. Plus, the lather is super creamy and a little goes a long way.

FragranceMint and eucalyptus
Skin TypeAll
Weight5 oz

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Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (51)

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Have Dry or Oily Skin? These 8 Editor-Approved Bar Soaps Can Help (2024)

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