Whether you're new to the idea of using a natural soap bar and are simply curious, or you're a lifer who's looking for exciting new products, we have some fresh takes for you! You may be considering natural soap to improve your skin condition, to detox from detergents, parabens and other nasties, or simply to find something a little more artisan for your bathroom.
Whatever the reason, our buying guide has some excellent advice on how to choose a natural soap bar, coupled with a list of our favourite soaps. Featuring options suitable for the face, body or hands from brands like Aveda, Faith in Nature and Skandinavisk, our choices are sure to get you in a lather!
Quick List - Top Natural Soap Bars
Faith in Nature
A Fabulous Natural Soap With Cleansing Essential Oils and Green Tea
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Picking the a natural soap bar may seem a little tricky, but armed with our tips you're sure to find the perfect one. There are some things to consider before making your purchase, which we will detail in this section.
You might be wondering what exactly it is that differiates a natural soap bar from the regular kind. Read on for all of the things to look for to make sure your soap choice is as close to nature as possible.
Packed with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and other health promoting properties, pure essential oils effectively cleanse the skin whilst adding nutrients. Once you swap out a not-so-natural soap for a natural one, you will instantly see the difference in the type of scent.
The synthetic fragrances found in most soaps have an abrasive and sometimes chemical-like scent, whereas natural soap bars scented with essential oils have complex scents from real plants, providing a little aromatherapy while you get clean!
Synthetic detergents, parabens, SLS, sodium laureth sulphate – the average bar of soap could contain all this and more. From causing skin dehydration and irritation to potentially disrupting hormones, there are several reasons to believe chemical-based soaps aren't too good for us.
If you think about it, it's not so hard to believe that a soap made just with ingredients of natural or plant-based origin might be better for us. The lack of potentially-toxic additives in natural soap bars make them a good choice for the Earth, too. Scan the ingredients list and stick to bars with real ingredients.
Cold-processed soap is made by combining oils and sodium hydroxide lye, causing a chemical reaction called saponification. In this process, essential oils, aromatic herbs and other natural ingredients are added, with the idea that the cold-pressing method preserves the benefits of these elements.
Hot-processed soap is another natural method, created in a similar way but heated to make production faster. Hot process soap will still smell fabulous and have beneficial properties, but will retain slightly fewer benefits than cold process soap due to this heating process.
Commercially-produced soap is made by mixing fats and oils with a base, however many of the options you see in the supermarket aren't really a soap at all. Most of them are actually more like detergent, created by combining chemical compounds in a mixer, without the beneficial ingredients you'll find a natural soap.
There are so many options out there when it comes to natural soap that it might be a good idea to consider exactly what you'll use it for. Natural facial soap bars have become a hit, especially with those who suffer from oily or problematic skin as the gentle ingredients can effectively reduce acne or greasiness.
Or you may be sick of the plastic packaging involved with using shower gel, and have decided to turn to a good old-fashioned soap bar for bathing. Bath bars with moisturising ingredients such as shea butter or coconut oil can be a great choice for everyday use.
For the hands, there's a whole world of choice! From gorgeous-smelling citrus soaps to soothing lavender, you're sure to find something delightful with a range of protecting oils to protect your hands throughout winter.
Luckily it's super easy these days to choose vegan or cruelty-free products, without having to even make a compromise on quality, scent, or even price.
Most natural soap bars are labelled as 'vegan' or 'cruelty-free', but if this is especially important to you, look for bars which carry official certifications, for example, those approved by the Vegan Society. You may not be able to tell the difference, but it's great to know you're doing your bit for the creatures of the world.
Have oilier skin or want to get your skin super-sparkly and clean? Soap bars made with citrus fruits like grapefruit or orange are refreshing and extremely cleansing while being gentle.
If you happen to want a spa-like experience everyday for both the skin and the mind, lavender could be for you with its soothing, calming properties. Meanwhile, those with drier or dehydrated skin will benefit from shea butter, sweet almond oil or sea buckthorn's nurturing, protecting qualities.
However, the great thing about natural soap is that it's usually gentle even on sensitive skin, and any of these essential oils will generally help your skin's condition.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Faith in Nature Natural Hemp Soap Bar | ![]() | A Fabulous Natural Soap With Cleansing Essential Oils and Green Tea | |
2 | Senspa Relaxing Soap Bar | ![]() | Creamy, Calming, and Packed With Lavender | |
3 | Little Soap Company Eco Warrior Hand & Body Bar | ![]() | Made From 99.5% Natural Ingredients | |
4 | Little Soap Company Organic Grapefruit & Orange | ![]() | Zesty, Zingy and Refreshing | |
5 | Faith in Nature Grapefruit Soap | ![]() | Wonderfully Uplifting and Made in England | |
6 | SKANDINAVISK ØY Island Solitude Natural Soap Bar | ![]() | Scandi-Style Soap With Extract of Sea Buckthorn | |
7 | L'Occitane Lavender Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap | ![]() | Extra Gentle and Plant-Based to a French Recipe | |
8 | Baylis & Harding Goodness Lemongrass & Ginger Bar Soap | ![]() | With Organic Extracts of Orange & Black Pepper | |
9 | Luba Natural Black Charcoal Soap Bar | ![]() | Organic Handmade Soap to Tackle Oily Skin and Acne | |
10 | Aveda Rosemary Mint Bath Bar | ![]() | A Treat-Yourself Minty Natural Bath Bar |
Faith in Nature is such a great natural brand that we decided to feature their soaps not once but twice. Their soaps come in a whole range of different plant-based options and we love how cheap they are for such high-quality skincare products.
Their Natural Hemp Soap is a particular stand out bar, as it's blended with fragrant essential oils and green tea, soothing irritated skin whilst effectively removing bacteria and dirt. Hemp is highly moisturising with anti-inflammatory properties and promotes skin cell renewal. Natural, organic, vegan and a great bargain, what more could you want?
Lavender must be one of the most relaxation-promoting essential oils out there, and it really shines in this soap bar from Senspa. Vegan-friendly with several organic ingredients, it is 100% naturally made too.
The perfect blend of relaxing and nurturing, this dreamy soap bar is made from essentials oils of lavender, patchouli, geranium and more, and blended with coconut oil. A beautifully-creamy bar, your skin is left cleansed and moisturised and your senses calmed! Perfect before bedtime both for the hands and when used in the bath or shower.
And the Little Soap Company do it again! This time it's with their seriously ethical Eco Warrior Hand and Body Bar. Totally vegan, made in England and organic, you won't find any synthetic chemicals or preservatives in this range of products.
Made with EcoCert oils and RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, this bar feels luxurious whilst being responsible at the same time! The coconut blend bar is incredibly moisturising, but if you buy on Amazon there's a selection of other options such as a shampoo bar, or a sensitive soap especially for the face.
Made in the UK, organic, vegan and cruelty-free without any added nasties – this natural offering from Little Soap Company ticks all the ethical boxes. Grapefruit and orange is always a good soap combination, and this one is perfectly zesty, zingy and fresh.
Fragranced with pure essential oils and containing only the finest natural ingredients, it's a gorgeous little bar! In fact, it's made with 85.8% certified organic oils but at a very accessible price, making it a healthy option for your skin as well as being lovely to use.
When it comes to natural soaps in the Faith in Nature range, there are so many gorgeous options that the hardest thing has been choosing a favourite! Ultimately, though, we had to include their citrussy grapefruit soap.
With a wonderfully-refreshing and uplifting aroma, it will really bring you to your senses! Made from 100% natural ingredients, you don't need to worry about any undesirables. The four essential oils this soap is made from, including grapefruit and organic sweet orange oil, makes this soap incredibly luxurious for its price.
Crafted in Sweden, this gently-foaming soap bar is made with extract of sea buckthorn which is perfect for taking care of exposed skin in the winter months. Part of a range of Skandinavisk soaps with a very "hygge" feel, you can be sure that they are made naturally with your delicate skin in mind.
Coming in a charming little box, the soap has a cozy, Christmassy design imprinted into it that will look cute in any bathroom. You'll be pleased to know that Skandinavisk's natural bodycare is locally-produced with raw materials, and has earned them B Corp certification, too.
Being much-loved master soap makers, it's no surprise that L'Occitane has made it onto our list. This Lavender Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap is made with a 100% vegetable base, to a traditional French recipe.
Shea butter softens, moisturises and protects while the foamy lather cleanses, preserving skin's moisture balance. There is a small percentage of non-natural ingredients, but this doesn't effect its suitability to sensitive skin. It's a slightly more expensive soap than some but well worth it – the bar lasts a very long time and retains its calming lavender scent, too.
This Lemongrass and Ginger Soap is from Baylis & Harding's Goodness range, boasting 98% naturally-derived ingredients, organic extracts and the reassurance that all products are dermatologist approved. An emphasis is also put on environmentally-friendly packaging, and this soap comes in a 100% recyclable box.
When it comes to the soap itself, expect organic extracts of orange and black pepper, beautifully blended with natural oils like patchouli, cinnamon and cedarwood. The soap formula is 95% biodegradable and smells absolutely lush!
Maybe the most contemporary soap bar on our list, this Black Charcoal Soap by Luba Natural is not only chic-looking but a super eco-friendly option. Made only from organic activated charcoal, coconut oil, shea butter and linseed oil, it is also handmade and arrives in biodegradable cardboard packaging.
Aside from being made in a truly ecological way, black charcoal soap also has tremendous skincare benefits too. The charcoal absorbs dirt and gently cleanses pores, brightening and smoothing skin. It's ideal for naturally helping acne, blackheads or oiliness but may not be suitable for drier or ageing skin.
You may be familiar with Aveda for their specialism in the haircare world, however, their expertise doesn't stop there. They create a whole range of botanically-based skincare products mostly made from certified-organic ingredients.
Clean, fresh and minty, this bath bar will invigorate the senses, whilst being perfectly gentle to even the most sensitive of skin. This bar is foamy with the right amount of scent, and we love how the rosemary and peppermint leaf powders lightly exfoliate, leaving skin glowing. However, it is rather expensive so it might be best left as a luxury treat!
Using a natural or organic soap is a great basis, but what if you want to take it further and revamp your whole skincare routine? Well, first you should check out some of our related articles on skincare and beauty products that are better for you, the animals and the planet!
So hopefully by now our suggestions have got you ready for a clean slate! Whether you're looking for a soap bar for the face, body, hands or one that's suitable for all, we're sure you'll have found a delightful natural soap for your needs.
Author: Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Faith in Nature|Natural Hemp Soap Bar
No. 2: Senspa|Relaxing Soap Bar
No. 3: Little Soap Company |Eco Warrior Hand & Body Bar
No. 4: Little Soap Company|Organic Grapefruit & Orange
No. 5: Faith in Nature|Grapefruit Soap
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