{"id":3352,"date":"2026-04-01T04:23:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T11:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/01\/bar-soap-vs-body-wash-should-you-avoid-soap\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T05:54:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T12:54:12","slug":"bar-soap-vs-body-wash-should-you-avoid-soap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/01\/bar-soap-vs-body-wash-should-you-avoid-soap\/","title":{"rendered":"Bar Soap vs. Body Wash – Should You Avoid Soap?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

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We discuss the difference between bar soap and body wash and share the best non-toxic products. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

We discuss the difference between bar soap vs. body wash and which are the best non-toxic types to use! Or<\/em> do you have to go without soap?<\/p>\n

After sharing the best natural skin care products, it led our team to a discussion about what we use in the shower. Here’s everything we know about bar soap versus body wash and whether or not you might want to consider bar soap.<\/p>\n

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Are you following our clean series? <\/strong>Head over to our clean natural products post for non-toxic swaps!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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*I am not a scientist or a doctor. This information is based on my personal experience, research, and my opinion. You should always consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen or if you have any questions.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Is bar soap better than body wash?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although bar soap and body wash serve the same basic purpose, there are important differences that make bar soap a better choice for both your skin and the environment. Because liquid soaps are water-based, they require anti-fungal, yeast and bacteria-inhibiting agents. These preservatives extend shelf life but can also contribute to skin irritation and potential health concerns, depending on how they are made.<\/p>\n

Bar soaps, on the other hand, require no preservatives and are usually made with simple and clean ingredients. They are also very concentrated, meaning that one bar usually lasts 2-3 times longer than liquid soap. With fewer ingredients and less packaging, bar soaps are often eco-friendly, travel-friendly, and, depending on the product, can offer nourishing botanicals and skin-supporting benefits.<\/p>\n

Check out what our team had to say about bar soap vs. body wash:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"image<\/p>\n

Most of our team uses both bar soap and body wash, with a small percentage of team members using bar soap. Are most of us doing laundry wrong?<\/em> \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n

The good news is that there really isn’t a right or wrong way to shower\u2026as long as you follow proper body hygiene. \ud83d\ude09 However, it’s important to note that not all bar soaps are created equal.<\/p>\n

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Here are a few of the chemicals commonly found in traditional soaps that you may want to avoid:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
    \n
  • \ud83d\uded1 Borates (borax, boric acid, sodium perborate, etc.)<\/strong> – Related to birth defects and birth defects.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\uded1 BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)<\/strong> – Hormonal disorders related to cancer.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\uded1 Formaldehyde<\/strong> \u2013 A known carcinogen that irritates the eyes, nose, and throat and is linked to cancer.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\uded1 Phosphates<\/strong> – Associated with cardiovascular disease and bone loss.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\uded1 Phthalates<\/strong> – Disrupting hormones is also linked to reproductive problems, growth problems, and an increased risk of cancer.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\uded1 Artificial Fragrance (\u201cFragrance\u201d or \u201cParfum\u201d)<\/strong> – It can cause headaches, breathing, nerve, and skin problems, and may increase the risk of cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    \"hands<\/p>\n

    Is there such a thing as a soap-free body wash?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    You may have heard of “soap-free” cleansers before. Both bar soap and soap are designed to remove dirt and debris, but traditional soap can strip the skin more than necessary. Because of this, soap-free cleansers can be especially helpful for sensitive skin, and may be an option you may not have considered before.<\/p>\n

    Traditional soap is made by saponification, where fats or oils are reacted with an alkali (such as sodium hydroxide) to form soap and glycerin. Soap-free cleansers instead use synthetic or plant-based ingredients instead of saponified oils, although some still contain plant oils or fatty ingredients like cosmetics. Although they don’t rely on saponified oils, soap-free cleansers can provide humectants that help support healthy skin’s pH balance and naturally hydrated skin. Just remember: “soap-free” does not mean “chemical-free,” so always check ingredient labels before buying.<\/p>\n

    The biggest takeaway here? Fewer suits can equal better skin barrier if you use the right product.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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    Below are our top 3 non-toxic ones bar soap<\/strong>, liquid soap<\/strong>& soap-free cleanser<\/strong> recommendations if you want to do a clean<\/em> change:<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \"best<\/p>\n\n

    \"dr<\/p>\n

    If you can’t get it from a local soap maker, Dr. Bronner’s is one of the most affordable and reliable non-toxic changes out there. Unlike liquid body wash, this bar skips unnecessary additives and features a short, deliberate ingredient list that supports both skin health and resilience. It’s gentle enough for daily use, works well for all ages and skin types, and doubles as a shaving soap thanks to its creamy lather. With unscented or naturally scented bar options, it’s an easy, low-waste choice for a truly clean process.<\/p>\n

    \"every<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n

    Here are the top 5 reasons we love this bar soap:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
      \n
    1. \u2705 100% Certified Organic Ingredients<\/li>\n
    2. \u2705 100% Biodegradable & Plastic Free<\/li>\n
    3. \u2705 Draining water<\/li>\n
    4. \u2705 No artificial preservatives, thickeners, or foaming agents<\/li>\n
    5. \u2705 Multiple certifications, including USDA-Certified Organic and Leaping Bunny Certified<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n

      \"hand<\/p>\n

      Dr.’s liquid soap. Bronner’s stands out as a body wash because it’s designed to do so much more than just cleanse your skin. Its highly concentrated formula means it goes a long way when cleansed, making it a practical and budget-friendly replacement for many household products. Made from responsibly sourced ingredients and produced with sustainability in mind, this soap supports both personal health and environmental impact. Although it contains preservatives, they are carefully selected and considered safe, which helps to maintain the integrity of the product without violating hygienic standards.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Hip Tip: <\/strong>Dr.’s Liquid Soaps Bronner works great as a defoamer when you use it in the shower or as a hand soap.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      \"a<\/p>\n

      \n

      Here are the top 5 reasons we love this body wash:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
        \n
      1. \u2705 100% Biodegradable<\/li>\n
      2. \u2705 Extremely gentle and versatile for multiple purposes (18-in-1 uses)<\/li>\n
      3. \u2705 Thoughtful production and packaging<\/li>\n
      4. \u2705 It can replace all other household soaps<\/li>\n
      5. \u2705 Countless certificates<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n

        \"mainly<\/p>\n

        Primally Pure’s Plumping Bar is a more gentle alternative to traditional soap, designed to cleanse without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier or microbiome. Its lightweight, thoughtful formula supports healthy skin function while helping to improve overall texture and firmness, making it ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types. Every bar is purpose-built, using high-quality ingredients and a hands-on manufacturing process that demonstrates the brand’s commitment to skin health over shortcuts. And while it’s a splurge, Primally Pure also offers a great line of soap-free body washes made with the same skin philosophy, giving you a liquid option without compromising your standards.<\/p>\n

        \"Hands<\/p>\n

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        Here are the top 5 reasons we love this soap-free cleanser:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
          \n
        1. \u2705 It is naturally antibacterial and naturally softens the skin<\/li>\n
        2. \u2705 Organic ingredients & 100% biodegradable<\/li>\n
        3. \u2705 It does not compromise the natural barrier of your skin<\/li>\n
        4. \u2705 Acquired stably and responsibly<\/li>\n
        5. \u2705 Handmade in the USA<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n

          Make more non-toxic swaps in our clean series.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          We discuss the difference between bar soap and body wash and share the best non-toxic products. We discuss the difference between bar soap vs. body wash and which are the best non-toxic types to use! Or do you have to go without soap? After sharing the best natural skin care products, it led our team […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3352","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-budget-smart-shopping"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3352"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3354,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3352\/revisions\/3354"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}