Does bar soap work better than liquid soap?

For a long time, when it came to personal cleanliness, there was only one frontline fighter: bar soap. Of course, bar soap came in many guises -- square bars and rounded bars, scented and unscented, clear and opaque -- but its essential look and function went unchanged for hundreds of years. Then other cleansers -- both soap and non-soap formulas -- began to appear. Bar cleansers were joined by liquid products, which were first used primarily for hand washing. The market eventually became flooded with shower gels, also known as body washes, which quickly became a popular alternative to bar soap.

If you've spent any time in the skin care aisle at your local store, you know that figuring out which products to buy, soap and non-soap cleansers included, can be a very time-consuming task. So which is better -- bar soap or liquid soap? You might be relieved to know that at a very basic level there is no real difference between the two. All types of true soap are composed of the same essential components -- alkali salts of fatty acids and detergent properties [source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration]. The detergent in soap, which is called a surfactant, allows oil and dirt to mix with and be washed away by water [source: Cosmetics Info].

Like so many health and beauty products, there are advantages and disadvantages to both bar soap and liquid soap. One of the main complaints about bar soap is that it washes away more than just dirt. Harsh bar soaps can deplete your skin of the moisture it needs to stay healthy. Liquid soaps, on the other hand, often contain moisturizers, but they're also more likely to have fragrances and other additives that can make sensitive skin crawl [source: Bruno].

If you're thrifty, you may find that bar soap is friendlier to your pocketbook than liquid soap [source: Bartels]. However, if you're not too fond of the slimy mess bar soap can leave in your soap dish, you might think liquid soap is worth the extra cost.

Over the last few years, a debate has flared up over which is better: stalwart bar soap or showy shower gel. Before you choose sides, keep reading to learn more about the main contenders.

Contents

Pros and Cons of Bar Soap
Pros and Cons of Liquid Soap

Pros and Cons of Bar Soap

Bar soap has been around longer than liquid, but it often gets the short end of the stick when compared with its supposedly more glamorous cousin.

One claim against bar soaps is the bacteria factor. Because people sometimes share the same bar of soap, fears concerning the transfer of bacteria have emerged. However, studies have shown that although bacteria levels on previously-used bar soaps are slightly higher than on unused soaps, there have been no detectable levels of bacteria left on the skin's surface after using the soap [source: Heinze]. Bar soap users who are still worried about spreading germs can always make sure that each person has his or her own soap.

Another con of bar soaps is the fact that many have a higher pH level than liquid soaps. Because of this, some bar soaps can be more drying to the skin. Dried-out skin is not only uncomfortable but also heals more slowly when injured. What most liquid soap enthusiasts fail to take into account is that there are many different soaps on the market that have low or neutral pH levels, which are less drying [source: Baranda].

Bar soap enthusiasts are quick to point out that most bar soaps contain glycerin, which is good for people with dermatological problems like eczema. It can even help people who just have dry skin [source: American Academy of Dermatology]. Also, for people who are allergic to fragrances, bar soaps can be the most convenient option; there are many bar soaps on the market that are fragrance-free. Fragrance-free liquid soaps, on the other hand, are a little harder to find.

So, are you convinced to return to bar soap? Not so fast -- the next page has some compelling liquid soap facts that might change your mind.

Pros and Cons of Liquid Soap

As with bar soaps, there are also pros and cons to using liquid soaps. One strike against liquid soap is waste. With bar soaps, it's fairly easy to know when you have acquired enough on your washcloth or loofah to get the job done. Because liquid soaps usually come in pump-action or easy-to-squeeze bottles, overuse is common. Factor in the higher cost for liquid soaps, and you end up with a lot of waste that you don't typically get with bar soaps [source: Bartels].

If you're a body wash enthusiast, though, don't give up hope. There are some pros to using liquid soaps. Unlike their bar-shaped counterparts, you never get that mushy pile of soap scum that often occurs when bar soap is left in standing water, although you can mitigate that problem with different soap saver products on the market. And while it's easy to lose bar soap down the drain, you're less likely to lose a bottle of liquid soap. In addition, liquid soap tends to create a richer lather, which many people prefer over thinner bar soap lathers.

Strong bar soaps, especially those designed to act as deodorants, can be too harsh for some people, stripping away important oils and leaving the skin irritated. Many liquid soaps and body washes contain moisturizers, however, and they tend to be milder than bar soaps. Women can benefit most from liquid soaps containing moisturizers -- their skin is typically more sensitive than men's, and using a deodorant bar soap can leave dry spots and cause itchiness.

The bottom line is that using liquid soap or bar soap is a personal choice. More than the method of delivery, the most important thing for you to be aware of is how you react to certain additives, such as fragrances and moisturizers. Whichever one you choose, note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruled in 2016 that the benefits of using antibacterial soap haven't been proven and that the antibacterial active ingredients triclosan and triclocarban also have not been proven to be safe for daily use [source: FDA].

If you're interested in learning more about bar soaps, liquid soaps and skin care, see the links on the next page.

Bar Soap FAQ

What soap do dermatologists recommend?

Dermatologists generally suggest gentle, fragrance-free soaps. Recommended bar soap brands include Dove, Neutrogena, Method, Cetaphil, and CeraVe.

Can germs live on a bar of soap?

Studies have shown that although bacteria levels on used bar soap are slightly higher, there have been no detectable levels of bacteria left on the skin's surface after using the soap. So while some germs can live there, they don't transfer to your hands or pose a risk to your health or cleanliness.

What soap is more eco-friendly?

Bar soaps have a lower environmental impact than liquid soaps. A significant reason for this is packaging. Bar soap is typically packaged in recyclable paper or cardboard, which breaks down more easily in landfills than the plastic packaging liquid soaps tend to come in.

Why is bar soap cheaper?

Bar soap is friendlier to your pocketbook for a number of reasons. For one, it's much cheaper per use than liquid soap, of which you have little control over how much is pumped out. Companies also don't spend a lot of money on marketing bar soap, so there's little extra cost to pass onto the consumer.

Is bar soap better than liquid soap?

At a very basic level there is no real difference between the two. Bar soaps are stereotypically harsher, depleting skin of moisture. Liquid soaps often contain moisturizers, but are more likely to have fragrances and other additives - neither of which are good. Most bar soaps contain glycerin, which is good for people with dermatological problems like eczema. Liquid soaps create a richer lather, but are more expensive. The bottom line? Using liquid soap or bar soap is a personal choice.

Lots More Information

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology. "Moisturizing and Cleansing Key to Treating Atopic Dermatitis." (Sept. 2, 2009) http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/moisturizing_cleansing.html
Baranda, Lourdes, Roberto Gonzalez-Amaro, Bertha Torres-Alvarez, Carmen Alvarez and Victoria Ramirez. "Correlation between pH and irritant effect of cleansers marketed for dry skin." International Journal of Dermatology. (Sept. 2, 2009) http://pt.wkhealth.com/pt/re/ijdm/abstract.00004342-200208000-00007.htm;jsessionid=KfRbrY6MCLSLNQTcVLn4CLMzXsM0v2ThGYpKmyXmLDK2jjBP28x6!224925659!181195629!8091!-1
Bartels, Eric. "Liquid soap vs. bar soap." Portland Tribune. (Sept. 2, 2009) http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/print_story.php?story_id=120793661306810000
Bruno, Karen. "Women's Skin Care for a Soft Body." WebMD. (Sept. 2, 2009) http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/advances-skin-care-9/moisturizer-toning-cream
Cosmetics Info. "Soap." (Sept. 2, 2009) http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/product_details.php?product_id=36
Ivory. "Pure Fun: History." (Sept. 2, 2009) http://www.ivory.com/PureFun_History.htm
Heinze, J. and F. Yackovich. "Washing with contaminated bar soap is unlikely to transfer bacteria." Dial Technical Center. August 1988. (Sept. 2, 2009) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3402545
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?)" (Sept. 2, 2009) http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ucm074201.htm
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It -- Use Plain Soap and Water." Sept. 2, 2016. (July 26, 2017) https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm378393.htm