Which is Better: Bar Soap or Body Wash?

If you're thinking about changing up your shower routine or simply curious about what makes a great soap, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ll bust some common shower myths and break down the differences between traditional body washes, mass-produced bar soaps, and natural bar soaps, so you can make an informed choice.

Think You’re a Body Wash Person? Let’s Reconsider.

A survey of over 1,000 customers found that about 70% of those using bar soap had previously been loyal to body wash. So, what made them switch?

Body Wash vs. Bar Soap: What’s the Difference?

Commercial Bar Soaps

Many people believe body wash is more hydrating than bar soap. Traditional commercial bar soaps get a bad rap for containing harsh chemicals like:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Often found in industrial cleaners
• Triclosan: A detergent-based antibacterial agent
• Parabens: A preservative that mimics estrogen and can disrupt hormones

While these ingredients are used to sterilize and dry the skin, they can lead to irritation and other unwanted side effects.

Commercial Body Washes

Body washes may feel more gentle, but that’s largely due to emollients (skin softeners) designed to replace the drying agents found in bar soaps.But in reality, body wash can actually do more damage to your skin because of the emollients that it uses to clean your skin in place of the drying agents used in traditional bar soap. Many body washes use synthetic emollients like:

• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate: A detergent commonly used in household cleaning products
• Petroleum: Yes, the same petroleum found in fuel
• PEGS: Petroleum-based compounds often used in cosmetics, which can damage your skin over time

These products are mostly water and surfactants, which strip your skin of its natural oils. The “moisturizing” effect they claim to provide actually pulls moisture from deeper layers of your skin, leading to long-term dryness and damage. Basically, it exposes your under-layer of skin to all the chemicals it contains, and scrubs the dirt that’s on the surface of your skin deeper into your bloodstream – instead of down the drain. 

The Natural Bar Soap Alternative

Unlike synthetic body washes and commercial bar soaps, natural cold-process soaps are crafted without the harsh detergents that strip away your skin’s natural defenses. Instead, they offer:

NoMMAdd Soaps bar soap deliver the real benefits that body washes claim to offer—without the harsh detergents found in mass-produced corporate soaps. Experience a clean that’s free of harmful ingredients and truly nourishing for your skin. 

• Natural, biodegradable exfoliants like oatmeal, sea salt, and activated charcoal, which cleanse deeply without damaging the skin
• Moisture retention through natural emollients like shea butter and olive pomace oil, which nourish without removing your skin’s essential oils

This balance helps cleanse your skin thoroughly while maintaining the natural moisture that body wash often strips away.

Debunking Shower Myths: The Truth About Soap

Ready to upgrade your shower experience? Step away from mass-produced options filled with synthetic chemicals and embrace a soap made with nature’s best ingredients. It’s time to take care of your skin the way it deserves—naturally.