Last updated: July 2026 · The Earthling Co.
Using bar soap properly involves lathering the bar under warm water, washing from top to bottom, and storing it on a draining dish between uses. Modern natural bar soaps cleanse without drying out skin, offering an eco-friendly, long-lasting alternative to bottled liquid body washes.
What Are the 7 Key Benefits of Switching to Bar Soap?
While traditional soap bars often got a bad reputation for being drying or harsh, modern solid cleansers have evolved significantly. Here are seven reasons why switching to a natural bar soap improves both your skin health and your routine:
1. Formulated with Hydrating, Nourishing Ingredients
Older traditional soaps relied on harsh tallow or synthetic surfactants that stripped skin of its natural moisture mantle. Today's clean body wash bars are cold-processed or milled with deeply hydrating oils like coconut, sunflower, safflower, and vegetable glycerin to cleanse gently while leaving skin soft.
2. Eliminates Single-Use Plastic Bottle Waste
Liquid body wash consists of up to 80-90% water packaged in heavy single-use plastic containers. Switching to concentrated bar soap diverts 2 to 3 plastic bottles per bar from ending up in landfills and oceans.
3. Lower Shipping Carbon Footprint
Because liquid cleansers carry heavy water weight, shipping them creates significantly higher carbon emissions. Solid, waterless body wash bars are compact and lightweight, substantially reducing fossil fuel use during transit.
4. Travel-Friendly and Mess-Free
Solid bar soaps will never leak or explode inside your luggage or gym bag. Furthermore, because they contain no liquid, they easily clear TSA security guidelines without taking up precious space in your quart-sized liquids bag.
5. Delivers Built-In Gentle Exfoliation
Many solid bars incorporate natural exfoliants—such as crushed oats, pumice, or botanical seeds—directly into the formula. This allows you to gently slough away dead skin cells and boost blood circulation while washing without needing extra plastic loofahs or synthetic sponges.
6. Extremely Cost-Effective and Long-Lasting
Because bar soap contains zero filler water, it is purely concentrated cleanser. When cared for properly, a single bar outlasts up to two standard 16-ounce liquid body wash bottles, saving money and reducing household consumption over time.
7. Provides Equal (or Better) Hygiene and Cleansing Power
Contrary to common myths, solid bar soaps are inherently antimicrobial and do not harbor harmful bacteria when rinsed. The mechanical friction created by rubbing a bar soap across the skin helps loosen surface dirt, excess sebum, and environmental debris more effectively than hands alone.
How to Use Bar Soap Correctly in 5 Easy Steps
To get the best lather, keep your skin hydrated, and ensure your bar lasts as long as possible, follow these step-by-step best practices:
1. Choose the Right Bar for Your Skin Type: Select gentle, plant-based formulas free from sulfates.
Use bars formulated specifically for your target area—such as mild, fragrance-free facial bars for sensitive facial skin, or moisturizing body wash bars for general body care. Look for natural fats like coconut oil and shea butter on ingredient lists.
2. Lather Under Warm Water:High heat strips natural lipids and melts soap faster.
Wet your hands and the soap bar under lukewarm water. Avoid scalding hot water, which strips the skin's protective lipid layer and dissolves solid soap unnecessarily quickly.
3. Build Foam in Hands or Washcloth: Build a rich foam before applying to body.
Rub the bar between wet palms for 15–20 seconds to generate a thick, creamy lather. You can also rub the bar directly onto a sisal soap saver bag or natural washcloth to increase exfoliation.
4. Wash from Top to Bottom: Ensure thorough coverage from neck to feet.
Apply the lather systematically starting from your neck down to your feet. Washing sequentially downward ensures complete coverage and allows rinsing water to carry away dirt cleanly without re-contaminating washed areas.
5. Store on a Draining Soap Dish: Proper drainage extends bar life by up to 50%.
After rinsing, shake off excess water and place your bar on a slatted, self-draining soap dish or shower caddy, away from direct shower spray. Allowing air to circulate under the bar keeps it hard and prevents mushiness.
Ready to Upgrade Your Bathing Routine?
Elevate your daily shower with The Earthling Co.’s Body Wash Bars. Handcrafted with rich plant-based botanicals, nourishing oils, and zero synthetic fillers, our plastic-free bars leave skin soft, calm, and deeply hydrated.
Shop the Sustainable Body Care Collection Today
Related Reading: What to Do with Leftover Soap Bars: 7 Zero-Waste Ways to Use Every Last Sliver, Is Bar Soap Better For The Environment?
