The best soap for men is meant to give you a day of freshness without doing a number on your skin, although the prospect of picking out the best product for every purpose can admittedly be a bit daunting. If there’s one aspect of the hygiene market that’s oversaturated today, it’s definitely soap.
A lot of men take shortcuts when it comes to cleanliness, we know every one of us has been taunted by the 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash.
But if you’ve been keeping tabs on our skincare tips, you know better than to use regular soap instead of shaving soap when grooming or to apply shampoo below the neck when you should be using body wash.
With that in mind, if you want to smell like a rose and not break out in hives, you definitely don’t want to go for just any old soap bar or dispenser you find in the discount aisle. We’re here to simplify the decision process for you by highlighting some of the best options for men’s soap that you can get your dirty hands on today.
AESOP Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser at Amazon
Dove Men Plus Care Bar at Amazon
Baxter Vitamin Cleansing Bar at Amazon
Dr. Squatch All Natural Soap For Men at Amazon
Marius Fabre Marseilles Soap at Amazon
Swedish Dream Sea Soap at Amazon
Baxter Exfoliating Body Bar at Amazon
Little Seed Farm Sea Salt Bar at Amazon
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap at Amazon
Faith In Nature Hand Soap at Amazon
1. Best Natural: AESOP Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser
Although the unique scent makes this product suitable for both males and females, its suitability for all skin types makes it the best soap for men looking to keep things natural. The natural orange scent may be a turn-off for some guys, but once you grow into it, AESOP is guaranteed to keep you coming back for more each time.
Another thing that’s great about the Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is the gel-like formula, while this is one of the pricer ones on the list it should still last long if you use a shower sponge.
Active Ingredients: Geranium Leaf, Mandarin Rind, Bergamot Rind | Sizes: 3,4oz;16,9oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration, Dry-skin sanitation
2. Best Budget: Dove Men Plus Care Bar
When talking about the best bar soap for men, Dove is a soap brand that needs absolutely no introduction. Boasting that fresh and familiar scent to many men, this Dove bar is great both in and out of the shower, making a two-for-one package with both a face and body bar an extremely economical option.
This particular product line is well known for being one of the best counters to dry skin, and although some men don’t respond to the formula too well (sodium chloride in the eyes is something to look out for), if you’ve ever tried a Dove product and haven’t had any issue, this should be right up your alley.
Active Ingredients: Coconut Extract, Sodium Chloride, Lauric Acid | Sizes: 8oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Moisturization
3. Best Body Soap: Baxter Vitamin Cleansing Bar
If you’re digging the summer citrus scent of our previous pick but would prefer something cheaper intended for shower use, this will be one of your best picks. While it’s up there as some of the best bar soap for men, you’ll need warm water to make the magic happen, but that’s a small price to pay for a paraben-free product that’s safe for all skin types.
Cosmetics-wise, the real kicker here is the aloe vera, which leaves you feeling clean, moisturized, and breezy even after a very brief shower. There’s also a tinge of herbal aroma in there, making it a slightly more “masculine” pick than most fruit-smelling hygiene products.
Active Ingredients: Seaweed, Aloe Leaf Extract, Vitamins A, C & E, Glycerin | Sizes: 7oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Hydration, Dry-skin Sanitation
4. Best Smelling: Dr. Squatch All Natural Soap For Men
Available in nearly a dozen alluring smells, buying a few of these in bulk will leave you with a shower rack full of the best soap for men you can find. What makes this product stand out is its distinct woody aroma, which is subtle with just the right amount of macho thrown in the mix, perfect to fight body odor.
Besides just smelling good, this is a cleanliness-first product through and through – in tandem with a hot shower, a bar of Dr. Squatch can be the ultimate counter to acne and other unwanted skin irritations either on the face or body. Especially if you supplement it with the right kind of moisturizer once you’ve dried off.
Active Ingredients: Olive & Coconut Oil, Oatmeal, Kaolin Clay | Sizes: 4,6oz | Skin Type: Combination, Dry, Oily | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Exfoliating
5. Best for Dry Skin: Marius Fabre Marseilles Soap
Anyone looking to save up a bit of cash can rest easy with this product in hand – arguably the best soap for men you can find for the price, this Marius Fabre’s masterwork features an amazing olive oil base (which makes up the majority of the formula), making this a go-to if you want a product made with hydration and natural ingredients in mind.
The way to go here is to split this bad boy into four to six bricks, giving you up to half a year of regular use in total, an absolute steal given the cost. Not to mention, the distinct lack of additives and palm oils makes it the perfect pick for sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Sodium olivate, Sodium cocoate, Aqua, Glycerin, Sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide | Sizes: 21,1oz | Skin Type: Sensitive | Cruelty Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration
6. Best Moisturizing: Swedish Dream Sea Soap
No list of the best soap for men would be complete without this wonder product. Bringing the sea home to you, this set of twelve palm-sized bars is perfect if you’re aiming to moisturize above all else. Much like a day spent in salt water, using this soap will expose you to all the wondrous saltwater minerals you need during a shower or shave.
One thing that’s annoying about the sea is getting the smell of salt off your skin, but the scent of this soap is fresh without being overbearing. You can expect this smell to last you quite a while, making this a great pick if you’ll be spending a long day outdoors or driving in hot weather.
Active Ingredients: Sustainable palm oils, sea salts, glycerin, sunflower seed wax | Sizes: 4,3oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Moisturization
7. Best Exfoliating: Baxter Exfoliating Body Bar
It’s hard to make a definitive ranking of the best bar soap for men without including several Baxter products, and this might be the premier pick if you want to stave away dead skin cells. Best of all, it spares you the hassle of digging through a list of dubious ingredients – it’s extremely unlikely that this thing would irritate or otherwise damage the skin of any kind.
The main thing that makes this soap work is the jojoba meal & olive seed combo, two certified killers of rough skin. Just be sure to rinse it nicely in the shower before applying since the base could otherwise be a little too coarse.
Active Ingredients: Pumice, Jojoba, Crushed Olive Seeds | Sizes: 7oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Exfoliating
8. Best for Oily Skin: Little Seed Farm Sea Salt Bar
The creaminess of bar soap can often make or break the product, and thanks to its olive oil formula, this soap should be your top pick if you have particularly oily skin. The unique blend of ingredients ensnares moisture to keep you nice and hydrated throughout the day, and if aging is getting to be a concern for you, this thing will do wonders for the smoothness of your skin.
For maximum effect, you’ll want to rub this product on yourself until the foamy suds start to clean up – just be sure not to dip it into the water so you can get a genuine gauge for when the soap starts to settle in.
Active Ingredients: Sustainably Harvested Sea Salt, Organic Olive Oil, Goat’s Milk | Sizes: 4,7oz | Skin Type: Oily | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Exfoliating, Hydration
9. Best Organic: Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap
If you have combination skin like most people and are looking to keep things natural, this is some of the best soap for men you can get your hands on. On top of softening up your skin, this product features no artificial aromatizers or foaming agents, making it one of the safest and most environmentally friendly picks out there.
Despite the lack of chemicals, the key ingredient in this formula is peppermint oil, which gives Dr. Bronner a beautiful smell that any man could get behind. It also helps that it can be used on hair, laundry, dishes, or even pets, and the low price lets you stock up on a year’s supply for what amounts to chump change.
Active Ingredients: Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil | Sizes: 8oz | Skin Type: Combination | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration, Skin Softening
10. Best Hand Soap: Faith In Nature Hand Soap
Showering is just one component of your daily hygiene routine, so you may want to invest in some amazing hand soap too – enter Faith In Nature, the best soap for men if you’re looking to mix and match twelve different scents. We especially like the coconut variant, which, besides smelling great, is one of the best options for thorough cleansing of the hands.
Since just about every ingredient in this soap is organic, you’re unlikely to run into issues with skin irritation, making it a safe choice for just about anybody. The bar is a bit smaller than what you might be used to, but you can get around that by just buying a few different kinds.
Active Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Sunflower Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Sizes: 3,5oz | Skin Type: Sensitive | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration
11. Best Cleansing: Blue Lagoon Lava Soap Bar
Iceland is the paragon of clean water and immaculate beauty products, so it should come as no surprise that a lot of the best soap for men calls this place home. Available in various scents and colors, this is one of the ultimate hot shower options you can find, especially if you have chronic issues with dead skin.
You’ll feel the benefits of this product as soon as you rinse off all the residue – you can get the kind of skin smoothness that you might normally expect from more “feminine” counterparts. If you want to take things to the next level, consider combining this soap with its sister product, the Blue Lagoon Emulsion.
Active Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Lava Powder, Citric Acid, Glycerin | Sizes: 5,75oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Exfoliating
12. Best Hydration: SheaMoisture Black Soap
The best soap for men is often a little on the strong side, but if you’re in need of extra-thorough scrubbing, you may want to think about SheaMoisture’s black soap. Like other products in the same category, this particular product should be applied in moderation, but if used right, this wonder bar can be used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and other forms of skin irritation.
Although they work slightly differently, you can also pick between a few other, more conservative variants. With that said, shea butter is particularly renowned for its ability to keep your skin moisturized, and it’s a good prophylactic of sorts if your skin is prone to breakouts.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Sunflower Seed Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Shea Butter | Sizes: 8oz | Skin Type: Dry | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration, Moisturization
13. Best Cruelty-Free: Ursa Major Natural Bar Soap
While this is more of a unisex product, it’s hard to argue that it isn’t some of the best soap for men comprised of natural ingredients. Few things are as satisfying as creamy soap, so whether you prefer cold or hot showers, you can expect to leave the bathroom feeling extremely fresh, largely owing to the peppermint-grapefruit mix.
With no sulfates, parabens, or other potentially risky ingredients to speak of, Ursa Major’s pride and joy is great regardless of age and skin condition. Topping things off, the ever-so-slight touch of palm oil can actually be very healthy if you suffer from acne, which really helps justify the slightly hefty price tag.
Active Ingredients: Peppermint, Honey Extract, Shea, Volcanic Rock, Grapefruit Extract | Sizes: 5oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Exfoliating
14. Best Strong Scent: Natural American Soldier Men’s Bar Soap
When picking out hygiene products, a good package deal can be just as important as the quality, which is where this incredible bar soap comes in. It’s not just blind machismo behind that name – this American-made product is rich in oil extracts, which does wonders for keeping you hydrated and letting the quality smell linger for as long as possible.
Practically indistinguishable from cologne in terms of smell, this is a great bar of soap if you’re looking to spend less on other hygiene products. The scent might be a little strong for some, but this product has countless loyalists for a good reason.
Active Ingredients: Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil, Corn Oil, Sunflower Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Colorant | Sizes: 5oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration
What To Look For In The Best Soap For Men
It’s easy to think of soap as an affordable commodity that gets you clean with no questions asked. With that said, the best soap brands for men ticks some very important boxes you might not be aware of. Here are some factors to look out for before deciding on a purchase:
Bar or Liquid
Whether you opt for bar or liquid soap should depend on what you hope to get out of the deal, although what’s important to remember is that the two types generally don’t differ in terms of potency.
The real differences are a little more technical – liquid soap is a better pick if your main problem is dry skin and your main priority is to moisturize. On the other hand, bar soap is a lot more eco-sustainable since there’s no plastic container in the equation, not to mention there’s no need for loofahs and other accouterments when applying it.
Skin Type
Even if you get your hands on some of the best soap for men, it might wind up being the wrong pick depending on your skin type. Generally speaking, picking the ideal soap for people with “normal” skin comes down to trial and error, although some guys aren’t quite so lucky.
For example, if your skin is prone to rashes and other forms of irritation, keep a steady eye on the soap’s pH levels and aroma additives (the ladder being less common in bar soap). Also, if you have dry skin, you may want to consider vegetable oil-based soap products or ones containing aloe vera.
Active Ingredients
As mentioned above, fragrances are generally something you may want to avoid in bars of soap. Most soap packaging doesn’t go into specifics when it comes to the chemical composition of fragrances, but there’s no reason to risk skin irritation or allergic reactions for a barely traceable hint of mint in your soap.
In addition, sulfates are probably tied with aromatizers as your number-one enemy in soap. Although many hygiene products contain sulfates (including shampoos and deodorants), a surprising amount of men can develop skin problems and even acne because of them.
Size/Quantity
If you’re dealing with bar soap, the industry standard for regular bars is 3 to 4 ounces or 85 to 115 grams. The real factor to keep in mind here is the thickness – one inch is generally the magic number for most guys as it gives the most comfortable grip and can often last well over a month.
As for liquid soap, it’s usually as simple as applying a single squirt or two. Although it might seem relatively harmless, continuously slathering your arms in more soap than you need can actually result in dryer skin, especially if the product is high in sulfates.
-
-
How long should you massage your face with soap for men?
Assuming you took our advice and opted for some of the best soap for men on the market, a proper facial massage should last at least thirty seconds, giving you just enough time to get rid of dead cells and bacteria. Bear in mind that even the finest bars of soap can be harmful in excess, so you generally don’t want to take longer than a minute.
With that said, certain products made of all-natural ingredients pride themselves on how safe they are for extended use. Also, the lower levels in liquid soap makes them less acidic, so if you have a habit of scrubbing your face for extended periods of time, you might want to consider it over bar soap.
-
Which soap for men removes dark spots?
Laser surgery is no longer the best way to get rid of black spots, since you can now turn to some of the best bar soap for men and solve the problem at home. A particular ingredient that’s been garnering lots of attention in recent years is kojic acid, which is normally obtained through malting rice.
What makes these kojic acid products so exciting is that they serve as an all-around skincare product that speeds up the recovery on scars and sunburn, and it can even make your skin smoother and younger-looking in the long run.
-
What is the best soap for men?
While it differs significantly from person to person, the best soap for men is generally made of all-natural ingredients. Olive oil is a definite winner in most cases, but it’s also worth keeping an eye out for glycerin soap, courtesy of its lower pH levels and moisturizing prowess.
With that said, be careful of the base – while it’s generally very safe and even healthy, an excess amount of glycerin in the base can cause problems in men who are prone to acne and other skin conditions.
-
