The ole' reliable of lather. The Godfather of moisturizing. The butt of prison shower jokes everywhere. The soap bar is the OG of bathing hygiene. While its counterpart body wash makes more headlines, it's a timeless, practical classic. Men have specific soap needs (no overpowering fragrances, yet powerful enough to get a grimy dude clean), and men's soap bar choices should reflect that.
So what makes the best bar of soap for dudes? What ingredients will nurture our different skin types? Sit back, relax, and let's find the best men's soap bar.
Skin Types and Skin Conditions
All male skin suits are different. Some of us hit some genetic snags along the way; others completely neglect to build any sort of skincare routine. When deciding which bars of soap will fit best, skin types and skin conditions matter.
- Dry skin
Dry skin is a skin type where there is a lack of sebum production. As a result, a soap choice with a high level of moisturizing capability is best.
- Oily skin
Oily skin is caused by excess sebum production. Moisture isn’t the problem here. The best bar soaps for oily skin should contain glycolic or salicylic acids.
- Dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin is the most common skin condition. It's not caused by genetics but is a result of poor hygiene, and if we’re being honest, a little laziness. Bars of soap with hyaluronic acid are great at hydrating your leather.
- Sensitive skin
Another common skin condition is sensitivity. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find products that don't irritate your skin. The best bet is for a natural soap that doesn’t contain chemicals like parabens.
Natural Ingredients = Top Notch Skin Care
Ancient Babylonians produced the first bars of soap using melted down animal (and sometimes human) fat with ash. You might remember the soap from Fight Club that was made with human fat.
Don’t worry, you won’t find human flesh recommendations from us. But bars of soap have no shortage of potentially helpful (and harmful) ingredients. Here are some of the best.
1. Shea butter
Shea butter is the gold standard ingredient of soap bars. It contains high levels of fatty acids and vitamins that nourish our skin. Whether it’s a face bar, body bar, or anything between, shea butter is a banger.
2. Activated charcoal
Many of us recognize activated charcoal from ads on Amazon to whiten teeth. But did you know it's an all-pro soap ingredient? Activated charcoal draws out excess oil and dirt from the skin. While it battles grime, it also exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells. When used on the face or other troubled areas, it is a proven acne and blackhead brawler.
3. Essential oils
We all want our soap to smell fresh, but at what cost? Chemical-based fragrances can have adverse effects on the skin. Essential oils derived from cedarwood, peppermint, spearmint, lemon, tea tree, oakmoss, eucalyptus, sandalwood, and coconut oils smell great and are critical to natural soap.
4. Natural carrier oil
Like the animal fat used by the Babylonians or the human fat by use Tyler Durden, carrier oils do the dirty work for bars of soap. Keep an eye out for naturally and responsibly sourced oils.
5. Aloe
A natural healer of skin, aloe is a master of hydrating. Aloe is an essential ingredient to Dude Wipes for a reason.
6. Glycerin
Glycerin can make a big difference for specific skin types. It is a moisturizing ingredient sourced from plants. It has serious power to draw moisture from the lower levels and hydrates the top.
7. Pine Tar
No, it's not to gain a couple mph on your fastball. Pine tar provides natural relief for problems like eczema or bug bites.
8. Goat's Milk
It makes zesty cheese, and it’ll leave your skin feeling great. Goat's milk is nourishing, and the lactic acid helps exfoliate the skin.
What’s the latest buzz on a brick of soap?
The 19-in-1 liquid soap that does it all is now a meme making fun of clueless men. The all-in-one soap craze has rightfully become passé. Top-tier natural soaps can handle cleaning your body. Don't fall for the cure-all-soap. Read the labels and determine what soap will get the job done for your specific skin type.
To be clear, here’s what you should be looking to clean with bars of soap:
- Hand
- Face
- Body
- Beard
If you need serious help for a specific body part, that’s what dermatologists are for.
High-Quality Task Masters
There are numerous styles of soap that are designed for specific duties. What is your malfunction, Private?!
- Antibacterial
These soaps are designed for use on the hands and body. Bacteria can cause diseases and are a factor in B.O. These soaps kill bacteria but can be harsh for dry skin.
- Exfoliating
Exfoliating soap designs can sometimes contain pumice, a volcanic rock. This is some serious stuff, lads. But there are exceptional options for exfoliation with body soaps containing activated charcoal or dead sea mud.
- Moisturizing
Nourishing lather for your skin. When we picture gentle and hydrating skin care, these are the bars of soap that hit the sweet spot.
- Toning
Soaps designed for blemishes and skin conditions like acne can help with a pizza face.
- Deodorant
Almost always a body soap, the primary purpose is scent longevity. Be careful; these can contain harsh chemical fragrances.
- Heavy duty
The working man's bar. Heavy-duty soap is often made to melt some severe grime. If you wear enough Carhartt, you can use it anywhere.
- Handmade soap
Let's be honest; if you are reading this, you aren't making olive oil handmade soap in a bucket.
The GOAT Men's Soap Bar
Now, that is one hell of a lot of information about bars of soap. Based on our research, we feel comfortable declaring the People's Champ — DUDE Bar Soap.
Designed to be used on the temple that is your body as well as that handsome mug, it’s a skincare MVP.
- Shea butter brings the moisturizing lather and hydrates.
- Activated charcoal gently exfoliates and destroys grime.
- The Chi Town Night scent uses natural essential oils cedarwood, peppermint, and lemon.
- The rainforest alliance certified palm oil means you're taking care of mother earth too
Now that you’re a certified soap expert, feel free to explore the world of soap with a new perspective. But we suspect you’ll still land on DUDE.
