Bar Soap: A Simple, Classic Staple That’s Anything but Boring

There’s something wonderfully timeless about a good old-fashioned bar of soap. It’s humble, practical, and endlessly useful — but it’s also rooted in rich history, evolving science, and even a bit of art. Whether you’re reaching for a creamy handmade bar or a bright white classic, bar soap has earned its place on bathroom shelves everywhere. In this post, we’ll explore everything from the history of bar soap to how to choose (or even make!) the perfect one for your skin.

A Quick History of Bar Soap

Soap has been around for a long time — we’re talking ancient Babylon, around 2800 B.C., where people used a mix of fats and ashes to clean textiles. It wasn’t until later that soap became an integral part of personal hygiene routines.

In ancient Egypt, soap was made from a combination of animal and vegetable oils, along with alkaline salts. It was considered a medicinal and cleansing essential, even appearing in the Ebers Papyrus, one of the earliest medical documents. The Greeks and Romans also caught on, especially the Romans, who invested heavily in bathhouses and public washing rituals.

By the Middle Ages, soap-making was a distinct craft in places like Marseille and Castile, renowned for their olive oil-based soaps. And when the Industrial Revolution arrived, bar soap transitioned from an artisanal item to a household essential, becoming more affordable and widely accessible to the public.

Today? Bar soap is having a moment again — beloved not just for how well it cleans, but for how thoughtfully it’s made.

Types of Bar Soap

Bar soaps aren’t one-size-fits-all. Different ingredients and formulations cater to various skin types, preferences, and priorities. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular kinds:

Traditional Soap

This is the good stuff made from oils or fats combined with sodium hydroxide (also known as lye). Through a process called saponification, a solid, skin-cleansing bar is formed. Within this category are a few classic subtypes:

• Castile Soap: Made mostly with olive oil, this gentle soap is perfect for sensitive skin.

• Glycerin Soap: Transparent and highly moisturizing, glycerin soap draws water into the skin—ideal for dry skin types.

• Antibacterial Soap: Includes extra germ-fighting ingredients. Handy for post-gym showers or those concerned with hygiene.

Natural and Organic Soap

If you’re keeping your skincare clean, these soaps are a go-to. They’re made from plant-based oils, essential oils, and herbs—free of synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or dyes.

• Essential Oils add natural scent and therapeutic benefits.

• Botanicals like chamomile, calendula, or lavender calm the skin.

• Natural colorants provide a beautiful finish without artificial ingredients.

These bars are often made in small batches by artisans, giving them a handcrafted feel and a more eco-conscious footprint.

Exfoliating Soap

These bars contain natural scrubbies like oatmeal, ground coffee, fruit seeds, or clay to help slough off dead skin and boost circulation. They’re a great pick if you’re dealing with rough patches, dry skin, or just want that extra-smooth glow.

Benefits of Using Bar Soap

There’s a reason bar soap has stuck around for thousands of years — it works! But beyond just being a trusty cleanser, it has a few extra perks:

Lower Environmental Impact

Bar soap is a win for the planet. It typically comes in minimal packaging—often just paper or cardboard—and avoids the plastic waste associated with liquid soap bottles. Plus, it requires less water and energy to produce.

Budget-Friendly

A single bar can last weeks (or even months!), making it one of the most cost-effective personal care items available. And because it’s easy to find high-quality options without the high price tag, it’s a great way to treat yourself without overspending.

Skin-Loving Ingredients

Many bar soaps are loaded with nourishing oils, plant extracts, and vitamins that actually benefit your skin. Look for bars with ingredients like:

• Coconut oil for hydration

• Shea butter for softness

• Vitamin E for skin barrier support

Bar soaps also tend to have a lower pH than most liquid soaps, making them gentler and less drying, especially for sensitive skin types.

How to Choose the Right Bar Soap for You

With so many beautiful bars to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your skin? Here’s what to consider:

Know Your Skin Type

• Dry Skin: Look for moisturizing soaps with glycerin, shea butter, or coconut oil.

• Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Soaps containing tea tree oil, activated charcoal, or clay can help balance the skin.

• Sensitive Skin: Opt for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic bars that contain soothing ingredients like oatmeal or chamomile.

Read the Ingredients

Flip the label and scan for harsh chemicals or artificial dyes, especially if your skin is sensitive or reactive. Natural ingredients are often gentler and offer added benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties or hydration.

Define the Purpose

Are you looking for a gentle daily cleanser? Something exfoliating? A bar that battles body odor or breakouts? Choosing soap based on your personal needs helps narrow the options and ensures you're happy with the results.

Want to Get Crafty? Try DIY Bar Soap

Making your own soap is part science, part art—and fully satisfying. If you love working with your hands and experimenting with scents and textures, this can be a really fun project.

What You’ll Need:

• Base oils: Olive, coconut, or palm oil

• Lye (sodium hydroxide): Essential for the saponification process

• Distilled water: For dissolving lye

• Optional Additives: Essential oils, exfoliants, natural colorants, or herbs

Basic Soap-Making Steps:

1. Carefully mix the lye into distilled water (always add the lye to the water, not the other way around).

2. Heat the oils in a pot until they are melted.

3. Once both mixtures reach similar temperatures (around 100°F), combine and blend until the mixture reaches a “trace” consistency—when the soap thickens slightly.

4. Add your essential oils or extras, then pour into molds.

5. Let it sit for 24–48 hours, unmold, and cut into bars.

6. Cure the soap for 4–6 weeks in a cool, dry space to allow it to fully harden and mellow.

Always follow safety guidelines and use gloves and goggles when working with lye.

Final Thoughts

Bar soap is more than just a cleaning product—it’s part of daily rituals, moments of care, and connections to tradition. From its ancient roots to modern formulations, it continues to evolve in response to our changing needs, tastes, and values.

Whether you reach for a minimalist, unscented bar or a decadent, swirled and scented artisan soap, there’s something special about this simple tool. It’s affordable, effective, and can even be a little luxurious.

So go ahead—revisit the humble bar of soap. It just might become your new favorite part of the day.