Is Body Wash Better Than Bar Soap

‘Is body wash better than bar soap?’ If you’re hoping to get the most from your shower routine, choosing the right cleanser for your skin is essential. Fortunately, your choices are pretty straightforward - body wash or bar soap? 

For any guys wondering ‘is body wash better than bar soap?’, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ve covered everything you need to know when choosing between body wash and bar soap. 

Is Bar Soap Bad For Your Skin?

This is one of the most common questions we see - ‘is bar soap bad for your skin?’ 

Yes, traditional bar soaps can be bad for the skin. This is mainly because they rely on a process called 'saponification'. Saponification is where significant amounts of a very strong caustic compound (like concentrated sodium hydroxide) is mixed with fats and oils. The result is a soap that generally has a higher pH. This can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance and can leave the skin feeling dry, tight & prone to breakouts. 

Though natural bar soaps are also available that don’t dehydrate the skin (generally because glycerin (a moisturiser) has been added to counteract the drying effect of the soap), there are still other problems.

For example, bar soaps can be quite unhygienic if used in a bathing space shared with many people. Unless they’re stored in the right conditions, they can be a breeding ground for pathogens - which could transfer from one person to another. They are also inconvenient to use. They can feel slimy and are difficult to pick up if dropped on the shower floor. 

The Benefits Of Body Wash 

So, what are the benefits of choosing a body wash over a bar of soap? Let’s take a closer look at body wash and the benefits that set them apart. 

A Hygienic Alternative 

For any germaphobes out there, you might consider trying a body wash instead of bar soap. 

Unlike bar soaps, body washes can be safely stored in the moist environment of the shower. Because you’re constantly pumping or squirting the product out of a sealed bottle, it’s much less likely for bacteria to contaminate the product.

They can also be used by multiple people, without anyone making direct skin contact with the body wash. So, you won’t need to worry about bacteria growing on these products and transferring them to your skin. 

Better For Dry Skin 

One of the core reasons to choose a body wash over bar soap is for the moisturising benefits - especially if you’re working with dry skin. 

Body washes are typically created to be much more hydrating than traditional bar soaps. They contain ingredients designed to seal in moisture rather than stripping natural oils away. Look out for ingredients like glycerin, sorbitol, vitamin B5 (panthenol), argan oil etc.

Body washes are also able to contain much milder soaps than a traditional bar soap. This enables a good body wash formulator to fine tune something that cleans really well, whilst being gentle on the skin.

If you notice your skin feeling dry or tight after using a bar of soap, it might be worth making the switch to body wash. 

Exfoliate The Skin

Another great reason to start using a body wash is so you can exfoliate your skin more often. 

Bar soaps aren’t often abrasive, which means that they aren’t very effective at scrubbing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. 

To be fair, body washes themselves aren’t abrasive either. As with a bar soap, it needs to be applied to a loofah or washcloth for effective use. This scrubbing action helps to gently slough away dead skin cells and uncover the softer complexion beneath. The difference between body wash and bar soap in this regard is that the body wash is much easier & faster to apply to the loofah/washcloth. 

A Superior Lather 

If you’re a guy that prefers a shower cleanser with a rich lather, body wash is for you. 

Compared to a standard bar of soap, body washes are typically designed to create a luxurious lather - which can make your shower experience much more relaxing. Not to mention, this makes it much easier to see where you’ve cleaned. 

That being said, you shouldn’t choose a body wash solely based on lather - especially if it contains harsh ingredients like sulphates. Take some time to read the ingredients list on your body wash and choose a product with ingredients your skin will love. We suggest looking for coconut-based soap ingredients like Coco Glucoside, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate & Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate.

Is Body Wash Better Than Bar Soap?

So, is body wash better than bar soap? Let’s answer this popular question. 

It largely depends on your own preferences, though we would recommend choosing a body wash over bar soap - especially if you have dry skin or are a germaphobe.

Due to the traditional antibacterial ingredients in bar soap, they tend to leave the skin feeling dry and tight. And if they’re not stored properly, they can be a breeding spot of bacteria - which can transfer back onto the skin.

Body washes are a much more hygienic alternative - you can safely store them in your shower without worrying about bacteria. Unlike bar soaps, they will also leave the skin feeling supple and moisturised due to the hydrating ingredients they contain. 

Men's 3-in-1 Body Wash By Milkman 

If you’re on the hunt for a premium body wash, we’d recommend getting your hands on this 3-in-1 Body Wash by Milkman.

This stuff is next-level. The gel will gently cleanse and hydrate to leave your skin feeling soft and supple. As you work the formula through your hair, you’ll notice the gel transforms into a thick foam to remove any sweat, dirt, or product easily. 

It's also cool because we at Milkman believe in getting washed, not sloshed. So we've formulated a whole range of exciting scents for our body wash. Choose from Whiskey and Dry, Pina Colada, Espresso Martini & Gin & Tonic. Plus an amazing Rum & Cola fragrance will launch this coming Summer. 

To top it off, our body wash is also more eco-friendly than a bar soap. We use heavy duty pumps & bottles so when yours is empty, you can easily order an eco-refill to save plastic, save money & save time. 

Head to the online store to shop our men's body wash range now.