Bar soap or body wash: which one's actually better for your skin?

It's easy to default to the same product you've used since secondary school, but your skin deserves a bit more thought than that. Lately, bar soap has been making a quiet return to shower shelves. Body wash still dominates for good reason - hydration, flexibility, and easy application - but the old bar's got a few new tricks, too.

The truth is, each cleanser does a different job. Bar soap is more minimal, often with fewer ingredients and less packaging waste, which is great if you want to simplify or reduce. But its higher pH and occasional harshness can dry out your skin if you're not careful.

Body wash, on the other hand, usually leans more hydrating, with ingredients designed to soothe and protect your barrier. It's better suited to dry or reactive skin, but that added comfort sometimes comes with more preservatives and a heavier footprint.

What it comes down to is skin type and preference. If your skin leans oily or you like a short, sharp clean, a bar might be your best bet. If you want softness, flexibility, or just a little luxury in your routine, body wash is worth the space in your bathroom.

Either way, read your labels. Know what's in the bottle—or bar—and what your skin actually needs.