4 Reasons Why ‘Old Reliable’ Bar Soap is Making a Comeback

Way back before the advent of body wash and the mainstream use of plastic in nearly every consumer product, we used this handy little item to stay clean. It was called bar soap. Do you remember? If you think bar soap is too old school or smells too much like what your grandma used to use, it is time to think again. Bar soap is making a comeback – and for a good reason. This classic cleansing product is not only highly eco-friendly, but it has also changed and evolved a great deal over the years. Bar soap formulas today are so diverse that you’ll forget all about those overly-perfumed rose-shaped fancy soaps your mother used to say were for “guests only.”

A Highly Sustainable Choice

One of the biggest reasons we are opting for a bar of soap over a bottle of body wash is simple: a bar of soap is much more eco-friendly due to its lack of plastic packaging. Not only that, but bar soap formulas use far less water than their competition. According to Business Wire, a whopping 77% percent of consumers consider the environment when making a product purchase (Business Wire). 

Those seeking a sustainable cleanser can trust that a classic bar of soap uses minimal packaging while its solid form uses little to no water. Dave Raymond, Director of Research and Development at Bradford, gives us a little inside information, saying that “body wash is generally 80 to 90 percent water, whereas bar soap is 6 to 14 percent. Bar soap is also the most concentrated personal cleansing product option created through a process that uses little water and produces close to no waste.” Pick up a bar of soap, and you’ll effectively do your part in supporting environmental protection.

Gentle and Personalized Ingredients

Many of us are under the misconception that bar soap hasn’t changed since we were kids. In years past, most of the bars on shelves contained basic formulations that could irritate sensitive skin and overcompensate with ‘clean’ or floral scents. Today, manufacturers like Bradford offer a wide variety of soap bases, ingredients, and additives – many of which are formulated to improve and treat specific skin ailments or offer the customer an almost personalized cleansing experience. Today, Doctors and consumers alike recognize the importance of the skin’s microbiome and how the proper cleansing bar can protect it.

Longer Product Lifespan

It is well known that bar soap can last much longer than a bottle of body wash. We often over-pour liquid cleansers, leading to excess waste and a shorter product lifespan. Frequently, liquid soap even slips right through our fingers. Bar soap is efficient because we use only what we need, and the remainder stays compact. Because all bars are made with different ingredients, the lifespan of bar soap, in general, can vary. As a rule of thumb, a softer bar like Dove’s White Beauty Bar will last 2 to 6 weeks, while a harder soap like Kirk’s Gentle Castile Bar Soap can last much longer.

The Clean Option

It is a common misconception that bar soap can harbor germs. Rest assured, this is not the case. When correctly set to dry after each use on a slated soap dish or another proper draining container, a bar of soap is less likely to attract bacteria than a bottle of body wash. Because body washes are mostly made of water, they have a much higher chance of becoming contaminated. David Raymond, our Director of Research and Development, also states that “the high water level of body washes makes them susceptible to microbial growth. In fact, all body washes require a microbial preservative as part of their formula. Bar soap, on the other hand, with its low water levels and higher pH, does not support microbial growth.” Because of this, bar soap also does not require the use of preservatives. ● 
 
 
Sources:

 “GreenPrint Survey Finds Consumers Want to Buy Eco-Friendly Products, but Don’t Know How to Identify Them.” Business Wire. 22 March 2021. Web. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210322005061/en/GreenPrint-Survey-Finds-Consumers-Want-to-Buy-Eco-Friendly-Products-but-Don%E2%80%99t-Know-How-to-Identify-Them

Schneider, Jamie. “Bar Soap Versus Body Wash: How Should You Really Lather Up? Pros, Cons & Final Verdict.” Mind Body Green. 26 April 2020. Web. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/bar-soap-vs-body-wash-which-is-better-pros-and-cons-of-each
 
 
 

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