Does bar soap clog pores?

Author: Dr. Toby Lindgren  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Disadvantages of bar soap That can lead to irritation⁶ and possible breakouts, especially for people with naturally dry, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, as it can clog pores! Another thing to watch out for with bar soap is how it's handled.

Can bar soap cause breakouts?

Bar soap can be bad for your face as they have harsh chemicals and fragrances, and cause drying, redness and even breakouts.

Is it OK to use bar soap on face?

Using soap for washing your face is generally not recommended, especially traditional bar soaps, as they can be too harsh and strip the skin of its natural oils. This can lead to dryness, irritation, or an imbalance in the skin's pH. Face wash products are specifically formulated for the delicate skin on the face.

Do dermatologists recommend bar soap or body wash?

Liquid body washes tend to be more moisturizing and calming on the skin. They are often the go-to option for people with chronic conditions like eczema or acne since they can be formulated with potent, active ingredients to help mitigate the issue.

What is the downside of bar soap?

Containing sodium lauryl sulfate and other antibacterial products, bar soaps are often the best way to get your skin clean. Cons- The antibacterial products in bar soap often cause skin to dry out. If you have naturally dry skin, you will want to consider a moisturizing body wash instead.

How to reduce the appearance of your PORES~ ✨

Why don't people use bar soap anymore?

One of the main factors leading to the decline of bar soap is the rise of liquid soaps and body washes. Liquid soaps and body washes are more convenient and often come in attractive packaging. They are also more hygienic than bar soap, as they can be used without touching the product directly.

Is it better to use bar soap or liquid?

The Battle of Effectiveness: When it comes to cleansing power, both bar soap and liquid soap have their strengths. Bar soap's solid form and texture enable thorough removal of dirt, oil, and bacteria from the skin. On the other hand, liquid soap often lathers more easily, making it effective at removing impurities.

What is the healthiest body soap to use?

Our top 10 picks for natural body washes and soaps
  • Dr Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap.
  • Rooted Beauty Bar Soap.
  • method Body Wash.
  • Mrs. Meyers Body Wash.
  • Tree to Tub Gentle Body Wash for Very Sensitive Skin.
  • Spinster Sisters Co. Bar Soap.
  • SheaMoisture African Black Soap.
  • Oars + Alps Exfoliating Bar Soap.

Why is Dove Beauty Bar not soap?

Ordinary bar soap has a relatively high pH which can dry and strip your skin. Dove, however, has a neutral pH that's balanced with your skin to avoid any damage. It actively cares for your skin, adding skin-natural nutrients to keep it feeling its healthy best.

Why does bar soap leave residue on skin?

Since all cleansing bars are waterless, they have low water solubility. This means you have to rinse VERY thoroughly with lots of warm water to get them off the skin. It's not uncommon for bars to leave a residue behind.

What is the best thing to wash your face with?

Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.

Can you use Irish Spring bar soap on your face?

Irish Spring Original Bar Soap can be used as a hand soap or face wash. This bar soap is suitable for all skin types, including normal, oily, and dry skin, ensuring an effective cleanse.

Is Ivory bar soap being discontinued in the USA?

The original Ivory bar soap was whipped with air in its production and floated in water, although P&G discontinued this version of the soap in 2023, and the new version no longer floats.

Do soap bars clog pores?

Yes, standard bar soaps can actually cause acne and inflame your face. "By overly drying the skin, oil glands will try to auto-hydrate and produce more oil or sebum. This can lead to pore clogging and turn on the acne cascade," warns Dr.

Why am I getting pimples on my face all of a sudden?

Four main factors cause acne: Excess oil (sebum) production. Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria.

Can I wash my face with just water?

However, washing your face with water alone simply isn't sufficient to remove the build-up of dead skin cells, oil, make-up, or other bacteria, which can lead to skin becoming dehydrated, greasy, or blocking pores.

Why not to use bar soap?

The surfactants in bar soap are hard on your skin, causing dryness and irritation, throwing the skin microbiome out of balance, and contributing to skin conditions like acne and eczema. The syndet surfactants in liquid cleansers are better for your skin.

What soap is better, Dial or Dove?

Answer: We recommend Dove Sensitive Skin & Cetaphil soap for general cleansing the skin. Soaps with perfumes should not be used as they can dry out the skin. If the skin is broken due to cracks and/or fissures, the patient may use an antibacterial soap such as Dial Soap or Cetaphil Antibacterial.

Is Ivory actually soap?

Ivory's safe, gentle products have been trusted by families for over 140 years. Over 140 years ago, Ivory created a soap that was 99.44% pure and we haven't lost touch with where we came from. Like our original soap, all our products are made with pure and purposeful ingredients trusted for generations.

What soap do most dermatologists recommend?

Avoid using harsh soaps that dry the skin. Recommended soaps are Dove, Olay and Basis. Even better than soap are skin cleansers such as Cetaphil Skin Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Aquanil Cleanser. Deodorant soaps are often very harsh and drying.

Is Dial real soap?

Dial® is the #1 Antibacterial Bar Soap Brand

Dial® antibacterial bar soaps offer a crisp uplifting clean that leaves you feeling fresh. Thanks to our dermatologist tested formula, Dial® bar soaps eliminate 99.9% of bacteria* while being gentle on your skin.

Is it better to use bar soap or body wash?

For those prone to dry skin, a moisturising body wash is the way to go. For those avoiding products with preservatives and parabens, a bar soap may be best for you.

What are the disadvantages of bar soap?

Disadvantages of bar soap

One thing to look out for in your bar soap is sodium lauryl sulfate. This chemical compound can strip the skin of its natural healthy oils and leave it feeling tight (the “squeaky” feeling of “squeaky clean”).

What is the best bar soap?

The Best Bar Soaps, at a Glance
  • The Best Bar Soap Overall: Dove Beauty Bar.
  • The Best Luxury Bar Soap: Aesop Body Cleansing Slab.
  • The Best Hydrating Bar Soap: Drunk Elephant JuJu.
  • The Best Affordable Bar Soap: Pears Transparent Soap.
  • The Best Moisturizing Bar Soap: L'Objet Bois Sauvage Bar Soap.

Should you rinse off bar soap?

Rinse off your bar soap under the tap quickly before washing your hands, then create a generous lather by rubbing the soap with your hands for at least 20 seconds, circling around the hands and between the fingers. (For more on this, check out our Guide to Washing Your Hands.)

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