Bar Soap vs Body Wash - Which is Actually Better for Your Skin?

It's one of the most common bathroom debates: bar soap or body wash?

Both can effectively cleanse your skin, but the ingredients, formulation, packaging, and way they're used can make a big difference — particularly if you have dry or sensitive skin.

So which is better: bar soap or body wash?

The honest answer is that the formula matters more than whether it's a bar or a bottle. However, a well-made handmade soap can offer some advantages when it comes to simple ingredients, natural glycerin, and reducing plastic packaging.

Let's take a closer look.

Bar Soap vs Body Wash: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference is how the product is formulated and packaged.

Traditional handmade soap is made by combining oils or fats with an alkali through a process called saponification. The finished soap contains cleansing soap molecules and naturally occurring glycerin.

Body wash is a liquid cleanser that usually contains water, surfactants and other ingredients such as moisturisers, fragrances, preservatives and botanical extracts.

Neither format is automatically better for everyone. What matters is choosing a product that cleans effectively without leaving your skin feeling uncomfortable, tight or excessively dry.

The Case for Body Wash

Body wash is popular for good reason.

It's convenient, easy to dispense and available in an enormous range of formulas designed for different skin types and preferences. You can find body washes formulated for dry skin, sensitive skin, fragrance-free routines and everyday cleansing.

However, not all body washes are created equal.

Some formulations contain stronger cleansing agents or fragrances that may be irritating or drying for certain people. Others contain ingredients specifically designed to help support the skin's moisture barrier.

If you prefer body wash, look for a formula that suits your skin and avoid products that leave your skin feeling tight or stripped after showering.

Body wash also generally comes in a plastic bottle, which means packaging is another factor worth considering.

Why Choose Handmade Bar Soap?

A good handmade soap is very different from the mass-produced soap bars found in many supermarkets.

Artisan soap is often made in small batches using oils, butters and other carefully selected ingredients. The result can be a cleansing bar that feels rich and creamy rather than harsh or drying.

Here are some of the reasons people choose handmade soap.

Natural Glycerin

Glycerin is naturally created during the soap-making process.

It is a humectant, meaning it helps attract and hold water at the skin's surface. Handmade soap made through traditional cold-process methods naturally retains the glycerin produced during saponification.

This is one of the qualities that can make handmade soap feel particularly pleasant on the skin.

Plant Oils and Butters

Artisan soap can be formulated with ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and other plant oils and butters.

The particular combination affects how the finished bar cleans, lathers and feels on the skin.

This is why two handmade soaps can behave very differently even though they're both technically "bar soap."

Simple Formulations

Many artisan soap makers focus on relatively straightforward ingredient lists.

At Ma's Goodies, our handmade soaps are created in small batches using carefully selected ingredients, giving you an alternative to heavily fragranced or highly formulated cleansing products.

If you're looking for natural handmade soap in New Zealand, choosing a small-batch artisan soap is one option worth exploring.

Less Packaging

One of the biggest practical advantages of bar soap is packaging.

A bar doesn't require a plastic bottle, and handmade soaps are often packaged using paper, cardboard or minimal packaging.

If reducing household plastic waste is important to you, switching from bottled body wash to bar soap can be a simple change.

Is Bar Soap Hygienic?

This is one of the most common concerns about bar soap.

People sometimes worry that a shared bar can collect bacteria and transfer them between users. However, normal use of bar soap — lathering, rinsing and allowing the bar to dry between uses — is generally considered hygienic.

The best way to look after a bar is simple:

• Rinse it after use.

• Keep it somewhere that allows water to drain away.

• Don't leave it sitting in a pool of water.

• Allow it to dry between uses.

• For shared bathrooms, consider giving each person their own bar.

A draining soap dish can make a surprisingly big difference to how long your soap lasts.

Is Handmade Soap Better for Sensitive Skin?

This is where you need to be a little more careful.

Not every handmade soap is suitable for sensitive skin.

Even natural ingredients can irritate some people, and essential oils and fragrances aren't automatically suitable for sensitive skin.

If your skin is sensitive, look for a mild formulation and pay attention to the complete ingredient list. You may also prefer soaps made with gentle oils and minimal fragrance.

For example, our Gentle Olive Oil Soap is designed as a mild cleansing option for those who prefer a simple, gentle bar.

Our Goat's Milk & Manuka Honey Soap is another popular option for people looking for a nourishing handmade soap.

If you have a diagnosed skin condition or persistent irritation, it's best to follow advice from your healthcare professional rather than assuming that a natural soap will be suitable.

Which Is Better for Dry Skin?

If your skin is dry, the goal isn't simply to find the "best" type of cleanser.

Instead, look for a product that cleans without leaving your skin feeling tight or uncomfortable.

A few habits can make a big difference:

• Use lukewarm rather than very hot water.

• Keep showers reasonably short.

• Choose a gentle cleanser.

• Avoid excessive scrubbing.

• Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing vigorously.

• Apply moisturiser or body butter while your skin is still slightly damp.

A nourishing body moisturiser can then help support comfortable, soft-feeling skin.

Bar Soap vs Body Wash: Which Is More Eco-Friendly?

If environmental impact is important to you, bar soap has an obvious advantage in one area: packaging.

A traditional bar can be sold with very little packaging compared with a bottle of liquid body wash.

There is also no water-filled plastic bottle to transport and dispose of.

However, the environmental impact of a product depends on more than its packaging. Ingredients, manufacturing, transportation and how the product is used all contribute.

So rather than saying every bar soap is automatically environmentally friendly, it's more accurate to say that a minimally packaged handmade bar can be a lower-packaging alternative to bottled body wash.

Which Lasts Longer?

A well-made bar of soap can last for weeks when it's stored correctly.

The key is keeping it dry between uses.

If a bar sits constantly in water, it will soften and disappear much faster. A draining soap dish or soap rack can help considerably.

Body wash can also last for a long time, depending on the bottle size and how much you use each shower.

So when comparing value, consider the cost per use, rather than simply comparing the price of a bar with the price of a bottle.

Bar Soap vs Body Wash: Quick Comparison

	Handmade Bar Soap	Body Wash
Packaging	Often minimal	Usually a plastic bottle
Natural glycerin	Naturally produced in traditional soap making	Depends on formulation
Ingredients	Often relatively simple	Can range from simple to complex
Fragrance options	Wide variety	Wide variety
Sensitive skin	Depends on formulation	Depends on formulation
Dry skin	Depends on formulation	Depends on formulation
Storage	Needs to dry between uses	Easy to store
Environmental impact	Can reduce packaging	Usually more packaging
Travel	Convenient and spill-free	Can be bulky or leak

So, Which Should You Choose?

There isn't one universal answer to the bar soap vs body wash debate.

If you love the convenience of a liquid cleanser, choose a body wash with a formulation that suits your skin.

If you prefer simple ingredients, minimal packaging and the experience of a beautifully handcrafted cleansing bar, handmade soap is an excellent alternative.

For people looking for natural handmade soap in New Zealand, artisan bars offer something that mass-produced cleansers often don't: the combination of thoughtful ingredients, small-batch craftsmanship and a genuinely enjoyable bathing experience.

At Ma's Goodie's, we make a range of handcrafted artisan soaps, including olive oil, goat's milk, oat milk, rice milk, salt and botanical varieties.

Find the bar that suits your skin and make your everyday shower just a little more special.