Unlike the squeaky-clean feeling you might get from a bar soap, body washes can replenish your skin’s protective barrier, says Gabriel, leaving it soft and hydrated. Just be sure the body wash you’re using is free of sulfates as well: “If you have sensitive skin, eczema, or a history of any skin disease, please be sure that any body wash you use is sulfate- and artificial-fragrance-free,” board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, adds. Sulfates give your body wash that familiar, soapy lather, but it can strip the skin of natural oils, leaving it a little parched (especially if it’s already prone to dryness). But there’s a catch: If you use loofahs or washcloths to get a foamy lather, you’ll want to keep those scrubbers on your radar. Just because the formula itself won’t breed bacteria doesn’t mean you’re totally in the clear. Make sure you’re washing your loofahs and washcloths before each use, switching them out every few weeks. Like bar soaps, these tools have the potential to grow bacteria if left in a moist environment. Liquid body wash also contains water—considering 5 billion people will be affected by water shortage by 2025, it’s certainly something to consider. On the other hand, bar soaps have a waterless formula, which can support that environmental preservation. With bar soap, you’ll perhaps save water, save product, and save the planet—a trifecta of sustainable triumphs from the shower alone. “Bar soaps’ pH levels are between 9 and 10, while our slightly acidic pH skin level is between 4 and 5,” Gabriel explains. When you use those bar soaps, you can cause an increase in your skin’s pH levels, which can change the skin’s texture1 (and if you already have dry or sensitive skin, those bar soaps can be extra dehydrating). Of course, there are natural, conditioning bar soap brands that don’t use harsh surfactants—it’s important to seek those out if you go the bar soap route (our favorites, here). Your skin will thank you! If your skin is extremely dry, Gabriel even says you can skip cleanser entirely and just rinse with water. Of course, you’ll want to use body wash on sweatier places (like the underarm and groin area), but she says using soap only two to three times a week on the skin’s surface can avoid drying it further and causing inflammation. If you can’t possibly imagine skipping a lather, we get it—just make sure you’re using the gentlest cleanser you can find. These could include antioxidants to fight off free radicals that lead to skin aging, peptides to support skin elasticity, or acids for chemical exfoliation. But of course, if you have sensitive skin you may want to be wary of using body washes with too concentrated of actives. The liquid soap is easier to store and can be used for more than just washing the body—laundry, gentle household chores, and more. But nevertheless, if you are partial to bar soap, they have that as well.
