“Many liquid soaps, even from natural brands, are packed with drying chemicals, surfactants, and preservatives that I’d rather avoid,” explains Sarah Villafranco, M.D., (and bar soap’s No. 1 cheerleader). “Bar soap is made with sodium hydroxide, but when the formulation is done right, the sodium hydroxide disappears and you’re left only with soap molecules and moisturizing glycerin. Cool, huh?” Formulating into a bar allows you to add a higher concentration of pure, good-for-you ingredients—and leave out common preservatives. Black Clay Facial Soap, Osmia ($24) Glycerin Soap Bar in Lavender & French Clay, SoapWalla ($14) Pekee Bar, Drunk Elephant ($28) SuperStar Cleansing Balm, Ethique, $18 African Black Soap Acne-Prone Face & Body Bar, SheaMoisture ($4.49) Miracle Bar, Joanna Vargas, $22 Natural Bar Soap in Aloe There!, Rocky Mountain Soap Company ($4.95) Charcoal Cleansing Bar, BeautyCounter ($26) Lemongrass & Tea Tree Bar Soap, Nubian Heritage ($3.19) Cleansing Bar, Gallinee ($15) Egg White Cleansing Bar, Lano ($6)
