At some point we all mistakenly decided that bar soap sucks. Someone gave us the impression that we need a shelf full of bottled cleansers of various consistencies from creamy and foaming to exfoliating and  I’ve been guilty of trying probably a hundred different facial cleansers over the years, creating buckets of waste while never quite getting ahead of the same old pesky skin issues. Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to tell you that it’s time to bring back the bar soap.

My favorite thing about bar soaps is that they produce a lot less waste. Even if you opt for a bar that comes wrapped in plastic (which I hope you don’t), you’re still decreasing your waste by a ton. Most options come in a cardboard box, wrapped in paper, or my personal favorite – naked! I also love how travel friendly they are. I travel A LOT, and nothing is more annoying than a bottle of face wash busting open all over my clothes, or having to purchase tiny sizes of my current products to get through TSA. With a bar soap just pop it in a cute travel tin and you’re good to go. Bar soaps are generally quite a bit cheaper than liquid alternatives and they definitely last longer if you use them properly. Since folks who care about reducing their waste also usually care about Clean Beauty, you can find all kinds of healthy options on the market. Below are 7 of my favs that might make you rethink your liquid cleanser.

1. Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Treatment Bar – This is a multi-tasker extraordinaire! The handy little bar can be used as a detox face mask, a spot treatment for acne, and as a deep cleanser every day. It is made from 100% natural Umbrian Clay, which is exclusively found in the Italian town of Nocera Umbra and has been used for therapeutic treatments since the 6th century B.C. It purifies and balances the skin, eliminates dead cells, combats clogged pores, treats irritation and blemishes, and refines skin texture.  It’s great for all skin types and it’s formulated with parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and fragrance. The only con here is the price point. This bad boy goes for $41 at Sephora.
2. Lush Coalface Charcoal Cleansing Bar – Best for oily or combination skin, this bar comes naked for a truly zero waste option. Charcoal gives a deep cleanse and mild exfoliation, leaving skin clean and matte. It’s formulated with clean healthy ingredients and is super affordable at $14.95.
3. Peekee Cleansing Bar by Drunk Elephant – Peekee gently cleanses, tones, and moisturizes and is good for all skin types. It leaves skin soft and subtle and is a perfect everyday cleanser. It helps even skin tone and fade dark spots while balancing the skins Ph. Formulated with lux ingredients like marula oil, its clean beauty at its finest. The downside of this one is its packaging, mine came wrapped in plastic. It’s actually rather affordable for Drunk Elephant, at $28.00.
4. JuJu Exfoliating Bar by Drunk Elephant – The exfoliating counterpart to Peekee, the Juju bar deeply cleanses and detoxifies while getting rid of dead skin. It’s full of good ingredients and like all Drunk Elephant products it is super high quality clean beauty. Unlike Peekee which has honey as an ingredient, Juju is vegan. $28 at Sephora. This can also be used in conjunction with Peekee. Use JuJu at night 3 times a week to keep your skin free of dead skin. They sell a travel duo with smaller sizes of both bars for $16 which is a great way to try them out without breaking the bank.
5. Herbivore Pink Clay Gentle Soap Bar – The light citrus scent of this clay based soap is so refreshing. It’s made with French pink clay that draws out impurities and made without artificial ingredients plus it’s vegan and cruelty free. At $12 it’s a clean beauty bargain.
6. Meow Meow Tweet Tea Charcoal facial bar – I stumbled upon this brand at Target and I am so excited about it. All natural and super clean ingredients like activated charcoal and cocoa butter promote a youthful complexion while ground oats soothe and mildly exfoliate. Tea tree and eucalyptus oils work as an astringent to combat blemishes. Best of all it’s only $7.99!
7. Shea Moisture African Black Soap – This one is a cult favorite and its easy to see why. The shea butter is sourced from women’s cooperatives in Ghana. It is known to be a super effective for irritated acne prone skin. The natural ingredients soothe itchiness and troubled skin. The fragrances are all natural, but may be irritating to super sensitive skin. It’s the most budget friendly item on my list. Find it for under $5 at Target. 

To get the most out of your switch to facial cleansing bars, keep in mind that you want to keep them somewhere dry when you’re not using them. I like to towel mine off and keep them in a tin until I’m ready to use them. When you’re ready to cleanse, wash your hands then wet your bar and lather it up in your hands. Don’t rub the bar directly on your face! Use the product on your hands to wash your face and subtly massage. Thoroughly rinse and you’re good to go! Have you made the switch to low-waste clean beauty bar soap? Leave us a comment if you’ve tried any of these out and tell us how they compare to your traditional cleanser. Stay clean, stay green, stay beautiful earthlings!