What is the difference between soap and a beauty bar?

Did you know that not all soaps are made equal? What about the so called “beauty bars”? They are not really soap or the best option for your skin, although you find them everywhere at the majority of stores. Don’t be surprised… that slightly curvy white bar wrapped in white packaging is not really soap.

According to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), soap is a regulated term used to describe a product that is made by combining natural fats or oils with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide. The chemical reaction, known as “saponification”, creates a substance that is capable of gently cleaning the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. 

“Beauty bars” (clever name used by marketers to get around calling their products soaps) are often made with a variety of synthetic ingredients, such as detergents, surfactants, and lather boosting agents.

One of the most important differences between soap and beauty bars is the way they interact with the skin. Soap is made with natural oils, are gentler and less stripping, while beauty bars are often drying and irritating to the skin. Common synthetic ingredients in beauty bars include sodium lauryl sulfate, lather boosting agents such as cocamide and DEA, and petroleum based products such as mineral oil.

Soaps have the ability to kill bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause infections or acne. Beauty bars, may not have the same antimicrobial properties, leaving your skin vulnerable to germs and bacteria.

In addition to its benefits for the skin, soap is friendlier to the environment. Most soaps are biodegradable and break down into natural compounds that can be safely absorbed into the environment. Beauty bars, on the other hand, may contain synthetic ingredients that can pollute soil and water.

Why are beauty bars found at the majority of stores, instead of real soap?

Money! Large companies manufacturing “beauty bars” save money by simply using cheaper synthetic ingredients at a fraction of a cost instead of using natural oils. Most common synthetic ingredients have been used for decades and we have been told that they are safe and affordable. As consumers, a cheaper price tag can be tempting, but at what cost to your skin! 

You may need to make a special trip to a health food store to be able to find better choices when looking for real soap. Overall, soap is the better choice for your skin and the environment. While beauty bars may be cheaper, and convenient to find, they can be harsh and drying, and may not have the same antimicrobial properties as soap. By choosing natural soap, you can enjoy the benefits of gentle, moisturizing ingredients that are safe for your skin and the planet. Switch to the better choice. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.