11 best facial soaps - gentle cleansing and care

Proper facial skin care involves proper cleansing. One of the best ways to rid your face of dirt and makeup residue is to wash your face with special soap. In addition, this procedure will prepare the skin for the application of care products. After preliminary cleansing, the active ingredients of cosmetics will better penetrate the skin, having a beneficial effect on the epidermis.

What distinguishes facial soap from body cleansing composition is its “soft” composition. In some cases, manufacturers even enrich their products with nutritional components. Thus, in modern conditions it becomes possible to combine the procedure of cleansing and skin care.

Today, there are the following types of soap compositions for cleansing the face, depending on the consistency:

• Helium.
• Cream.
• Solid.
• Oily.

When choosing soap for cleansing your face, you should consider your skin type. So, they distinguish:

• Soap for dry skin.
  Basically, these are compositions with a creamy consistency. Such a product will contain mild moisturizing ingredients, such as petroleum jelly or glycerin.
• Soap for oily skin.
  These formulas are designed to help the epidermis regulate sebum production. Manufacturers often enrich these types of formulations with tea tree oil, calendula extract and other useful natural ingredients.
• Soap for all skin types.
  These, as a rule, are distinguished by a balanced composition and a gentle effect on the skin.

We present the rating of facial soaps 2022. The best 11 products that were selected by our experts based on user reviews and ratings.

The best liquid soap

Liquid soap is more convenient, because it does not require friction, like the bar version, and is easy to dose, eliminating direct contact with the detergent, which is especially useful in public places.

TOP best liquid soaps:

Absolut Nature Aloe

The best liquid hand soap with antibacterial composition and low cost. It does not have a pronounced scent; after washing, the skin remains clean and practically without aroma. Users have also learned to use it for washing things. The product foams well and has a soft consistency that is instantly distributed over the hands after squeezing. Supplied in a large package with a convenient dispenser. It lasts for 1-2 months with average use.

Pros:

• washes hands efficiently;
• smells good;
• does not cause allergies;
• antibacterial effect;
• convenient to use.

Minuses:

• takes a long time to wash off;
• Dries the skin a little.

Review: “Quite a good option for the price. It smells nice, doesn’t dry out your hands, and even feels like it slightly moisturizes the skin. The feeling of freshness lasts for a long time.”

Synergetic Lavender

Perhaps the best liquid soap for the care of delicate skin of the hands and body with a pleasant aroma. It has a soft, enveloping texture, a natural scent of a lavender field with light shades of lilac. The product allows you to cleanse the skin well, as well as make it soft and tender. After washing, there is a noticeable effect of freshness that lasts for the next 30 minutes. Thanks to the hypoallergenic formula with additives to moisturize the dermis, it does not dry out even with regular use.

Pros:

• completely herbal composition without preservatives;
• hypoallergenic product;
• creates a protective layer on the skin;
• moisturizes without drying;
• quickly and easily washes off hands;
• not a strong smell.

Minuses:

• too liquid, spreads quickly;
• The smell is more suitable for men, reminiscent of shaving gel.

Review: “I’m delighted with the soap. Moderately thick, easy to pour from a large container into a dosing bottle. When pressed, just the right amount of detergent is released.”

The best laundry soap

There are a lot of appropriate soaps for household purposes, but some of them either get wet quickly, or do not foam well, or are associated with other shortcomings, but obzzor.net experts managed to find a couple of good products.

The best laundry soaps:

EARED NANNY against stains

Inexpensive laundry soap for washing and removing stains of any complexity. Intended for children's underwear, but can also be used for adults. Effective when washing both white and colored items. Due to the absence of perfume additives and dyes, the soap does not cause allergic reactions even on the sensitive skin of babies. The product washes well without requiring long soaking or multiple washes. For more effective use, the composition contains glycerin and enzyme.

Pros:

• suitable for all types of fabrics;
• You can wash white and colored linen;
• removes even complex stains: blood, grass, etc.;
• no fragrance;
• foams well.

Minuses:

• not suitable for rubbing, to be used instead of washing powder;
• Before loading it into the washing machine, you need to rinse off the soap, since it does not dissolve in the drum.

Review: “The best laundry soap that I use to remove stains on children's clothes. Then I throw it in the washing machine, it always helps. One piece lasts a long time, and the price is modest.”

DURU Clean & White

Snow-white laundry soap with a universal formula based on active enzymes. It allows you to quickly and efficiently clean contaminants of various origins. 100% natural soap includes glycerin, which prevents drying of the skin of your hands. It has been tested by dermatologists and received a positive rating from them. Many customers like the pleasant aroma of freshness that comes from the product, but does not stink and does not leave fragrance on things.

Pros:

• removes most stains, including those from juices, sauces, ketchups, etc.;
• nice smell;
• low price;
• white color, so it does not leave red marks on clothes;
• moderately soft texture.

Minuses:

• may be slightly drying to the skin;
• quickly consumed.

Review: “I have been using only this laundry soap for many years, during which time I have washed and removed a variety of stains: from small and light stains to multi-layer stains from kitchen rags. There is no foreign smell left on the laundry, only a light aroma of soap. I recommend".

Which soap to choose for problem skin?

Natural sulfur soap is used in the fight against acne, increased oiliness, and various irritations. The sulfur, salicylic acid and beta acids contained in it, when used regularly, have an effect on 143:

• inflammatory processes;
• redness;
• peeling;
• clogged pores.

Tar soap also improves the condition of skin with rashes, and salicylic soap has an exfoliating effect. Boric acid, which contains mink oil and a small amount of boric acid, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. You can find these products at the pharmacy142,143.

What should be the best soap?

The properties of an ideal soap differ somewhat depending on the purpose of its use, but for the most part they are similar.

The best soap should be:

• Hypoallergenic. No one wants to get irritated skin from using bad soap.
• Safe, better natural.
• Effective. It is important that the soap effectively removes dirt from the skin or removes stains from clothes.
• With large and dense foam, which will reduce consumption and increase the efficiency of its use.
• With caring effects. It should not dry out the skin. It is highly desirable to have moisturizing, tonic, and nourishing effects.
• Antibacterial. Kills 99% of dangerous bacteria.
• Medicinal (if necessary). Useful for eliminating pimples, acne, fighting psoriasis, seborrhea, etc.

The rating contains 18 of the best soaps for the face, hands, body and even hair, as well as baby washing products, antibacterial compositions and household products. They can be presented in the form of bar or liquid soap, it is not so important, it all depends on personal preference. Regardless of the form, all soaps are very effective and are deservedly called the best in their niches.

The need to wash your face with soap

Whether you should wash your face with soap is a controversial question. On the one hand, the product really cleans well, but on the other, it can be harmful: as a result of use, the natural slightly acidic background of the epidermis may be disrupted. Alkali thins the protective layer, making the skin vulnerable, which bacteria will certainly take advantage of.

There is a myth that it is even necessary to wash your face with soap containing alkali, since this component helps to cope with acne. Indeed, alkali can remove germs, dirt, sweat, dissolve fat and get rid of dead epidermal cells. This process occurs during the interaction of the main component with water.

But it is worth considering that you cannot completely get rid of sebum, as excessive dryness can lead to the formation of acne. The acidic environment that occurs during sebum secretion protects against microbes. That is, if you are prone to acne, it is recommended to use soap with an antibacterial effect, containing, for example, chamomile or calendula extract, but not alkali.

Can soap be used daily? It depends on your skin type:

• For those with oily skin, it is permissible to wash your face with soap once a day, for example, in the evening;
• if the epidermis is of a normal type, experts advise using facial soap no more than 2-3 times a week with the obligatory subsequent use of additional products to soften and moisturize;
• Experts often ban washing with soap for people with sensitive and dry skin. They are recommended to wash their face with warm water and dermatological foams;

Remember: excessive use of an incorrectly selected skincare product can lead to increased skin susceptibility to the effects of wind, temperature, heat and other external factors.

Washing your face with soap is strictly not recommended if:

• this procedure was contraindicated according to the dermatologist's opinion:
• there are numerous pimples, ulcers, microcracks, peeling on the face;
• skin is too sensitive;
• recently had a major cosmetic procedure performed;
• there is rosacea;
• significant wrinkles are observed;

The conclusion should be drawn as follows: you can wash your face with soap, but it is not necessary. And if you want active use, you should carefully select a product suitable for your skin type.

Why choose facial soap

Source: @am_happy_soap

Better for the environment

By using bar soap, you will reduce the harm you cause to the environment. Less packaging, energy and resources are used to produce this product.

More cost effective

Bar soap is usually much cheaper than gel or foam cleanser. At the same time, it lasts for a long time.

Minimum number of ingredients

Soaps often contain minimal ingredients, so the product you purchase will have a higher concentration of the ingredients you need.

Convenient for travel

Bar soap is easy to cut into smaller pieces so you can pack them in your carry-on luggage without the risk of spills in your bag.

The best hair soap

Despite the abundance of shampoos, many still prefer to use soap to wash their hair. However, any product will not work for this. It is important that it cleans thoroughly and does not dry out the skin or strands.

The best soaps for hair

Floresan Taiga black

Black bath soap for body and hair care, which due to its unnatural composition is not suitable for keratin carriers. It has a very thick texture, so it is convenient to scoop the substance from a jar. The product always remains cool, does not float, is slightly viscous without a sticky effect. The smell is herbal, for a bath or just for washing your hair - an excellent option. The soap foams very well, even a small amount is enough to lather your hair. The resulting foam is quite thick, so you don’t have to wash your hair twice if there is any degree of contamination.

Pros:

• cleans hair squeaky clean in one wash;
• curls gain volume;
• reduces scalp oiliness;
• very thick and dense texture;
• pleasant aroma;
• washes off quickly;
• economical consumption.

Minuses:

• It is better to use with balm, as it can dry out the ends;
• not completely natural composition.

Review: “Cool soap that helped me overcome excess oil on my skin. If earlier my head became oily on the second day, then after a month’s course with this soap, I was able to switch to washing it once every 3 days. All this time the strands remain clean. To combat problematic oily skin, this is the best hair soap.”

Grandmother Agafya's recipes sea buckthorn

Thick soap with a soft consistency for high-quality hair cleaning. It is made from environmentally friendly ingredients, including soap root, rosehip oil, taiga gem and even juice from wild sea buckthorn berries from Altai. The product is very fragrant and gently cares for skin and hair. When washing your face, the dermis becomes healthy, and a lifting effect is also observed. Gives hair energy, strength and shine, while deeply cleansing it of impurities.

Pros:

• moisturizes hair and skin well;
• saturates with useful microelements and vitamins;
• makes strands strong and shiny;
• increases the elasticity of the dermis;
• accelerates the growth of new hair and makes it thicker and more voluminous;
• pleasant sea buckthorn smell;
• It is used sparingly.

Minuses:

• some users find the smell too intrusive;
• Rarely comes up for sale.

Review: “The best 2 in 1 soap for hair and body. I prefer to use it instead of shampoo, it washes my hair very well, and I just enjoy the smell. It smells exactly like sea buckthorn, you don’t feel the chemicals like other soaps.”

Kinds

There are several types of detergents that, one way or another, are used in matters of facial care.

Economic

Laundry soap is used to effectively remove stains from fabrics and to disinfect surfaces and premises. Many people are convinced that you can wash your face with laundry soap. Dermatologists do not agree with them.

Medical use of the drug is considered justified only in certain situations, for example, as a primary treatment of an animal bite site before vaccination with a rabies antidote, that is, as first aid.

Experts do not recommend washing your face with a household bar, since the product contains fats of animal origin. It also contains calcium chloride, which can be very drying.

Degtyarnoe

Tar soap is so called due to the presence of birch tar in an amount of at least 10%. Unlike laundry soap, this type of soap contains components that have a beneficial effect on facial skin and, first of all, problematic skin. These include:

• phytoncides;
• xylene
• phenol;
• resins;
• toluene;
• organic acids;

“Tar” foams well, contains oils, nourishes and moisturizes. It can be a budget alternative to expensive peeling in a beauty salon.

In addition to the fact that the product perfectly cleanses, it stimulates blood supply to the upper layers of the skin of the face. This improves color, improves health, and prevents premature aging.

You should think about buying tar soap if you have wounds and injuries, eczema, dermatological diseases, areas of increased pigmentation, and burns.

In people with dry skin, tar can cause cracks and thinning of the lipid membrane, followed by peeling. Not recommended for those whose skin is very sensitive and prone to contact allergies. Dermatologists often ban the use of the product by pregnant and lactating women.

Systematic use is recommended for people with oily epidermis.

Children's

Face soap "Children's" is traditionally considered useful and harmless. It does not contain parabens, there are no perfumes or emulsifiers. This composition is optimal for sensitive baby skin.

However, experts see the benefit for adults as rather dubious.

The children's remedy does not have any special therapeutic effects. But its undoubted advantage lies in the ability to obtain soft and abundant foam. If you need to rid your face of a layer of makeup and dust, “Baby” liquid soap or a solid bar are quite suitable, but, alas, it is useless for improving health and solving dermatological problems.

Neutral Ph is a plus, but the abundance of glycerin is a relative minus. Therefore, people with oily skin on their face should not frequently wash their face with soap intended for children's hygiene.

For peeling

Washing your face with soap is a controversial concept. This includes both regular washing and some cosmetic procedures at home. One of these types of procedures is soap peeling. It does not injure the epidermis, does not cause irritation or redness. Obviously, deep cleaning will not occur, but superficial cleaning will be carried out.

Soap peeling activates local metabolic processes, exfoliates dead cells, and tidies up the functioning of the sebaceous glands. The procedure is not suitable for daily washing. The frequency is again determined by the type of skin on the face.

For oily skin, it is permissible to carry out 2-3 peels per week, for normal skin - 1-2, for combination skin - once, and for sensitive skin - individually, usually no more than once a week.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline soap is considered a beauty novelty that came to us from Asian countries. There, such facial soap has been used for a long time and has proven itself to be excellent. Black or brown tourmaline soap foam is included in skin care masks. This product is also widely used for hair and skin care.

Factory or handmade tourmaline products always contain tiny crystals of tourmaline, a natural mineral. It is believed to be of volcanic origin.

The product is recommended for washing for owners of all types of epidermis. The soap does not have a distinct odor, the composition is as natural as possible, and therefore the product is suitable even for allergy sufferers and those with sensitive skin.

Natural

Natural soap is suitable for everyone, with the exception of individual intolerance to certain components contained in soap. Most often, manufacturers add olive, coconut, palm or ricin oils to such products. You can use this product every day without the risk of injury to the outer lipid layer.

Natural soap rarely has a bright color; usually the shades are close to pastel. It does not have a pungent odor. The oil content is at the level of 2-3%. To wash your face, you can use both natural factory soap and homemade handmade soap.

It is recommended to apply the product to the initially cleansed epidermis with light massage movements. Experts advise washing your face with soap as often as usual, but not more than once a day. The cost of such a product is higher, but natural Aleppo or Turkish olive soap will bring much more benefits.

Is there an alternative

Today, the world of cosmetology offers women and men who want to get rid of oily skin a wide range of cleansers.

As a good alternative to soap, you can use all kinds of gels that will deeply cleanse the skin and give it the desired matte finish.

For oily but at the same time sensitive skin, you can use milk for washing. It will enrich the skin with vitamins and help gently remove makeup residue.

In addition, all kinds of scrubs and tonics can be used as additional cleansing. The main thing is to choose the right ones according to their composition and age (some scrubs and masks can be successfully made at home).

If acne appears, what should you wash your face with?

Soap is a cosmetic product that contains about 10% active ingredient. The remaining components are oils, scrubbing particles (if it is intended for peeling), moisturizing and softening substances. The most popular types of soap for acne-prone skin:

• Degtyarnoe. It contains birch tar (about 10%), which contains many useful components (phenols, guaiacol, cresol, etc.). Tar soap has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant effects, so it is often recommended for use by people with problem skin. It penetrates deeply into the pores and helps cleanse them and remove sebaceous plugs. But it is not suitable for very dry, thin and sensitive skin, as it can cause severe irritation.119
• Salicylic. This cosmetic soap contains salicylic acid, which has a number of beneficial properties. It helps cleanse pores of impurities and sebaceous plugs, and remove dead epidermal cells. Salicylic soap, unlike aggressive cleansers, is gentle on the skin. It also helps to destroy pathogenic microflora, which reduces inflammation and reduces the amount of acne.141
• Bornoe. Soap with boric acid helps relieve skin irritation and redness and speed up healing. It also helps reduce sebum production and kill bacteria that cause inflammation. After washing with boron soap, there is no feeling of tightness, since it does not dry it out (due to the moisturizing components included in the composition).142
• Sernoye. Due to the presence of sulfuric acid in the composition, such soap has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic effects. It dissolves sebum well and removes impurities from pores. Soap with 3% sulfuric acid is usually recommended for deep cleansing of pores, reducing inflammation, and smoothing the epidermis. A more concentrated composition (10%) can be used to improve the condition of the skin with fungal diseases, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne.143

Sometimes manufacturers use a special coloring pigment to give color to a cosmetic product. If you are hypersensitive to these components, as well as to perfume fragrances, you should avoid such products.

Selection rules

There are the following rules for choosing soap for oily skin:

1. Good soap should not contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
2. It is best to give preference to trusted manufacturers of cosmetic soap, or prepare it yourself from natural ingredients.
3. Soap for washing should not contain alkali, as it leads to dry skin and its early aging.

4. If after washing with soap your skin feels tight, this means it is drying it out. It is better to refuse such a remedy.

5. A good soap for washing should moisturize the skin, cleanse pores, relieve inflammation and soften the epidermis. It should be gentle and not damage the skin.

Effect on the skin

Facial soap should perform several basic functions. These include:

• cleansing;
• disinfection;
• prevention of skin inflammation;
• hydration;
• nutrition and maintaining natural acid-base balance;

A regular cleanser can be used to cleanse the skin of the face, but its action is sometimes very aggressive. The fact is that the natural lipid layer necessary for the health and beauty of the skin is destroyed by alkaline substances.

As a result, not only the epidermis of the face suffers, but also the nails and skin of the hands.

The more sensitive your skin is, the more dangerous a regular alkaline product can be for it. Dry epidermis needs the additional use of emollients containing oils (almond, cocoa, shea butter) and vitamins.

With the help of the right soap, those with oily skin can not only get rid of unpleasant greasiness and shine, but also regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands. If the skin is normal or has a mixed type, then it is preferable to use a natural product with a neutral ph.

You can wash your face with soap if there are obvious problems: inflammation, cracks, acne, but you should use a product with an antibacterial composition in liquid or solid form from time to time. It is not recommended to use this soap every day. Moreover, the fight against the problem should be supplemented by the use of other means: lotions, special creams and others.

The effect of soap on the epidermis of the face is explained at the level of chemical reactions. The alkali and acid react to form glycerol and sodium salt. Thanks to them, any contaminants dissolve, and when washed off, dead pathogenic microorganisms are removed along with the dirt. Glycerin helps retain much-needed moisture.