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.

Rating of the best

If a long search for the optimal facial product is not part of your plans, pay attention to the rating of the best skin care products with the safest composition and high efficiency.

Table 2. Best soap suitable for washing your face.

The list can be supplemented with other natural remedies, for example, “Aleppo extra” and Turkish. This soap will be an excellent choice for those who suffer from hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands.

Skin population

Even clean human skin harbors many bacteria. This is an established community with a formed population ratio, which feeds on particles of dead epidermis, sebum and keratin hair scales. The number of bacteria on one square centimeter of skin can reach several hundred thousand individuals. Most of them are in protected from light and damp places - in the armpits or interdigital folds. The natural microflora
of human skin is not just a harmless parasite.
Humans' own bacteria inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms on the skin and are involved in the processing of skin proteins, free fatty acids and sebum. There is evidence in favor of a connection between the normal state of skin microflora and immunity. Active antibacterial components contained in special cosmetics kill bacteria
and disrupt their balance on the skin.
Other, more dangerous guests take the place of the dead. For example, inflammation-causing fungi or pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, hygiene products with pronounced antibacterial properties are indicated only when absolutely necessary: ​​heavy sweating and the accompanying odor - a sign of excessive growth of bacteria. Save the “disinfecting” soap for traveling by train or going to the country. And when buying soap, carefully read its composition indicated on the label. If triclosan
or
triclocarban
, this soap is classified as antibacterial.

Better bar soap manufacturers

The solid soap market is represented by various manufacturers. The rating of the best bar soap manufacturers for 2022, compiled based on user recommendations, will help you understand which company’s products are better and make your choice.

Soap company Spivak

Russian manufacturer of natural cosmetics, handmade oils and soaps, the production of which is carried out using a cold method, which allows preserving the beneficial properties of the ingredients. It should be noted that this manufacturer does not use animal fats in its production.

Nubian Heritage

The brand appeared in the New York area of ​​Harlem, which is predominantly inhabited by African Americans. The company was founded by street vendors, initially specializing in the production of soaps made according to African recipes, including an authentic black African product.

Levrana

Brand of 1 more Russian manufacturer of organic cosmetics, including handmade ones, using only natural ingredients. It should be noted that it has one of the best ratios of price and quality of products, which is a budget option.

L'Occitane

French cosmetics company with a long history of producing high quality natural cosmetics and perfumes. Products from this manufacturer have a wonderful aroma and do not dry out the skin. The only disadvantage of this company's products is their high cost.

Romanov Soap Factory

This Russian company has been operating on the market since 2011. When preparing soap, they use the hot method. All additives included in the product are herbal.

Weleda

Cosmetics company created in Switzerland. Currently, the company's divisions are located in more than 50 countries around the world. Weleda products contain only natural ingredients. The use of artificial ingredients is excluded.

MI&KO

A family Russian company founded in 2009. It produces natural cosmetics and environmental products for the home. It should be noted that many of this company’s projects have a social orientation.

Reviews

Victoria, 25 years old

I often washed my face with simple soap and didn’t even think that such dry skin was caused by it! It turns out that using this product is strictly contraindicated for me! Now I have switched to a special foam from Nature Republic. And the price is normal, and the result is good.

Elizaveta, 27 years old

I have oily skin, so soap is my savior! I can’t even imagine how I would live without him! I use Bioderma (I have almost all skincare products from this company) and I really like the results! There were no problems with irritation or dryness. I advise everyone to try it!

Angelica, 31 years old

I really love Israeli cosmetics and especially products from GLYCOPURE. It's just the perfect solution for my problem skin. By the way, when there is a really bad rash, I wash my face with simple tar soap, it really helps. The only downside is that the smell is not particularly pleasant! I don’t recommend washing your face in the morning!

Maria, 41 years old

I tried many different washes, including cheap ones like the clean line and expensive Korean ones. I liked the soap the most and by the way I recommend it Mare Chiaro! It contains natural clay, which perfectly cleanses the skin, removes toxins, evens out the tone, in general, it would take a long time to describe all the advantages, but the product is worth its price!

Selection rules

When thinking about which soap to buy for your face, keep in mind that there are several forms of release. In this regard, there are the following recommendations:

1. Neutral or extra firm is suitable for oily skin. These contain up to 78% fatty acids. Solid products do not get wet from water and do not foam well.
2. Children's products are safe because they are made from natural softening ingredients and substances: lanolin, glycerin, decoctions of medicinal plants. They are perfect for those with sensitive skin with an increased tendency to allergies.
3. Cream soaps contain many moisturizing ingredients. They have a pleasant soft consistency. Such products are recommended for use when peeling on the face. They also provide gentle protection in winter.
4. Liquid products are very convenient to use. They are recommended for use on normal skin because their pH is very close to natural.
5. Handmade facial products can contain a variety of, but always natural, ingredients. You need to choose a recipe based on your type of appearance and individual characteristics.

For dry skin, a gentle moisturizing cream cleanser with plant extracts and essential oils is ideal. For oily skin, it is better to take a solid and neutral one without alkali: this will provide gentle cleansing and moderate moisturizing, and will not dissolve the natural protective layer. For those with combination skin, choosing the best facial soap is the most difficult. It is better to take a hypoallergenic one with vegetable oils.

How to wash your face with soap?

Soap can be used both as a means for regular washing and as an ingredient for the preparation of other equally effective care products. Here are some useful tips:

• dissolved soap base with herbal decoctions - a natural, environmentally friendly face gel;
• soap base, whipped with water - a gorgeous foam.

It can also be added to scrubs, peels and masks.

An important rule is not to use the same product over and over again. The body tends to get used to cosmetic products and, as a result, does not respond to the components. The maximum number of washes with the same soap is up to 5 times a week.

The exception to the rule is oily skin. For her, such procedures throughout the week will only be beneficial. It is strictly forbidden for girls with dry epidermis to frequently use this method, as this can cause peeling, dehydration, and irritation.

Under no circumstances should foam come into contact with the area around the eyes. This can lead to redness, dryness and other problems.

This would be ideal for washing in the evening, before applying a care product, for example, cream or lotion.

Can I use laundry soap?

Popular products also include laundry soap. Many girls boldly claim that this product is effective and useful, while others talk about its dangers and harmfulness! Here are a few positive qualities in defense of this “helper”:

• does not contain fragrances or dyes;
• acts as a good antiseptic;
• dries out pimples and acne;
• whitens.

As for the shortcomings, there are not much fewer of them! This product should not be used because it:

• disrupts the natural balance of water, causing the epithelium to suffer from excessive dryness and wrinkles to form prematurely;
• damages the natural protective barrier, which leads to irritation and rashes;
• aggressively affects the epidermis, which allows you to get not only good cleanliness, but also serious depletion.

Never use it on dry or sensitive skin! Also, do not forget that laundry soap contains a huge amount of alkali, which is dangerous for your facial health!

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.

Contraindications

Any person should not wash his face with soap too often, and some people should not use it at all. Contraindications for use are:

• too sensitive and dry skin;
• presence of a ban from a dermatologist or cosmetologist;
• peeling, microcracks, jams and other wounds;
• rosacea;
• numerous wrinkles;
• extensive inflammation;
• narrowed pores;
• rehabilitation period after serious cosmetic procedures.

What types of soap are there?

Source: @am_happy_soap

Sindet

If you bought bar soap at the pharmacy, most likely you bought a syndet bar. It is a bar soap made from synthetic surfactants that is processed differently than traditional soap. Synthetic detergent is not made from animal fats and oils, but from synthetic ingredients. But don't be afraid of artificial ingredients. Some of the gentlest products on the market are made from synthetic ingredients.

Syndet bars are not technically considered soap. The ingredients here are not saponified due to the absence of alkaline salts of fatty acids. In fact, the word “syndet” comes from a combination of “synthetic” and “detergent.” That is why manufacturers of syndet bars do not have the right to advertise them as soap. They replace the term "bar of soap" with words such as "cleansing soap", "beauty soap", "bath soap".

Fat soap

This soap is made with the addition of additional oils. They make it more moisturizing, but some people find it too heavy on the skin and not cleansing enough.

Transparent soap

Both true soap and syndet soap can be transparent. This soap has added glycerin to enhance moisturizing properties. Sometimes the extra glycerin makes the soap softer, but not always.

Combination soap

Combination soap is usually a combination of various cleansing agents, most often fatty and synthetic components. They help reduce irritation and dryness.

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.

Benefits of washing with soap

Soap can easily be classified as a classic skin care product. If previously there was not a particularly large assortment of this product on sale, today manufacturers offer a lot of products, among which there are special lines for the body, face, intimate hygiene and household purposes.

The main thing is the composition! The less aggressive components it contains, the more gentle the body care will be. The presence of moisturizing and nutritional components that contribute to the rapid restoration of the epidermis after the procedure also plays an important role.

Benefits of using soap:

• helps cope with inflammatory processes;
• fills the face with moisture and helps preserve it;
• dries the body, thereby reducing the number of pimples and acne;
• eliminates oily shine and excess sebum;
• whitens the skin, reducing blackheads and age spots.

For washing, it is important to use products with a minimum amount of alkali, because it is this component that disrupts the natural protective barrier, which negatively affects not only the appearance, but also the health of the epidermis.

Products for oily skin, as a rule, always contain antibacterial components, for example, extract from calendula or chamomile. For dry skin, coconut, sea buckthorn or argan oils are most often added.

What to remember

1. During the day, to avoid infections, it is enough to wash your hands
with regular soap after visiting the toilet, playing with animals, upon returning from the street, before and after preparing food.
2. Weekly “bath” - washing too rarely. Also, do not reduce the number of hygiene procedures in winter
, despite the dry air and apparent cleanliness - dust and other contaminants still get on the skin.
3. Adolescence and problem skin
are not a reason to wash less often.
Frequent washing will not harm your skin. 4. For intimate hygiene,
warm water at a comfortable temperature is usually enough.
If you use detergents, then antibacterial ones are not particularly recommended. 5. If you wash regularly and keep your body clean, but the unpleasant odor
still remains, consult a doctor. Perhaps you have some kind of disease.

Price

Buying soap will not be difficult. You can buy it in an online store, at a pharmacy, or at an ordinary retail point of sale. Before ordering a product from the catalog, make sure that it will be supplied from an official manufacturer. The price depends on many parameters; there are both products that are very inexpensive and options for people with unlimited funds. You can see the approximate cost in the table below:

Compound

Many manufacturers have abandoned the use of aggressive components due to the popularization of natural products. Cosmetic companies enrich the composition of soap with products of natural origin. But not all companies show such responsibility, and therefore it is important to learn how to independently analyze the composition and choose only a safe cleaning product.

Table 1. What soap can consist of, and to what extent the “chemistry” will not cause harm.

Please note: the composition stated on the packaging may differ from the real one, so it is recommended to give preference to products that have proven themselves and have a certificate of conformity and safety.

• Quick view

  Soap for problem skin Madame Heng Acne Clear It is unlikely that there will be a cosmetic product that can beat Acne Clear Soap from the Thai brand Madame Heng in terms of reliability, effectiveness and health safety. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, Acne clear soap will quickly relieve the skin of various defects: rashes, irritations, inflammations, suppurations, acne, wounds from insect bites.

  370 ₽

• Quick view
  Natural soap-scrub “Gak and Passion Fruit” REUNROM The cosmetic company REUNROM from Thailand produces scrub soap “Gak and Passion Fruit”, unique in its composition. Gaka fruit squeeze is widely used in Asian medicine and is rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants. Passion fruit juice has an antiseptic effect, reduces the secretion of the sebaceous glands, and evens out the complexion. Interspersed with strawberry and black sesame seeds give the soap the amazing properties of an outlandish scrub.

  160 ₽

• Quick view
  Soap-scrub “Ginseng and Swallow’s Nest” Reunrom Soap-scrub “Ginseng and Swallow’s Nest” from REUNROM consists of natural biological active ingredients that have been used for centuries in oriental cosmetology. It is intended for face and body care. The product delicately cleanses the skin, has a scrubbing effect, opens pores and normalizes cell nutrition. It can be used several times a week.

  160 ₽

• Quick view
  Natural handmade soap with jasmine BIOAQUA Reviews 2 Natural handmade soap with jasmine BIOAQUA Jasmine Natural Oil Soap contains natural ingredients that give the skin gentle and delicate care. It perfectly cleanses, moisturizes and softens the skin, giving it a well-groomed appearance.

  150 ₽

• Quick view
  Natural handmade soap with blueberries BIOAQUA Reviews 1 Natural handmade soap with blueberry extract BIOAQUA BlueBerry Natural Oil Soap gives a feeling of freshness and comfort for the whole day. Easily foams and penetrates deeply into pores, maximally cleansing the skin of the face.

  150 ₽