When did everyone suddenly stop using soap bars? This is a question I often find myself pondering.
Growing up, soap bars were a bathroom staple. In most homes, you’d find the amber translucence of Pears or a creamy Dove perched beside the sink. At my grandmother’s house, Imperial Leather reigned supreme. The memory of its paper label clinging on until the very end fascinated me. A single bar somehow lasted months. It ought to be studied.
But somewhere along the way, the trusted bar of soap slipped down the drain of fashion. In its place? Shower gel. Brightly coloured goo eked out from a long bottle. Bathrooms suddenly became cluttered with plastic bottles, and bars of soap began to feel a thing of the past.
It can be gentler on the skin
From a scientific POV, soap bars offer many draws, especially if you have sensitive skin. Dermatologist, Dr Anna Andrienko from Dr Duci Clinics London, tells me that “When formulated well, [they] can be very beneficial for the skin. One of the key positives is simplicity. Many high-quality bar soaps contain fewer preservatives and unnecessary additives compared to liquid cleansers, which can make them a good option for those with sensitive or reactive skin.”
Aside from the standard offerings on the high street, there’s a whole world of luxury bar soap available from both bigger and independent brands. Many five-star hotels still opt for bar soap, and luxury brands like Loewe, Dries Van Noten, Chanel, and Dior all make the stuff; a luxury take on an everyday staple that’s a more affordable way to buy into their brand.
Another big tick, especially in the sustainability stakes? Not only is proper soap stripped of unnecessary packaging, but it also offers an immediate solution to reducing household waste. Plus, soap is really rather chic, especially if you’re after a small housewarming or dinner party gift.
Say hello to soap 2.0
Brands have reimagined bars of soap as objects of desire. Loewe’s take on soap-on-a-rope is so stylish, it’s worthy of a birthday gift, and Santa Maria Novella’s Melograno soap is heady enough to perfume an entire bathroom. Across the pond, brands like Flamingo Estate craft beautifully coloured artisanal soap, producing bars from ingredients grown on founder Richard Christiansen’s LA estate.
Elsewhere, Soft Services has built a cult following. Their minimalist bars are something to proudly display beside any available sink, strictly for those in the know.
These luxury soaps are richly fragranced and formulated with high-quality skin-conditioning ingredients that match their top liquid counterparts. Newer ‘superfatted’ soaps ensure gentle cleansing, without stripping the moisture from skin, and they’re easy to form a lather. The sensory pay-off is huge.
For those looking to make a small but meaningful shift in their daily routine, the answer may be as simple as a bar of soap. I’ve rounded up my favourite luxury options below for your consideration.
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Horace, Italian bergamot & peppermint soap
French grooming brand Horace has injected life into the everyday soap bar with its range of superfatted formulas.
The bars are designed to cleanse without ruining the skin’s natural moisture barrier by ensuring that all the lye is fully consumed during production. All the fragrance in the soap is 100 per cent natural, made from a blend of essential oils.
The range spans classic cleansing bars to lightly exfoliating options. Standouts include the fresh eucalyptus and sage, as well as the brighter Italian bergamot and peppermint.
Horace even sells a cute metal soap case (£8), complete with drainage holes, great if you want to travel with your soap without making a sudsy mess.
Buy now £6.50, Horace
Santa Maria Novella Tabacco Toscano Soap
This legendary Florentine pharmacy is home to some iconic scents, such as the Melagrano pomegranate perfume, which comes in many forms (perfume, cream, potpourri). The pharmacy offers 16 varieties of soap, with Tabacco being the global favourite.
It offers an earthy aroma which sits nicely under perfume. Expect the same woody notes you’ll find in the brand’s Tabacco Toscano Eau de Cologne, meaning it’s perfect for scent layering.
Buy now £25.20, Liberty
Dulcie Exfoliating Seaweed Block
Now, this isn’t your average soap bar. It weighs in at a whopping 365g, with the idea being that you cut it down to size — super convenient if you travel a lot, or have an unusual-shaped soap dish.
The point of the jumbo size is two-fold: to cut waste and minimise packaging and repeat shipments, which are big ticks for affordability and sustainability if you ask me. You’ll only need to buy two or three bars to last you the whole year.
This soap is the very first product from Dulcie, formerly known as Haeckles, and it’s made using hand-harvested seaweed that washed up on a Margate beach. The aloe vera in the soap leaves skin feeling smooth and soft, following the gentle exfoliation.
Buy now £25.00, Dulcie
Jo Malone Revitalise Exfoliating Soap
If you’re seeking that expensive hotel soap smell, Jo Malone London’s bar does exactly that.
The formula contains natural lemon peel, bay laurel and verbena essential oils, all chosen for their energising qualities. This bar is inspired by the wellness rituals used in the Roman baths, and gently buffs away dead skin, leaving skin smelling bright and fresh.
Buy now £16.00, Jo Malone
Aesop Refresh Bar Soap
Aesop’s bar carries an immensely fresh and citrusy smell, which comes from the citrus botanical oils in the soap. It’s much lighter than many of Aesop’s core fragrances, and it’s suitable for both hands and body. The soap produces a gentle lather that cleanses without that uncomfortable tight feeling that some soaps have.
Buy now £21.00, Aesop
Creed Aventus Perfumed Soap
This is a soapy extension of one of Creed’s most popular perfumes, and it comes in his and hers scents. Presented with the same care as its fragrance counterpart, the soap arrives neatly boxed and wrapped in tissue paper. This is the ideal choice for those looking for a punchier smelling soap that leaves a long lasting scent on the skin. It also works as a great base for building up perfume. If you want to smell fresh for longer, match with a few spritzes of Creed Aventus to maximise the scent.
Buy now £40.00, Space NK
L'Occitane Verbena Extra-Gentle Body Soap
L’Occitane’s Verbena range is famed for its pleasant zesty aroma; a scent that translates brilliantly into bar form. This soap is produced using traditional cauldron methods in Haute-Provence. It uses shea butter to prevent dryness, but still gives you that squeaky clean feel after use. Additional aromas include green notes of leaves, citrus fruits and eucalyptus. Your bathroom will be perfumed for hours after use!
Buy now £12.00, Sephora
Mirror Water BUTTER BRICK Solid Face and Body Cleanser 95g
Sumptuous buttery goodness comes courtesy of Mirror Water's cleansing bar. It's loaded with shea butter to leave skin clean and hydrated. Gentle enough to use on all areas, including the face — Abha Shah
Was: £14
Buy now £12.60, Liberty
Glossier Body Hero Exfoliating Bar
Specially designed to sit snugly in the palm of your hand, Glossier's exfoliating bar of pink soap will leave you feeling squeaky clean but not tight and dry like the soaps of old.
The brand has included a bevvy of ingredients to exfoliate, moisturise and lightly fragrance your limbs. Rinse well first before massaging onto skin in a circular motion to raise a luxurious lather — Abha Shah
Buy now £18.00, Space NK
Flamingo Estate Green Leaf Parsley Soap Brick
This delightfully chunky cube-shaped bar from Flamingo Estate is not something you want to drop in the shower.
Its garden-led scent blends sharp Roman parsley with aromatic rosemary, creating something green, fresh and slightly wild — perfect for morning invigoration. The formula is made from extra virgin olive oil, which delivers a rich, nourishing cleanse, while French green clay gently purifies the skin.
Founded by Richard Christiansen, Flamingo Estate champions a slower, more intentional kind of luxury. The entire brand has a strong focus on nature and craft. They also do other fun scents like tomato and rose.
Buy now £36.00, Scented
