6 of the best bar soaps

Right now, bar soap is the surprise hit of the beauty industry. Where they were once astringent and harsh on skin (good for cleaning, but not much else), these new offerings deliver a host of additional benefits; yes, they cleanse, but they also contain high-tech skincare ingredients – some even re-hydrate. Bars are also a much more environmentally friendly choice compared to bottled cleansing products, as they’re far lighter on packaging. These are the soaps worth getting to grips with…

Made with deep-cleansing charcoal, this soap from facialist Joanna Vargas acts like a magnet, drawing dirt and bacteria out from your pores. The addition of shea butter ensures skin is left nourished, soft and supple, not dry or tight. It’s just as beneficial when used on your body, so keep this one in your shower.

If you’re looking for a one-size-fits-all soap, try this natural and organic pebble – it’s gentle enough to be used on kids and grown-ups alike. Scented with geranium and zingy peppermint, it will invigorate and uplift, adding a spring to your morning step – something we all need before that morning caffeine hit.

As a skincare ingredient, silver is exceptional at helping to heal blemishes because it is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. This soap from Argentum Apothecary has gained a loyal fan base because it contains silver hydrosol (a concoction of silver ions suspended in purified water) plus DNA HP (a marine ingredient that hydrates) and bentonite clay to absorb excess oil that would otherwise clog pores and result in further breakouts. Use morning and evening for best results.

This clever cleanser is evidence of how far bar soaps have come. Thanks to its nourishing formula of fruit oils, glycerin and aloe vera, this soap from renowned hair colorist Christophe Robin gently cleans hair but also intensely rehydrates, making it the perfect shampoo bar for anyone who colors their hair. It’s also great for traveling as it’s one less liquid you have to get through security.

Acid-based toners containing mild exfoliators are incredibly popular right now thanks to their ability to gently resurface and brighten. This is the acid toner’s bar soap equivalent; it’s formulated with radiance-boosting fruit acids that brighten dull, flagging faces, plus time-released brightening ingredients that essentially block the formation of new pigmentation.

There is no reason why a shower can’t be as indulgent as a bath now that this beautifully scented soap has stepped up the in-shower luxury, with all the scents familiar to a Moroccan hammam. Created with a nourishing combination of olive oil, shea butter and vitamin E, it leaves skin silky soft, while essential oils of lemon, sage, grapefruit and white blossom scent both your body and bathroom.