It’s not always easy to find a good bar soap. If it smells good, it’s usually loaded with synthetic ingredients that make your skin feel dry. Or, if it’s good for the skin, it normally doesn’t have a delightful scent.
Surely, there’s got to be a middle ground? Well, I’ve been doing some research and I’ve found 12 of the best smelling bar soaps that are kind to the skin and will leave you feeling clean and refreshed.
Watch our selection of the best smelling bar soaps in this video:
12 Best Smelling Bar Soaps
1. Pre De Provence Bar Soap – Best Smelling Bar Soap
This list is all about great smelling bar soaps, and none do it better than Pre de Provence with this luxurious and heavenly scented bar of soap. I’ve chosen the honey almond scent which is fresh and delicate but super long-lasting. However, if that isn’t up your street then there are tons of other scents to choose from including mint, milk, lemon, tiger lily, and much more.
This is a hugely moisturizing soap that’s been made using French soap-making traditions. It’s ideal for every use, whether that’s on the bathroom vanity, in the shower, or at the kitchen sink; nobody can say it’s not versatile. However, do keep in mind that this costs slightly more per bar than some other soaps which can be a drawback depending on your budget.
2. Dr. Squatch All Natural Bar Soap – Best Smelling Bar Soap For Men
These highly aromatic soaps come in sets of three with masculine, rich, and enticing fragrances that feel more like a cologne than a soap. This is definitely the major selling point of the Dr. Squatch soaps but you’ll also notice that they’re ideal for sensitive skin and are incredibly gentle.
Moreover, they have exfoliating properties so your skin will glow after every wash. That said, they’re not exactly loaded with hydrating ingredients so might not be the best option for those with dry skin.
3. Luxiny Bar Soap – Best Smelling Bar Soap For Women
Ladies, if you want a bar soap that’s going to smell fresh, elegant, and beautiful then you have to try the Luxiny bar soap. They’re fragranced with natural ingredients like tea tree, rosemary, lavender, and mint. Not only does this mean they smell great on your skin but you might even get some aromatherapy benefits in the shower.
The Luxiny soaps are also designed with your skin in mind and contain ingredients that will help to reduce wrinkles, fight pimples, and keep your skin hydrated. While they do have a heavy fragrance, some people find that the lather is a little lackluster.
4. Dove Beauty Bar – Best Smelling Bar Soap For Sensitive Skin
Dove is well known for creating skin-friendly products that are bursting with moisture and this Beauty Bar is no exception. While it has that elegant, clean Dove fragrance that we all know and love, it’s also packed with ingredients that will make your skin feel soft and smooth.
It’s ideal for washing all over your body making it one of the more versatile soaps on this list. However, I did notice when using this soap that the fragrance doesn’t last all that long on the skin which is a little disappointing. But for an everyday cleanser that’s kind to skin, I’d highly recommend it.
5. O Naturals Black Soap Collection – Best Smelling Organic Bar Soap
There’s a lot of focus on organic ingredients and not many brands do it better than O Naturals. These black soaps are designed to fight conditions like acne so they’re perfect if you regularly suffer from breakouts. But don’t worry, the soaps won’t dry out your skin because they’re packed with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter.
Since these bar soaps are tripled milled, the goodness and fragrance are locked in meaning you get something much longer-lasting. That means they’re great if you’re looking for good value for money. The one thing that keeps coming back, however, is that the soap does leave something of a film on the skin.
6. Irish Spring Bar Soap – Best Smelling Deodorant Soap For Men
If you’re looking for a great deodorant soap for men then Irish Spring should be one of your go-to brands. It has a refreshing and uplifting scent that I think is perfect for waking yourself up in your morning shower.
What’s more, it contains flaxseed oil which is excellent for keeping the skin hydrated. This soap also is not irritating to the skin and the mild formula cleanses and refreshes gently yet effectively. Do keep in mind, however, that if you’re after something with a scent that packs a punch all day, this might not be the right product for you.
7. Dial Antibacterial Gold – Best Smelling Deodorant Soap For Women
Finding the right soap for female body odor can feel like a challenge but I’m super confident in the effectiveness of this antibacterial soap from Dial. It will kill bacteria that are responsible for causing a stink but also has a lot of uber moisturizing ingredients to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
It feels luxurious in the shower and forms a rich and creamy lather with a fragrance that does well at lasting through the day. But while it is moisturizing, the ingredients for this purpose can make the skin feel a little oily so if you’ve got naturally oily skin, it’s probably best to steer clear of this one.
8. La Chatelaine Bar Soap – Best Smelling Luxury Bar Soap
Want to have something extra special for your guest bathroom or a special occasion? Then I have found the perfect bar soap for you. These beautifully packaged soaps are a little more expensive so they’d make a perfect gift but while this might be considered a downside, they perform so well, it’s worth it.
They’ve got some beautifully nourishing ingredients like shea butter which keeps the skin soft and hydrated as well as argan oil and Vitamin E for super cleansed and cared for skin. Oh and I should mention that they’re entirely cruelty-free which is a massive plus!
9. Amish Farms Natural Bar Soap – Best Smelling Handmade Bar Soap
One of the best things about the Amish Farm bar soaps, in my opinion, is that they’re not made with any harmful chemical ingredients. Just 100% natural loveliness for your skin. I should also point out that they have a beautiful floral fragrance that’s sweet and comforting.
However, the fragrance is quite delicate so it might not be the best choice if you want something that’ll hit the nose all day long.
Using a traditional Amish recipe, these soaps are created to boost the skin’s hydration and leave it feeling cleansed and fresh. Since they’re so beautifully packaged, why not buy them as a gift for a loved one?
10. O Naturals Citrus Bar Soap Collection – Best Smelling Vegan Bar Soap
I love a vegan-friendly product. Even if you’re not vegan, you’re getting all the benefits of a plant-based, cruelty-free product so there’s not much to dislike. These soaps from O Naturals are bursting with a fresh, herbal fragrance that lasts pretty well on the skin. But be mindful that they don’t contain real essential oils which is a bit disappointing.
They’re particularly good if you suffer from breakouts but will suit all skin types thanks to the range of versatile ingredients. The lather is rich and creamy and the soap glides over the skin making for a truly luxe bathing experience.
11. Tom’s of Maine Beauty Bar Creamy Coconut – Best Smelling Moisturizing Bar Soap
Do you have very dry skin? If you do then you’ll need a bar soap that is packed with moisturizers and this one from Tom’s Of Maine is perfect. Made with coconut oil, the soap is ideal for soothing dry skin and restoring hydration without using anything but natural ingredients.
While the soap is incredibly gentle on your skin, it does an amazing job at getting it clean so you get the best of both worlds. The only downside is that this isn’t a very long-lasting soap; it turns to mush very quickly so I’d suggest this for use in an occasional setting like a guest bathroom.
12. Bali Soap Sandalwood – Best Smelling Cruelty-Free Bar Soap
OK, this is a bit of a splurge so if you’re looking for a bargain then this soap might not be for you. However, since it is cruelty-free and bursting with luxurious ingredients, I just had to include it on my list.
I’ve chosen the sandalwood scent which is long-lasting, sweet, and woody. However, there is a huge range of scents to choose from depending on your taste. The soap features plant-based oils that will intensely nourish and hydrate the skin as well as no nasties like parabens so you can feel confident in how gentle it is.
Bar Soap Buying Guide
Choosing between the huge array of bar soaps available on the market can feel quite overwhelming. But it needn’t be that way. It’s really important to look at what your skin needs and this will help you make the right decision.
For example, if you have very dry skin on your hands then you’ll want to look for bar soaps that contain ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, and aloe vera. However, it pays to be careful if you have very sensitive skin as some ingredients can cause irritation.
In this case, you should look for bar soaps that have 100% natural ingredients. Anything that contains chemicals or things like parabens can exacerbate existing skin conditions. Sometimes, you may have to try out various bar soaps as even natural ingredients can cause a reaction in very sensitive people.
I have extremely sensitive skin and even after one application of certain products, no matter how natural, I’ve broken out in hives, and my skin flakes and peels. It’s not pleasant so always put your skin first and listen to what it’s telling you.
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Soaps
It’s gaining popularity for companies to create vegan-friendly products since people are more inclined to buy soap that isn’t tested on animals and doesn’t contain animal ingredients. Artisanal, handmade soaps are usually vegan friendly, but make sure you check before you buy.
Face, Body, and Hands
The bar soap that you use on your hands may be different from the soap that your facial skin or the skin on your body needs. You could buy different soaps for each part of your body but there are plenty out there that have all-in-one action and provide everything your skin needs.
Scent Is Everything
It’s super important to make sure that you choose bar soaps that benefit your skin. However, the last thing you want is something that leaves an unpleasant aroma behind. For this reason, it’s a good idea to try out different smells and find what is pleasing to your nose.
You might even use different bar soaps for different occasions. If you’re relaxing in the bath after a long day, a lavender-scented soap is ideal. However, you wouldn’t use that for your morning shower; and uplifting sea scented or citrus soap would be best here.