Everyone’s skin is unique. What gives one person radiant, glowing skin might cause irritation for another. Selecting the right soap for your skin often involves trial and error, but it's crucial to choose products with certified organic, fair trade, and natural ingredients. "True soaps" are traditionally crafted from a blend of fatty acids and alkali salts, sourced from natural ingredients like plant-based oils. Because these soaps use only natural elements, they are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
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While our soaps are not specifically formulated for certain skin conditions, they may offer benefits in some cases. We strongly recommend consulting your dermatologist to determine which products are best suited for your skin. In this guide, we break down how our various scents and soaps affect skin so you can choose what’s best for you!
Which Scent Is Right for Me?
The essential oils used to scent Dr. Bronner’s soaps offer more than just pleasant aromas. Each scent has its own properties and benefits. Interestingly, these oils can have different effects on skin.
Mild Scents for Dry, Sensitive Skin
The mildest option is the Unscented. It contains no essential oils and has double the amount of olive oil compared to other scents, making it extra gentle for the skin. This soap is ideal for those with sensitive or very dry skin or for those who prefer to add their own essential oil blend.
Almond and Rose scents (available only in Castile Soaps) are also gentle on sensitive or dry skin. Among the Organic Sugar Soaps, the Lemongrass Lime scent is a milder option.
Neutral Scents for Balanced Skin
Citrus, Lavender, and Tea Tree scents are suitable for skin that's not too dry or oily. Research shows that tea tree essential oil is particularly beneficial for balancing the skin and combating bacteria, fungal infections, and acne [1].
Stronger Scents for Oily Skin
Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oils, containing menthol and eucalyptol respectively, are invigorating and help clear congestion. Eucalyptus was once recommended for acne treatment before Tea Tree became the preferred option. Peppermint is especially cooling on hot days or after physical activity, as menthol activates cold receptors in the skin. However, menthol can increase transepidermal water loss, making these scents less suitable for sensitive or dry skin.
Which Type of Soap Should I Choose?
Here’s a breakdown of each type of Dr. Bronner’s soap, ranked from most to least moisturizing.
1. Most Moisturizing: Organic Shaving Soap
Don’t let the name fool you! Organic Shaving Soap is not just for shaving. It is a highly moisturizing soap. Its ingredients are concentrated with Shikakai powder and sugar, making it thicker and nourishing.
During harsh winters, when indoor heating, low humidity, and cold weather dry out skin and hair, Organic Shaving Soap can be used from head to toe. It soothes and moisturizes parched, itchy skin and revitalizes dry hair. This soap proves to be an effective all-over body wash despite its name.
2. Organic Sugar Soap
Organic Sugar Soap is designed to work in a pump to provide more moisture and softness to the skin. Starting with a base of Unscented Castile Liquid Soap, it replaces water with organic white grape juice and organic sucrose (sugar) as natural humectants, which draw moisture into the skin.
The Organic Shikakai powder, a natural saponin, gives the Sugar Soap its distinctive caramel color. Shikakai is known for its ability to condition and nourish skin and hair while cleaning gently, preserving natural oils. It lowers the pH of the Sugar Soap to 8.5 ± 0.5, making it extra gentle on dry skin.
3. Castile Bar Soap
Castile Bar Soap is not just dehydrated liquid soap wrapped in a bar. Though similar, a few modifications give the bar its hardness and a slight increase in moisture. Palm oil, replacing palm kernel oil, produces a hard soap that doesn't get soggy in water. Palm oil contains stearic acid, which some find less drying than the lauric acid in coconut oil. Additionally, sodium chloride (table salt) hardens the bar and matches the skin's natural salinity.
What truly enhances the bar soap's moisturizing properties is a process called super-fatting. In Castile Liquid Soap, hemp seed and jojoba oils are saponified with the coconut and olive oils. In the Castile Bar Soap, these oils are added after saponification, remaining in their original form to nourish the skin.
4. Castile Liquid Soap
Castile Liquid Soap is a simple, classic, and incredibly versatile option for cleaning everything from oneself to pets and dishes. Made with organic vegetable oils such as coconut, olive, and palm kernel oils, it is ideal for all, including babies and those with sensitive skin.
Castile Liquid Soap is exceptionally clean-rinsing, with minimal ingredients that make it suitable for easily irritated skin. However, if your skin requires more moisture, the more moisturizing alternatives listed above may be better for you.
Because everyone is unique, we understand that it can be challenging to find the right scent and type for you, especially if you have sensitivities. We encourage customers to be mindful that individual reactions can vary.
