Soap or Nope: Is Natural Soap Safe for Your Face?
We’ve all been there—ready to rinse away the day’s chaos in a steamy shower, only to find your go-to face wash is running on empty. All you’ve got is your reliable natural soap for your body, and you’re left wondering if it can handle the job for your face. If this hits close to home, keep reading to see if that bar of natural soap can actually save the day (and your face).
What Is a Natural Soap?
A natural soap is a type of soap made from ingredients found in nature, free from synthetic additives, harsh chemicals, and artificial fragrances. Typically, natural soaps are crafted using plant-based oils like olive, coconut, or shea butter, combined with natural lye through a process called saponification. They often include essential oils for fragrance, natural colorants like clay or herbs, and other skin-loving ingredients like oatmeal, honey, or aloe vera. The result is a gentle, nourishing soap that cleanses without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.
Is Using a Natural Bar of Soap Safe for the Face?
The short answer is yes—but with a few caveats. Since natural soaps are crafted with gentle ingredients, they’re kinder to your skin compared to chemical-laden cleansers that can strip away natural oils. Given that your facial skin is more delicate and sensitive than the rest of your body, natural soap is definitely a solid alternative.
However, not all natural soaps are created equal. Some may contain ingredients that are too harsh for facial skin, like certain essential oils that can be irritating. So, while the idea of using a natural soap is appealing, make sure it’s one that’s gentle enough for your face.
Benefits of Using Natural Soaps for the Face
Now that we’ve cleared up the safety question, let’s dive into the benefits of using natural soap on your face.
1. Free from Harsh Chemicals
Natural soaps typically don’t contain the sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances found in conventional soaps and cleansers. This makes them less likely to cause irritation, redness, or allergic reactions.
2. Eco-Friendly
Many natural soaps are made with sustainably sourced ingredients and come in minimal packaging, making them a great choice for eco-conscious consumers.
3. Nourishing Ingredients
Natural soaps often come with skin-loving perks like glycerin for a hydration boost and essential oils that soothe inflammation or balance oil production. And here’s a fun twist—some natural soaps now include CBD, a powerful natural ingredient derived from the cannabis plant. CBD brings anti-inflammatory benefits, along with anti-aging and anti-acne magic, making your skincare routine even more rewarding.
4. Customizable
If you have specific skin concerns, you can find natural soaps formulated with ingredients that target those issues, whether it’s dryness, acne, or sensitivity.
Are Natural Soaps Non-Comedogenic?
Here’s where things get a little tricky. The term "non-comedogenic" means that a product is formulated in a way that it won’t clog your pores—a key concern for anyone prone to acne. This is important because clogged pores can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Non-comedogenic products are designed to be lightweight and free of ingredients known to cause breakouts, making them ideal for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
While many natural soaps are indeed non-comedogenic, it’s not a blanket rule. Ingredients like coconut oil, for instance, can be comedogenic for some people, meaning they might lead to breakouts. On the other hand, natural soaps made with ingredients like jojoba oil or CBD are less likely to clog pores and can be a better choice for acne-prone skin.
The best approach is to know your skin type and choose a natural soap with ingredients that work well with your skin. If you’re unsure, it might be worth doing a patch test on a small area of your face before fully committing.
Facial Wash versus Natural Soap: Which Is Better to Use?
Cleansers and bar soaps might seem like they're cut from the same cloth, but their formulations reveal their true colors. According to Dr. Christopher Chu, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Pure Dermatology, while both aim to clean your skin, their approaches differ significantly.
Facial cleansers are usually packed with hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to pamper your skin and lock in moisture. They also tend to have a more balanced pH, which can be crucial for maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. On the other hand, bar soaps are more like your skin’s bouncers, tackling oil, debris, and pollutants with a no-nonsense approach. So, while your cleanser is on a mission to hydrate and soothe, your bar soap is busy scrubbing away the day’s grime.
Natural soaps, on the other hand, offer simplicity and fewer ingredients—meaning fewer chances of irritation. Plus, they often come with added benefits from natural oils and butters that can nourish your skin. However, they may not always have the perfectly balanced pH that facial washes do, so you’ll want to be selective.
Dr. Chu, MD further explains that it’s equally crucial to remember that different skin types might need different ingredients to be effective. Ultimately, the choice depends on your skin’s unique needs. If you require a gentle, hydrating formula free from synthetic ingredients, natural soap might be a great option. However, if your skin needs targeted treatment, a specialized facial wash could be more effective.
In an article from Innerbody, Dr. Chu explains, “Cleansers are formulated to address specific skin concerns, like acne. They come in various forms—gels, creams, foams, and oils—and are designed to be gentler because facial skin is more sensitive than body skin.”
How to Use Natural Soap for Your Face:
In the same article from Innerbody, experts recommend washing your face twice daily with a step-by-step routine using just your hands.
Celebrity esthetician Ian Michael Crumm, co-host of the BeautyCurious Podcast, notes, "Using your hands is usually gentler on the skin. Washcloths can be too abrasive and might cause irritation."
1. Wash Your Hands: Before you dive in, make sure to wash your hands with soap—after all, you don’t want to transfer bacteria to your face.
2. Wet Your Face: Start by splashing your face with lukewarm water to open up your pores and prep your skin for cleansing.
3. Lather the Soap: Rub the natural soap bar between your hands to create a soft lather. Avoid applying the bar directly to your face, as this can be too harsh.
4. Gently Apply the Lather: Using your fingertips, massage the lather onto your face in gentle, circular motions. Focus on areas prone to oil buildup, like your forehead, nose, and chin.
5. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your face with cool or lukewarm water until all the soap is gone, ensuring no residue is left behind.
6. Pat Dry: Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing your skin, as this can cause irritation.
What We Recommend: Tub Therapy Soaperstar CBD Bath Soaps
From Head to Toe (and Everywhere in Between): Tub Therapy Soaperstar CBD Soap in Lavender Patchouli, $16 each with free shipping
If you’re ready to dip your toes—or face—into the world of natural soaps, we have a star recommendation: Tub Therapy Soaperstar CBD Bath Soaps. These soaps aren’t just for the body; they’re crafted with the kind of care and quality that makes them gentle enough for facial use, too.
Soaperstar Soaps contain two key ingredients: CBD and organic shea butter. The full-spectrum CBD helps calm inflammation, reduce redness, and promote a healthy glow, while organic shea butter provides deep hydration and is packed with essential vitamins to nourish and protect your skin.
What makes these soaps particularly good for your face is their extra-gentle formula. Made without harsh chemicals or sulfates, Soaperstar CBD Soaps cleanse without stripping your skin’s natural oils, making them perfect for sensitive or easily irritated skin. Whether you're dealing with dryness, irritation, or just looking for a cleanser that leaves your skin soft and balanced, Soaperstar is a fantastic choice for both your body and face.
Our verdict?
So, if you’re in the shower and realize your facial wash is a no-show, don’t panic—your natural soap is ready to step in! With its skin-loving ingredients, it’s a great stand-in for your usual cleanser. Just be sure to pick a soap that suits your skin type and concerns, so you can enjoy a fresh, nourished, and glowing complexion. Remember, not all natural soaps are created equal—go for high-quality bars without strong essential oils. When your facial wash goes MIA, your natural soap might just be the hero your skin needs
