Lather, Rinse, Upgrade: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Soap for Men

Hey there, fellas! Let‘s talk about something you use every day (I hope) that can make a big difference in how you look, feel, and even smell – your soap. And I‘m not talking about just any old soap. I‘m talking about soap specifically formulated for the unique needs of men‘s skin.

As a guy who takes pride in my grooming routine and loves trying out the latest and greatest products, I‘ve done the dirty work of testing out tons of different soaps to find the cream of the crop. And let me tell you, once you switch to a high-quality men‘s soap, you‘ll never go back to that generic drug store stuff again.

But before we dive into my top picks, let‘s break down why you should even bother with soap made just for men in the first place.

Do Men Really Need Their Own Soap?

In a word, yes. While skin is skin, there are some key differences between men‘s and women‘s skin that affect the kind of soap and skincare needed.

According to dermatologist Dr. Brian Zelickson, MD, "Men‘s skin is about 25% thicker with more collagen density than women‘s skin. It also has more active sebaceous glands, making it oilier and shinier."

Plus, as Dr. Anna Chacon points out, "A lot of men have more body hair than women. As hair is porous, it can easily trap odors and odor-causing bacteria. Body hair can also trap moisture, especially with armpit hair, creating an environment for odor-causing bacteria to thrive."

Add to that the fact that men sweat on average twice as much as women and have higher skin pH levels, and you‘ve got a recipe for irritation, acne, and funk if you‘re not using the right products.

But it‘s not just about the physical differences. Men‘s skincare is a booming market, expected to hit $18.92 billion by 2027. More and more guys are realizing the importance of taking care of their skin and investing in quality products tailored to their needs.

What to Look for in Men‘s Soap

So, what separates the best men‘s soaps from the rest? Here are some key factors and ingredients to look for:

Natural oils and butters: To keep skin moisturized and balanced, look for nourishing botanical ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. These will cleanse your skin without stripping it dry.

Gentle exfoliators: To unclog pores and slough off dead skin, look for soaps with ingredients like oatmeal, charcoal, kaolin clay, or salicylic acid. Avoid harsh physical scrubs that can irritate your skin.

Skin-soothing extracts: To calm redness and inflammation, opt for soaps with soothing plant extracts like aloe vera, chamomile, green tea, and vitamin E.

Essential oil fragrances: Most men prefer fresh, subtle scents over strong, perfume-y ones. Natural essential oils like cedarwood, pine, peppermint, and citrus are good options. For sensitive skin, go fragrance-free.

Moisturizing agents: Dry, tight skin is no fun, so make sure your soap has hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, honey, or plant oils to lock in moisture.

Ethical and eco-friendly: More guys are seeking out soaps from brands with ethical and sustainable sourcing, cruelty-free practices, and minimal/recyclable packaging. Better for you and the planet.

Bar Soap vs. Body Wash

One of the great debates in men‘s grooming is whether to go for a traditional bar soap or a liquid body wash. Truthfully, there are pros and cons to each. It mainly comes down to your personal preference and skin type.

Bar soaps are often cheaper, last longer, and have less packaging waste. Some people find them more convenient to use. However, they can be more drying on the skin (due to higher pH) and aren‘t as hygienic if you‘re sharing a shower.

Body washes tend to be more moisturizing, with gentler surfactants and added skincare ingredients. They‘re easier to spread over the body and better for dry or sensitive skin. The downside is they can be pricier and require a loofah or washcloth to use.

Personally, I like to keep both on hand and alternate depending on my skin‘s needs and my mood that day. But if you‘re just starting out with upgrading your soap game, I usually recommend beginning with a hydrating body wash as your daily go-to and keeping a bar soap in the shower as an exfoliating treatment a few times a week.

My Top 15 Men‘s Soap Picks

Alright, now for the moment you‘ve been waiting for – my ultimate list of the 15 best men‘s soap brands. I‘ve tried each and every one of these, and can attest to their quality, performance, and value. No matter your budget, skin type, or scent preferences, there‘s a soap on here for you.

1. Dr. Squatch – With their cheeky marketing and ‘natural nerd‘ ethos, Dr. Squatch has made a big splash in the men‘s soap world. Their cold-processed bar soaps come in guy-friendly scents like Pine Tar, Bay Rum, and Grapefruit IPA and are made with skin-nourishing ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. One 5 oz bar is $7.

2. Marlowe. – For an affordable everyday bar soap, Marlowe. No. 102 is a great pick. Inspired by the simple, effective grooming routines of our grandpas, this moisturizing bar soap uses gentle ingredients like green tea extract, willow bark extract, and shea butter to cleanse and hydrate. Subtle ‘fresh‘ scent. One 7 oz bar is $9.

3. Baxter of California – This OG men‘s grooming brand makes some really nice exfoliating bar soaps with jojoba meal and crushed olive seed to polish away dead skin, plus hydrating glycerin and aloe vera. Comes in refreshing scents like Italian Lime & Pomegranate, Cedarwood & Oakmoss, and Bergamot & Pear. One 7 oz bar is $19.

4. Cremo – I really like Cremo‘s hydrating body washes that come in sophisticated scents like Bourbon & Vanilla, Sage & Citrus, and Blue Cedar & Cypress. Unique ingredients like marula oil, peppermint oil, and ginseng deep-clean while leaving skin soft. 16 oz bottle is $8.99.

5. Raw Materials – For an all-natural liquid soap, Raw Materials makes great foaming washes scented solely with essential oils and botanical extracts. The Vetiver & Sage is woodsy and grounding, while the Rosewood & Peppermint is bright and energizing. Simple ingredients, big suds. 8 oz is $20.

6. Jack Black – This prestige men‘s skincare brand knows a thing or two about a good clean. Their Turbo Body Bar has a rich lather and contains lava rock to gently exfoliate and murumuru and shea butters to moisturize. Has a light rosemary and eucalyptus scent. 6 oz bar is $15.

7. Craft & Tallow – This artisan maker crafts traditional tallow-based soaps that are extra-moisturizing and soothing on the skin. Grass-fed tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, and healing clays make for a slick, nourishing lather. Manly scents like Himalayan Musk, Cut Throat, and Santa Monica Bay Rum. 3.5 oz tin is $15.

8. Bravo Sierra – Originally developed for military personnel, Bravo Sierra‘s high-performance hair and body washes can handle sweat, dirt, and grime like a champ. I like the "Victory" scent with notes of white vetiver, cedarwood, and musk. Works on hair, body, and face. 9oz is $11.50.

9. Kiehl‘s – For a splurge soap from a classic brand, check out Kiehl‘s Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap. It‘s made with oat bran and pumice to exfoliate, plus slick apricot oil to soften skin with a light woodsy scent. Lasts forever. 7 oz bar is $15.

10. Oars + Alps – Relatively new to the men‘s grooming game, Oars + Alps is becoming known for their gentle, hydrating soaps and body washes that work great for sensitive skin. Their Blue Charcoal Bar with shea butter and coconut oil creates a creamy lather without any harsh sulfates or fragrances. 7 oz is $14.

There you have it – my current rotation of the best men‘s soaps and washes out there right now. Of course, every guy‘s skin is different, so what works for me may not be right for you. Don‘t be afraid to experiment and find the perfect soap that gets you clean, fresh, and ready to tackle the day.

Men‘s Soap FAQ

Before we wrap up, I want to address some frequently asked questions about using men‘s soap. I get these a lot from my grooming-obsessed pals.

How often should guys wash their face/body?
Generally, most guys should wash their face both morning and night, and wash their body at least once per day (or after any sweat session). However, if you have very dry or sensitive skin, you may want to limit washing to once per day or every other day to avoid irritation. Conversely, if you have very oily skin, live in a hot climate, or work a dirty job, you may need to wash more frequently.

Can I use bar soap on my face?
This is a pretty common practice, but I actually don‘t recommend it. The skin on your face is more delicate than the skin on your body, and bar soaps tend to have a higher pH that can disrupt your skin‘s natural barrier. This can lead to dryness, breakouts, and premature aging. Opt for a gentle face wash or foaming cleanser instead.

Is it OK to share bar soap?
This one‘s a little iffy. While the risk of spreading germs from sharing a bar of soap is pretty low (soap is self-cleaning by nature), it‘s still best to keep your soap to yourself if you can. If you absolutely must share (say, you‘re traveling or have guests over), make sure the soap has a chance to fully dry out between uses. And avoid sharing if anyone has any active skin infections.

What‘s the best way to store soap?
Proper soap storage is key to making it last longer and preventing a soggy, germ-y mess. For bar soaps, use a well-draining soap dish or rack that allows the bar to dry fully between uses. Keep it away from direct streams of water. For body washes, try to avoid storing them in the direct line of shower spray. If your bottle is looking grungy, give it a quick rinse.

Do I need to use a washcloth or loofah?
This is really up to you. Some guys prefer the exfoliating power of a loofah or washcloth, while others find it too abrasive on their skin. If you do choose to use one, make sure you‘re replacing it every few weeks (washcloths) or months (loofahs), as they can harbor bacteria over time. Silicone scrubbers are also a more hygienic, longer-lasting option.

I have sensitive skin. Can I use scented soap?
You can, but you may want to proceed with caution. Fragrance, whether natural or synthetic, is one of the most common skin irritants. If your skin is easily bothered, it‘s best to choose a soap that‘s labeled "fragrance-free" or "unscented." If you do want a light scent, look for soaps that use essential oils rather than artificial fragrances.

You‘re One Soap Away From Better Skin

Well, there you have it my dudes – the ultimate crash course in men‘s soap. We covered why you need it, what to look for, the best brands to try, and how to use it correctly for clean, healthy, handsome skin.

At the end of the day, soap is probably never going to be the most exciting part of your grooming regimen. But it is the foundation for everything else. Choosing a well-formulated, skin-friendly soap is one of the easiest ways to level up not just your skin, but your overall self-care routine.

So go forth and lather up with one (or a few) of the stellar soaps on this list. Your skin will thank you. And who knows? You just might find yourself looking forward to your daily shower a little bit more.

Trust me on this one, guys. I‘ve been around the block a few times when it comes to men‘s grooming. And once you find that perfect soap that makes you feel fresh, clean, and comfortable in your own skin? It‘s a total game-changer.

Your shower sidekick,
-The Men‘s Soap Maven