It is a question that often comes up in the bathroom: should you choose a bar soap or a shower gel? Several dermatologists have looked into it, and their answer challenges a few common ideas. Bar soap, long set aside in favour of fragranced gels, is making a strong comeback, and for good reasons.

What skin holds against ordinary shower gels

Many shower gels contain harsh surfactants, fragrances and preservatives. Used every day, they can damage the hydrolipidic film, that thin protective layer which keeps skin supple and defends it against external aggressions. The result: tightness, dryness, sometimes itching. Dermatologists remind us that skin that “squeaks” after the shower is not clean skin, but stripped skin.

Bar soap, especially when it is superfatted and minimally processed, respects this balance better. It contains less water, therefore fewer preservatives, and its composition is generally shorter.

Aleppo soap, top of the class

Among bar soaps, Aleppo soap is often cited as an example. Its olive oil base nourishes and softens, while laurel berry oil soothes and purifies without irritating. It suits the body as well as the face, and even the most delicate skin when the laurel content is high.

Another advantage: it contains no synthetic fragrance or colourant. For skin prone to redness or reactions, that is a real relief. And because it is very concentrated, a single bar lasts a long time, making it an economical, zero-waste choice with no plastic bottle to throw away.

How to use it well

Lather the soap between your hands or on a washcloth, apply, then rinse. Let it dry on a draining soap dish between uses: it will last even longer. If your skin is very dry, choose a version rich in laurel oil, more nourishing.

Switching to bar soap is a small change of habit that often makes a real difference to skin comfort, especially in winter.

A choice that is good for skin and the planet

Switching to bar soap is not only about skin comfort. It is also a gesture for the planet: no plastic bottle, less water in the formula, less transport for the same number of washes. One concentrated bar of Aleppo soap easily replaces several bottles of shower gel. For the bathroom, that means less waste and a product that lasts. And on the budget side, the maths is quickly done: a single soap serves the whole family for weeks, for the body as well as the face.

Want to try a gentle, natural soap approved for face and body? Discover our solid Aleppo soap and our 4-in-1 liquid version.

Frequently asked questions

Is bar soap better than shower gel?

For many skin types, yes: it contains fewer preservatives and better respects the skin’s hydrolipidic film.

Is Aleppo soap suitable for the face?

Yes, especially the versions rich in laurel oil, which are gentle on delicate skin.

Does an Aleppo soap last a long time?

Yes. Very concentrated, one bar lasts several weeks if it dries well between uses.