Unlike traditional soaps, which can be harsh and drying, a high-quality cleansing bar is packed with skin-loving ingredients that gently cleanse while helping to maintain your skin's natural moisture. It's quickly becoming a go-to alternative to liquid cleansers, thanks to its travel-friendly, solid form and nourishing benefits.
Whether you're dealing with blemishes, dry patches or simply want a more sustainable skincare option, a good cleansing bar is a great all-rounder for healthy skin. Discover what makes cleansing bars so effective, their many benefits, and how to choose the right one for your skin type.
What is a facial cleansing bar?
A cleansing bar is a solid, soap-like product formulated to clean the skin, specifically for the face or body - but the key is that the best cleansing bars are soap-free. Unlike traditional bars of soap, which can be harsh and drying, modern, soap-free cleansing bars are designed to gently cleanse without disrupting the skin's natural balance.
Facial cleansing bars clean the skin by removing dirt, oil, sweat, makeup, and other impurities from the surface. Unlike traditional soap bars, cleansing bars are specifically designed to maintain the skin's natural balance, making them suitable for both facial and body care.
Seven benefits of using a facial cleansing bar
1. Maintains skin's natural pH balance
Traditional soaps tend to have a higher pH (usually 8 or more), which can strip your skin of its natural oils. A good cleansing bar, however, is designed with a pH closer to your skin's own (around 4-5), making it gentler and more suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive and dry skin.
2. Deep but gentle cleansing
The best facial cleansing bars are soap-free, meaning they use gentle cleansing agents instead of harsh soaps. This way, they cleanse without stripping the skin and are mild and suitable for even sensitive skin types.
You'll often find that they are instead enriched with natural cleansing agents like Bentonite Clay, Charcoal and even mud.
We chose Bentonite Clay for our facial cleansing bar and customers are loving the results…
"I've been using this cleanser for years. In fact, the whole family uses it! Great for teenage skin. In fact, for every type of skin... simple, nourishing and luxurious!"
ARgENTUM customer
3. Targeted skin benefits
Rather than a one-size-fits-all soap bar, cleansing bars are available with active ingredients tailored to specific skin concerns:
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Hydrating bars: Contain ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid or, even better, DNA HP, which can carry ten times more water than hyaluronic acid.
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Acne-fighting bars: Infused with Silver Hydrosol, Salicylic Acid or Tea Tree Oil for breakout-prone skin.
- Soothing bars: Include Aloe Vera or Chamomile for sensitive or irritated skin.
4. Improved absorption of skincare products
A cleansing bar helps clear away dirt and residue, making sure your skin is properly prepped for the next steps in your routine. This means your serums and moisturisers can really sink in and work their magic.
5. Reduced risk of over-drying
Some liquid cleansers can be harsh and leave your skin feeling tight or dry. Cleansing bars, on the other hand, are often gentler and more hydrating, so they clean without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.
6. Eco-friendly and minimal packaging
Typically sold with little to no plastic packaging, cleansing bars are more environmentally friendly than liquid cleansers.
Like our own facial cleansing bar - we designed it to be plastic free with minimum packaging, so it can have maximum impact on your skin and minimum impact on the planet. So, you can look and feel good, while doing good.
"I never write reviews, but I just have to now. This soap is outstanding. I have tried and tested so many cleansers, but this is by far the best. It soothes, decongests and hydrates! It has completely changed my skin. Please try it. I promise you will love it!"
ARgENTUM customer
7. Travel-friendly
Cleansing bars are compact and solid, which makes them perfect for travel. No need to worry about spills or running out of space in your bag - and they won't count towards your liquid allowance!
8. Long-lasting
Cleansing bars are designed to go further. You only lather what you need, avoiding the overuse common with liquid cleansers, where extra pumps often feel necessary. Their solid form isn't diluted with water, meaning every use is concentrated and effective. Plus, there's no risk of spills or leaks.
Choosing a facial cleansing bar for your skin type
Everyone's skin is different, and picking the right cleansing bar can really help address your skin's specific needs. Whether you have oily, sensitive, dry, or combination skin, knowing which ingredients to look for can make a big difference in how your skin feels. Here's a quick guide to the best cleansing bar ingredients for each skin type:
Oily skin
If you have oily skin, look for cleansing bars with ingredients that control excess oil and gently cleanse without clogging pores:
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Gentle cleansers: Look for mild surfactants that clean without over-drying, derived from coconut or sugar. We only use foaming agents derived from coconut in our cleansing bar, making it gentle and natural.
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Clay: Absorbs excess oil and detoxifies (like Bentonite or Kaolin Clay).
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Silver: Known for its antibacterial properties and ability to help with breakouts.
- Natural fruit acids: Help exfoliate and brighten (like Citric Acid).
Sensitive skin
For sensitive skin, choose soothing and non-irritating ingredients that calm and protect:
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Silver: Reduces redness and irritation while being antibacterial.
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Shea Butter: Helps replenish the skin barrier to protect sensitive skin.
- Ceramides: Like Shea Butter, ceramides support the skin barrier, reducing irritation and protecting the skin.
Dry skin
If your skin tends to feel dry or flaky, you'll want to use a cleansing bar that hydrates and locks in moisture. These ingredients can help nourish and keep your skin feeling soft:
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Shea Butter: Deeply moisturising, it helps soothe and nourish dry skin.
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Glycerin: Draws moisture to your skin, helping it stay hydrated longer.
- Fatty Acids: Support your skin's natural moisture barrier, so your skin doesn't lose hydration.
Combination skin
For combination skin, you need a cleanser that works for both the oily and dry areas of your face without upsetting the balance. These ingredients will keep everything in check:
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Silver: It helps keep your skin calm and balanced, preventing irritation and breakouts.
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Hyaluronic Acid or DNA HP: These ingredients are great at holding onto moisture, giving your skin that plump, hydrated feel.
- Mild Plant-Based Cleansers: Coconut or sugar-based cleansers are gentle but effective, balancing oil and moisture without drying you out.
How to use a cleansing bar
To get the most out of your cleansing bar, follow these simple steps to ensure your skin is thoroughly cleaned and refreshed.
1. Wet your face: Splash warm water on your skin to open pores.
2. Lather the cleansing bar: Rub the bar between your hands or directly onto your face to create a gentle lather.
3. Massage into skin: Apply the lather to your face using gentle circular motions, paying attention to areas that need extra cleansing.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Wash your face with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
5. Follow up with moisturiser: After cleansing, apply your favourite moisturiser to lock in hydration and protect your skin.
Introducing ~ le savon lune
Our cleansing bar, le savon lune, has been thoughtfully crafted with the finest ingredients, such as Silver Hydrosol & DNA HP to deeply cleanse while nurturing your skin. It's suitable for all skin types and is designed to leave your skin feeling refreshed and balanced, without compromising on hydration or your skin's natural barrier.
