When it comes to washing your body, dermatologists say that bar soap is not the best choice for cleaning your skin. "I have worked for many years helping people who suffer from dry, itchy and irritated skin. Many of these people use one common thing every day without knowing it's making their problem worse: bar soap," explains Dr. David Johnson, MD, a dermatologist and cofounder of RedliteX.
So, is it time to ditch bar soap, and is body wash a suitable replacement? Parade asked dermatologists their thoughts on body wash vs. bar soap and what to do when you don't want to give up your bar soap habit.
Dr. Johnson says that most bar soaps sold in stores contain ingredients like sulfates and strong perfumes that can be harsh on the skin. While they might help you feel clean, they're actually doing the opposite. These ingredients damage the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin responsible for keeping moisture in and preventing germs and dirt from entering the body."If this layer gets damaged, your skin can become dry and rough," he explains. "It also makes it easier for problems like eczema and contact dermatitis to happen."Traditional bar soaps also have a high pH that can strip your body of natural oils needed to keep your skin moisturized, adds Dr. Hannah Kopelman, DO, a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery. For context, the pH of bar soaps ranges between 7 and 9. Human skin has a pH of 5.5, which is slightly acidic enough to maintain the balance of natural oils and keep the good skin bacteria on your body alive.
Is Body Wash Better Than Bar Soap?
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If bar soap makes you feel cleaner and you like the lower price point, don't panic. Both dermatologists simply recommend being selective about your bar soap to avoid damaging the skin barrier.
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Although there is one caveat. If you have eczema or very dry skin, Dr. Kopelman advises against using bar soap. Instead, people with those skin types should completely switch to a moisturizing body wash.
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Sources
David Johnson, MD, is a dermatologist and cofounder of RedliteX. Hannah Kopelman, DO, is a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery.Comprehensive evaluation of physico-chemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties in commercial soaps: A study on bar soaps and liquid hand wash. Heliyon.What Is Your Skin’s pH and Why Does It Matter? Cleveland Clinic. Read More Details
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