Bar Soap vs. Body Wash: Which One Is Actually Better?

If you’ve ever stood in the shower holding a plastic bottle in one hand and a solid bar in the other, you’ve probably wondered — does it even matter which one I use?

The short answer? Yes.
The better answer? Bar soap wins. Every time.
Here’s why.

1. Bar Soap Has Fewer (and Better) Ingredients

Most commercial body washes are loaded with:

  • Synthetic detergents (like SLS)

  • Artificial fragrances

  • Emulsifiers

  • Preservatives

  • Stabilizers

  • Dyes

That’s a long list of stuff your skin doesn’t need.

On the other hand, a well-made cold process bar — like ours at Stench Soap Co. — uses:

  • Natural oils like coconut, olive, and shea

  • Essential oils for scent

  • Mineral clays, salts, or botanicals for function

Fewer ingredients. Cleaner ingredients. Way better for your skin.

2. Bar Soap Is Better for the Planet

Body wash almost always comes in plastic — often non-recyclable, non-refillable bottles. That adds up.

Compare that to a solid bar of soap:

  • No plastic

  • Less water in production

  • Lower carbon footprint in shipping

  • Zero waste if packaged in paper or not at all

Stench bars are packaged plastic-free and cured to last. Better for your skin and the environment.

3. Bar Soap Lasts Longer

Body wash is easy to overuse. A few extra pumps? Gone. That bottle’s empty in a couple weeks.

A cold process bar, especially one cured for 4+ weeks, is dense and long-lasting. Just keep it dry between uses and it’ll outlast two bottles of body wash — at half the cost.

4. Bar Soap Actually Cleans Better

Here’s the thing: bar soap is alkaline. That gives it natural antibacterial and cleansing power.

Body wash is often loaded with surfactants that feel like they’re working, but aren’t actually breaking down grime. Bar soap cuts through oil, dirt, sweat — and yes, actual stench — without over-stripping your skin.

Our bars are tested in the wild — after hikes, campouts, and surf sessions — not in a focus group.

5. Body Wash is “Bodywash” — Not Soap

Here’s a fact most people don’t know:
Most body washes aren’t technically soap.
They’re detergent-based cleansers made from petroleum byproducts and synthetic surfactants.

If your “soap” isn’t made through saponification (natural oils + lye), it’s not really soap. It’s liquid detergent.

That’s not what we make. That’s not what we believe in.

Bottom Line: Bar Soap Wins.

If you're serious about what goes on your skin — and into the environment — bar soap isn’t just a better option.
It’s the right one.

And if you want a bar that’s made without shortcuts, synthetic garbage, or sellout ingredients — we’ve got you covered.

Back to blog