There are endless options for bar soaps, from the mainstay and dermatologist-trusted Cetaphil cleansing bar to a small batch bar soap inspired by the birch and pine tar bars used in a traditional Finnish Saunas. Here are some noteworthy, useful, and just straight-up good bar soaps.
Clockwise from top left:
For the artist: The Masters Hand Soap ($3+) is a must-have near the sink if you're a painter, drawer, sculptor or use any skin-damaging mediums.
For the sensitive type: Mayron's Goods Sensitive Soap ($10) will let you wash gently with the simplicity of un-fragranced saponified oils.
For the detoxer: Hinoki Deitanseki Japanese charcoal cleansing bar ($19) is scented with Hinoki —that incredible wood old Japanese soaking tubs were built from—and it has activated charcoal that will draw out impurities like a magnet.
For the sophisticate: Rodin Olio Lusso Bath Bar ($32) is as decadent a bar soap can get as far as we're concerned. For a little hit of femme and an extra hit of fragrance this soap seduces with essential oils of Jasmine and Neroli.
For the one-soap-fits-all-my-needs type: Dr. Bronner's Lavender Castile Bar Soap ($4+) is something you probably already know about because it can be used for everything and does a great job. Useful for hair, body, clothes, and great to take camping, this is one bar we like to have on hand.
For the working stiff: Hudson Made Worker's Soap ($16) is great after a long day working with your hands, whether that's carpentry, woodworking, or paper-pushing, and it gives your hands (or feet) a heavy-duty clean with scents of tobacco, cedar and patchouli.
For the Japanophile: Chidoriya Azuki & Brown Sugar Facial Soap ($13) is attractive not just because the packaging is amazing, but the Azuki Red Bean powder has been used as a face wash in Japan for centuries. It has proved itself as a go-to way to improve skin texture.