What Is The Best Soap For Sensitive Skin?
Discover the best soap for sensitive skin with our ingredient guide and bar soap picks from ZeroWasteStore. Gentle, natural, and plastic-free!
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Sensitive skin is like a drama queen: high maintenance, reacts to everything, demands attention, and absolutely will not tolerate nonsense. If you’ve been struggling to please your sensitive skin, you’re in the right place.
A mismatch of products with lengthy ingredient lists can leave your skin red, itchy, and dry, all whilst making it hard to identify the culprit (if there is just one!). That’s why we recommend going old school when it comes to soap for sensitive skin. We’re talking simple, minimalist soap bars made with natural ingredients. No confusing labels, no hidden irritants, no plastic waste.
Let’s break down what makes a bar of soap a hero for sensitive skin, and introduce you to some of our top gentle-yet-effective favorites here at ZeroWasteStore.
Ingredients to Avoid For Sensitive Skin
When it comes to sensitive skin, simplicity is your best friend. Forget the bells, whistles, and glitter…or more accurately, avoid:
- Sulfates (SLS/SLES):These surfactants are often added to soaps for their foaming power, but they can strip away the skin’s natural oils, disrupting the moisture barrier and potentially triggering irritation, dryness, or flare-ups, especially in people with eczema.
- Parabens: These synthetic preservatives are used to extend shelf life but have been associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, making them risky for sensitive or compromised skin.
- Artificial fragrances: These are a top irritant for sensitive skin and can include dozens of undisclosed chemicals.
- Synthetic dyes: Pretty colors don’t equal happy skin - skip anything neon or dyed!
- Harsh exfoliants: Think microbeads or aggressive scrubs – sensitive skin needs a gentle touch! Plus, exfoliating beads are often terrible for the planet.
Top Natural Ingredients For Sensitive Skin
If your skin is the delicate flower type, look for these tried-and-true natural soothers when shopping for soaps:
- Aloe Vera: Known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, aloe vera is widely recommended for calming sensitive or irritated skin (hence why we lather it on after spending too long in the sun!)
- Coconut Milk: Rich in fatty acids and incredibly moisturizing, coconut milk helps cleanse while maintaining the skin’s natural oils.
- Calendula: This anti-inflammatory and antibacterial botanical has been shown to reduce redness and support wound healing, making it great for acne-sensitive skin. There’s even some suggestion that it’s effective for eczema-prone skin!
- Lavender: Calming, antibacterial, and lightly fragrant thanks to its essential oil. Lavender is known to reduce stress on the skin (and mind!).
- Shea Butter: A moisture-locking superhero, shea butter is ideal for protecting the skin barrier and softening dry, irritated patches.
What Bar Soap is Best For Sensitive Skin?
So, what exactly is the best soap for sensitive skin? One that has a minimal ingredient list, naturally soothing ingredients, and is free from sulfates, parabens, synthetic dyes and fragrances, and harsh exfoliants.
Luckily, we have just the one. Actually, four...
Best Soaps for Sensitive Skin, Baby’s Skin, Dry Skin, & Eczema
1. Aloe and Coconut Milk Unscented Soap Bar
Unscented, ultra-gentle, and perfect for the most delicate skin, this soap is ideal for babies, irritated skin, or anyone reacting to fragranced products.
I love this soap! It’s very gentle on my ultra sensitive skin and leaves skin feeling silky soft. - Bethany Shwayri, Verified Buyer
2. Coconut Milk Soap Bar
Made with rich coconut milk for a creamy lather that cleanses without stripping, this soap is the dream for dry, dehydrated skin.
Honestly, once I started using thi,s it was over for everything else. I love the way they make my skin feel and smell. I'm always sensitive to too much scent, but I think these are perfect! - Olivia Robertson, Verified Buyer.
3. Calendula Soap Bar
Infused with calendula oil to soothe inflammation and fight bacteria, this soap is the perfect match for acne-prone or eczema-prone skin.
I cannot believe how well this makes my skin feel. I have extremely sensitive skin so anything that feels "off" will give me a rash or break me out, not this. I think this even fixes whatever else makes my skin itch! - Stephany F., Verified Buyer
4. Lavender Peppermint Soap Bar
A refreshing, soothing blend that perks up dull or tired skin while keeping things calm and hydrated.
I purchased the lavender & peppermint body wash bar and I love it. It suds up really well and doesn't irritate my skin. I have moderate eczema and commercial body wash makes me flare up [...] This is my new go to body wash! - N., Verified Buyer
Final thoughts: Soap Bars for Sensitive Skin
When it comes to caring for sensitive skin, less is more. That means fewer ingredients, no artificial extras, and plenty of nourishing botanicals. With the right bar soap, you can cleanse, hydrate, and protect your skin without any unnecessary drama.
And if your skin is still acting up, be sure to check out our laundry soap options for sensitive skin and our popular laundry detergent sheets. To make your soap bars last longer (and avoid the dreaded mush), check out our soap storage guide and our range of soap dishes.
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