How soap bars got cool again – plus 12 of the best to shop now

best soap bars

Credit: Stylist

Stylist Loves


How soap bars got cool again – plus 12 of the best to shop now

By Chloe Burcham

2 years ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

4 min read

Want to upgrade your bathroom sink with chic (and sustainable) beauty options? This new era of luxurious soap bars might just be what you’re looking for…


When you think of luxurious beauty products, soap bars don’t really make the cut. But with consumers on the hunt for more sustainable beauty options with less packaging and waste, sales of solid cleansing bars and more traditional soap products are sky-rocketing – with luxury brands like Aesop, Le Labo, Jo Malone and Drunk Elephant all jumping on board the soap bar train. 

As you’d imagine, these swanky soaps have come a long way since the OG Imperial Leather bar that you’d use right down to the little gold and red sticker. Packed with nourishing kind-to-skin ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, these upgraded soap bars ensure your skin is left soft, not stripped. Many are designed to cleanse your face (as well as your body) while others are packing in tons of their bestselling fragrances into the formulas, meaning you can also get a hit of your favourite fragrance for a snip of the price.

So whether you’re looking to upgrade your own bathroom skin with some luxury beauty or you’re looking for a chic present for your interior-obsessed friend, these soap bars tick all the boxes when it comes to skincare, sustainability and a fancy home aesthetic…

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Herbivore Botanicals Pink Clay Cleansing Soap Bar

Harnessing the cleansing power of pink clay (which works overtime to draw impurities out from the skin) this vegan soap bar is ideal for use on the face and body to reduce inflammation and balance both dry and oily skin types. 

Shop Herbivore Botanicals Pink Clay Cleansing Soap Bar at Space NK, £13

buy now

glossier soap bar

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleansing Bar

Designed for both the face and body, Glossier’s new Milky Jelly Cleansing Bar offers all the goodness of its Milky Jelly Cleanser but without any of the packaging. Cleansing, conditioning and fragrance-free, it’s great for all skin types (including sensitive) and won’t leave your skin feeling stripped or tight. 

Shop Glossier Milky Jelly Cleansing Bar, £18

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Le Labo Rose 31 Scented Body Bar

We all have that one friend who’s obsessed with Le Labo – which makes these soap bars the ideal gift. Enriched with moisturising olive oil extract, antioxidant vitamin E and moisturising and soothing shea butter, the formula leaves your skin soft and smooth – while the recognisable scent is left on the skin long after the soap has been washed away. 

Shop Le Labo Rose 31 Scented Body Bar at John Lewis, £41

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Gallinée Prebiotic Cleansing Bar

Packed with pre, pro and postbiotics, this cleansing bar is so much more than your average soap. Completely fragrance-free, it can be used all over your face and body without disrupting your skin’s natural pH. Plus, it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin or even babies… one for the whole family. 

Shop Gallinée Prebiotic Cleansing Bar at Cult Beauty, £13

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

L'Occitane Shea Verbena Extra-Gentle Soap

Enriched with nourishing organic and fair-trade shea butter, this soothing soap bar gently cleanses the skin while leaving behind L’Occitane’s recognisable verbena scent.

Shop L’Occitane Shea Verbena Extra-Gentle Soap, £10.50

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Soap

If you’re a fan of Jo Malone’s signature scents, you’ll love these gorgeously fragranced soap bars. Long-lasting, non-drying and packed full of fragrance, they give a hit of Jo Malone fragrance each time you wash your hands. Plus, with pretty limited edition packaging, they also make the perfect house-warming gift. 

Shop Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Soap at John Lewis, £20

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Drunk Elephant Juju Bar

Enriched with thermal mud, bamboo powder and marula oil, this three-in-one soap bar cleanses, exfoliates and detoxifies. The formula is fragrance-free and designed for cleansing the skin on your face, but it can also be used on your body.

Shop Drunk Elephant Juju Bar at Cult Beauty, £25

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Fresh Verbena Oval Soap

Originally launched back in 1991, these luxurious soap bars were Fresh’s first-ever formulas. Infused with a grassy, citrus scent, each soap bar is milled multiple times, making it super dense, creamy, and long-lasting. Plus, the hand-wrapped, wire-tied, and topped with a semi-precious stone packaging makes these luxurious soap bars the perfect pretty gift. 

Shop Fresh Verbena Oval Soap at Cult Beauty, £14

buy now

best cleansing bars

The Body Shop Face & Body Cleansing Bar

Rich and creamy, this nutty-smelling cleansing bar leaves your skin cleansed and hydrated – thanks to its rich Ghanaian shea butter content. 

Shop The Body Shop Face & Body Cleansing Bar, £5

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Laboratory Perfumes Gorse Soap

If you’re a fan of Laboratory Perfumes signature scents, you’ll adore its rich and buttery body soaps. Packed with olive oil and coconut oil to relieve and soothe skin, each lather releases a rich hit of fragrance, transforming your bathroom into a spa-like experience with every use. 

Shop Laboratory Perfumes Gorse Soap at Cult Beauty, £17

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Aesop Refresh Body Cleansing Slab

Aesop is known for its luxurious sink-side soaps and now its bestselling formulas are available in solid formulas. Designed to be used on the body and hands, this cleansing slab is weighty and long-lasting, delivering a soothing fragrance and non-drying cleanse.

Shop Aesop Refresh Body Cleansing Slab at Space NK, £15

buy now

best-cleansing-soap-bar

Oribe Côte d'Azur Soap Bar

Oribe’s brand-new soap bars make for a seriously sensorial experience. Triple-milled for a creamy, long-lasting formula, each soap bar is packed with an intense fragrance that lingers on the skin – long after the lather’s been washed away. Coconut oil and glycerin leave the skin soft, silky and nourished.

Shop Oribe Côte d’Azur Soap Bar at Cult Beauty, £33

buy now

Images: Stylist Loves; courtesy of brands

Topics

Share this article

Sign up for the latest news and must-read features from Stylist, so you don’t miss out on the conversation.

By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy

Thank you!

You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.