Bar Soap
Best in test
Bar soaps are a classic bathroom staple that is now experiencing a renaissance. Our best-in-test panel has tried several solid soaps in the assortment and evaluated them based on ingredients, lather quality, price and fragrance. Here are the five favourites.
Summary
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Bar soap has made a strong comeback and is once again a modern bathroom classic, appreciated for its durability, long-lasting use and traditional feel.
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Today’s solid soaps are often enriched with caring ingredients that cleanse the skin gently while adding moisture and softness.
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In this test, Gents’ panel reviewed five bar soaps and evaluated them based on lather, ingredients, fragrance and how well they moisturize the skin.
Winner:
Victoria Lanolin Egg Soap
Motivation: The classic Egg Soap from the historic brand Victoria, founded in Helsingborg in the early 1900s, is back – and few soaps can rival its successful formula containing egg white protein, lanolin and rose water.
If you worry that a solid soap might dry out the skin – something that is increasingly rare with today’s production standards and quality – that concern is completely unfounded here. The soap leaves the skin silky smooth and carries a mild, pleasant fresh scent from the rose water, which also helps soothe irritation. With this bar soap you can wash your face, body and hands and feel like royalty.
#2
BENJAMIN BARBER SAFFRON & LEATHER HAND SOAP
Motivation: Benjamin Barber’s solid soaps are among the better ones on the market, and with the fresh yet aromatic scent Saffron & Leather they have created a bestseller. Like its siblings Black Oak and Oud from the same brand, it maintains its shape for a long time and feels very long-lasting while producing a rich lather. The skin is not dried out but left smooth and soft.
The highlight, however, is the wonderfully fresh fragrance which is both dark and bright at the same time, with notes of saffron, tobacco, vanilla and leather. The price is also quite reasonable considering the quality. We give it a big thumbs up!
NOTE! Please note that this soap is also available as a shaving soap.
#3
Valobra Bar Soap
Motivation: Valobra is an old Italian classic, known for its caring, floral-scented soaps that are both moisturizing and long-lasting. We are talking about Italian tradition dating back to 1903, and there is always a charming retro feel surrounding these soaps – reflected not least in the beautiful decorative packaging in nostalgic style, such as the Primula version chosen here. There are many other varieties worth exploring as well as elegant gift boxes.
The base of Valobra soaps consists of three ingredients: coconut oil, tallow and sodium hydroxide (lye). To this base, Valobra adds fragrance essences, essential oils, functional ingredients and moisturizing components during production to nourish and hydrate the skin. Each soap is then matured for at least two months to achieve the perfect consistency before being packaged by hand.
#4
Floid Bath Soap
Motivation: The Spanish shaving and skincare brand Floid is originally known for its aftershaves, but it also produces a wide range of bath soaps, shaving products and solid soaps. Their bar soaps come in two main fragrances: citrus or vetiver, and the quality is excellent despite the very affordable price.
The soaps are 100% plant-based and enriched with several caring ingredients such as lecithin and sesame oil. They are highly recommended, especially for those looking for classic nourishing products at a reasonable price.
#5
Castelbel Gentlemen's Club Patchouli & Sandalwood Soap
Motivation: Finally we arrive at a touch of Portuguese luxury. Although Castelbel offers several soap lines, we highlight the slightly more exclusive and masculine Gentlemen’s Club range here, based on woody notes – in this case Patchouli & Sandalwood. There is also a variant with Oud & Bergamot which is very pleasant.
The soaps produce a creamy lather and also contain activated charcoal which helps balance the skin’s sebum production. One thing is certain: soaps from Portugal are always worth every penny.