How to Choose the Right Soap for Your Skin Type

by Taylor Donald

Not All Soaps Are Created Equal

Walk down any drugstore aisle and you'll find dozens of "soaps" — but many of them aren't true soap at all. They're synthetic detergent bars ("syndets") made with harsh surfactants that can strip your skin's natural oils and disrupt its pH balance.

Handmade natural soaps, on the other hand, are made through a process called saponification — combining oils and lye to create a gentle cleanser that retains natural glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin.

Here's how to choose the right natural soap for your specific skin type.

Know Your Skin Type First

Before choosing a soap, identify your skin type:

  • Dry skin: Feels tight, may flake or look dull
  • Oily skin: Shiny, prone to breakouts, enlarged pores
  • Combination skin: Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), dry cheeks
  • Sensitive skin: Reacts easily to products, prone to redness or irritation
  • Normal skin: Balanced, minimal concerns

Best Soaps for Dry Skin

Look for soaps rich in moisturizing oils and butters. The best ingredients for dry skin include:

  • Olive oil – deeply nourishing and gentle
  • Shea butter – locks in moisture and soothes dryness
  • Honey – a natural humectant that attracts moisture

Best Soaps for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

You want a soap that cleanses effectively without over-stripping — which can actually trigger more oil production. Look for:

  • Activated charcoal – draws out impurities and excess oil
  • Tea tree oil – natural antibacterial properties
  • Kaolin clay – gently absorbs excess sebum
  • Turmeric – anti-inflammatory and brightening

Best Soaps for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin needs the gentlest formulas. Prioritize:

  • Unscented or lightly scented soaps (fragrance is a top irritant)
  • Oat-based soaps – colloidal oat is incredibly soothing
  • Calendula – calming and anti-inflammatory

Always patch test a new soap on your inner arm before using it on your face.

Best Soaps for Combination Skin

Balance is key. Look for a gentle, balanced soap that cleanses without over-drying. A mild olive oil or goat milk soap works well for most combination skin types.

What to Avoid in Any Soap

Regardless of skin type, steer clear of:

  • Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
  • Parabens and phthalates
  • Triclosan (an antibacterial agent linked to hormone disruption)

The Handmade Soap Difference

Handmade natural soaps retain glycerin — a byproduct of saponification that commercial soap manufacturers typically remove and sell separately. This glycerin is what makes handmade soap feel so moisturizing compared to commercial bars.

Browse our collection of handmade natural soaps, each crafted for specific skin needs with clean, skin-loving ingredients.

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