Bar Soap Vs. Liquid Soap
It’s an age old question, that has become one of extreme popularity as of late. Do you prefer bar soap or liquid soap for your daily cleansing? Or perhaps you use both and alternate between the two. There has been a long-standing debate on which soap is better and today we’re going to chime in with a few key points to compare both types of soap. With handwashing reminders surging given the current global situation, we wanted to dig deeper into the world of bar and liquid soap.
Before diving in, let’s talk about some of the history of both products. Bar soap dates all the way back to at least 2800 B.C., where animal or vegetable fats were converted into soap. Significantly later to the game, liquid soap began mass producing in the 1980s, and commonly contains detergents, which are synthetically made surfactants (you can learn more about surfactants here).
- Cleanliness
It’s well known that bacteria is a primary cause for disease, which is why it’s important to wash your hands frequently and properly. In the cleanliness category, both liquid and bar soaps are equally cleansing. There has been some controversy over the years, as some have questioned this verdict by considering that bar soaps may hold bacteria after use. Studies have dispelled this myth and demonstrated bar soaps do not transfer bacteria from the bar to the skin; this means that they are safe to wash your hands with and also thwarting disease.
- Environmental Impact
As many of our readers know, sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do at Maple & Lather. A 2009 Swiss study found that the carbon footprint of liquid soaps is a staggering 25% greater per wash that than of bar soaps. Additionally, liquid soaps require 5 times more energy to create and 20 times more energy to package in plastic, compared to bar soaps packaged in paper or even cardboard. While these are stats and the figures may slightly vary depending on the company, product, and packaging, bar soaps are generally considered more eco-friendly. As a consumer, when selecting between different bar soaps, it is important to do some research to ensure that sustainably harvested oils are being used!
- Ingredients & Sensitivity
It is important to note that not all soap bars and liquid soaps are created equal. This is why it is so important to look at the ingredients and manufacturing processes used, as some products may be more harsh and contain harmful ingredients. At Maple & Lather, each bar of soap is triple-milled, sustainably sourced, and includes ingredients to ensure a refreshing and clean wash that keeps your skin feeling fresh and smooth. While some liquid proponents cite the drying effect that some bars may have, this is not true for all bars. Adding ingredients such as shea butter (which all of our soap bars contain), can prevent this ‘dry’ feeling and leave your skin feeling moisturized and rejuvenated.
While both liquid soaps and bar soaps will both do an effective cleansing job, there is more to the story. In an age where the world is making strides towards going green, it feels good as a consumer to choose companies making intensive corporate efforts to reduce their environmental impact and make sustainability a core pillar. If you’re a liquid soap user, don’t be afraid to give bar soap a try, and don’t forget to Lather Up!
The M&L Team