Article updated: April 26, 2023
With all the endless varieties of body wash available today, you’d think bar soap would be considered obsolete.
In fact market research indicates that body wash is the preferred cleanser by far over its solid brethren. But if you’re a bar soap type guy, all that research doesn’t mean a damn thing.
Soap making has been around for well over 3,000 years, and for some guys (like me) the clean feeling you get from a bar of soap can’t be replicated with body wash.
Unfortunately, many brands of bar soap can be quite harsh on the skin.
After all, bar soap isn’t often associated with the word moisturizing.
In fact most bar soaps have a tendency to strip you of essential oils, leaving the skin feeling cracked and dry. For men with naturally dry skin, this is a recipe for disaster.
What to do then? Read on!
Below is a list of 10 bar soaps that will not dry out your skin, but in fact help moisturize it. Screw you body wash.
The Lineup:
- Baxter of California – Exfoliating Bar
- Art of Sport – Body Bar
- Brickell – Charcoal Bar
- Marlowe – No. 102 Scrub Bar
- Baxter of California – Charcoal Clay Bar
- Dr. Squatch – Pine Tar Bar Soap
- Baxter of California – Vitamin Bar
- Dr. Squatch – Bay Rum Bar
- Gentleman’s Reserve – Tea Tree Mint
- Brickell – Mint Scrub Bar Soap
Best Men’s Bar Soaps for Dry Skin Reviewed
Baxter of California Men’s Exfoliating Bar Soap
With the help of crushed olive seed, pumice, and jojoba meal – this gently exfoliating bar soap from Baxter of California scrubs away dead, dry patches all over the body without stripping the skin of moisture. Glycerin, which is an emollient, makes the skin moist, soft, and supple. Featuring aromas of cedar wood and oak moss; this body bar has a unique masculine scent that smells really great.
What I Like about it:
• It exfoliates dead skin
The Baxter of California Body Bar does a great job of blasting away dead skin. The exfoliating particles are small, but are effective enough to slough away those unappealing dry patches, leaving nothing but smooth skin behind. Satisfying.
• It doesn’t strip the skin of moisture
When you suffer from dry skin, it’s important to use soap that doesn’t exasperate the problem. The Baxter of California bar soap for men does an awesome job of cleansing the skin, without stripping you of moisture. That’s a quality not found in your average grocery store bar soaps.
• It moisturizes
What’s that you say? A bar soap that moisturizes? If you’ve grown accustomed to name brand bar soaps, the concept of a bar soap having the ability to moisturize is foreign to you. The problem is most big companies remove the moisturizing by-product glycerin from their soaps in order to make lotions and moisturizers. Baxter of California’s Body Bar retains its glycerin and all its moisturizing, skin softening goodness.
• It smells like a man should
This body bar smells good. It doesn’t smell like a woman, and it isn’t sweet or fruity. It has a nice masculine scent that is going to make you want to rub it all over yourself, in the shower of course.
• It lasts
This isn’t one of those puny bar soaps you get from the grocery store. This Baxter of California Exfoliating Body Bar is a man sized 7 ounces. Perfect for male proportions, and designed to last.
Art of Sport Body Bar
Formulated for athletes to keep skin recharged & invigorated with all day freshness. Don’t worry couch potatoes, this activated charcoal body bar is tough enough for an athlete, it will work wonders for you as well. Fueled by rich botanicals, this deep cleansing soap is intensely moisturizing with the addition of shea butter & tea tree oil. Infused with cedar and vanilla for a subtle masculine scent. Why charcoal? Charcoal is an excellent exfoliant with the ability to remove dead skin cells. It is also effective in treating common skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
What I like about it:
• It’s moisturizing
This bar soap for men from Art of Sport is great for dry skin. It moisturizes and conditions through the power of shea butter; leaving the skin healthy and hydrated. Shea butter is derived from the seeds of fruit that grow on the shea tree. Known for it’s hydrating and healing benefits, shea butter is a perfect addition to this charcoal bar soap. Give it a try if you’re current soap leaves your skin feeling tight and ready to crack.
• It exfoliates
Thanks to the gentle exfoliating nature of charcoal, this bar soap does a good job of removing rough dry patches of skin leaving you feeling smooth and rejuvenated.
• It has activated charcoal
Charcoal in soap? It might sound a bit unorthodox, but trust me, it’s worth trying. Charcoal based soap has the ability to deep clean without stripping the skin of moisture. It also absorbs toxins, treats acne, and neutralizes unpleasant odors. This Art of Sport bar soap leaves you feeling clean, exfoliated, and hydrated.
• It smells awesome
Aside from being a great bar soap for dry skin, it makes you smell great. Art Of Sport bar soap has subtle hints of vanilla and cedar that offer a unique masculine scent I think you’ll really enjoy.
Brickell Purifying Charcoal Soap Bar
On offering from Brickell is this 100% natural & organic Charcoal Soap Bar for men. Harnessing the power of activated charcoal this bar soap cleanses and purifies the skin without drying it out. Organic coconut and olive oil are added to nourish and hydrate the skin. This natural soap provides a nice frothy lather and features a refreshing scent with the addition of mint and tea tree oils.
What I like about it:
• Doesn’t dry out the skin
I like how this Brickell purifying bar soap doesn’t leave you feeling dried out. If you’re suffering from dry skin, you certainly don’t need your soap making matters worse. Brickell does a great job of formulating this to be an excellent men’s bar soap for dry skin.
• It moisturizes and hydrates
Coconut and olive oil in one bar? I like it. Coconut oil is known for its hydrating effects without clogging the pores. Olive oil is great for moisturizing and is a known antioxidant. If you’re suffering from dry skin, trying this men’s bar soap should definitely be on your to-do list.
• It lathers, a lot
Don’t underestimate the power of a rich lather. This Brickell Purifying bar works into a rich, frothy lather that makes getting clean a breeze. A little massaging between the hands and you’re up and running with a plethora of fluffy lather.
• Activated charcoal
I could go on and on about the benefits of charcoal, but I won’t. I’ll simply say this stuff is great for skin. It absorbs toxins, exfoliates, traps odors, deep cleans, moisturizes…. okay I went on a little bit.
• Natural & organic
No guy likes putting a bunch of chemicals on himself everyday. That’s one of the things I really like about Brickell products; they are natural and organic. Their mission was to create a full line of men’s care products that not only contain natural ingredients, but outperform traditional synthetic based products. Success.
Marlowe No. 102 Men’s Body Scrub
An exfoliating bar soap, the Marlowe No. 102 is crafted with a unique formulation of passionflower fruit, green tea, and willow bark extracts designed to nourish, smooth, and revitalize skin. Glycerin based, this bar makes the skin moist, soft, and supple. Lightly scented with a unique blend of agarwood, sandalwood, and musk for a distinctly masculine scent.
Why it made this list:
• Great for dry skin
If you’re looking for the best bar soap for dry skin, this body bar from Marlowe won’t disappoint. This glycerin based soap doesn’t dry out your skin; it moisturizes it. Glycerin, a natural by-product of the soap making process, moisturizes skin, making it soft, supple, and hydrated.
• It exfoliates
The small but effective exfoliating particles do a great job of obliterating rough dry patches of dead skin. It feels good leaving the shower with smooth hydrated skin.
• Smells awesome
I can appreciate a great smelling bar of soap, and the Marlowe No. 102 doesn’t disappoint. It has a very unique, not overpowering scent that lingers on your body well after you’ve exited the shower. Expect compliments.
• It lasts
This large 7oz bar is clearly made for a man. It works into a rich lather and efficiently cleanses the body; effectively prolonging it’s lifespan.
Baxter of California Charcoal Clay Bar
This 3-in-1 activated charcoal soap from Baxter of California has kaolin and bentonite clay, glycerin, coconut oil and vitamin E. This non-drying, rich lathering black soap removes oil, dirt, and impurities from the skin; while the glycerin and coconut oil help moisturize. Suitable for face, beard, and body; hence the 3-in-1. Featuring aromas of smoked wood and hemp grass for a subtle masculine scent.
What I like about it:
• Doesn’t dry out the skin
It wouldn’t be a great bar soap for dry skin if it dried out the skin, now would it? This 3-in-1 soap deep cleans but doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight and sapped of moisture; something those big name brand bar soaps always tend to do.
• It moisturizes
The moisturizing effects of this bar soap are almost otherworldly. It contains charcoal, coconut oil, and glycerin. All three are well known to hydrate and moisturize. Adios dry skin.
• 3-in-1
I’m all for simplicity, and this 3-in-1 bar soap makes getting clean a whole lot easier. Suitable for face, body, and beard; this 7oz bar effectively performs 3 functions in 1. Magic.
• It has activated charcoal
I love the skincare benefits activated charcoal offers. Aside from it’s moisturizing benefits in this 3-in-1 bar; it works wonders on oily, acne prone skin.
• It smells great
Featuring titillating aromas of smoked wood and hemp grass. I don’t know much about hemp grass, but I do know this bar soap smells damn good.
• It lasts
Designed with men in mind, this large charcoal 7oz bar is built for male proportions. It works into a nice frothy white lather (yes white) and does it’s job efficiently; prolonging it’s lifespan.
Dr. Squatch Pine Tar Soap
This exfoliating pine tar soap from Dr. Squatch eliminates dead skin while the all natural plant oils nourish and hydrate. Every bar is handmade using an all natural cold process method that will leave your skin feeling moisturized and clean. You may be asking, “why pine tar?” Pine tar in soap offers a ton of benefits. Pine tar is believed to possess anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities. It is also very effective at treating a wide variety of common skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The fresh pine scent also makes it an excellent natural aromatic in men’s soap.
What I like about it:
• It hydrates dry skin
This bar soap is designed to hydrate the skin, and it does just that. It contains natural plant oils that alleviate dry skin, leaving you feeling hydrated and nourished. A handmade all-natural cold process method is used to make every bar, which apparently contributes to the moisturizing effects of the soap. I’m no soap maker, so I have no idea what that means. What I do know is that it works.
• It exfoliates
Taking care of your dry skin problem starts with blasting away those patches of dead skin. This pine tar bar soap has fine sand particles that are effective at obliterating dead, dry skin. Smooth.
• It contains pine tar
I really like the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits that pine tar offers. If you happen to suffer from eczema or psoriasis, this pine tar soap from Dr. Squatch is worth checking out.
• It has a manly scent
Thanks to the inclusion of pine tar, this soap has a natural pine scent that lingers on your skin long after you’re done in the shower. Don’t worry, it’s subtle and not overpowering. If you like smelling like a man, nothing gets more masculine than the scent of pine.
• Sasquatches
Sasquatches are cool
Baxter of California Vitamin Cleansing Bar
Packed with vitamin E this moisturizing body bar from Baxter of California cleanses away dirt and impurities, while the aloe and sunflower seed oil nourish and hydrate the skin. The cool green stripe down the middle isn’t just for show. It’s packed with hydrating glycerin. Glycerin is an emollient; making skin moist, soft, and supple. Scented with lime and pomegranate with notes of bergamot, cucumber and sweet musk.
What I Like About It:
• It moisturizes dry skin
This body bar offers some serious moisturizing benefits. It contains aloe, sunflower seed oil, and of course glycerin. This trio turns your dry skin into a proverbial oasis. Most big name soap companies remove the moisturizing by-product glycerin from their bar soap to use in other moisturizing products. Not Baxter of California.
• It contains vitamin E
Vitamins are important right? You’re supposed to take one every day. Vitamins in your soap though? That’s on another level. This bar soap contains beneficial vitamin E which is a known antioxidant. Antioxidants fight free radicals which can cause cell damage and lead to cancer. Vitamin E also encourages healing and is known to reduce scarring. Important indeed.
• It lathers, a lot
Something about a nice, thick, frothy, luxurious lather is so satisfying. And that is exactly how I would describe washing up this soap; satisfying.
• It smells really good
Okay, this one is a little different than the rest. It is more of a sweet smelling fragrance, but at the same time very masculine. I don’t know how they created that subtle balance, but there it is.
Dr. Squatch Bay Rum Soap
This organic, handmade bar soap from Dr. Squatch features a cocktail of scents including: clove, cinnamon, pine and citrus. Dr. Squatch designs their scents specifically for men and this Bay Rum bar is no exception. Handcrafted using Bay Rum, Kaolin Clay, and Shea Butter; this bar exfoliates and cleanses without over drying. Handmade using an all natural cold process; this soap will leave your skin feeling moisturized and clean, without being dried out and irritated.
Why It Made This List:
• It moisturizes
Some guys think that rubbery feeling you get from a bar of soap is a sign of cleanliness. Well, it isn’t. It simply means your skin has been stripped of moisture. You won’t get that feeling with this Bay Rum Bar. It moisturizes with the help of shea butter, and Dr. Squatch’s all natural cold process for hand making their soap. I don’t know the exact details of this all-natural cold process, but by God it works. Enjoy moisturized, clean skin, sans the rubber feeling.
• Natural and organic
Want to know where they got the ingredients to make this Bay Rum Bar? The earth, that’s where. Handcrafted using all natural and organic ingredients, this soap is free of harsh chemicals and preservatives. I like knowing what I’m putting on my body. Do you?
• It exfoliates
Want to blast that dead, dry skin into oblivion? This Bay Rum Bar has got you covered. Kaolin clay offers gentle, yet effective exfoliating properties that will destroy rough patches, but isn’t overly harsh on your skin. Sensitive.
• It smells awesome
Holy wow, this thing smells good. Featuring an amalgam of delicious scents, you’re going to want to eat this bar instead of washing up with it. Don’t.
Gentlemen’s Reserve Tea Tree Mint
All natural and organic, this handmade soap from Gentlemen’s Reserve exfoliates, moisturizes, cleanses, and hydrates. Featuring tea tree, peppermint, and coconut oil, this soap offers a subtle, fresh scent that will have you smelling your best. Shea butter moisturizes, lemon verbena oil soothes and calms skin, and the natural antioxidant properties of olive oil moisturizes and improves overall skin health.
What I Like About It:
• It moisturizes and hydrates
Boasting some serious moisturizing power, this tea tree mint bar soap is perfect for men with dry skin. Featuring shea butter for it’s hydrating and anti-inflamatory properties. Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit that grow on the Shea tree. Naturally rich in vitamins A, E & F Shea butter is highly emollient and provides essential fatty acids and nutrients to the skin.
• It exfoliates dry skin
The exfoliating particles in this bar are effective at removing dead, dry skin without being overly abrasive. The result is clear, smooth skin that has been hydrated and moisturized. Perfect.
• It smells great
This bar has an excellent, subtle masculine scent that stays with you throughout the day, but isn’t overpowering.
• It’s all natural and organic
Handmade, natural, and organic? What more could you ask for. I personally don’t like putting harsh chemicals and preservatives on my skin, and I know you don’t either.
Brickell Men’s Mint Soap Scrub Bar
Brickell creates skincare and grooming products for men using natural & certified organic ingredients. This mint soap scrub bar uses ground peppermint leaves to provide gentle exfoliation, while shea butter nourishes the skin with deep hydration. The peppermint and eucalyptus provide a subtle, manly scent that is meant to invigorate the senses.
What I Like About It:
• It moisturizes and hydrates
Powered by shea butter, this bar soap deep cleans while still leaving the skin moisturized and hydrated. Shea butter which contains vitamin A, E, and F, is known for its hydrating and healing properties, which make it perfect for men who suffer from dry skin.
• It exfoliates dry skin
Ridding yourself of dry skin doesn’t have to be a struggle with this bar soap. Ground peppermint leaves provide gentle, yet effective exfoliation that eliminates dry rough patches revealing smooth, hydrated skin underneath.
• It’s natural and organic
I like knowing what I’m putting on my body. When it comes to this bar soap, I know it isn’t harmful chemicals or preservatives. Brickell’s mission is to create natural and organic men’s care products that contain no synthetic chemicals. They only use naturally derived ingredients, that not only work well, but outperform products that contain synthetic materials.
• It smells awesome
Brickell does a great job with the scent on this mint scrub bar. It’s masculine without being too overbearing. I recommend using in the morning. The fragrance will wake you up and enliven the senses.
Thanks for checking out my list of 10 best moisturizing bar soaps for dry skin. I’d like to hear from you. Do you have a personal experience with any of these picks? I’d like to hear your opinion. Questions? Feedback? Hit me up in the comments below.
Thanks for the article. I’ve always been more of a bar soap kind of guy but my skin tends to get dried out by them lately. Thanks for the recommendations.
Thanks for reading Shawn.
You are absolutely right about some folks liking bar soaps. My husband prefers bar soap. In fact body wash is a no no for him, however, I am all weather. I can switch between two, as long as the bar soap doesn’t make the skin too dry.
My husband mostly make use of Brickell Purifying Charcoal bar, apart from this, I have not been opportune to see other bar soaps you listed here.. Your review is quite helpful as will help one pick easily from bar soaps that doesn’t leave the skin dry but rather moisturizes it.
Thanks for commenting, Gracen.
Thanks for making a brilliant review on the best soap for men, I find this very helpful due to the fact that I always have an oily skin and it makes me feel very uncomfortable and decided to surf the web for solutions then I came across your post. Thanks.
Thanks for commenting Seun, I’m glad you found the article helpful.
Thank you for these recommendations!
Thanks for this list of best bar soaps for men!
Thanks for this list of bar soaps! I’ve always been a bar soap guy, but most tend to dry out my skin. Excited to give one of these a try. Thanks.
No problem, Roscoe. Thanks for commenting.
Good article and right to the point. Thanks ?
Thanks for reading, Ross.
Thanks, I’ll definitely check out one of these soaps for my dry skin.
I’m a big fan of bar soap but the cheap ones you get at the grocery store always dry my skin out something fierce. Thanks for sharing this article, I’m looking forward to giving one of these bar soaps a try.
Thanks for commenting, Allen. Yeah most grocery store bar soaps have the glycerin removed from them which is why they can be so drying on the skin.
Thanks, I prefer bar soap but it does have the tendency to make my dry skin even worse. I’m looking forward to giving one of these moisturizing bar soaps a try.
Thanks for commenting, Hans.
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you. You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
I have always used store bought bar soap but it has a habit of making my skin feel very dry. I would like to try one of these bar soaps that help moisturize the skin because I’m not really a fan of body wash. Thank you for the suggestions.
If you want to try some really great soap I suggest you check out Queen Bee Soaps in Algoma, Wisconsin. My hairdresser got me hooked on it years ago and it make a GREAT gift.
I love bar soap but it has a tendency to make my skin really dry and uncomfortable feeling. I’ve tried most men’s bar soaps that can be found at the grocery store but I haven’t had much luck finding a moisturizing bar soap that actually works well for my skin. I’m glad to have found this article because there seems like there is a few good options that I would like to try. Most of these soaps are quite a bit more expensive than the bar soaps found at the grocery store but I don’t mind paying more if they actually work. I’ve never been much of a fan of body wash so I’ll try anything once if I can go back to using bar soap.
Bar soap is my go to soap in the shower but it can be really drying on my skin. I have had luck with Dove bar soap (the white bar) in terms of moisturizing but I really don’t like the way it smells on my skin. It’s pretty feminine smelling in my opinion. I would really like to find a bar soap that’s just as good for my dry skin as Dove, but smells better and more masculine. And yes, I know they make Dove bar soap for men but it just doesn’t leave my skin feeling as moisturized as the white bar does – maybe the formula is different? I don’t know. Thanks for these suggestions.
Thanks for commenting, Joseph.
Great list of bar soaps for dry skin. My boyfriend will only use bar soap but it tends to make his dry skin even worse. I want him to try body wash but he doesn’t like it. He will be glad to hear that I found some good bar soap options that help with dry skin opposed to exasperating the problem.
This is an excellent selection of men’s bar soaps for dry skin. I wonder how they compare to body wash since body wash tends to be more moisturizing than bar soap which is why I use it even though I prefer bar soap. Maybe I will try one of your recommendations and finally be able to make the switch back to bar soap.