The underrated benefits of cleaning your face with a £1.99 bar of soap

Sonia Haria

23 May 2024 at 2:00 am·3-min read

Sarah Jessica Parker has admitted that she and her husband Matthew Broderick often use just a bar of soap for cleansing - Getty

Can a skincare routine really be as simple as a bar of soap and a splash of water? Sarah Jessica Parker has admitted that she and her husband Matthew Broderick often use just a bar of soap for cleansing – a confession which gave her interviewer, the skincare expert Caroline Hirons, “conniptions”.

“My husband uses a bar of soap, and his skin looks so great, it is so beautiful,” said Parker on Hirons’ Glad We Had This Chat podcast. “He wore no make-up on stage, of course. But I use any soap. I don’t care.” She shared that she visited Boots to buy a bar of soap recently when in London, as the Savoy Theatre, where the couple were fronting Plaza Suite until last month, only had an antibacterial hand wash.

So is a simple bar of soap good for your face, and should we all be going back to basics with our skincare? “Traditional bar soaps have been known to dry out the skin, but newer formulations of soap bars are better now,” says the skin expert and cosmetic doctor Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme. The ingredients to look out for are hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerine or shea butter, which help to hydrate and nourish the skin while cleansing. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture, while ceramides can help to lock in the moisture and prevent dehydration.

Parker made the admission podcast — Parker made the admission on a podcast with skincare expert Caroline Hirons - Getty

While some skin concerns may benefit from specific targeted cleansers, for the large majority of people, soap bars are absolutely fine. “Cleansing bars can be suitable for all skin types, but it’s essential to choose a product that matches your skin’s specific needs,” explains Dr Ejikeme. “If you have dry skin, opt for a moisturising cleansing bar, while those with oily skin might prefer a bar with oil-regulating properties.”

One thing to bear in mind with soap is that if it’s not stored correctly, it can become an unhygienic breeding ground for bacteria. For Dr Ejikeme, it’s essential to keep the bar dry between uses to prevent the growth of bacteria. “Use a soap dish with good drainage and allow the bar to air dry between uses to help maintain its cleanliness,” she says. “Additionally, it’s advisable not to share personal care items to prevent the spread of bacteria or infections.”

It’s not just millennials and boomers that are favouring a back to basics approach to skincare; on TikTok the search term “unsexy skincare” has more than 100 million views and counting, with many Gen Z eschewing fussy, expensive skincare products for efficacy at a good price point. The dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite adds that a simplified skincare regime just needs a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen – that’s it. Here are the best soaps to try...