9 Best Soap Brands for Dry Skin

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Test Winner: Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
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If you’re on the hunt for the best soap brands for dry skin, then you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll go over the best options available—so if you’re tired of dealing with dry skin and the pesky symptoms that come with it, you need to check out our top picks.

Those of you who deal with dry skin know just how important it is to invest in the best soap brands. The selections featured on our list will moisturize your skin and ensure your skin feels soft and remains itch-free.

Winter will be here in no time, so those of you who know you deal with dry skin in the wintertime will want to take note of the options that will work for you. We’ve made sure to include body washes, soap bars, and brands that offer both—so there’s something here for everyone.

Enjoy!

Standout Picks

Cetaphil is one of the oldest brands on our list, and for a very good reason. It was founded in the late 1940s by a pharmacist and grew in popularity due to its gentle yet effective formula. Over the years, that formula has only improved and launched a line of cleansers for every skin type. We love this gentle bar because it really helps preserve moisture on your skin.
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L’Óccitane Soap is 100% vegetable oil and nourishing shea butter. Although the soap is expensive compared to others, it is big in size with a clean refreshing lemon fragrance. The soap foams gently and cleanses the skin while preserving its natural moisture balance.
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What’s great about this option from Southern Natural is that it moisturizes while being kind to your skin. This bar is ideal for users that have a hard time finding options that don’t make their skin itchy or break out. It may be a little more expensive than most but we feel that it is well worth it.
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When used for cleaning purposes, Dove would not dry your skin after use, unlike numerous other regular soaps that would be sold to you on the market. Therefore, if you are looking for something of exceptional quality for the right price, then this is the type of soap you should buy.
Amazon Link
More often than not, your skin becomes dry due to an overabundance of unnecessary chemicals found in many products. What we liked most about this option is that it is free of any dyes, fragrances, or unwanted fillers. It is composed of all-natural ingredients designed to add moisture to your skin and nothing else!
Amazon Link
It works well for people with fair and sensitive skin. The fact that the scent is not easily noticeable is one of the reasons why people who do not prefer products with strong scents love it.
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When left alone, your skin is able to hold in moisture with its protective barrier. That barrier is often washed away when using harsh chemicals to cleanse your skin. What we love most about this option from CeraVe is that it was designed with the help of dermatologists (that know a thing or two about skin) to keep that protective barrier intact.
Amazon Link
Pears is a simple soap used for facial cleansing. It contains glycerin, which is important for skin moistening. This soap is effective in making the skin moisturized and smooth, and it is one of the best soaps for dry skin.
Amazon Link
What to keep it green? Not only is this design packed with greens that are kind to your skin, but it is also packaged from 50 percent recycled paper. Users love this bar because it laters really well and has a natural pleasant scent. It is composed of ingredients that are kind to your skin and will leave it feeling clean and soft.
Amazon Link

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Product Purity

If you have dry skin, you need to make sure the ingredients are compatible with your skin so you don't end up with a soap that irritates your dry skin even more.

The problem with your dry skin is that it has inadequate moisture. Choosing the best soap for your dry skin will require you to have a soap with high moisture content as this will minimize dehydration of your skin. Sometimes, using soaps without looking at the ingredients is one of the many causes of dry skin.

If you are buying your soap at the grocery store, and it specializes in soaps and detergents, it is important that you inform them of your skin type. This information will help the staff in advising you what the best soap for your skin. Ingredients contained in soap will help you know if what you are getting is good for your skin or you are given a raw deal.

For the best soaps on your dry skin, choose soaps with glycerin because of its moisturizing properties that enable it to absorb water from the air. Vegetable oils, avocado, Aloe Vera, and cocoa butter are other ingredients you should look if you have dry skin. You can also choose olive oil that is rich in squalene.

Potency

Look for soap brands that are potent in high-quality ingredients that effectively treat your dry skin.

You should look at the certification and the chemicals contained therein to ascertain that you have the best soap for your dry skin.

If a soap manufacturer claims a product is suitable for dry skin though there are no ingredients that increase moisture, it is advisable that you avoid the product, as it is not authentic.

Effectiveness

The soap brand you choose should effectively cover your needs and help alieve and moisturize your dry skin.

Dry skin soap does not only need to have moisture, but it also needs to have medicinal properties, such as protection of skin bacteria.

If you just need your skin to be healthy, it is important to consider soaps made with Aloe Vera. These soaps apart from moisturizing your skin have numerous health benefits, and that is the reason that they are in high demand.

Value

Whether you are on a budget or not, you should feel like the soap brand you choose is worth the investment!

You should look at the different soap brand prices, their use and determine which soap is best for your dry skin. Some soaps of the same sizes may differ in prices.

9 Best Soap Brands for Dry Skin

1. Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Amazon Link

Cetaphil is one of the oldest brands on our list, and for a very good reason. It was founded in the late 1940s by a pharmacist and grew in popularity due to its gentle yet effective formula. Over the years, that formula has only improved and launched a line of cleansers for every skin type. We love this gentle bar because it really helps preserve moisture on your skin.

Read more

The reason Cetaphil is so popular is that it doesn’t add any unnecessary ingredients to its formula. This bar is free of any unwanted dyes, chemicals, or fragrances that can dry out or even irritate your skin. It’s made to retain natural moisture without adding excess ingredients on the surface.

This gentle formula will leave your skin feeling refreshed and cleans without a greasy residue like some of the other brands out there on the market. Users found that using this bar not only made their skin feel nourished and soft, but it also reduced the risk of breakouts as well. Plus, it is so gentle you can use it on your face as well as your body.

If you are in the market for something that comes from a trusted brand at an affordable price point, you can’t go wrong with this bar. It is made from very gentle ingredients that are very kind to your skin, and super effective at washing away oil and dirt that causes breakouts.

Amazon Link

2. L'Occitane

Where to buy
Amazon Link
L'Occitane
Amazon Link

L’Óccitane Soap is 100% vegetable oil and nourishing shea butter. Although the soap is expensive compared to others, it is big in size with a clean refreshing lemon fragrance. The soap foams gently and cleanses the skin while preserving its natural moisture balance.

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The rich Shea butter ingredient in the soap ensures that you do not need an after shower lotion.

The soap gives the skin the required moisture, and it leaves your body smelling beautiful. It can be used on both sensitive and dry skin. It is gentle and can be used on the face without drying out. The bar also foams easily and this ensures that you will not need to use much of it.

The soap comes in big sizes that last long. Having huge bar sizes ensures that the soaps last longer and can be used for washing the face and the whole body.

Amazon Link

3. Southern Natural

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Essential Oil Blend - Handmade Goat Milk Soap Bars - Great For Dry Sensitive Skin! All Natural Face
Amazon Link

What’s great about this option from Southern Natural is that it moisturizes while being kind to your skin. This bar is ideal for users that have a hard time finding options that don’t make their skin itchy or break out. It may be a little more expensive than most but we feel that it is well worth it.

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The very first thing that we noticed about this option is that it is made from 100 percent all-natural ingredients. It is lightly hinted with a scent of lavender that comes from lavender essential oil. We also love that it is free of dyes that are known to zap moisture from your skin.

What makes this option stand out from the pack is that it is also made with goat’s milk. The great thing about goat's milk is that it contains natural fats to retain moisture, as well as added vitamins that help your skin have a healthy glow.

If you are in the market for something that is composed of natural ingredients that leave behind just a hint of lavender, this is a great option. Users find that it lathers great, and one bar lasts quite some time when compared to other options.

Amazon Link

4. Dove

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Dove
Amazon Link

When used for cleaning purposes, Dove would not dry your skin after use, unlike numerous other regular soaps that would be sold to you on the market. Therefore, if you are looking for something of exceptional quality for the right price, then this is the type of soap you should buy.

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With every use of this soap, you are assured of the fact that your skin would stay smoother, softer and more glowing with every passing moment. There is no better way to spend your money other than buying a suitable soap that works well with your skin type. This brand has an outstanding moisturizing capability that would leave your skin feeling supple and very smooth.

It is gentle on the skin with good cleansing power so that it becomes easy for any consumer to retain his or her skin’s moisture day after day.

This brand may be pricey; however, worth every penny.

Amazon Link

5. AVEENO Naturals

Where to buy
Amazon Link
AVEENO Naturals Moisturizing Bar for Dry Skin
Amazon Link

More often than not, your skin becomes dry due to an overabundance of unnecessary chemicals found in many products. What we liked most about this option is that it is free of any dyes, fragrances, or unwanted fillers. It is composed of all-natural ingredients designed to add moisture to your skin and nothing else!

Read more

AVEENO is recommended by most dermatologists because it is affordable and effective! It is made from a nourishing oat that helps to absorb dirt and oil (and not moisture) to wash away cleanly while leaving your skin feeling refreshed.

If you have sensitive skin, this is one of the best options out there on the market. Due to the fact that it is free of dyes and chemicals, it is less likely to irritate your skin when compared to other brands. Plus, added fragrances can sometimes dry out your skin or leave behind an odor that the people around you may not find too pleasing.

What great about this option is that it comes from one of the most trusted names in the industry. It comes in at a super affordable price point, and it is available online as well as your local drug store. With a minimal list of ingredients, it washes away dirt and odors without leaving anything behind that may dry out your skin.

Amazon Link

6. Mountain Ocean

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Mountain Ocean
Amazon Link

It works well for people with fair and sensitive skin. The fact that the scent is not easily noticeable is one of the reasons why people who do not prefer products with strong scents love it.

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This particular soap smells great with every use and it has a luxurious lather. It can be used effectively for showering as well as shaving.

Its moisturizing quality, as well as its mild scent, are some countless reasons why a lot of people choose this brand.

This option is affordable and it takes good care of your skin by ensuring that it stays soft and healthy day after day.

Amazon Link

7. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar

Where to buy
Amazon Link
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar
Amazon Link

When left alone, your skin is able to hold in moisture with its protective barrier. That barrier is often washed away when using harsh chemicals to cleanse your skin. What we love most about this option from CeraVe is that it was designed with the help of dermatologists (that know a thing or two about skin) to keep that protective barrier intact.

Read more

The most notable feature of this bar isn’t what it found inside, but rather what they leave out. This blend is composed of super gentle ingredients that help dissolve dirt and oil while still leaving that protective barrier intact. By being kind to your skin’s protective barrier, it helps to retain your natural balance of moisture without adding anything else to your skin.

The most important ingredients in this blend are hyaluronic acid and ceramides. When these two ingredients join forces, they can actually work to restore the damage done to your protective barrier and give your skin a bright and healthy glow.

What we loved most about this blend from CeraVe is that it is free of ingredients such as dyes and fragrances that may irritate or even dry out your skin. The blend of ingredients helps to retain moisture while washing away dirt and oil. Plus, it can help keep your skin looking healthy and young (as long as you keep your sunscreen handy!).

Amazon Link

8. Pears

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Pears
Amazon Link

Pears is a simple soap used for facial cleansing. It contains glycerin, which is important for skin moistening. This soap is effective in making the skin moisturized and smooth, and it is one of the best soaps for dry skin.

Read more

The soap is neatly packaged and it contains cardboard to place it on when in use. The color of the bar is clear golden tinted glycerine with a logo across it. The packaging is unique and luxurious. The size of the soap is larger compared to other similar brands.

It has numerous benefits and it is one of the best when it comes to moistening the skin. It also lasts long considering its low price.

The price of the soap is affordable compared to other soaps of the same size. It is a high-quality soap acquired at a good price.

Amazon Link

9. Method Experiential Bar

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Method Experiential Bar Soap
Amazon Link

What to keep it green? Not only is this design packed with greens that are kind to your skin, but it is also packaged from 50 percent recycled paper. Users love this bar because it laters really well and has a natural pleasant scent. It is composed of ingredients that are kind to your skin and will leave it feeling clean and soft.

Read more

This bar is composed of powerhouse ingredients such as green tea, cucumbers, and seaweed. These ingredients combined help to naturally wash away dirt and impurities while depositing moistures to keep your skin feeling soft and also smelling super fresh.

Based upon what previous users have said about this option, it lathers super well in the shower. You can feel good that it is made from ingredients that are free of parabens and phthalates which can actually cause damage and dry out your skin. Plus, it is made from eco-friendly packaging that you can simply toss into the recycling bin.

If you are on the market for something that boasts a great scent while being kind to your skin as well as the environment, this is a great option. Users love that it lathers quickly, and a singular bar lasts quite some time for an excellent value.

Amazon Link

Sources

  1. Chagrin Valley, 8 Tips to Eliminate Dry Skin this Winter, Product Website
  2. Ashley Miller, What Soap Is Best for Extreme Dry Skin?, Beauty Website
  3. Chagrin Valley, Help Me Choose Natural Products for Dry & Itch Skin, Product Website
  4. Heather Brannon, MD, The Truth About What Soap Does to Your Skin, Wellness Website

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