5 Tips for Finding a Soap or Body Wash That Won't Irritate Skin

I bought this soap based on CL recommendation, however, my husbsnd and I found it to be excessively drying. Both of us experienced dry chapped/peeling hands after using this soap for a couple weeks. Neither of us have a financial interest in this product nor in a competing product.

I’m surprised that consumer labs did not mention Cerave bar soap. Dermatologist recommended. It has a moisturizer and does not leave your skin dry.

Interested in ConsumerLab's opinion about Vanicream products. Years ago, my dermatologist recommended them, and I continue to use them. I see that Vanicream's Gentle Body Wash, Gentle Facial Cleanser, Cleansing Bar, Moisturizing Lotion and Moisturizing Cream are all recommended on the National Eczema Association's website. Was there a reason Vanicream products weren't mentioned in your review? Or were they mentioned, and I missed it? In reviewing the ingredients for Vanicream Gentle Body Wash (to the best of my ability), I couldn't find any of the ingredients that CL recommends to avoid. And what about their shampoos?

Thanks for all your hard work! I love ConsumerLab!

Thank you so much for this review. I will have to try the pHact soap and later the 7th generation liquid soap. I do not use liquid soap much anymore but sometimes it is nice in back door bathroom when coming in from dirty outdoor/gardening task. I am currently using a unscented goat milk soap (brand name: BEND) and I have been a fan of this soap, after switching to it in late 1999, because my eczema suddenly was gone. I cannot be sure it was all the soap, because at the same time, because I was having blood sugar issues too, being scared about the side effects of diabetes, (I had eczema for a good 15 years before blood sugar issues appeared) I dramatically changed my diet. So I am not sure if the soap or the big diet changes (or the combination) is responsible for me having normal skin again. I rarely ever use skin lotions at all anymore because I don’t have the extremely dry. I am only a Bent Soap customer, I have no other ties. I am alarm to read here about allergies.

Curious to know if anyone has had any experience with Dead Sea Warehouse face and body bar? I have used for showering (not on my face) for years with good results. (No financial interest in this company — or any other — and no relationship with the owner.)

I have been using Clearly Natural unscented glycerin soap for decades, and it works very well, is not drying and does not promote or exacerbate my dermatitis.

Been using Dr. Bronner for years. 1/4 water and 3/4 soap in dispenser. Did not hear any comment from Consumer lab on that.

I haven’t seen the Everyone brand but we have been happy with Everyone 3 in one soap and their lotion. They are EWG approved and can be found all over and are very economical which is also an important consideration these days. We have no financial interest in this brand.

Has anyone used Miracle Soap II ?
I use it for a body wash, face wash, hand soap, and cleaner. Says you can use for shampoo, laundry soap, and many more things. Seems to work very well for me. Please let me know if you have any information on it. Thanks
I have no financial interest

You state in your articles that Castile soaps are made with sodium hydroxide. I have always heard that they are made using potassium hydroxide? Sodium hydroxide (lye) normally produces a hard cake soap.

Our personal observation in our household is that cake soaps tend clog drains more and can leave waxy film streaks on shower stall tiles and any surface they come into contact with. Since switching to all liquid Castile soaps our drains seldom clog and the tiles are easier to clean.

Thanks for the review. I'm taking a closer look at my hand soaps as a result. I'm reassured that the primary soap I use seems to meet your criteria. I use Alaffia authentic African black soap as a body wash, shampoo and hand soap. I stick to the unscented and the only ingredients are Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Palm Kernelate, Ociumum Sanctum leaf extract, potassium hydroxide. I'm hoping the lauryl glucoside is okay. I don't have a financial interest in the product. I just think it's one of the simplest soaps out there.

Thank you for your continued excellent research and reviews. Have you looked at Branch Basics? This is what we use for all our household cleaning and hand soap.

Those of us with nickel allergy are often advised to avoid soaps, lotions, and other skin care products that contain ingredients derived from coconut. When evaluating soap and body washes, did you consider the risks posed by coconut?
Thank you.

Did CL test Dr. Bronners?

I like ProCaps/Andrew Lessman's supplements, so when ProCaps came out with a bar soap, I had to give pHact, a try. I really like it. Creamy, no potent fragrance, rinses clean and skin feels moisturized, not dried out. I haven't tried it as a shampoo, but might give it a try. I thought my goat's milk bar soaps were nice, but the pHact soap is going to be replacing them.

I have tried everything. I now use Attitude Leaves Bar soap, which contains shea butter and avocado oil. Since I began using it several years ago, I have had no problems with eczema. The bars are scented, but I do not have a problem with the sea salt scent. It is difficult for me to find products that work, because I am allergic to lanolin, aloe vera, milk (including goat's milk). Soaps made with coconut oil are okay, if they are unsulphered, but the leaves bar is the best. I also use the Attitude shampoo, hair conditioner and lotions. I do not have a financial interest in these products or any other skin care products.

We've been using Costco's Kirkland brand bar soap for years and it's excellent for sensitive skin.

My wife and I have used Droyt's Soap for years. It's out of the UK and we buy it by the box. It says on the label "Unperfumed Transparent Glycerine Soap for Sensitive Skin" and its ingredients are: Sodium cocoate, sodium palmate, aqua, sucrose, sodium castorate, glycerin and alcohol denatured.

How about dove bar soap for sensitive skin? Any comment on their ingredients?

I have been using Pears Bars for a long time now - SO gentle! Doesn't even burn your eyes if it gets in. And Dr. Bronner's liquid castile is another one I have in the shower. I love that brand's peppermint one for the underarms in the SUMMERtime, when you sweat a lot

I am allergic to everything, but have been happy for years with Desert Essence Fragrance Free body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. These are also gluten-free and vegan. (I have no financial interest in this company -- I just like their fragrance-free products.) The current best price that I can find on these is from iHerb. (I also have no financial interest in iHerb.)

What do you think about Olive 100 bar soap by Sunrise Showers Soap? I've been using it for years as it claims to be 100% pure and gentle.

30 years of clinical practice taking care of kids with eczema. Honest soap often makes it worse. Johnson's baby wash is the worst. I recommend not using it whether a kid has eczema or not. Eucerin, Cetaphil, Cerave, all helpful. For some kids coconut oil is wonderful, but not for others.

Wife and I have been using "Kirk's Coco Castile" soap for more than 25 years. Gentle, lathers well, rinses easily, no heavy fragrance or industrial chemicals. It's a bar, which I prefer. Only brick & mortar source I've found is Publix.

Cocamidopropyl hydroxsultaine must be a problem for me. I have controlled excema but am sensitive to many skin care products. Honest Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash immediately makes my skin itch with tiny pin pricks as well as my scalp. Will have to find another use for this expensive product.

pHact anyone?

olive oil soaps popular with Greeks in USA. how does it rate for dry skin? I use as little as possible.

I have used Basis soap for about 50 years. It doesn’t dry out my skin & I love it. A MD recommended it to me long ago & I have been using it since.

I've used your top pick, Honest Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash, Fragrance Free, and it left my skin dry and itchy. I've also unsuccessfully tried the goat milk soaps. The only body wash I can use that doesn't leave me 'itchy' is "CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash for Normal to Dry Skin".

I've been using Ivory bar soap for at least 40 years. I don't see it mentioned here. Is it still considered a "good" soap?

Is Lava soap good or bad.

Do soaps made with ostrich oil contain irritants? How about soaps made with activated charcoal?

I swear by Vanicream Cleansing Bar. I also find the Whole Foods 365 Colloidal Oatmeal Body Wash (the fragrance-free version) is gentle on my skin.

I buy soaps from Syracuse Soapworks, which makes soap with vegetable oils (olive oil, coconut, and shea butter) mixed with lye and essential oils (e.g., lavendar and rose), which are derived from plants, not synthetically produced. Should people with eczema-prone skin avoid soap with essential oils?

I have only been using Pear's Soap for YEARS.... I find it to be so gentle.

I have tried Goats milk soap from Ole Mill Soap Co. and love it. Makes my skin soft and smooth.

Has anyone had any experience with Phact bars?

Why did you recommend not to use organic/natural soap? What’s wrong with using organic/natural soaps?

Your top pick is "Honest Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash". You describe it as a "product[s] that meet[s] all of the above tips", yet its 4th ingredient is cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.

I take 2-hour long hot baths at least three times a week without drying out my already dry skin - in fact, my skin just glows afterwards. I use half dozen cap fulls of Dr. Teals unscented epsom salts plus (various extras, such as eucalyptus) and wash with The Seaweed Bath Company's Hydrate Gel Douche unscented body wash (with blue green algae, kukui oil, coconut oil, aloe vera. I have skin hunger for these baths -- my skin just loves it, and feels soft and glowing afterwards. (NOTE: I have no financial interest in either product)

Breathtaking diligence & thorough examination throughout this subject. I have found this also everywhere I looked in consumerlab.com!
Member for years. Thank you for your great work. Grateful for all the members' contributions. Ed

I like Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash Fragrance Free.

My dermatologist recommended Free and Clear for my super-sensitive skin. It comes in liquid or bar form. I used to order online, and it was a bit pricey, but now my Costco carries the bars for just over $3.

In areas where the water is very soft, it's hard to wash soap off, and the recommendation is to use a non-soap cleanser. The dermatologist recommended Aquanil for a skin condition, but has alcohols and SLS.

HONEST Purely Simple Fragrance-Free Shampoo + Body Wash | Tear-Free Baby Shampoo as shown above in this article, is only available for $36.99 for two 10 ounce bottles on Amazon!! I could not find it anywhere else.
I went to the Honest website and something similar is available. So I wanted to verify that it is exactly the same product, just in new packaging. Thanks!

We have a product in Australia called Moo Goo. Australian made. Not tested on animals hence can’t be sold in China. Products for everything. Hair. Skin problems. Face cleansers and cream. Fabulous for eczema

MANY THANKS to the ConsumerLab team for this research, bringing all of these issues to light about personal products, from floss to sunscreen to cleansers. It is a great service you are doing, and greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work!

Your preamble said you would mention Aveeno but I don’t see it listed. What about Aveeno bar soap? EWG seems to give it a good evaluation.

I'm looking at a wrapper of Cove Men + Care and don't see anything resembling methylisothiazolinone and other isothiazolinones preservatives. Do these appear under other names?

Never a bad idea to consult ewg.org on these products.

I have been using Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap for years. It's very gentle on the skin with no irritating scents. Highly recommended.

What about Dove?

Thank you, Dr. Cooperman, from the bottom of my 80-year-old heart, for this truly wonderful Christmas gift. Worth many more times the annual fee for this membership!
Pat Moore

I have to avoid products with salicylates, which eliminates many “natural” products containing plant oils and herbs. However, I’ve tried bars of Emu oil soap by Soap works. The bars are very moisturizing, and I have had no reactions after using it for about two years. Here’s the ingredient list: INGREDIENTS: Sodium Tallowate, Sodium Cocoate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Emu Oil.

we use Kirks soap bars. prefer bars. don't like body washes. Kirks offers aloe, fragrance free options.

I've found Dr Bronner's Pure Castile Peppermint and Citrus soaps to be the best for sensitive skin. I use it for my hair and a body wash.

Trader Joe's Oatmeal & Honey Soap Pure Vegetable Soap - very best soap and cheap

I purchase Amish soap - and my hands are no longer chapped, etc; Just Google Amish soap. It often comes in a chunky form and usually pinkish color or white.

I have suffered from Allergic Contact Dermatitis (an autoimmune issue, not just itchy skin breakout from time to time). I'm allergic to several metals and also to all isothiazolinones so have much experience with this preservative. This preservative is in many many products. For example, it's in pretty much every single laundry detergent and softener out there; you have to go up to the manufacturer's website and look up the exact detergent name to see this as there are no ingredients on the bottles listed. Same with dishwashing soaps and household cleaners. CL is spot on in warning about the "natural" items; even the ones touted as being for sensitive skin have some sort of isothiazolinone in them. Isothiazolinone is even in personal cleansing wipes, which can cause a rash even in babies.

The other thing to watch for is isothiazolinone being added later on. We discovered this with our hand soap--it didn't have it in for several years and then all of a sudden it had been snuck in; we didn't discover it until I started getting my Allergic Contact Dermatitis outbreaks and narrowed it down.

At this point, we've got all of our products picked out for using in laundry, hand washing, household cleaning, etc. I can provide some brand names for those who need it. For example, for laundry we use Dr. Bonner's Sal Suds. For countertops, we use a mix of Dr. Bonner's unscented baby wash and water; if we need bleach, we carefully use bleach but I avoid direct skin exposure, and we even have 409 for really bad stuff but again, carefully limit my exposure. Always travel with your own face wash, etc.

It's possible to avoid isothiazolinones but you have to be quite vigilant in reading all labels and researching what to use for various applications.

Thank you so much for this… very helpful!

We use SheaMoisture, Baby Wash & Shampoo, With Frankincense & Myrrh. The cost is about $10.50 for 13 ounce bottle or about $0.80 per ounce. Prices vary a little depending on where we purchase it. We are 2 adults that have used this for years. Even our dog gets a bath with it. No financial interest - we just like it.

I have been using Pears Soap for decades now. Never burns or stings even if it got in your eyes. It's the ONLY soap to use on one's face. When my grandkids tried it- they got hooked and made their mothers buy it for them. I love this soap. I also do like the DR. Bronners for the shower and especially their peppermint one for washing in the summer!!!

Here in Canada, we have The Soap Works Unscented glycerine soap, and it's pretty good. The bars are the most economical, no more than $2 or $3 Cdn. And they last a while. Well.ca has them, but they can also be found in Canada at many Bulk Barn locations and health food stores.

We also have our own sunflower based castile by Green Beaver brand. They're comparable in price to Dr. Bonner's.

The least expensive unscented shampoo and conditioner is Live Clean, only available at one regional pharmacy now for $7.50 Cdn (sometimes on sale for $5.99 or if really lucky, $4.99 each).