How to Wash Your Face with Bar Soap: A Step-by-Step Guide for Healthy Skin
Looking for a simple, effective way to keep your face clean—without harsh chemicals or complicated routines? Bar soap for the face is making a comeback, especially among teens and young adults who want natural, gentle, and eco-friendly skincare. But is bar soap good for your face? How do you use it the right way? This guide answers your biggest questions, debunks myths, and walks you through the best way to wash your face with bar soap for clear, healthy skin.
Is Bar Soap Good for Your Face?
You might have heard that bar soap is too harsh or drying for facial skin. The truth is, not all bar soaps are created equal. Traditional body bars often contain detergents, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals that can strip your skin’s natural moisture barrier. But modern facial bar soaps—like those from Prep U—are carefully formulated with plant-based, clean ingredients that gently cleanse without causing irritation or dryness.
Benefits of using bar soap on your face:
- Gentle Cleansing: Modern formulas use nourishing oils and natural clays to remove dirt and oil without stripping skin.
- Eco-Friendly: Bar soaps are plastic-free, last longer, and reduce waste.
- Great for Teens: Prep U bars are designed for teen skin—balancing oil, soothing sensitivity, and helping with breakouts.
The key is to choose a bar soap made specifically for the face and your skin type. (Not sure which is right for you? Compare all Prep U bars here.)
How to Use Bar Soap on Your Face: Step-by-Step
Washing your face with bar soap is easy, but a few simple steps can help you get the best results:
Step 1: Wet Your Face and Hands
Use lukewarm water to gently dampen your face. Hot water can dry out your skin, while lukewarm helps open pores for a deeper clean.
Use lukewarm water to gently dampen your face. Hot water can dry out your skin, while lukewarm helps open pores for a deeper clean.
Step 2: Lather the Bar in Your Hands
Rub the bar between your hands to create a creamy lather. Avoid rubbing the bar directly on your face—your hands give you more control and are gentler on sensitive skin.
Rub the bar between your hands to create a creamy lather. Avoid rubbing the bar directly on your face—your hands give you more control and are gentler on sensitive skin.
Step 3: Massage Lather onto Your Face
Using your fingertips, gently massage the lather onto your face in small circles. Focus on areas that get oily or congested, like your forehead, nose, and chin.
Using your fingertips, gently massage the lather onto your face in small circles. Focus on areas that get oily or congested, like your forehead, nose, and chin.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Splash your face with lukewarm water, making sure to remove all the soap. Leftover residue can lead to dryness or irritation.
Splash your face with lukewarm water, making sure to remove all the soap. Leftover residue can lead to dryness or irritation.
Step 5: Pat Dry with a Clean Towel
Gently pat (don’t rub) your face dry. This helps prevent irritation and keeps your skin soft.
Gently pat (don’t rub) your face dry. This helps prevent irritation and keeps your skin soft.
Step 6: Moisturize (Optional but Recommended)
Follow with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and balanced.
Follow with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and balanced.
How often should you wash your face with bar soap?
For most teens and young adults, twice daily—morning and night—is ideal. After sports or sweating, a gentle cleanse is also a good idea.
For most teens and young adults, twice daily—morning and night—is ideal. After sports or sweating, a gentle cleanse is also a good idea.
Tips for Washing Your Face with Bar Soap
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Pick the Right Bar for Your Skin Type:
- Oily/acne-prone? Try Prep U’s Tea Tree Cleansing Castile Bar or Charcoal Bar.
- Dry/sensitive? Go for Sandalwood Cleansing Bar.
- Combo/normal? Peppermint + Oats Bar is a great all-rounder.
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Don’t Overdo It:
- If your skin feels dry, cut back to once a day or try a more hydrating bar.
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Store Your Bar Properly:
- Keep your bar on a well-drained soap dish away from direct water to make it last longer and prevent mushiness.
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Avoid Scrubbing Too Hard:
- Gentle, circular motions are best—let the soap and your fingertips do the work.
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Switch It Up:
- You can use different bars for morning and night, or for face and body, depending on your needs.
Bar Soap vs. Face Wash: What’s the Difference?
Bar soaps—like Prep U’s cleansing bars—offer gentle, effective cleansing with minimal packaging and clean, plant-based ingredients. If you prefer a liquid option, our Foaming Daily Face Wash for All Skin Types delivers a rich, foamy cleanse that’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and made for sensitive or breakout-prone skin.
Bar Soap Benefits:
- Solid, long-lasting, and plastic-free
- Simple, natural ingredients
- Great for travel and eco-friendly routines
Liquid Face Wash Benefits:
- Convenient pump bottle
- Rich, foaming texture
- Easy to use in the shower or at the sink
Both are excellent choices for teens and young adults. It’s all about your skin’s needs and your personal routine—Prep U has you covered with both options.
Best Bar Soaps for Face (Recommended Products)
Prep U’s facial bars are designed for real teen skin concerns—breakouts, oil, sensitivity, and more. All are vegan, cruelty-free, and made with plant-based ingredients.
Tea Tree Cleansing Castile Bar
- Deep cleans and helps fight breakouts with natural tea tree oil.
Charcoal Face & Body Cleansing Bar
- Detoxifies and unclogs pores with activated charcoal and bentonite clay.
Sandalwood Cleansing Bar
- Hydrates and soothes with shea butter and sandalwood essential oil.
Peppermint + Oats Cleansing Bar
- Gently exfoliates and refreshes with peppermint and oats.
Alpine Shave Bar
- Multi-use bar for shaving and cleansing, with French green clay and fresh essential oils.
Prefer a liquid cleanser?
Try our Foaming Daily Face Wash for All Skin Types—gentle, effective, and perfect for every routine.
Try our Foaming Daily Face Wash for All Skin Types—gentle, effective, and perfect for every routine.
FAQs About Washing Your Face with Bar Soap
Can you use bar soap as face wash?
Yes! As long as you choose a bar formulated for facial skin, it can be just as effective (and gentler) than many liquid cleansers.
Yes! As long as you choose a bar formulated for facial skin, it can be just as effective (and gentler) than many liquid cleansers.
Is bar soap safe for acne-prone skin?
Absolutely. Prep U’s Tea Tree and Charcoal bars are great for acne-prone and oily skin.
Absolutely. Prep U’s Tea Tree and Charcoal bars are great for acne-prone and oily skin.
Will bar soap dry out my face?
Not if you use a gentle, plant-based bar designed for facial skin. Avoid traditional body bars.
Not if you use a gentle, plant-based bar designed for facial skin. Avoid traditional body bars.
How do you store bar soap in the bathroom?
Use a soap dish with drainage and keep it away from running water to help your bar last longer.
Use a soap dish with drainage and keep it away from running water to help your bar last longer.
How long does a bar last?
Most Prep U bars last 4–6 weeks with daily use.
Most Prep U bars last 4–6 weeks with daily use.
Can teens use bar soap on their face?
Definitely! Prep U’s bars are made for teens and young adults, with safe, clean ingredients.
Definitely! Prep U’s bars are made for teens and young adults, with safe, clean ingredients.
How often should I wash my face with bar soap?
Twice daily is usually best, or once a day if your skin is very dry or sensitive.
Twice daily is usually best, or once a day if your skin is very dry or sensitive.
What if I prefer a liquid cleanser?
Our Foaming Daily Face Wash for All Skin Types is a gentle, effective option for all skin types.
Our Foaming Daily Face Wash for All Skin Types is a gentle, effective option for all skin types.
Related Resources
- Good Soap for Face: How to Choose the Best Bar
- Compare All Cleansing Bars
- Ingredient Glossary: What’s in Your Bar Soap?
- How to Build a Teen Skincare Routine
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