Sensitive skin can be a real pain in the neck! After all, allergens are your biggest enemy. But fear not, as we have scoured the internet and tested countless soaps to bring you the ultimate list of the 16 best soaps for sensitive skin. Your skin will definitely thank you for trying these out. 

Speaking of daily hygiene, board-certified dermatologist  Dr. Andrea Suarez says, “For people who have very sensitive skin or are allergic to many preservatives, a gentle cleansing bar may be a better choice (over harsh body washes).” Adding to that, soaps formulated without sulfates and with natural saponins are the way to go! 

Providing alternatives to soaps containing sulfates, our contributor Dr. Rekha Singh, a certified dermatologist, says, “Alternative surfactants to SLS and SLES include Decyl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. These are mild, plant-derived surfactants that effectively cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils.”

So, whether you're a bubbly bath lover or a quick shower go-getter, there's a soap on this list that will make your skin sing with joy. These soaps will leave you feeling clean, refreshed, and of course — truly happy! Scroll away to see our top picks.

• 1
  Best Handmade Soap

  O NATURALS SKINCARE Coconut & Shea Butter Soap - Savon (3 Bars)

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This facial bar soap by O Naturals is among the best options for sensitive skin. With this soap, you will experience no more sneezing, no more itching, just pure bliss every time you lather up — thanks to coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils present in this soap bar. You won't find any harmful chemicals or irritating fragrances lurking in these bars. The soap bar will leave your skin feeling soft, hydrated and absolutely rejuvenated.

2

Best for Nourishment

Dove Beauty Bar, Sensitive Skin (14 bars)

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Dove Beauty Bar has come up with a special soap bar that provides gentle cleansing for sensitive skin. Suitable for men and women, this fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formula is perfect for daily use. It is no less than a spa experience wrapped in bar soap as it provides your skin with the nourishment it craves. Each pack includes 14 bars, making it excellent value for money. The gentle cleanser in this beauty bar is like a protective momma bear — it pampers your skin and replenishes its barrier. Besides, this soap won't strip your skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling parched.

3

Best for Hyperpigmentation

aspen kay NATURALS - TURMERIC COMPLETE

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Introducing the superhero of soaps - the turmeric soap bar by aspen kay! It is one of the best face soaps for sensitive skin as it is made with natural ingredients, making it perfect for all skin types. The star ingredient, turmeric, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a true powerhouse of nutrients for your skin (especially for the extra-sensitive ones). It can be used in multiple ways such as, face soap, body soap or shaving soap. So, no more boring cleansers as this nourishing bar cleanser is here to rescue your sensitive skin!

4

Best for Breakouts

Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar (Pack of 3)

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CETAPHIL Gentle Cleansing Bar will make your skin feel as new as that of a baby. This pack of three bars is a godsend for those with dry, sensitive skin. It's like a gentle hug for your face (minus the awkward human contact). And if you're worried about clogged pores, fear not as this bar is non-comedogenic, and doesn’t cause breakouts. The best part is that the bar is big enough for daily use, which makes it quite economical.

5

Best Sulfate-free Bar

L'Occitane Lavender Extra-gentle Soap

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For starters, this soap has a lean formulation and does not contain harsh surfactants that your skin could do without — which is already good news for sensitive skin types. Now for the great news — the product is emulsified with rich emollients that replenish the skin barrier while also cleansing it, so you can count on it to make your skin feel smooth and revitalized. As the product is devoid of any sulfates, you’re unlikely to experience any dryness or itchiness after a shower and can notice that your skin feels supported and refreshed. Besides, the indulgent lavender fragrance only does the product a favor by making it an irresistible choice to bathe with!

6

Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body & Face Cleanser

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The Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body & Face Cleanser is a fragrance and soap-free formula that is mild enough to soothe and nourish the driest and most sensitive skin types. Step right up, folks, and behold the cleansing marvel, that is this gel-like bar! It's like a warm, fuzzy shield for your skin, making it feel soft and smooth. However, don't judge the purifying abilities of this bar as it can knock out dirt, oil, and impurities effortlessly. With our experience, we can say that you’ll experience an oh-so-smooth skin after just one use!

7

Best for Hydration

basis Sensitive Skin Bar

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With its soothing blend of chamomile and aloe vera, the Basis Sensitive Skin Bar Soap gently cleanses and soothes dry, sensitive skin. It can be used as both, a body wash or hand soap — promising a refreshing and hydrating experience every time you take a shower. With this product, you can mollycoddle irritated skin and make it feel clean and revitalized by leveraging this natural formula. The pack of six bars, hands down, makes for the best hand soaps for sensitive skin, especially for those on a budget.

8

KISS MY FACE Olive Oil Fragrance-Free Bar Soap (Pack of 3)

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As the name suggests, the Kiss My Face Olive Oil Fragrance-Free Bar Soap is like a gentle kiss on your sensitive skin. Its cruelty-free formula features olive oil as its hero ingredient, which means it’ll replenish the lipid barrier of your skin and leave it feeling nourished. This is your chance to up your hydration game with the abundant antioxidants present in this bar soap for sensitive skin. What makes this product even better is that its packaging is made of recyclable cardboard and eco-friendly materials.

9

Tom's of Maine Natural Beauty Bar Soap, Creamy Coconut With Virgin Coconut Oil (Pack of 6)

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Go to a skin spa with Tom's of Maine Natural Beauty Bar Soap! The addition of virgin coconut oil in this soap helps nourish and hydrate sensitive skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. The light and refreshing coconut scent is perfect for a tropical getaway (even if you're just taking a shower!). It’ll also help you retain your skin’s natural moisture as it's free from harsh ingredients. And of course, there are no preservatives in this splendid, dermatologist-recommended soap for sensitive skin.

10

Australian Botanical Soap, Goat's Milk & Soya Bean Oil Pure Plant Oil Soap (Pack of 8)

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Indulge in the luxury of Australian Botanical Soap's Goat's Milk & Soya Bean Oil Pure Plant Oil Soap. Yes, you heard it right — goat's milk! Not only is it great for making cheese, but it's also packed full of nutrients that are super healthy for your skin. The soap also works as a natural exfoliant, which means no more dead skin cells on your body. It leaves your skin looking bright and radiant without much effort. These benefits make the product one of the best natural soaps for sensitive skin. As an added bonus, it also contains soy bean oil, which is known for its incredible moisturizing properties.

11

Best Soothing Scent

Southern Natural Goat Milk Soap Bar - Lavender (Pack of 3)

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This cleansing bar by Southern Natural is perfect for you if indulging in an luxuriously fragrant shower is something you prioritize. It helps with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dryness with its gentle touch. Plus, it has a soothing and relaxing lavender scent, which makes it the perfect addition to your bedtime routine. This all-natural soap is made with goat milk, which is rich in vitamins and minerals that help nourish and hydrate your skin. Not to forget, this soap is free from parabens, sulfates and other harmful chemicals, which makes it the best bar soap for sensitive skin.

12

Best Organic Ingredients

Olivia Care Bath & Body Bar Verbena Soap (Pack of 4)

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The nourishing oil we’ve been adding to our carts is now here in the form of soap, thanks to the Olivia Care Bath & Body Bar. Not only is this cruelty-free bar containing olive oil is gentle on the skin, but it goes one step further to protect it by keeping it hydrated with the goodness of pure essential oils. The rich and nourishing formula will make you feel no less than royalty when you step out of the shower. Furthermore, this vegan soap bar is truly a gift for sensitive skin!

13

The Soap Haven, Goat Milk Soap Bars - Oatmeal & Honey (Pack of 4)

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Not just for breakfast, you can now have oatmeal during your shower too with this cleansing bar! The Soap Haven presents you with its 100% natural goat milk soap bars with oatmeal and honey. If your skin cells are triggered too easily, then befriend this SLS-free and paraben-free soap bar. The natural ingredients such as oatmeal, honey and goat milk offer soothing properties, making this bar soap one of the best soaps for sensitive skin. And oh! It is fragrance-free, which means there is no possibility of any irritants.

14

Eco-friendly Packaging

Purist Pure Soap for Sensitive Skin (Pack of 2)

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All you delicate darlings, it is time to throw away your chemical-infused body washes as Purist’s vegan and pure soap for sensitive skin is here to save you! Turn shower time into a therapy session for your skin with this gentle cleanser that contains organic coconut oil. Free from fragrance, animal fats and color, this is the best soap for dry skin body. Be it a quick bath or a long, relaxing shower, you can rely on this sustainable soap bar for sensitive skin.

15

Best for Skin Detox

Crate 61's Vegan Natural Bar Soap (Pack of 6)

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Well, Christmas came early this year, as Crate 61 has brought you its set of the best soaps for dry skin face, consisting of six handmade soap bars. They’ve got something for everyone: olive oil, activated charcoal, chamomile calendula, lavendar, oatmeal shea, and seaweed sea salt. The dermatologically tested soap bars will inject the lost lustre and moisture that your skin has been yearning for. Well, it is definitely a party for your sensitive and dry skin cells — let them come back to life.

16

Southern Natural, Goat Milk Soap - Dead Sea, Mud, Peppermint & Charcoal

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For those who love the flavour of fresh mint, then the Southern Natural, Goat Milk Soap made with dead sea, mud and peppermint is the one to go for! This one contains all things earthy, which gives it a revitalizing fragrance that will cater to everyone’s olfactory preferences! This naturally detoxing soap treats acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin issues faced by sensitive skin. So big goodbye to your skin issues as this natural soap infused with the richness of goat milk has got your back, literally!

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best soaps for sensitive skin, let us move on to a quick guide to shopping for the best soap suitable for you!

Here are some important factors to consider while picking a soap for sensitive skin:

1. Look for Natural Ingredients: 

Sensitive skin might have an allergic reaction to harsh chemicals, thus it is important to choose soaps made from natural ingredients. You must look for soap bars that are vegan or made from botanical or organic ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, goat milk or herbs. The natural ingredients ensure that you don’t get any allergic reactions. Talking about the ingredients that can soothe sensitive skin, our contributor Dr. Rekha Singh, suggests, “Ingredients like Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, and Centella Asiatica are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. They help calm the skin and reduce redness and irritation.”

2. Look for Soap that Has a Natural Fragrance Or Is Fragrance-Free:

It's necessary to avoid soaps that contain strong fragrances and chemicals because they can irritate sensitive skin. Look for fragrance-free or unscented soaps if you have sensitive skin. You can also shop for naturally-scented soaps containing essential oils or plant extracts as they are far better than artificial fragrances or strong alcohols. 

3. Check the Soap's pH Level:

The skin surface pH is on average 4.7, i.e. below 5, which makes the skin slightly acidic in nature. Therefore, it is advised to look for a soap with pH level ranging between 5-7. Any soap with a pH level above 7 will be too alkaline, which might strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.

4. Go for a Patch Test:

If you're trying a new soap for the first time, test it on a small patch of skin before using it on your face or body. This can help you avoid a potential allergic reaction or irritation and help you pick the right soap for your skin type.

5. Avoid Harsh Ingredients:

Harsh chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, etc. can irritate sensitive skin whereas natural ingredients are more likely to nurture and pamper it. Hence, choose a soap that is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, gentle or free of these chemicals for a clean and happy shower. 

Our skin is our knight in shining armor so it is our duty to protect it at all times and for those with sensitive skin, they need some extra love. We hope this article will help you make an informed decision and grab the best soap for your sensitive skin. It is time to add a bit more joy to your next shower! Ensure you go through our buying guide to make the best purchase. Happy shopping!

Contributor: Dr. Rekha Singh, MBBS, MD - Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy - Oliva Clinic