13 Best Vegan Bar Soaps for Guilt-free Luxury

Written by Anoushka Sinha, Skincare Coach & Writer
Updated on Feb 05, 2024
13 Best Vegan Bar Soaps for Guilt-free Luxury
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Crafted from natural, pure, and usually mostly organic ingredients, vegan bar soaps are a remarkable eco-savvy choice for utmost self-care and of course, skincare. The best vegan bar soaps are immensely loved for their environmentally friendly formulation. They are crafted without animal fats and instead contain gentle ingredients for a luxurious cleansing experience, minus the guilt. 

 No matter whether you have oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, a vegan handmade soap will seamlessly sweep away impurities, dust, grime, and pollutants from your skin leaving it smooth and supple. Furthermore, it has countless household purposes — you can use it in your daily shower, cleanse your hair, as well as shampoo your pets. 

Based on our extensive research, vegan bar soaps are made largely from castor, coconut, olive, and jojoba oils, shea butter, honey, aloe vera, and other food-grade ingredients. You can also find skin-nourishing oils sourced from walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, and botanical extracts. With a potent blend of ingredients, these soaps are gentle for the skin as well as the planet. 

Join us on a sudsy journey as we explore and review the best vegan and cruelty-free soaps for sheer rejuvenation and freshness. The ones on our list do not contain animal derivatives or nasties, and are 100% cruelty-free! Let’s get started!

13 Best Vegan Bar Soaps That Promote Soft And Supple Skin

This natural vegan soap from Crate 61 is a skincare essential crafted with premium essential oils and plant-derived key ingredients. It cleanses deep-seated dust, impurities, sweat, and pollutants and leaves your skin squeaky clean. What we love is the soap’s enhancing aroma that hooks the senses and refreshes the mood instantly. Last but not least, the nourishing formula hydrates the skin, making you experience a deep sense of cleanliness and hygiene.

Key Ingredients: Olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil and kaolin clay

Pros
  • Ideal for all skin types
  • Sustainable packaging
  • Cost-effective
  • Available in a variety of scents
Cons
  • Might take time to lather
  • Editor’s Pick

    Amish Farms Quality Handmade Bar Soap

    Amish Farms Quality Handmade Bar Soap
  • Perfect for dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin, this vegan and cruelty-free bar soap gently cleanses the skin without hampering its integrity. The moisturizing formula ensures a guilt-free cleansing experience with lots of suds and no soap scums. What we love the most about this soap is its wildflower scents and plant-based oils that leave the skin soft and feeling healthier and smooth. The best part? You can also use this soap as a shaving cream!

    Key Ingredients: Bentonite clay

    Pros
    • Free from parabens
    • Budget-friendly
    • Completely handmade
    • Pack of 5 bars
    • Very mild scent
    Cons
    • Little gritty

    Quick Tip

    Put the bar in warm water to bring out the soap's silky-smooth lather. Massage it onto your hands in circular motions and apply it to your body. Rinse thoroughly.

  • Best for Acne Prone Skin

    Dr. Bronner’s - Pure-Castile Bar Soap

    Dr. Bronner’s - Pure-Castile Bar Soap
  • Made from pure certified organic oils, Pure-Castile Bar Soap from Dr. Bronner’s aims to provide an invigorating and thorough wash. It produces a rich lather and is crafted especially for acne-prone skin. It is mild, gentle, and effective and can also be applied to your hair and face. Topping it all off, this plant-based bar soap exudes an alluring tea tree fragrance that lingers onto your skin for a longer period of time. For all those who are looking for a luxe feel, this bar soap has to be your ideal pick!  

    Key Ingredients: Coconut, olive, jojoba oils, and hemp

    Pros
    • Pocket-friendly
    • Non-drying formula
    • Recyclable packaging
    • Variety of scent options to choose from
    Cons
    • Melts quickly
  • Best Non-irritating Formula

    AEGEAN 100% Natural Bar Soaps

    AEGEAN 100% Natural Bar Soaps
  • Individually wrapped, Aegean’s 100% Natural Bar Soaps are not only super adorable but also convenient, especially if you are a regular traveler. They help in sweeping off impurities and refresh your skin within minutes. They also have a mesmerizing herbal scent and come with a hypoallergenic formula! So, for anyone who wants to transform their daily showers into a sensory delight, do get your hands on this pack of 8 handcrafted soaps. 

    Key Ingredients: Essential oils

    Pros
    • Suits all skin types
    • Free from sulfates
    • Sturdy packaging
    Cons
    • The scent doesn’t last long
  • Most Versatile

    Saavy Naturals Organic Soap Bar Set

    Saavy Naturals Organic Soap Bar Set
  • This 10-pack squared-shaped vegan soap bar is handcrafted with love and 100% natural and pure ingredients. Point to note — each soap bar exudes a delectable fragrance that refreshes your mind and mood instantly. Based on our findings, this set is just perfect for someone who loves to indulge in spa-like retreats. It is a set and hence, also giftable! Last but not least, these exquisite colorful soap bars are crafted for all skin types!

    Key Ingredients: Oils, butters, and food-grade ingredients

    Pros
    • Lathers well
    • Safe for kids
    • Versatile
    Cons
    • Small size
  • Best Unscented Soap

    Carolina Gentle Unscented Castile Soap

    Carolina Gentle Unscented Castile Soap
  • This castile soap bar introduced by one of the best chemical-free soap brands, Carolina, has exceeded our expectations. It is an absolute recommendation for anyone who wants to soothe their chafed and dry skin. This bar seamlessly moisturizes, cleanses, and nourishes the skin, leaving it utterly hydrated and smelling great! Additionally, it lathers really well and is also suitable for kids. Plus, you get 6 of them in just one buy! 

    Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter and olive oil

    Pros
    • Gentle
    • Safe for kids
    • Non-irritating formula
    • Can be used for shaving
    Cons
    • Slightly pricey

    Quick Tip

    Damp your skin and use this bar soap as a pre-shave prep for a smoother, more comfortable shave.

  • Most Soothing

    Skin Said Yes Organic Soaps Bars

    Skin Said Yes Organic Soaps Bars
  • Right from the first lather, the delightful feel and scent of these organic soap bars from Skin Said Yes will create a spa-like experience. What makes it stand apart from the rest is the fact that it soothes dry and sensitive skin leaving it feeling soft and hydrated. If you are someone who is looking for the healthiest bar soap, then pick this one for sure! We tried and tested the bars and each one is a sensory delight! 

    Key Ingredients: Olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter

    Pros
    • Pleasant aroma
    • Giftable
    • Neatly packed
    Cons
    • Melts quickly
  • Best Antiseptic Qualities

    Desert Essence Tea Tree Therapy Cleansing Soap Bar

    Desert Essence Tea Tree Therapy Cleansing Soap Bar
  • The next one on our list is Desert Essence’s Tea Tree Therapy Cleansing Soap Bar. What made us recommend it is the fact that this organic vegan soap leaves out nasties like sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances or colors, and silicones. It is completely safe and fully plant-powered to cleanse and nourish your skin deeply. We like that it comes in different scents, so there’s one for everyone! 

    Key Ingredients:  Aloe vera and jojoba oil

    Pros
    • Soothing
    • Sensitive-skin friendly
    • Very therapeutic
    • Available in a variety of scents
    Cons
    • Feels a little gritty
  • Best Fruity Fragrance

    The Body Shop Strawberry Cleansing Face & Body Bar

    The Body Shop Strawberry Cleansing Face & Body Bar
  • We just love how this Strawberry Face and Body Bar from The Body Shop leaves skin dewy and petal soft. Addedly, this fruity bar is no less than a powerhouse that deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin. The bonus? It works in harmony with your skin’s pH levels to prevent itchiness and dehydration. We can get behind what an Amazon reviewer says about this one: “This bar is not a mere skincare essential, instead, it is a miracle bar that gives the skin the clean feeling it deserves!”

    Key Ingredients: Sodium palmate, sodium palm kernelate, aqua, glycerin, and sodium chloride

    Pros
    • Lathers well
    • Dermatologically-tested
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Cruelty-free
    Cons
    • The skin feels a little sticky post-use
  • Best Cold-pressed

    Natural Amor- Organic Handmade Soap Bar Set

    Natural Amor- Organic Handmade Soap Bar Set
  • Natural Amor’s organic handmade soap bars bring a touch of luxury in the true sense! Firstly, we highly appreciate how the brand uses a cold-pressed method to craft the soaps. This old-fashioned way is indeed a great way to preserve the nutrients and effectiveness of the key ingredients and essential oils. Secondly, they are gentle on the skin and promise top-notch exfoliation. What’s more? Users report that this soap doesn’t clog pores just works towards leaving them squeaky clean! 

    Key Ingredients: Shea butter and honey

    Pros
    • Palm-oil free
    • Cruelty-free
    • Non-GMO
    • Free from preservatives
    Cons
    • Pricey
  • Kiss My Face De-Stress Bar Soap

    Kiss My Face De-Stress Bar Soap
  • After a hectic day at work or home, Kiss My Face De-Stress Bar Soap is what one would love to find in their bathroom. This soap is incredibly gentle and soothing. It elicits an invigorating fragrance of orange and grapefruit and invites you to an energizing experience in the shower. What’s the bonus? The cruelty-free soap nourishes and moisturizes dry and flaky skin and leaves it hydrated from within. Addedly, it is completely free from phthalates, sodium lauryl, artificial colors, and mineral oil.

    Key Ingredients: Rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, marshmallow root, and hemp seed oil

    Pros
    • Mild
    • Palm-oil free
    • Inexpensive
    Cons
    • The scent doesn’t linger on the skin for long
  • Bali Botanicals Bali Bars

    Bali Botanicals Bali Bars
  • Drawing from our experience, each soap introduced by Bali Botanicals is an utterly hydrating retreat for the skin. It comes with Balinese signature scents such as lemongrass, frangipani, refreshing ocean breeze, green bamboo, floral and spices, and rice milk. We bet you will also be obsessed with these extremely hydrating and nourishing bars just like us. The rich and creamy lather is yet another feature that will keep you in love with these beauties!

    Key Ingredients: Coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor oils

    Pros
    • Ideal for all skin types
    • Sustainably packaged
    • Giftable
    Cons
    • None
  • Bali Soap - Sandalwood

    Bali Soap - Sandalwood
  • Here comes yet another magnificent creation transporting you to the aromatic indulgence of Bali. This sandalwood bar is crafted using the cold process method and of course, plant-based ingredients. It is also textured with botanicals for an invigorating scrub. Based on our findings, this one is no less than an ultra-nourishing recipe that sloughs away layers of dry skin seamlessly. What we liked the most is the rich conditioning suds that leave skin feeling silky-soft, smooth, and supple.

    Key Ingredients: Indonesian coconut oil, water, sodium hydroxide, fragrance, sandalwood wood powder, saffron powder, clove flower bud powder, marigold flower, and glycerin

    Pros
    • Promotes even complexion
    • Pack of 3
    • Creates a creamy lather
    • Variety of scents to choose from
    Cons
    • Might not suit extremely sensitive skin

    That was our comprehensive list of the best vegan soaps from some top brands. Now, let us run you through a detailed buying guide.

    How to Choose the Right Vegan Bar Soap?

    Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best vegan bar soap: 

    Skin Type: Always analyze your skin type before getting your hands on any of the best vegan soaps. Those who have sensitive skin may want to pick soaps that are mild and gentle. For those who are dealing with dry skin, invest in soaps that are enriched with hydrating and nourishing formulas. Likewise, an oil-free soap is a reliable choice for those with oily skin. A wrong choice of soap may lead to irritated skin, allergic reactions, or inflammation.  So, always be careful when it comes to soaps, their formulation, and your skin type. 

    Ingredients: Although all vegan and cruelty-free body soaps are plant-based, it is advisable to check the ingredients thoroughly. The majority of the bar soaps are made from shea butter, honey, coconut, olive, avocado, castor oils, etc. so all you need to do is check if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.  

    Formula: There are plenty of plant and vegetable-based soap brands that offer an array of vegan soaps. So, it is recommended to check their formula. It is advisable to pick those that are free from palm oil, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, and added preservatives.

    Tips for Using Vegan Bar Soaps

    Following are the tips for using vegan bar soaps: 

    1. Rinse your skin with lukewarm water. 
    2. Loosen dirt, dust, grime, or any kind of impurities seated on your skin. 
    3. Begin lathering the soap. 
    4. Do not rub too hard. Be gentle. 
    5. You may use a loofah, mitt, or bath brush for effective cleaning. 
    6. Rinse your skin thoroughly. 
    7. Dry your skin with a microfiber towel.

    Apply a good-quality moisturizer to soothe your skin.

    Conclusion

    Once you pick one of the best vegan bar soaps that you like, you will be able to seamlessly take care of your skin and indulge in a refreshing shower session every day without having to feel icky about the ingredients that are going on your skin. Of course, vegan soap bars are loved not only for their fantastic formulation but also skin-nourishing properties. Considering factors like skin type, formulation, ingredients, and reviews, we have enlisted the best of the best vegan bars for you. For a relaxing aromatherapy, you can get your hands on Skin Said Yes Organic Soaps Bars. It has managed to gain immense attention for its skin soothing, hydrating, and softening abilities. Likewise, the Body Shop Strawberry Cleansing Face & Body Bar has impressed users with its fruity fragrance and magnificent cleansing capabilities. So, wait no longer, and incorporate a vegan soap bar into your daily routine right away! Happy shopping!

    FAQ's

    Are vegan bar soaps suitable for all skin types?
    Yes, vegan bar soaps are made from natural, pure, and organic ingredients, and hence they are ideal for all skin types.
    How do I identify vegan bar soaps without animal-derived ingredients?
    For that, you need to check the list of ingredients mentioned on the soap bar. A vegan bar soap is completely free from animal derivatives.
    Do vegan bar soaps have a particular fragrance, or are there unscented options available?
    Vegan bar soaps have fragrance depending upon the ingredients that they are crafted with. You may also find unscented or mildly scented vegan bar soaps too.
    Can vegan bar soaps address specific skin concerns, such as acne or dryness?
    Yes, vegan skin bar soaps can address skin troubles like clogged pores, dryness, and flaky skin, depending on the formulation.
    Can vegan bar soaps be used for the face and body, or are they specific to certain areas?
    Vegan bar soaps can be used for face, body, as well as hair. However, it is important to read the directions of usage that the soap comes with.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Our certified skincare expert, Anoushka, has meticulously reviewed the best vegan bar soaps considering a plethora of factors like ingredients, formula, fragrance, reviews, ratings, etc. She believes vegan bar soaps are one of the best and most natural solutions to take care of the skin without falling prey to any harsh skin reaction or allergies. Hence, she tried and tested a few and then enlisted a couple of her top picks for you. It’s Crate 61 Lavender Natural Bar Soap that she liked the most and recommends for all skin types. You can also roll your eyes over the rest of her recommendations and indulge in the most invigorating spa-like retreat at home!

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Anoushka Sinha
    Skincare Coach & Writer

    Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As a More