The reputation of soaps being overly drying usually overlooks one of its best traits—they're incredibly effective at deep cleansing. A gentle soap can remove oil, dirt, and other irritants. Say you went hiking or found yourself stuck outside for too long trying to hail a cab, your skin will need the extra lather to feel squeaky clean again. That said, here are 10 face-friendly soaps to pick up for those desperate times:
Sebamed Baby Cleansing Bar
Originally formulated for babies, this mild bar is moisturizing and pH-balanced so it won't damage your skin's protective barrier.
Sebamed Baby Cleansing Bar, P358, Zalora
Klairs Face Rich Moist Facial Soap
This soap contains a mixture of argan, almond, and jojoba oil for a non-drying cleanse. It also has calamine, a soothing ingredient perfect for sensitive and irritated skin.
Klairs Face Rich Moist Facial Soap, P464, Beautymnl
Zenutrients Cooling Cucumber Glycerin Soap
After a full day out in the sun, refresh your skin with this cooling glycerin soap.
Zenutrients Cooling Cucumber Glycerin Soap, P138, TriNoma
Hello Gorgeous Purifying Facial Soap
The tea tree extract and niacinamide in this soap will help you breeze through a bad breakout on your face and body.
Hello Gorgeous Purifying Facial Soap, P160, Hello Gorgeous
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Those with dry and sensitive skin need a thorough washing, too, and this cult-fave bar can give you exactly that.
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar, P504, Watsons
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Bar Soap
It's rare to see exfoliating acids, niacinamide, and tea tree in one product, but this soap has all three. Basically, it claims to cleanse, exfoliate, and treat blemishes in one step—a perfect match for acne-prone skin.
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Bar Soap, P900, Beautymnl
Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar
Unlike most detoxifying soaps, this bar is free of sulfates that can dry out your skin. It has mineral-rich deep sea mud that exfoliates, glycerin that holds moisture, and palm oil that balances your complexion's oil production.
Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar, P2,050, Sephora.ph
Sisley Soapless Facial Cleansing Bar
Sisley formulated this soap-free cleanser so you can reap all the cleansing benefits of soap sans the uncomfortable, tight feeling. Recommended for combination to oily skin, it promises to eliminate excess sebum and tighten pores over time.
Sisley Soapless Facial Cleansing Bar, P3,800, Rustan's
Lush Fresh Farmacy Facial Soap
The pale pink hue of this soap is due to the high concentration of calamine powder, which can calm down even the most troubled and sensitive skin.
Lush Fresh Farmacy Facial Soap, price unavailable, Greenbelt 3
Wild Ferns Manuka Honey Pure and Gentle Soap
The rich lather and calming fragrance of this antibacterial soap is the best way to cap off your nightly routine.
Wild Ferns Manuka Honey Pure and Gentle Soap, P429, Beauty Bar