If you noticed the frenzy over the Loewe tomato soap-on-a-rope or thrilled to the Glossier gritty exfoliating cake in pink, you might think there’s a resurgence in bar soap. Some of this is explained by a blend of style and nostalgia. Many fans also sing bar soap’s praises for its minimal packaging and low carbon footprint. We asked Javon Ford, our on-call cosmetic chemist, why people are suddenly bellying up to the bar—and whether that’s actually a good idea.
I don’t believe in using bar soap on your face, because the pH is high. And I don’t care what people say—you cannot make a pH-balanced soap.
