The key difference is in the formula of ingredients, but you’ll have the same experience, or even better.
Another perk is they’re often multi-purpose and can replace your body wash, shampoo, and face wash. Some can even be diluted and used as laundry detergent and a household cleaner.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for these details when searching around.
Finding one product that can do the job of three is a great way to save money and reduce product-waste (think of all those plastic bottles in your shower)!
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Quick List of Top Picks
- Cove Castile Soap – Unscented
- Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap – Lavender
- Kirk’s Natural Castile Soap Original
- Dr. Woods Raw Black Liquid Body Wash with Organic Shea Butter
- Herban Cowboy Milled Bar Soap – Dusk
- One With Nature Dead Sea Minerals, Dead Sea Mud Soap
- Kiss My Face Naked Pure Olive Oil Moisturizing Bar Soap
- Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Bar Soap – Peppermint
How Are Vegan Soaps Different?
Compared with the typical commercial brands, vegan soaps are different because they use plant-based oils rather than animal fats as their base, making them free of all animal products and by-products.
That might leave you wondering if there’s a compromise of quality with vegan-friendly options, since many soap brands still rely on lard or tallow to formulate their soaps.
Luckily, those animal-derived ingredients aren’t essential to making an effective soap!
Things to Look for in Vegan Soaps
There are a few ingredients you should watch out for such as milk, honey, or beeswax, as these are common in natural and vegetable-based soaps. It’s important to note these ingredients are simply additives and not necessary for a quality soap.
You’ll also want to check the soap’s shelf-life before stocking up since, as they’re generally free of preservatives, they may not last for more than a year depending on how you store them.
But, once you fall in love with a particular brand, you won’t have to worry about expiration dates; you’ll be using them every day!
If shelf-life is a concern with bar soaps, I suggest removing the soap from your shower and keep it in an airtight container after you’ve dried it off.
This’ll extend how long each bar lasts and essentially them from “melting.”
What Are the Advantages of Vegan Soap?
If you’re pursuing a vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle, vegan soaps are obviously essential. Yet, there are also perks for someone who isn’t vegan.
For example, if you have sensitive skin, you may find relief in a product that’s formulated from plant-based ingredients instead of, say, lard.
Additionally, these soaps tend to have more natural ingredients than regular commercial options.
This is another perk for anyone with sensitive skin or consumers who are cautious about the ingredients and chemicals they’re exposing their skin to.
Another cool feature for vegan-friendly options, is they actually help keep the moisture in your skin, so it feels soft and smooth for longer periods of time!
What’s the Best Way to Use Vegan Soap?
If you’ve never used a plant-based soap before, you may be wondering if it can replace your regular soap or if it should just be used as a supplement.
Vegan soaps can be used in the same way you’d use typical soaps; they have all the same applications.
All that’s changed is that it has a different formula, your experience will be the same or likely better, compared to traditional soap.
How to Choose the Best Vegan Soap
As you begin looking around, you’ll find many options available, perhaps more than you anticipated. This sometimes means it’s difficult to discern which soap will be the “best” for you.
In order to find one you’ll love, think about the qualities that are most important to you.
Scent and Fragrance
One important aspect of soap for a lot of people is scent or fragrance. Some people prefer soaps without fragrance if they have sensitive skin. Others may reach for soaps with potent fragrances that linger after a shower.
You’ll want to read each soap’s product description carefully if purchasing online to see what fragrance is in the soap and how strong it is.
Solid or Liquid Soap?
Another factor to consider is the type of soap you prefer. Knowing if you’re looking for a bar, liquid, or cream soap narrows down your search-time.
Saving on Packaging and Waste
Something else to think about is the soap’s packaging. If you’re opting for bar soap, you may be able to pick one up in-store that’s completely free of packaging.
Even if you’re shopping online, a lot of companies have significantly reduced the amount of packaging involved.
If you prefer liquid soap, you can find options that use recycled eco-friendly packaging.
When purchasing online, then, regardless of the type of soap you choose, purchasing in bulk can save you money and avoids wasting shipping materials.
Product Quality and Special Benefits
Lastly, you’ll want to take quality into consideration. Looking at the ingredient list is a great place to start.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to read the ingredients list, some vegan products have some kind of certification stamped on them you’ll see right away.
Next, check the listed benefits they provide. For example, some soaps contain added oils which promote healthy skin.
While these are a perk for some people, they can also irritate sensitive skin for others. When you know what you like and what to avoid, this’ll be a breeze.
8 Top Picks for Superb Vegan Soaps
Whether you’re looking for a solid or liquid soap, one that’s scented or fragrance-free, there’s a vegan soap on this list for you!
Cove Castile Soap – Unscented
The Cove Castile soap is a quality product that’s wonderful for sensitive skin. It’s free of essential oils so can be used on anyone’s skin, even a baby! All the ingredients are certified organic and vegan which is great.
This particular soap is a liquid formula and includes added argan, hemp, and jojoba oils. These oils are full of antioxidants and minerals which have been widely reported to be beneficial for the skin.
This soap is unique from other Castile soaps because the manufacturers don’t use palm oil since it’s cultivation, in most cases, leads to the destruction of rainforests.
This particular Castile formula is non-drying, non-irritating, and soothing for the skin.
Bonus: It’s also safe to use with pets!
What We Like
- Safe for use on adults, babies, and pets
- Doesn’t include palm oil
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Added oils to promote healthy skin
What We Don’t Like
- Bottle with pump isn’t the best
- The formula may be thinner than preferred for some
Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap – Lavender
Dr. Bronner’s is a household name for a lot of people because they’re known for producing top-quality natural products. This lavender soap is no exception.
It’s formulated without preservatives or synthetic detergents so it’s safe and healthy for your skin. It’s so gentle, it can even be used if you have eczema!
This product is certified organic and vegan and the packaging is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. As far as the formula goes, it’s a liquid soap and silky smooth.
It has a lavender scent that’s definitely noticeable. If you’re not a fan of lavender, this soap is available in other scents such as peppermint. It’s not only great for use on the body, but can also be used around the house to tidy up!
Of all the great things to mention, Dr. Bronner’s is also known for being ethical in their business doings, so you can feel good about purchasing their products.
What We Like
- Multi-use (house and body)
- Recycled packaging
- Lavender scent
- Organic and Vegan
- Ethical company
What We Don’t Like
- Some people have reported it makes their skin feel dry although others have stated the opposite
Kirk’s Natural Castile Soap Original
If you’ve been holding out for a vegan-friendly soap in bar form, look no further.
Kirk’s Natural Castile Soap specifically comes in a three-pack of bar soaps. Each bar weighs 4 ounces. It’s hypoallergenic, biodegradable, not tested on animals, and free of detergents.
One of the reasons this product made the list is it doesn’t contain any fragrance or scents, so it’s great for those with sensitive skin and those who simply prefer not to have perfume in their soaps.
This soap is gentle on the skin and will leave it feeling soft after use. It creates a nice lather and can double as a body wash and shampoo, which’ll simplify your shower routine and save you money!
It’s also great to use for cleaning makeup brushes (it won’t rip the hairs out of the brushes!). If the soap melts very quickly, you can remedy this by drying it after use and storing it in a container.
What We Like
- Bar soap
- Unscented
- Creates a nice lather
- Can be used as body wash and shampoo
- Comes with multiple bars
What We Don’t Like
- May melt quickly so requires special storage
- May dry out some skin types
Dr. Woods Raw Black Liquid Body Wash with Organic Shea Butter
This is another liquid soap and also states it’s free of gluten, parabens, and phthalates.
Dr. Woods’ soap is unique because it’s a black liquid soap that’s noticeably thicker than others available on the market. This means the soap is easier to use and feels more luxurious on the skin.
In terms of functionality, it works to exfoliate and moisturize the skin and can essentially replace all the other washing products in your shower.
It can be used as a body wash, facial cleanser, shampoo, shaving lather, and an acne care product.
No matter where it’s used, it’ll remove dead skin cells to reveal the healthy and hydrated skin that lies beneath. This soap is appropriate for all skin types and people of all ages.
The added shea butter helps the soap to moisturize without leaving residue behind that’ll clog your pores. It does contain a fragrance but it’s not strong and is suitable for sensitive skin.
Dr. Woods as a brand works to support families and education so when you purchase from them, you’ll be supporting others as well.
What We Like
- Suitable for all skin types
- Exfoliates and moisturizes
- Can replace multiple products in your routine
- Added shea butter
What We Don’t Like
- Some may not like the smell
- Some may experience more breakouts
Herban Cowboy Milled Bar Soap – Dusk
This is a super affordable bar soap is PETA certified. It’s free of phthalates, parabens, synthetic dyes, sulfates and triclosan.
Herban Cowboy’s milled soap is made in the USA and uses recycled containers for their products.
This particular soap is made from extracts of rosemary leaf, seaweed and black walnut. It’s unique because it has some texture to it, which helps to gently exfoliate the skin.
It creates a pleasant lather when exposed to hot water. The bar itself lasts for about thirty washes.
The scent of the soap is masculine, but not overpowering. It can be used by females without a lingering masculine scent.
If you’re a fan of the scent, Herban Cowboy sells a cologne in the same fragrance.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Masculine scent
- Textured bar soap
- Free of harsh ingredients
- Recycled packaging
What We Don’t Like
- Scent may not be for everyone
- Texture of soap may be too rough for sensitive skin
One With Nature Dead Sea Minerals, Dead Sea Mud Soap
This is another affordable option.
One With Nature’s bar soap is made in Jordan with minerals from the dead sea. It contains sea salt to gently exfoliate but also has argan oil and shea butter to soothe and moisturize the skin.
It’s described as having a mild scent that’s safe for sensitive skin. Even though it exfoliates, it’s gentle enough for use on eczema-prone skin.
This product is triple-milled so it’ll last longer than many competing vegan-friendly bar soaps.
It contains minimal, easy-to-open packaging which makes it great for the environment, too. If you live in an area where there’s a lot of hard water, this soap can actually help to soften it!
What We Like
- Earthly scent
- Affordable
- Contains Argon oil and Shea butter
- Gentle exfoliation
What We Don’t Like
- Not sold in bulk packaging
Kiss My Face Naked Pure Olive Oil Moisturizing Bar Soap
This soap from Kiss My Face is great for bulk purchases as it’s sold in packs and different sizes.
It contains 86% pure olive oil which makes it a unique product in our roundup. This bar soap is suitable for all skin types and great for people with psoriasis.
Simply crafted with only three ingredients: olive oil, water, and salt, so you know there aren’t any harmful chemicals or preservatives hidden inside.
This soap works to clean the body effectively without leaving behind the dreaded sticky residue experienced with some bar soaps. It’s fragrance is very noticeable.
What We Like
- Available in multi-pack
- Simple ingredients
- 86% pure olive oil
What We Don’t Like
- Scent may be too strong for some
Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Bar Soap – Peppermint
Another Dr. Bronner’s product that made the list is the Pure-Castile Bar Soap. It’s sold in a multi-pack to cut down on packaging and is available in an invigorating peppermint scent.
This soap is formulated to cool the skin, clear the sinuses, and even sharpen the mind! It’s made with certified fair trade ingredients and organic hemp oil that’s safe for even the most sensitive skin.
If peppermint isn’t your favorite scent, this soap is available in a variety of other scents as well.
Dr. Bronner’s peppermint bar soap is organic and produces a rich lather when exposed to water. It doesn’t have any of the “bad” ingredients (preservatives or detergents) so you can use it every time you wash.
Like other Dr. Bronner’s soaps, you can use this soap in a variety of ways. It can be used on the body, the face, or diluted to clean the laundry or get rid of pests.
The packaging is 100% recycled and biodegradable. This soap works great to clean the body without leaving behind an obnoxious scent and residue.
What We Like
- Fresh peppermint scent
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Multi-use (face, body, and laundry)
What We Don’t Like
- Peppermint may be too strong for some skin
Top Choice for the Best Vegan Soap
There you go! These are among the best vegan soap brands we think you ought to try!
They’re all great quality products, and we understand it can be difficult to pick the best one for your own needs.
So, we’ll pick out an overall winner for you, which we think is Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap in the Lavender scent.
Dr. Bronner’s products stand out among the rest because of their wide multi-purpose applications. You can use their soaps in the shower and then to do laundry later in the day.
In particular, the lavender liquid soap is a favorite among many people because of its silky smooth formula and how soft it leaves your skin after use.
The last perk worth mentioning about Dr. Bronner’s, is their wide range of product variety. Whether you prefer solid or liquid soap, they have options to meet your needs.
All Dr. Bronner’s soap products are available in a variety of scents so you’re sure to find one you and your family will like!