13 Best Soaps for Women

Skincare and women go together like bread and butter. Women want only the best products for their skin. Some of the best soaps for women will nourish their skin type and ensure the right pH balance without being harsh on the skin. While “shower gels” have emerged as a new soap trend among men and women alike, this does not put an end to the relevance and demand for bar soaps.

Saying “best soaps for women” is tricky as everyone does not have the same skin type. Some may have dry skin, and others may have oily skin. Some may have acne-prone skin, and others may have sensitive skin. You will also come across many women having a combination skin type, which is a mix of dry and oily skin. So, you get how tricky the skin game can be! There is no one fix for all.

This is why we bring you a list of the best soaps available in the Indian market to choose from for your skin type and needs. Read along to find your soap-mate!

13 Best Soaps for Women for Clear and Healthy Skin

Let us walk you through the list of some of the best soaps in India for women!

Things to Consider Before Buying a Soap

There are some things to be mindful of before buying a soap that doesn’t go down well with your skin:

Your Skin Type

There first and foremost consideration you must have while buying soap is your skin type. For dry skin, you must go with a bar of soap with hydrating ingredients like glycerine, shea butter, coconut oils, almond oils, and so on.

For oily skin, you must steer clear of soaps that claim to provide deep moisturization or retain natural oils in the skin. For sensitive skin types, always look for products that are paraben, sulfate, SLS, and fragrance-free.

Fragrance

Many soaps sell for their fragrance. If you are someone that cannot tolerate fragrances, then you might want to prioritize fragrance-free soaps. With greater inclusivity in their products, manufacturers are becoming sensitive to customer needs.

They are coming up with soaps with hypoallergenic fragrances to provide a solution to people allergic to fragrances. Additionally, if you are allergic to or dislike a certain type of fragrance, you can go with other variants.

Ingredients

Soap brands are becoming increasingly accountable for the ingredients they use in their products. With growing awareness of harmful substances like sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, etc., the manufacturers are rolling out soaps free of the said ingredients. Look for the same in the soap that you intend to buy. If you have sensitive skin, then this point becomes doubly important for you as your skin demands mild and gentle products.

Additionally, if you want vegetarian or vegan ingredients, the market is bountiful with options for the same. Specify your need and choose the one that you find the best.

Packaging

As people are becoming more and more climate and environment conscious, they demand companies take initiatives to contribute to a greener and healthier planet. The companies, too, are doing their part in reinventing their products to fall in line with public needs. Thus, they use recycled packaging or eco-friendly raw materials in their products. So, you can also consider this during your soap purchase.

Animal Friendly/ Cruelty free

In continuation of the public demand and legal guidelines in place, brands are putting an end to animal testing of their products by going “cruelty-free” for good. You can look for this label while putting an item in your cart.

What Does PH level Mean?

pH is how acidic or basic a water-based solution is. While you would be tempted to wonder that soap is a solid object, we have got you covered. The pH of soap is tested by dissolving it in water. It can range between 0-14, with a level under 7 indicating acidity and higher than 7 indicates a base. Equipped with this information, you can now understand where your soap lies.

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Dove Cream Beauty Bathing Bar

Dove is a renowned brand excelling in skin and hair products. The Dove bar soap is a common choice across many Indian households. Loved for its mildness, this soap is gentle on the skin, making it suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. Owing to this, the brand has emerged as the no. 1 brand recommended by dermatologists, according to the survey by Kantar Healthy Division, 2018.

The germ protection factor of the Dove cream beauty bathing bar shouldn’t get lost in its much-hyped gentle nature. It claims to provide 99% protection against germs. This little bar of magic smells beautiful, is pH balanced, and helps maintain its natural moisture barrier, preventing dryness and asserting hydration. We couldn’t help but love the product as it leaves our skin glowing, soft, and supple.

NIVEA Creme Soft Soap

Nivea is one of the most trusted skincare brands in the country. Going strong for over 130 years, this brand is a master of what they do. This product is also not untouched by the brand’s excellence, as it provides effective cleansing without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Nivea soaps have a total fatty matter (tfm) > 75%, meaning that they have a higher cleansing efficacy. Notably, the higher the tfm, the better the soap.

With the richness of almond oil reaching deep into the skin and the Hydra IQ technology, this soap locks in the oil balance as well as the natural moisture to prevent dryness. It is dermatologically approved and is pH balanced for softer skin. As a plus, the soap has the signature Nivea smell which we all are well aware of if we have used even a single Nivea product.

The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Cleansing Bar

With over 40 years in existence, The Body Shop identifies as “not your average cosmetics company” and takes pride in “smashing beauty industry standards.” Crafted especially for the dry and itchy skin señoras, this bathing soap contains the goodness of organic almond milk from Spain and Community Trade honey from Ethiopia, Almond Milk & Honey.

As one of the best soaps for dry skin, it maintains the natural pH and moisture level of the skin. The Body Shop is a 100% vegetarian and cruelty-free brand. People allergic to the strong fragrances of soaps can also use this product as it has been tested to have a hypoallergenic fragrance. We also observed that the Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey cleansing bar is mild and gentle on the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

Khadi Natural Sandalwood Soap

Khadi Naturals is a herbal skin, hair, and body care brand that manufacture 100% Ayurvedic products. They are a trusted choice among many Indian households for the goodness of nature they provide with their products. One such product is the Khadi Natural Sandalwood soap which is infused with the richness of sandalwood oil and glycerine.

Sandalwood, known for its anti-bacterial properties, contributes to the anti-bacterial properties of this soap, thus, preventing skin infection, acne, and blemishes. Glycerine pumps moisture deep into the skin and gives it the hydration boost that it needs. The combination makes this soap a perfect choice for irritated and dry skin. We loved the all-natural formula of the skin that leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth, and velvety.

Kama Ayurveda Red Sandalwood Ayurvedic Soap

Since its inception in 2002, Kama Ayurveda has continued to create magic with each product that it rolls out. This soap is an extension of that magic, and we can conclude before even starting the review of this product that it is one of the best soaps in India for all your skin concerns, like acne, sunburn, blemishes, and premature aging, to name a few.

With the goodness of natural ingredients like sandalwood, spiked ginger lily, common fig, cold-pressed coconut oil, castor oil, licorice, and beeswax, there is no reason for this soap not to be our personal favorite. Suitable for all skin types, the Kama Ayurveda Red Sandalwood soap not only hydrates and nourishes your skin but also purifies it, enhancing its overall complexion.

We agree that it is an expensive product, but if you are looking for a one-stop solution for both skincare and hygiene, this one is definitely worth your money.

Pears Pure & Gentle Moisturizing Bathing Bar Soap with Glycerine For Golden Glow

Who isn’t familiar with the classic Pears soap? We all have used it at some point in our lives. Pears is one of the oldest and most commonly used soap brands in India. Known for its gentleness, this product has been our go-to soap time and again. With 100% more glycerine than the other grade 1 soaps, Pears helps lock in the moisture of your skin and keeps it soft, smooth and glowing.

Boasting 0% parabens, its formula assures sheer transparency and mild touch on the skin. It is a perfect daily-use soap for women with the additional benefit of keeping germs at bay. There is a reason why Pears has been going strong for centuries, and we are here for it!

Forest Essentials Luxury Sugar Soap

Possibly one of the most underrated brands, Forest Essentials is a must-have for people who prefer using natural skin products instead of chemical-based products. Its products are all things aesthetic and make you feel the same way about yourself as you use them. This soap is formulated with organic Cane Sugar and infused with pure extracts of Bitter Orange and Cinnamon to effectively cleanse the skin.

With the sensuous and refreshing appeal of its fragrance, this soap feels delicate on the skin as it cleanses and rehydrates it with natural oils. With its skin-enriching and glowing results, this Forest Essential soap is going to have you repurchasing it because you would love it so much. Furthermore, it has upgraded its packaging to new eco-friendly packaging that makes for another plus of this product.

Santoor Sandalwood and Almond milk Organic Soft Bath Soap

We all remember the Santoor soap commercials on television, which sang of younger-looking skin. Crafted with ingredients like sandalwood and almond milk, this soap claims to remove blemishes, acting as a solution to blackheads, acne, and skin allergies. Suitable for all skin types, it isn’t harsh on the skin and acts to soften it by hydrating it thoroughly.

If you want a soap with a fragrance that makes you envision yourself closer to nature, Santoor soap is the right one for you, as its earthy sandalwood smell does the work. So ladies, give it a shot for a younger-looking bouncy skin that turns heads around wherever you go.

Himalaya Herbals Neem And Turmeric Soap

Himalaya products are a staple in almost every Indian household. Such is its impact in India, which it truly deserves. Serving some of the best wellness products since 1930, this brand has earned its position in the country. The Himalaya Herbals Neem and Turmeric soap is another wonderful product of this brand which is more than a regular cleansing soap.

Packed with anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties, this product aids your skin problems each time you use it. It combats bacterial infections such as acne, boils, itchiness, redness, irritation, and ulcers with the power of neem and turmeric, providing your skin with healing and stronger immunity. Additionally, it also claims to even out your skin tone and complexion. We would like to reemphasize the efficacy of this soap: a soap that heals.

Lux Velvet Glow Jasmine & Vitamin E For Glowing Skin Beauty Soap

Lux is one of the most popular soap brands in the country. Its strong fragrance has made its way into most Indian households. Claiming to give you a “moonlit glow,” this soap is infused with 7 beauty ingredients, including the essence of jasmine flower with its enchanting fragrance, almonds, and Vitamin E is known to moisturize and nourish the skin. All these ingredients leave your skin soft, smooth, and glowing.

Lux velvet glow beauty soap gently cleanses your skin of dust and sweat. Its fragrance is its strong suit, and it is coming neck-to-neck with its competitors by doing away with parabens and sulfates.

Richfeel Naturals Calendula Anti-Acne Soap

Taking pride in its calendula composition, Richfeel Naturals Calendula Anti-acne soap claims to be an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory solution for acne-prone skin. As suggested by its name, this soap helps in curing acne and is formulated by India’s leading beauty physicians to this end. You can begin to feel confident in your skin as the soap will enhance the acne-free, clear and radiant skin that you have always desired.

The soap is an excellent choice for people with oily skin as it removes excess oil from it. By gently removing dust, dirt, sweat, and other impurities, it makes your skin feel clean and healthy. We would love to give a shout-out for its rich flavonoid content that protects the skin cells from the damage caused by oxidation.

mCaffeine Naked and Raw Espresso Coffee Bathing Bar Soap

mCaffeine has stood out in the beauty industry in a relatively shorter amount of time by playing into its signature ingredient that forms the basis of its entire product line- Coffee. This ingredient is the weapon of the brand, which has helped it to amass a growing customer base. The mCaffeine Naked and Raw Espresso coffee bathing bar brings the same efficacy of coffee to deeply cleanse your skin in a gentle, pH-balanced way.

Making you feel alive and energized, this soap awakes your senses while giving skin benefits like toning your skin complexion. Without stripping your skin of its natural oils and moisture. it cares for your skin in a pH-friendly way. Pure coffee and Vitamin E nourish the skin without the SLS, Paraben, and mineral oil intervention.

mCaffeine has stood out in the beauty industry in a relatively shorter amount of time by playing into its signature ingredient that forms the basis of its entire product line- Coffee. This ingredient is the weapon of the brand, which has helped it to amass a growing customer base. The mCaffeine Naked and Raw Espresso coffee bathing bar brings the same efficacy of coffee to deeply cleanse your skin in a gentle, pH-balanced way.

Making you feel alive and energized, this soap awakes your senses while giving skin benefits like toning your skin complexion. Without stripping your skin of its natural oils and moisture. it cares for your skin in a pH-friendly way. Pure coffee and Vitamin E nourish the skin without the SLS, Paraben, and mineral oil intervention.

Cetaphil Cleansing and Moisturising Syndet Bar

Last but not least, the list would have been incomplete without the inclusion of the Cetaphil cleansing and moisturizing syndate bar. Absolutely justifying its name, this soap provides a burst of hydration and moisturization for sensitive and dry to very dry skin types. A dermatologists’ special, this product is very gentle on the skin, making it safe to use every day.

The soap contains a shea blend which helps in deep cleansing and moisturizing, and its non-irritant formula is mild on the skin. We also evaluated that the soap’s moisturization would last long, making it an appealing choice for winter when dry skin beauties tend to struggle. We are all thumbs up for this product, so go ahead and get your hands on this winter wonder.

Final Words

This article was intended to be your go-to guide on bar soaps. Soaps help you maintain bodily hygiene, smell fresh and nourish your skin. With plentiful options in the market, make a wise choice because skincare is a sensitive territory. You must always be picky in the products and swear by what suits you.

Our personal favorites are the Kama Ayurveda Red Sandalwood Ayurvedic Soap and Forest Essentials Luxury Sugar Soap, as they help care for and nurture your skin organically without the use of harmful chemicals. With Ayurvedic ingredients, they nourish your skin to thrive every day.

We hope this article helped you get the answers you were looking for. Feel free to write to us, and we would love to reach out to you.

Also, if you are wondering which soap is best for skin?, check out our guide!