The environmental case for bar soap has become even stronger with recent research. Simple bar soap cuts greenhouse emissions by about a third compared with liquid soap, according to a study from the Institute of Environmental Engineering at the Swiss university ETH Zurich.

Bar soap requires one-fifth of the energy to produce compared to liquid soap. Specifically, liquid soaps require five times more energy for raw material production and nearly 20 times more energy for packaging production than bar soaps. Making liquid detergents produces about 10 times the greenhouse emissions as making simple soap. This is due to the energy-intensive production of synthetic surfactants and the packaging requirements. Liquids are also packaged in plastic that is not always recyclable and contributes to ocean pollution.

One life cycle analysis also found that solid soaps contain fewer ingredients harmful to human health and the environment than liquid soaps. The British website Ethical Consumer confirms that bar soaps are less likely to contain petroleum, use less plastic packaging, and produce lower transportation emissions than liquid soap. Among their recommended brands, Bentley Organic and Lush are available in the U.S.

Packaging Impact

The packaging difference is substantial: producing packaging for liquid soap requires 19 times more energy than packaging for bar soap, according to the Swiss research. Additionally, distributing liquid soap creates nearly eight times as many carbon emissions as an equivalent amount of bar soap, because liquid soap is mostly water being transported in bulky, irregularly shaped containers.

Toxicity

Cleansers of all kinds can contain untested chemicals (or worse, known carcinogens and toxins). The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database provides detailed information about individual products. Verified products are those with the fewest toxicity concerns, like Codex Beauty’s bar soap and Bravo Sierra.

Antibacterial Soaps

The FDA encourages consumers to avoid antibacterial soaps. Antibacterial soaps do not provide any added protection against viruses like COVID-19, and there is no evidence that their ingredients are safe or effective. The overuse of antibiotics contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Microbeads and Microplastics

Because water treatment systems cannot effectively filter out microbeads, they end up as microplastic pollution. The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 prohibits the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads.

However, many product formulas still contain plastics under the names acrylate copolymer and polypropylene. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found that leave-on cosmetic and personal care products, such as lotions, sunscreens, and deodorants, are overlooked by researchers and regulators, despite potentially containing microplastics. The research found that of 2,381 products studied, only two were leave-on products, highlighting a significant knowledge gap.

If you want an exfoliating soap, look for one with a high EWG rating like Ethique’s face scrub. Or, use regular soap with a renewable loofah sponge (you can even grow your own).

Watch The Way You Use Soaps And Body Wash

Multiple LCAs note that how we use soap significantly contributes to its footprint. One study found that consumers use more than six times more liquid soap than bar soap per wash. Use this knowledge to either switch from body wash to bar soap or become more mindful of how much liquid soap you squeeze out of the bottle. When you switch to bar soap, try to store it dry so it doesn’t dissolve between uses.

Also, be sure to set your water heater to 120°F and use a low-flow showerhead. Be mindful of how much time you spend in the shower. Even an efficient showerhead uses more than a gallon of water per minute. In the end, the water and energy you use for washing have a much bigger impact on your personal carbon footprint than your choice of soap.

Sustainable Body Wash Recommendations

Looking for specific products? Consider these options.

Palm Oil-Free Bar Soaps:

• Ethique makes certified palm oil-free soap. These bar soaps are climate-neutral and plastic-free
• Plaine Products offers a refillable body wash made with plant-based ingredients, free of sulfates, parabens, and palm oil
• Meow Meow Tweet makes a variety of personal products using organic ingredients in thoughtful, colorful packaging
• Dr. Bronner’s versatile soap bars use organic ingredients and are sourced through fair trade practices

Powder-to-Foam Innovations:

• THE POWDER SHAMPOO touts 100+ washes from a 100g bottle of this vegan and cruelty-free choice
• Blueland’s powder-to-gel hand soap refills reduces shipping emissions compared to liquid brands

Refillable Options:

• Alpine Provisions body wash offers natural ingredients in recyclable packaging with proceeds supporting outdoor education
• EcoRoots is a small-batch producer that uses all-natural, vegan ingredients suitable for sensitive skin

When shopping for sustainable body wash, look for certifications like Leaping Bunny, Palm Oil Free from Orangutan Alliance (POFCAP), B Corp certification, and high ratings from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.

Editor’s Note: Originally published on November 17, 2021, this article was updated with new research and product choices in November 2025.

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