Raise the bar
Cut plastic waste with these eco-friendly multi-tasking beauty soaps, says TAMARA HINSON
SOAPS have undergone something of a transformation since 1898, when the first olive-green bar of Palmolive was produced. However, in the 1980s, the humble bar of soap started to fall out of favour, replaced by ocean-clogging plastic bottles of shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.
More recently, concern about plastic pollution has prompted brands to rethink this bathroom staple and solid bar beauty products have been reimagined to do everything from condition hair to deodorise armpits. Here, we celebrate Plastic-Free July (plasticfreejuly.org) with this pick of the best.
Best for… DRY HAIR
Solid shampoos can be tough on hair, but Biovene Hydrate Repair Argan Oil & Mint Solid Shampoo Bar, £6.40 (cosmeterie.co.uk) is a nourishing combination of scalp-stimulating peppermint and cuticle-smoothing shea butter, which leaves locks super smooth, squeaky clean and smelling fantastic.
Other products in the range include solid shampoos for dry and fine hair and solid conditioners for coloured and heat-damaged hair.
Best for… FRAGRANCE
One whiff of Mor Emporium Classics Triple-Milled Blood Orange Soap, £8.25 (lookfantastic. com) will transport you instantly to a balmy Italian orange grove. This jumbo-sized bar is packed with a triple whammy of hydrating ingredients – shea butter, sweet almond oil and vitamin E – to nourish skin intensively. You’ll be hard pressed to find a soap that produces a creamier, softer lather.
Best for… EXFOLIATION
Crabtree and Evelyn Buff + Invigorate Body Bar, £13.50 (crabtree-evelyn.co.uk) is the perfect remedy for rough, dry skin.
Tiny particles of bamboo quickly buff away dead cells while shea and cocoa butter infuse skin with moisture. It’s worth pointing out that although soaps which claim to exfoliate skin are nothing new, this one achieves the holy grail of thorough exfoliation without a hint of dryness.
Best for… DRY SKIN
Worried that bar soap will leave your skin feeling dry and tight?
Give Soap & Glory Soaps & Dreams Body Bar Original Pink, £3.33 (boots.com) a shot.This super-powered skin softener contains argan and rosehip oils to nourish, soften and protect, while the bar’s fragrance – a heady combination of rose absolute and bergamot – leaves skin delicately scented. Great value too.
Best for… OILY SKIN
Drunk Elephant’s best-selling Juju Bar, £24 (spacenk.com) is free from silicone, fragrance and essential oils. Ingredients include antioxidantpacked bamboo powder, known for its ability to help protect skin from environmental nasties, and thermal mud to thoroughly deep-clean clogged pores. It’s also ideal for sensitive skin, thanks to a neutral pH.
Best for… BATHTIME
If you’ve been struggling to sleep recently, treat yourself to Lush’s Sleepy Bubble Bar, £5.95 (uk.lush. com) – a one-way ticket to the land of nod. Simply break a piece off, crumble it into your bath under running water and soak in the bubbles while breathing in the calming aroma of lavender, vanilla and ylang ylang.
Best for… LUXURY
Enjoy real flower power with this gorgeous Jo Malone Red Roses soap, £16 (jomalone.co.uk). Think of it as perfume in bar form – the heart notes of rose are paired with a juicy citrus blast, while base notes of honey add an unexpected sweetness. Top quality ingredients mean the scent on your skin will last long after the last suds have disappeared down the plughole, too.
Best for… DEODORANT
Simply apply Lush Aromaco Solid Deodorant, £6.50 (uk. lush.com) to clean, dry armpits for odour-free freshness all day long.
Its powerhouse ingredients include antibacterial vinegar (don’t worry, you won’t smell like fish and chips) and astringent witch hazel. Patchouli oil provides a heady, unisex scent which is long-lasting without being overpowering.The bar lasts a long time too.
Best for… VEGAN
Proof that vegan beauty products are far from boring, Superfly Soap Turkish Delight Vegan Soap Bar, £4 (theecofriendlylivingco.co.uk) is a handmade soap that smells divine, thanks to a delicious combination of almond oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter.
We also love the fact that it’s packaged in compostable cellophane.
Best for… SHAVING
Floris London No 89 Shaving Soap Refill, £24 (florislondon. com), was designed to slot into Floris London’s stylish wooden shaving bowl, but it works perfectly well without it.
This triple-milled soap, £24, has gorgeous notes of bergamot, neroli and lavender, and a rich, creamy lather which makes shaving a breeze.