The Daily Telegraph - Features
The beauty benefits of washing your face with a 50p soap bar
After Sarah Jessica Parker admitted she uses only suds on her skin, Sonia Haria picks the best options
Can a skincare routine really be as simple as a bar of soap and a splash of water? Sarah Jessica Parker has admitted that she and husband Matthew Broderick often use just a bar of soap for cleansing – a confession which gave her interviewer, the skincare expert Caroline Hirons, “conniptions”.
“My husband uses a bar of soap, and his skin looks so great – it is so beautiful,” said Parker on Hirons’s Glad We Had This Chat podcast. “He wore no make-up on stage, of course. But I use any soap. I don’t care.” She shared that she visited Boots to buy a bar of soap when in London recently because the Savoy Theatre, where the couple were starring in Plaza Suite until last month, only had an antibacterial handwash.
So is a simple bar of soap good for your face, and should we all be going back to basics with our skincare? “Traditional bar soaps have been known to dry out the skin, but newer formulations of soap bars are better now,” says skin expert Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme.
The ingredients to look out for are hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerine or shea butter, which help to hydrate and nourish the skin while cleansing. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture, while ceramides can help to lock in the moisture and prevent dehydration.
While some skin concerns may benefit from specific targeted cleansers, for the large majority of people, soap bars are absolutely fine. “Cleansing bars can be suitable for all skin types, but it’s essential to choose a product that matches your skin’s specific needs,” explains Dr Ejikeme.
“If you have dry skin, opt for a moisturising cleansing bar, while those with oily skin might prefer a bar with oil-regulating properties.”
One thing to bear in mind with soap is that if it’s not stored correctly, it can become an unhygienic breeding ground for bacteria. For Dr Ejikeme, it’s essential to keep the bar dry between uses to prevent the growth of bacteria. “Use a soap dish with good drainage and allow the bar to air dry between uses to help maintain its cleanliness,” she says. “Additionally, it’s advisable not to share personal care items to prevent the spread of bacteria or infections.”
It’s not just millennials and boomers that are favouring a back-to-basics approach to skincare; on TikTok the search term “unsexy skincare” has more than 100 million views and counting, with many Gen Zers eschewing fussy, expensive skincare products for efficacy at a good price point. Dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite adds that a simplified skincare regime just needs a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen – that’s it.
Here are the best low-cost soaps to try:
On TikTok the search term ‘unsexy skincare’ has more than 100 million views