What Makes a Good Facial Cleansing Bar? Ingredients & Skin Feel

The SelesTeres Journal · Choose Your Ritual
By Nina, founder of SelesTeres · Originally published April 9, 2023 · Full-length edition

Alpha Ingredients in Bar Soap for Face Washing

The quick answer

A facial cleansing bar should be judged by its complete formula, pH and how your skin feels afterward. Aloe, shea, clay or milk on an ingredient list cannot alone prove a soap is ideal for facial skin, and traditional high-pH soap may not suit everyone.

4 Minute Read

Bar soap can be a great option for washing the face, but not all bar soaps are created equal. When it comes to choosing a bar soap to use on your face, it's important to look for certain ingredients that can provide a gentle and effective cleansing experience. In this article, we'll discuss the key ingredients to look for in a bar soap for face wash, and why they are important.

  1. Natural Oils and Butters

Natural oils and butters such as olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter can provide moisturizing benefits to the skin, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin. These ingredients help to nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple.

  1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a natural ingredient that is known for its soothing and hydrating properties. It can help to calm and soothe the skin, reducing inflammation and redness. Aloe vera is also a great ingredient for those with sensitive skin as it is gentle and non-irritating.

  1. Kaolin Clay

Kaolin clay is a natural ingredient that is known for its cleansing properties. It can help to gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and impurities, leaving the skin feeling clean and refreshed. Kaolin clay is also gentle enough for those with sensitive skin and can help to reduce inflammation and redness.

  1. Chamomile

Chamomile is a natural ingredient that is known for its calming properties. It can help to reduce inflammation and redness, making it a great ingredient for those with sensitive skin. Chamomile is also a natural antibacterial and can help to prevent breakouts and blemishes.

  1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural ingredient that is known for its antibacterial properties. It can help to kill bacteria that can cause breakouts and blemishes, making it a great ingredient for those with acne-prone skin. Tea tree oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory, which can help to reduce inflammation and redness.

  1. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that can help to protect the skin from free radicals and environmental stressors. It can help to keep the skin looking youthful and healthy, and can also provide moisturizing benefits to the skin.

  1. Essential Oils

Essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus can provide a variety of benefits to the skin. Lavender is known for its calming properties, while peppermint can help to invigorate and refresh the skin. Eucalyptus is a natural antibacterial and can help to prevent breakouts and blemishes.

In conclusion, when choosing a bar soap to use for face wash, it's important to look for natural ingredients that can provide gentle and effective cleansing. Natural oils and butters, aloe vera, kaolin clay, chamomile, tea tree oil, vitamin E, and essential oils are all great ingredients to look for in a bar soap for face wash. By choosing a bar soap with these ingredients, you can enjoy a cleansing experience that is gentle, effective, and nourishing for your skin.

Find your all-natural soap products in my store. Have you bought one of my products? Snap a photo of your new skincare routine and tag me! I’d love to see how my products are benefiting your life. (Social links below).
Thank you for reading my article. Please leave your thoughts or comments in the section below.

Love Always, Nina...

Frequently asked questions

Is every handmade soap good for the face?

No. Formula, pH and your skin response matter.

Does goat milk guarantee gentleness?

No. It is one part of a finished formula.

Can facial soap treat acne?

An ordinary cleanser is not an acne drug.

Should I use a body bar around my eyes?

Follow the product directions; avoid eye contact and rinse if irritation occurs.

Explore more SelesTeres rituals

Curated complements to this article—6 products across cleansing, skincare and home where relevant. Swipe to discover more; these are cosmetic and lifestyle products, not treatments for medical conditions.

Further reading & sources

For general education and inspiration only. SelesTeres products are cosmetics and lifestyle items, not medical treatments. Individual responses and sensitivities vary by person and formulation. If you have a health concern, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.


6 comments


  • Devshree

    Kudos to Nina’s Pure Joy for sharing this wealth of information and helping us all take better care of our skin. I’ll definitely be bookmarking this blog for future reference :)


  • Sophia

    I’ve been searching for a natural and effective face wash option, and these alpha ingredients seem to be the game-changer! Can’t wait to try them out for a refreshing and nourishing skincare routine


  • Joy

    Tea tree oil and Vitamin E are my favorites of these! Natural face wash is always important to our family, and finding products that work for sensitive skin can be difficult. I’ve never heard of kaolin Clay, so I’ll definitely check that out.


  • Muneeba Sehar

    I use Aloe Vera mostly, the results are magical. Its easy to use and economical. Plus it leaves your skin shining flawlessly.


  • Tayyaba Naeem

    All of the above mentioned ingredients work wonders for the skin. It’s great that you have incorporated all these ingredients into one soap bar.


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