Smoother, Softer Skin Starts With These Exfoliating Bar Soaps

Once upon a time, bar soap was considered more practical than pampering (think waxy hotel minis or squeaky-clean blocks that you dreaded using as a kid). But the best exfoliating bar soaps are rewriting the story in our skin-care routines. Today’s versions don’t just cleanse; they polish dullness and refine texture, leaving skin soft, smooth, and refreshed, and can even address issues like keratosis pilaris and ingrown hairs. Better yet, their solid, plastic-free format makes them a sustainable, travel-friendly upgrade from bulky body washes. And when it comes to formulas, forget the harsh, scratchy scrubs of the past—these bars are powered by strategic ingredients like salicylic acid or finely milled natural particles that gently buff away dead cells without leaving skin tight or raw.

Our Top Exfoliating Bar Soaps

The key is in how you use them. “Exfoliating bar soap is used the same way you would a regular bar soap, but don’t be too aggressive in scrubbing since the bar soap is doing most of the heavy lifting,” says Peter Bittar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. In short, getting smooth, polished skin doesn’t have to feel like an arm workout as these bars do the work for you. Ahead, the best derm-approved options that buff, brighten, and make your skin feel like silk.

Best Overall: Soft Services Green Banana Buffing Bar

Why it’s worth it: This isn’t your everyday cleansing bar—and it’s not trying to be. The Soft Services Buffing Bar is made for stubborn skin issues that your regular body wash may not address, including rough patches, bumps, keratosis pilaris, and even ingrown hairs. With superfine sanding crystals blended into a moisturizing base, it physically buffs away uneven texture, leaving the skin feeling silky-smooth. “This bar is for the person who wants to have a deep, strong, and intense exfoliating experience,” says Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s not the best pick for sensitive skin, but if you can handle it, expect seriously polished results.

P.S. The Buffing Bar is also available in Affogato L’Orange and the original blue, if you want a more subtle scent.

Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Glossier Body Hero Exfoliating Bar

Why it’s worth it: We could spot Glossier’s signature millennial pink from a mile away—and their Body Hero Exfoliating Bar is just as fun to use as it is to look at. Instead of overly scratchy scrubs, it’s packed with finely milled bamboo powder and sunflower seed oil beads that slough away dead skin without irritation. The creamy lather is boosted with “aloe and sunflower oil to help lock in moisture and keep your skin barrier happy,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Miami. And while it leaves skin soft and glowing straight out of the shower, the real treat is the lingering scent, with fresh, sparkling hints of pear, mandarin, and cypress.

Best for Dry Skin: Flamingo Estate Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick

Why it’s worth it: Unlike many gritty scrubs, Flamingo Estate’s Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick relies on natural exfoliants, like round poppy seeds, instead of jagged particles, so it buffs away dead skin without causing microtears. “Peppermint’s cool, tingly scent perks you right up, French blue clay draws out impurities, and Big Sur sea salt helps the poppy seeds with exfoliation,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Thousand Oaks, California. Thanks to its oversized shape, this soap brick is easy to grip and impressively long-lasting compared to the average bar.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Topicals Slather Exfoliating & Smoothing Bar

Topicals

Slather Exfoliating & Smoothing Bar

Why it’s worth it: If you were obsessed with the 2024 Best of Beauty Award–winning Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum, you’re going to love its shower-ready twin. The Slather Exfoliating & Smoothing Bar pairs biodegradable exfoliating particles with retinol and lactic acid to smooth rough patches, fade bumps, and help prevent future breakouts. Just like in a serum, the retinol in this bar speeds up cell turnover to reveal brighter, clearer skin, and helps even out tone and texture with consistent use. And because exfoliation can sometimes be harsh on sensitive skin, lavandin oil and squalane step in to calm and hydrate. Your skin gets that fresh, deep clean right out of the shower—and with every use, the glow only builds.

Best Drugstore: CeraVe SA Cleanser Bar for Rough & Bumpy Skin

CeraVe

SA Cleanser Bar for Rough & Bumpy Skin

Why it’s worth it: Dermatologists often point to the CeraVe SA Cleanser Bar for Rough & Bumpy Skin as a reliable choice for tackling texture issues. “This exfoliating body soap has some of the best support behind it as it is dermatologist-formulated, which helps ensure there is a unique blend that both supports the skin barrier and effectively exfoliates,” says Maryam Safaee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles. It combines salicylic acid to slough off rough skin and reduce keratin buildup with jojoba beads for gentle physical exfoliation, making it especially helpful for conditions such as keratosis pilaris or acne. Bottom line: If you want smoother skin without the irritation, this bar’s got you.

Best for Brightening: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliant Bar

Nécessaire

The Body Exfoliant Bar

Why it’s worth it: Formulated with 2% upcycled wood pulp, the Nécessaire Body Exfoliant Bar gently buffs away dead skin cells with eco-friendly, finely milled plant fibers that polish without the scratchiness of harsher scrubs. “This exfoliating bar is perfect for those looking to address any skin texture issues,” says Dr. Chacon. Beyond exfoliation, it’s powered by niacinamide to help brighten and even skin tone, as well as ceramides and glycerin to strengthen the skin barrier and draw in hydration. Nourishing oils like cacay and meadowfoam keep skin soft and supple. “I love that this product is fragrance-free and sulfate-free, so it’s suitable for sensitive skin,” she adds. No wonder this bestseller picked up a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for its skin-smoothing results.

Best for Acne: Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid & Shea Butter Exfoliating Cleansing Bar

Carbon Theory

Salicylic Acid & Shea Butter Exfoliating Cleansing Bar

Why it’s worth it: Who knew a humble bar of soap could earn such a loyal fan base? Carbon Theory’s Salicylic Acid & Shea Butter Exfoliating Cleansing Bar goes beyond basic cleansing, doubling as an active treatment that helps keep skin clearer, smoother, and more balanced. “This is a great bar that has 1.8% salicylic acid, which exfoliates while unclogging pores that lead to breakouts,” says Dr. Bittar. If gritty scrubs typically leave your skin irritated, this chemical exfoliating bar takes a gentler approach by pairing chemical exfoliants with nourishing moisturizers, such as shea butter, to keep your skin soft, soothed, and balanced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you use an exfoliating bar soap differently from regular bar soaps?

You’ll still lather an exfoliating body bar in your hands or on a washcloth like a regular soap, but it pays to use a gentler touch. Since these bars contain actives like salicylic acid—or even physical exfoliators—you don’t need to lather aggressively. “As these soaps have exfoliating agents, excess scrubbing can really irritate the skin,” says Dr. Safaee. Instead, massage the lather lightly onto damp skin, let it sit for a minute for the ingredients to sink in, then rinse. Most dermatologists recommend incorporating it into your body-care routine a couple of times a week, adjusting as your skin tolerates it. “If you overuse it, it can break down the skin barrier and exacerbate dryness and redness,” Dr. Safaee adds. And remember—not every bar is a cleanser, too; some, like the Soft Services Buffing Bar, are designed strictly for exfoliation.

How are exfoliating bar soaps better than exfoliating body washes?

Exfoliating soap bars and body washes can both smooth skin, but they work a little differently. “One major difference is that the body wash is usually formulated with other moisturizing agents and emollients and uses only chemical exfoliators like AHAs rather than particles found in soap. This allows a more suitable option for those with sensitive skin types,” says Dr. Safaee. By contrast, the bar soap often includes gritty particles, which are used as physical exfoliators, and so “these are best suited for thicker skin areas such as the elbows and heels and for the upper arms when treating keratosis pilaris,” she adds. Bar soaps are generally travel-friendly and longer-lasting, but can be slightly harsher on the skin depending on the formula, according to our derms. To keep irritation at bay, follow up with a soothing body lotion to support your skin barrier.

Meet the experts

• Peter Bittar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute, based in Miami
• Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Miami
• Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology, based in Thousand Oaks, California
• Maryam Safaee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Los Angeles
• Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology, based in Scottsdale, Arizona

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