Do you love the sensation of cleaning your body with a good bar of soap? Maybe you can’t feel squeaky clean without lathering your skin with body wash. But, when was the last time you actually delved deeper into the benefits and drawbacks of using soap vs body wash?
We’ve all been there: scouting the supermarket for the best products that can keep our skin clean. Goat milk soap has gained quite momentum. It can be less allergenic and more moisturizing than a standard bar of soap. Plus, people have been using goat milk and other fats for cosmetics for thousands of years.
"I found this soap (Rosemary Mint) fantastic from start to finish as I use if both as a bath bar and a shampoo bar. I do not need to lotion after every shower like with most soaps, it has a natural moisturizing component." - Mary P. |
Body wash is a more recent invention. It traces back to the late 1800s and was designed to provide better convenience and ease of application. But, there are fundamental differences between the two.
What is Goat Milk Soap?
Goat milk soap is soap made from raw goat milk. It is an all-natural alternative to commercial soap, body wash, shampoo, face wash, and similar products. Goat milk soap has a creamy and gentle consistency that can soften the skin and acts as a gentle exfoliator.
Goat milk soap is free of harsh surfactants commonly found in commercial soap products. It doesn’t strip the moisture from the skin. Instead, it can offer a gentle cleansing and moisturizing effect. Goat milk soap is a natural exfoliant and may aid those with sensitive skin.
This soap is packed with caprylic acid, making it a practical option for gently removing debris, dirt, and other particles without ridding the natural fatty acids from the skin. A bar of soap is an excellent way to get your skin clean. You can use it to scrub away any dirt, odor, or oil.
A bar of soap can be difficult for some to hold on to so some choose to avoid goat milk soap in bar form. However, we have found that soap savers significantly help to give something to grip while you scrub with the soap. And they even help produce even more lather from the bar of soap.
"Love the smell of the Almond bar soap & the Soap Saver works perfectly!" - Sharon S. |
What is Body Wash?
A body wash is a liquid skin cleansing product. Body wash often has a lower pH value than commercial bar soap, so it is less likely to dry the skin. This specialized liquid product is designed to coat the skin and cleanse it from any impurities like sweat, makeup, dirt, and oil.
The main difference between a body wash and a standard bar of soap is that the body wash can be easier to apply. You just squeeze it out, add a couple of drops of water, massage the body, and you are good to go. It is quick to lather and easy to work with.
What Common Ingredients in Body Wash Should be Avoided
All body washes are not created equal. Many contain ingredients that are best to be avoided. You should steer clear of benzophenone-3, BPA, parabens, triclosan, and sodium laureth sulfate (SLS).
Benzophenone-3
Benzophenone-3 is an active ingredient used in countless cosmetic products. Benzophenone can be used to prevent products like soaps from losing their color and fragrance when exposed to direct UV rays. This chemical has numerous health concerns. It could lead to endocrine disruption. It might also be a human carcinogen and a toxicant. Benzophenone is also toxic to marine life.
BPA
BPA is another common industrial chemical. This chemical is a popular option in cosmetics as it keeps the packaging from corroding. Research shows that BPA exposure might disrupt normal hormone levels. It can interfere with the endocrine system and cause negative effects on obesity, metabolism, and the female reproductive system.
Parabens
Parabens are a group of chemicals that can extend the shelf-life of body wash products. Experts suggest that parabens might harm reproductive organs and fertility. They could interfere with the hormones and increase the odds of skin irritation and cancer. If your skin is very sensitive, it is best to avoid parabens.
Triclosan
Triclosan is another ingredient added to products to prevent and decrease bacterial contamination. Some antibacterial body washes, and soaps might have triclosan. This chemical could be another potential endocrine disruptor. So, it may be best to avoid it when you want to boost hormone function.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a popular foaming agent in body washes. It gives the product that nice lather and helps you cover more skin with simple, stroking movements. SLS, however is a known skin irritant. It can be harsh on sensitive or tender skin.
Your skin does its best to keep harmful things from getting through its top layer. SLS can be harmful because it could penetrate this defensive mechanism and expose the skin to damaging components. So, you may experience skin irritation, and applying warm water could even make the symptoms worse.
Safe Ingredients in Goat Milk Soap
Manufacturers use chemicals to increase the shelf-life of their products. At Goat Milk Stuff, we take a different approach. Our soap is long-lasting but not because of harmful chemicals. We cure our bar soaps a minimum of six weeks to give you the longest lasting bar possible.
"I LOVE this soap (Cranberry Spice)!!! The lather, the scent, the way it moisturizes my skin, everything! Also, it’s lasting longer than other goat soaps I’ve used in the past!!" - Brooklyn P. |
We don’t add any carcinogens, mutagens, or organ toxins. We keep our ingredients simple, effective, and good for the skin. So, when you choose goat milk soap, you are choosing an all-natural showering experience.
Some of the most popular ingredients we like to include are:
- Raw goat milk from our own goats
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Essential oils
- Fragrance oils (paraben-free and phthalate-free)
Many of these ingredients have many properties that can be beneficial for your skin. Since many people struggle with skin sensitivity, dryness, acne, and skin irritation, it can be highly beneficial to come up with solutions that can accommodate different skin types.
Some of our scented soaps are scented with essential oils, which are plant-based oils like Lavender and Tea Tree oil. These oils are used to give goat milk soap a natural fragrance and they also provide a soothing aromatherapy effect. They are non-toxic, versatile, and good for the skin and environment.
"The Lavender goat milk soap is wonderful! It helps you to have a sense of calm when bathing with it before going to bed." - Michelle S. |
Our Favorite Goat Milk Soaps to Replace Your Body Wash
If you want to swap your body wash with some goat milk soaps, the list below can help. We selected some quality products that can accommodate different skin types. If you are a fan of perfectly-scented soaps, be sure to check out our collection of goat milk soaps for your favorite scents.
- Goat Milk Soap Purity: Purity is an unscented, natural soap that uses the added benefits of coconut oil and sunflower oil. It is creamy and soft and very easy to apply on the skin. The product doesn’t dry the skin and it is free of any harsh ingredients.
"Beautiful soap (Purity)! It feels like silk going on and leaves your skin clean and soft! Love it!" - Michelle M. |
- Goat Milk Soap Castile: Castile is made with only raw goat milk and organic extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil is packed with antioxidant compounds that might give the skin a more youthful look and ease inflammation. It is a very gentle soap that’s highly moisturizing.
- Goat Milk Soap Tea Tree: This goat milk soap is rich in quality ingredients. Tea tree essential oil can be beneficial for acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and more. The smell is similar to peppermint and eucalyptus and can provide you with a refreshing and invigorating bathing experience.
- Goat Milk Soap Oatmeal Milk and Honey: Oatmeal Milk & Honey is our most popular scent because of its sweet and comforting smell.
"It's my new favorite to use when showering. The Oatmeal Milk & Honey relieves my very dry itchy skin making it softer and more moisturized." - Ulanda L. |
- Goat Milk Soap Lavender: Lavender is often used in aromatherapy for its relaxing and calming scent. This soap is a wonderful choice before bedtime to unwind after a long day.
- Goat Milk Soap Black Raspberry: If you prefer fruity and sweet smells, then you might love Black Raspberry. This unique fragrance blend combines the sweetness of black raspberries with a hint of vanilla to give a touch of warmth to this rich fruity scent.
"(Black Raspberry) Soap has a fresh, clean berry scent. Lathers well and definitely helps to keep skin soft." - Mary B. |
- Goat Milk Soap Vanilla: There is nothing more comforting than a classic Vanilla scent. This is an excellent bath time treat you can use regularly. It can leave the skin feeling soft all thanks to the number of minerals, vitamins, and alpha hydroxy acids the goat milk contains.
"I love that this (Vanilla) soap smells good and I don't have to worry about ingredients that aren't good for me when I'm using it!" - Amber M. |
At Goat Milk Stuff, we have plenty of bar soaps available in many different scents and ingredients. You can be sure to find an option that can work best for your skin.