When it comes to soap, many people think that the more oil it has, the better. However, this is not always the case! In fact, there are now many great oil free soaps on the market that can provide your skin with all of the benefits it needs without leaving behind an oily residue.
Keep reading to learn more about these amazing products and find out which one is right for you.
What is an Oil Free Soap?
An oil free soap is exactly what it sounds like: a bar of soap that doesn’t contain any oils at all. These types of soaps are perfect for people who want to be able to clean their skin without leaving behind any leftover residue.
These oil-free cosmetics and oils are typically mild, unclog skin pores, and are marketed as treatments for or prevention of skin conditions.
In addition, they can work well for many acne sufferers who find that certain oils tend to worsen their breakouts.
Bar soaps contain no oils and are thus technically oil-free. However, a majority of so-called oil free soaps still include various natural oil types. On the other hand, not all liquid soaps and body washes would not be considered oil-free.
While there are commercial options available with glycerine removed, they often leave behind an unsatisfying soapy feel.
Soaps with natural oils like cow or goat milk, virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, and shea butter do not include any synthetic preservatives.
Shea Butter
Shea butter (see my recommended shea butter soap) is one ingredient that you will commonly see in oil-free soaps. This special type of butter provides your skin with an abundance of vitamins and nutrients while also making your skin softer and smoother.
In addition, it’s been found to be effective in treating a variety of skin conditions including acne and eczema.
Many people also use it to treat certain scars, dark spots, stretch marks, wrinkles, and even minor skin irritations.
Since shea butter is not very easy to work with by itself, you will commonly see it combined with other types of natural oils in oil-free soaps. However, the end result should provide your skin with all of the amazing benefits shea butter has to offer.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is another popular ingredient (see my recommended aloe vera soap) that can be found in oil-free soaps. It works great at moisturizing your skin while also restoring its youthful glow.
In addition, aloe vera gel may be able to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while repairing any damaged skin cells.
Since it’s 100% natural, aloe vera gel is an excellent ingredient for those who want to be able to cleanse their skin without all the harsh chemicals that are commonly found in soap.
Sodium Cocoate (Saponified Coconut Oil)
Another common oil-free soap ingredient is sodium cocoate (used in this premium coconut soap) which is derived from saponified coconut oil. Not only does it work great at cleansing your skin, but it can also help replenish any essential moisture your skin may need to look and feel its best.
In fact, many people use coconut oil as a moisturizing treatment for their hair and scalp as well as on the rest of their bodies.
Coconut oil is a popular ingredient in oil free soaps, especially since it is also commonly used as a natural anti-fungal treatment for your nails and other body parts.
Natural Essential Oils
Another popular choice is various natural essential oils extracts (like this surprising soap that contains citric acid, antioxidants, and enzymes). These extracts are very effective at reducing the appearance of blemishes while also giving your skin a refreshing boost whenever you use them.
You can also find oil free soaps with added spices like cinnamon, lemon peel, clove flower buds, star anise fruit pieces, nutmeg seed powder, or ground ginger. Many people have found that these spices work great at reducing skin redness and irritation while also treating acne.
Tea tree oil extract is another common option that has powerful antibacterial properties that may be able to help treat acne-prone skin.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
If you are looking for oil free soaps which are made without animal products, chances are they may contain sodium laureth sulfate instead of sodium cocoate.
While it is worth noting that SLES has been found to be rather harsh on the skin by some experts, others claim that it can be used to effectively cleanse your skin and remove any stubborn makeup residues.
Sulfated castor oil is another ingredient option if you prefer soap bars that don’t include sodium cocoate or SLES since this special type of oil is milder than coconut oil.
However since sulfated castor oil typically comes with a higher price tag, many soap manufacturers limit its use to more expensive soaps.
Since oil free soaps are designed to cleanse your skin without any added oils or other fatty acids, they may be slightly more irritating than regular soap bars and should only be used on the body (not the face).
Nevertheless, since there are many different recipes for making soap based on saponified oils, you will still find some brands that work great as facial cleansers as well as a body wash.
Benefits of Oil Free Soap
These types of soaps are also great for people who have dry skin because they do not contain the ingredients that often lead to dryness such as many oils and kinds of butter.
Some of the additional benefits of using oil free soaps include –
- Easily cleanse oil and dirt off the skin.
- Great for those with dry skin, especially in colder weather conditions.
- Great for those who want a facial wash as well as a body soap.
- Generally free from harsh chemicals and other irritants since these types of soaps are made with 100% natural ingredients.
The main thing to remember when using oil-free soaps is that these products do not contain any lauric or other types of oils.
This means that the soap itself won’t be able to moisturize your skin as well as other products which include ingredients such as coconut oil and shea butter.
Final Thoughts
If you’d like to give oil-free soaps a try but don’t know where to start, it’s best to look for those which contain aloe vera gel and/or shea butter.
These ingredients should provide your skin with all of the moisture and nourishment it needs to feel its best without leaving behind a greasy feeling.
Oil free soaps may also be beneficial for those who have sensitive skin or suffer from dryness or flakiness.
Although they still come with a few downsides, more and more soap makers are starting to incorporate various plant extracts into their products which work great at moisturizing your skin.
Nevertheless, oil-free soaps can be an excellent option if you’re concerned about the harsh chemicals found in most regular bar soaps or simply want to pamper yourself with something natural and gentle on the body (not the face).
