If you’re looking to make the switch to more natural bath products, vegan cold-pressed soap bars are a great option! Gentler on skin than commercial liquid body washes, these shower bars are made by pressing and hardening plant-based oils, butters, clays and botanicals together. The cold-press process retains more nutrients than hot processing, and skips harsh chemicals.
Vegan cold-pressed bars are ideal for people pursuing plant-based, cruelty-free lifestyles. Not only are they better for your skin, they reduce plastic waste from bottled shower products. The natural, often plastic-free packaging makes cold-pressed bars a zero-waste win!
With so many artisanal soap makers joining the scene, how do you pick the best bar for your needs? Here I share my top 5 favorite vegan cold-pressed shower bars that lather, cleanse and moisturize beautifully.
1. Moss and Mint Activated Charcoal Bar
Moss and Mint’s activated charcoal bar deeply detoxifies skin without stripping away natural oils. Bentonite and French green clays draw out impurities, while gentle charcoal provides a thorough cleanse. Avocado, jojoba, and olive oils infuse moisture for a smooth lather and supple skin.
The bar has an earthy fragrance from essential oils like peppermint, which also stimulates circulation. The minty scent is energizing, but not overpowering. I love waking up to this invigorating aroma!
With clarifying ingredients, this bar is great for oily, acne-prone skin. The clay and charcoal help decongest clogged pores and reduce breakouts. My tin does arrive with small blue speckles from the charcoal, but they easily rinse away.
At 3.5oz, the Moss and Mint bar lasts over a month with regular use. It retails for $9 on their website, with free shipping on orders over $40. An excellent value!
2. Au Savon French Green Clay Bar
Au Savon harnesses the deep cleansing power of French green clay in this face and body bar. It has a rich, almost buttery smooth texture that melts beautifully into a creamy lather. My skin feels clean yet comfortably moisturized after using it.
The French green clay detoxifies skin by drawing out impurities from deep within pores. Kaolin clay also absorbs excess oils, making this ideal for combination and oily skin types. Sweet almond, olive and coconut oils replenish moisture so skin doesn’t feel stripped.
I love the light, botanical scent of essential oils like lavender, geranium and ylang ylang. It’s relaxing, without being too perfumed or strong. The bar has an elegant, minimalist look that suits the brand’s French inspiration.
Au Savon’s bars are on the pricier side at $15, but a little goes a long way. The generous 5.3oz bar lasts me over 2 months with regular use. Plus, the packaging is plastic-free!
3. Soapy Botanicals Neem & Tea Tree Bar
Harnessing the blemish-busting powers of neem and tea tree, this bar tackles problem skin. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help treat body acne, while calming redness and inflammation. The Australian tea tree oil deeply cleanses pores and controls excess oil.
Despite being clarifying, Soapy Botanicals’ Neem & Tea Tree bar is surprisingly moisturizing. Mango butter and organic coconut, olive, and hemp oils leave my dry skin soft, not stripped. The texture strikes that ideal creamy/hard cold-process balance. It lathers easily with the help of a loofah.
I enjoy the fresh, herbal scent from the neem and tea tree oils. It smells very clean and earthy. The bar comes wrapped in compostable paper packaging – major points for sustainability! At 4oz, it retails for $9 and lasts me around a month per use.
4. Fat and the Moon Sensitive Skincare Bar
As the name suggests, Fat and the Moon designed this bar for sensitive skin types. Chamomile, calendula, rosehip oil, oats and marshmallow root create an extra-gentle, soothing formula. It cleanses very lightly, almost like a moisturizing body bar.
The creamy lather won’t strip or dry out the skin. The low-foam texture makes this a good option for people who react to sulfates and strong detergents. It works into a nice slipperiness between your hands or washcloth without big bubbly suds.
This sensitive skin bar has a subtle, calming aroma from the herbal infusion. The rosehip oil gives it a pleasantly nutty scent. At 3.5oz, it comes in compostable packaging and costs $9 a bar. For people with eczema, dryness or general sensitivity, this is a godsend.
5. Meow Meow Tweet Peppermint & Pumice Stone Bar
Looking for an exfoliating option? Meow Meow Tweet’s pumice stone bar gently buffs away dead skin cells while cleansing. Finely ground peppermint leaves stimulate circulation for an invigorating cleanse.
The bar contains moisturizing sunflower, olive, coconut and avocado oils so it doesn’t over-strip skin. The pumice scrub particles aren’t too harsh or scratchy, though those with highly sensitive skin may want to do a patch test first.
I enjoy the refreshing minty aroma – it makes a great morning shower pick-me-up! The bar lasts 2-3 months with regular use. It comes wrapped in compostable paper and retails for $14.
How to Choose the Best Vegan Cold-Pressed Bar for You
With so many plant-based soap options available now, it helps to know what to look for when picking a cold-pressed shower bar. Here are some tips for choosing the right bar based on your skin type and preferences:
If you have dry skin, seek out extra moisturizing bars that contain oils like avocado, olive, almond and coconut. Shea and cocoa butters also add hydration. Aloe vera and oats soothe dryness. Creamy, thick lathering bars tend to be more moisturizing than hard or crumbly ones.
For oily, acneic skin, look for clarifying ingredients like charcoal, tea tree, neem, lemongrass and clay. These help cleanse congested pores, control excess oil and treat breakouts. Bars labeled as detoxifying or deep cleansing make good choices.
People with sensitive skin should avoid harsh ingredients like added colors, fragrances, parabens, phthalates and sulfates. Seek out bars made especially for sensitivity – ingredients like chamomile, calendula and marshmallow root soothe and calm reactive skin.
If body acne is a concern, check reviews to find bars that help treat and prevent bacne breakouts. Tea tree, activated charcoal, neem and other antimicrobials target body acne. Salicylic acid also calms existing breakouts and prevents new ones.
Consider the texture you prefer – some people like thick creamy bars that moisturize, while others enjoy harder bars that lather easily. Creamy bars tend to leave more moisturizing residue. How quickly a bar dissolves and how much lather it produces are personal preferences too.
You’ll also want to assess the scent – do you want an unscented bar, something naturally scented, or one with essential oil fragrance? Take scent strength into account too.
Also ensure the bar is suitable for your climate. In hot, humid weather, lighter gel-based bars hold up better. In dry climates, a more moisturizing creamy bar prevents tightness.
Compare ingredients lists and prices to find one that fits your budget. Artisanal cold-process bars generally range from $6 to $15. More expensive ones tend to last longer.
Check packaging – if environmental impact is important, look for plastic-free, sustainably packaged bars. Many come wrapped in compostable paper or cardboard.
For assured cruelty-free and vegan ingredients, examine the brand’s background and policies. You want to ensure no animal testing at any stage of production.
If your skin is highly sensitive or reactive, do a patch test on your arm before full use. Make sure you don’t react negatively to any ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Cold-Pressed Bars
Are cold-pressed bars actually better for your skin than commercial liquid body washes?
Yes, cold-pressed bars retain more nourishing oils, butters and nutrients because they aren’t processed at high heat. The natural ingredients cleanse gently without stripping away protective oils. Liquid washes often contain harsh foaming agents.
How long does a typical cold-pressed soap bar last?
On average, a 5oz cold-process bar used by 1 person should last 4-6 weeks. Bars with exfoliating ingredients may dissolve faster. How frequently you use it and your climate can influence longevity too.
What’s the best way to store cold-pressed bars to extend lifespan?
Letting the bar rest and cure after first opening it helps harden and condense it. Keep bars in a dry spot away from excess moisture. Some people keep them elevated to allow air circulation and prevent sogginess.
Do cold-pressed bars leave any residue or feeling on skin?
It varies – some leave a light moisturizing layer while others fully rinse clean. In general, harder bars and gel-based bars leave less residue. More moisturizing creamy/oily bars tend to leave a bit of conditioning residue behind.
Are all cold-process soap bars transparent in look?
No, opacity varies. More moisturizing bars made with oils and butters tend to be opaque. Castile-style olive oil bars also look opaque. Gel-based bars made with ingredients like aloe vera juice tend to be translucent or transparent. Colorants can also influence appearance.
Can you use cold-pressed soap bars on your hair and face too?
Many cold-pressed bars are gentle enough for face and hair, but be sure to check the ingredients first. Very moisturizing bars may be too heavy for oily hair. Exfoliating bars shouldn’t be used on the face. Do a spot test before full use.
What’s the best way to use cold-pressed bars – hands, washcloth, or loofah?
It’s personal preference! Washing with your hands allows better control and minimizes waste for more delicate bars. Loofahs and cloths enhance lather. Use caution with anything too scrubby that may quickly dissolve the bar.
Go Natural With Vegan Cold-Pressed Bars
If you’re seeking kinder, greener bath products, consider making the switch from bottled body wash to package-free, vegan cold-pressed soap bars. Know your skin type and preferences when picking a bar. With so many plant-based options now available, you can find the perfect lathering, moisturizing, plastic-free bar. Ditch the disposable bottles and get your suds in a sustainable bar form!
Let me know if you try any of the vegan cold-pressed soaps recommended here. I’d love to hear your experiences. What are your favorite cruelty-free shower bars? Share in the comments below!
