Bar soaps continue to be the more sustainable choice compared to liquid soaps: they require less packaging, do not require preservatives and, in most cases, have simpler formulations. This is confirmed by the new test by Altroconsumo, which analyzed 65 hand soaps (41 liquid and 24 solid), evaluating their composition based on their environmental impact and possible health effects.
The final judgment attributes 70% of the weight to the impact on the environment and the remaining 30% to health aspects, taking into consideration ingredients such as allergens, preservatives, microplastics and other substances considered problematic by the European authorities.
The best soaps in the ranking
Among the 25 soaps analyzed, these are the ones that obtained the highest scores.
Carrefour Soft Bio Delicate Soap – 97 points
Awarded the “Best Composition” award, it is the bar of soap that obtains the highest score. It is formulated with organic palm and coconut oils, contains no perfume or allergens and is sold at an average price of 0.99 euros per 100 grams.
Winni’s Marseille Soap for Laundry and Personal Hygiene – 97 points
This too receives the title of “Best Composition”. Although it is scented, it does not contain any declared allergens. The 250 gram format costs on average 1.85 euros, making it also among the most convenient proposals.
Cien (Lidl) Creamy Olive Soaps – 88 points
Third place for the Lidl brand soap, judged “Very good”. It contains perfume but is free of allergens and is offered at an average price of 1.29 euros.
The complete ranking of soap bars analyzed by Altroconsumo
Here are all 25 bars of soap present in the test, ordered based on the score obtained.
- Carrefour Soft Bio Delicate Soap – 97 points (Very good, Best composition)
- Winni’s Marseille Soap for Laundry and Personal Hygiene – 97 points (Very good, Best composition)
- Cien (Lidl) Creamy Olive Soaps – 88 points (Very good)
- Near (Eurospin) Neutral Soap with Milk Proteins – 76 points (Good)
- Perlier Lavender Soap – 73 points (Good)
- Mantovani Classic Neutral Soap with Rice Milk – 67 points (Good)
- Champagne Foam Marseille Solid Soap with Antibacterial (version 2) – 64 points (Good)
- Neutral Roberts Dermotested Moisturizing Soap – 63 points (Good)
- White Castle Biodegradable Soap Marseille Neutral 100% Vegetable – 63 points (Good)
- Lysoform Hand Protection Cleanses and Removes Bacteria – 62 points (Good)
- Conad Essentiae Creamy Soap with Lotus Flower Extract and Rice Oil – 55 points (Acceptable)
- Palmolive Delicate Care Almond & Milk – 52 points (Acceptable)
- Champagne Foam Marseille Solid Soap with Antibacterial (version 1) – 51 points (Acceptable)
- I Provenzali Extrafine Marseille Soap with Olive Oil – 43 points (Acceptable)
- Io Coop Nourishing Creamy Soap Rice Oil and Shea – 42 points (Acceptable)
- Oro di Lauro Delicate and Purifying Aleppo Soap – 42 points (Acceptable)
- Felce Azzurra Classic Perfumed Soap – 40 points (Acceptable)
- Esselunga Neutral and Delicate Soap – 38 points (Poor)
- Selex Ego Natural Soap with 25% Moisturizing Cream – 38 points (Poor)
- Dove Pampering Beauty Cream Bar Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla Scent – 37 points (Poor)
- Conad Essentiae Vegetable Soap with Prickly Pear Extract and White Musk – 37 points (Poor)
- Nidra Velvety Milk Soap (version 1) – 36 points (Poor)
- Nidra Velvety Milk Soap (version 2) – 36 points (Poor)
- Dove Beauty Cream Bar Deep Moisture for Soft Skin – 36 points (Poor)
- Borotalco Original Perfumed Soap Borotalco Perfume – 33 points (Poor, last in the ranking)
Why some soaps get better ratings
One of the aspects that had the greatest impact on the score was the presence of perfume allergens. According to Altroconsumo, only ten of the 65 products analyzed are completely free of it, while many soaps contain several at the same time. The best classified soap bars are characterized by essential formulations, with few ingredients and without substances considered problematic.
Is it worth choosing bar soap?
The test does not identify an absolute winner between liquid and solid soap, but highlights that bar soap generally remains the more sustainable choice. It does not contain water, requires less plastic for packaging and, precisely because it does not require preservatives, it often has simpler formulations.
Those who want a practical product can continue to prefer liquid soap, while those who want to reduce the environmental impact and limit unnecessary ingredients find bar soap the most interesting alternative. In any case, reading the INCI before purchasing remains the best way to choose a product with a cleaner composition.
