Is body wash better than bar soap?
If you’ve ever stood in the shower, debating between the liquid freedom of body wash and the rugged simplicity of bar soap, you’re not alone. This guide is here to help you figure out which side of the lather you’re on—or if, perhaps, you need both to truly live like an Outlaw.
Here’s everything you need to know, with a dash of adventure and some true Outlaw insights that just might give you something to talk about over your next campfire.
What’s Body Wash?
Body wash is a liquid soap born from the brilliant minds of folks who wanted more from their daily scrub. It’s creamy, moisturizing, and brings a rich, foamy lather to your skin that’s far from ordinary.
Unlike traditional bar soaps, which have been around for thousands of years, body wash is a relatively new player in the shower scene, showing up in the 1970s and turning the whole soap world upside down. It’s designed to be less drying than your average bar soap, thanks to its unique blend of moisturizers and emollients.
Body wash gives you a scent that lingers and a lather that billows. With a little squeeze, you’re transported to places you’d rather be—leather-bound saloons, piney woods, or even the heart of a dusty sagebrush desert.
How Do I Use Body Wash?
It may sound straightforward, but there’s a way to use body wash like an Outlaw pro:
- Grab a loofah, washcloth, or use your bare hands**—each brings its own experience. Loofahs deliver a cloud-like lather; washcloths give you a no-nonsense scrub; bare hands are as raw and real as it gets.
- Squeeze a quarter-sized dollop (no more!) onto your chosen tool. For bar soap lovers new to body wash, resist the urge to add more until you try this out. A little goes a long way.
- Lather up: Use a circular motion to create a rich, creamy lather. Take a second to savor the scent— you’re starting an adventure!
- Rub the lather across your body, feeling like you’re scrubbing away the dirt of some grand road trip (even if you haven’t left the neighborhood).
- Rinse off, and enjoy the lingering aroma of a job well done.
How Do I Use the Right Amount of Body Wash?
With body wash, a little can do a lot. Start small—a quarter-sized dab is often all you need to build a sudsy, satisfying lather. Too much, and you’ll have more bubbles than you bargained for, plus you’ll blow through your bottle before you know it.
Stealth Alert: Outlaw body washes are known for attracting unexpected admirers—your partner, kids, and yes, maybe even a roommate who swears they only use “unscented.” If your bottle is mysteriously lighter than you remember, you might have a “borrower” on your hands.
Is Body Wash New?
Body wash may feel like a new phenomenon, but it’s been around for a few decades now, bringing the joy of creamy, clean lather to showers worldwide since the 1970s.
As soap making goes, that’s just a blink in history—but it’s left a mark as a versatile, moisturizing option with scents that last beyond the shower door.
How Popular is Body Wash?
In recent years, body wash has overtaken bar soap, with over 60% of people now choosing it as their go-to. The moisturizing benefits and rich variety of scents have made it the first choice for millions looking for a little more than just clean.
In a study of bath products, body wash has steadily gained fans for its convenience and ability to deliver lather without mess.
It’s practical, it’s indulgent, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Is Body Wash Better for the Environment?
Generally speaking, no—most body washes out there come in plastic bottles, many of which are single-use and non-recyclable.
This means that, environmentally, body wash has a bit of a reputation for leaving a larger footprint than its sturdy bar soap cousin, which often comes in minimal packaging.
Plastic bottles in landfills and oceans are a common result, making traditional body wash a tougher sell for eco-conscious bathers.
But Outlaws are free to lather up with body wash to your cleanliness's content! Our body wash comes in recyclable, reusable aluminum bottles, designed to keep lathering with every refill.
And speaking of refills, we’ve made it easy for you to replenish your bottle with our body wash refill pouches—reducing waste and giving you an earth-friendlier way to keep the adventure alive. Outlaw’s body washes bring you a clean that’s easier on the planet, so you can save the earth while you scrub the grit from your day.
Can Women Use Body Wash?
Of course. Outlaw body washes are for everyone who craves a little adventure.
Our scents are bold, evocative, and beyond labels. Whether you’re drawn to the desert-warmed sagebrush of Lust in the Dust or the smokey woodlands of Mountain Hideout, we’re here for anyone who believes in the call of the wild, no matter who you are.
Outlaw Natural Body Wash
Outlaw body washes are the scents of grit, wanderlust, and a dash of wild spirit—all bottled up and ready for your next adventure.
Each body wash transports you to landscapes and legends. Bring the thrill of the outdoors right into your shower.
- Blazing Saddles Body Wash: Leather | Gunpowder | Sandalwood | Sagebrush
Like riding through the open range at dawn, it’s leather, sagebrush, and a spark of gunpowder—a wash that leaves you feeling like you’ve been somewhere unforgettable. - The Gambler Body Wash: Bourbon | Tobacco | Leather
A smoky, smooth mix of bourbon and leather with a hint of risk-taking. No need for an ace up your sleeve when you have a scent this bold on your skin. - Mountain Hideout Body Wash: Pine | Damp Earth | Campfire
Deep in the woods, where the pines stretch high and campfires crackle all night. This one brings you right back to nature, clean and earthy. - Calamity Jane Body Wash: Clove | Orange | Cinnamon | Whiskey
Fiery and warm with a bit of bite. For those who embrace their adventurous side and want a scent that’s anything but shy. - Lust in the Dust Body Wash: Sagebrush | Sandalwood | Campfire
Earthy sagebrush, smoky campfire, and warm sandalwood—like a desert sunset after a long day on the trail. It’s freedom in a bottle, with the scent of open spaces and dusty horizons.
What’s Handmade Natural Bar Soap?
Handmade natural bar soap takes a purist’s approach to clean, crafted with real ingredients and without synthetic fillers.
Each bar is lovingly made in small batches, blending oils and natural ingredients for a soap that’s gentle on skin, rich in character, and free from unnecessary additives.
Outlaw’s handmade bar soaps use a combination of natural and lab-made fragrances to create scents as daring as your favorite stories.
Soap, in its most traditional form, has been around for thousands of years.
Early records show that ancient Egyptians used a soap-like substance made from animal fats and alkaline salts—if it was good enough for pharaohs, it’s probably worth a try.
What’s the Difference Between Natural Bar Soap and Commercially Produced Bar Soap?
Natural bar soaps keep it simple. You won’t find synthetic preservatives or added detergents here, just oils, lye, and a blend of rich scents.
Commercially produced soaps are more about shelf life than skin feel, with ingredients aimed at staying firm and foamy no matter what.
Natural soaps, on the other hand, offer a gentler experience, nourishing the skin without harsh additives.
What’s the Difference Between Handmade Bar Soap and Other Types of Bar Soap?
Handmade soaps are produced in small batches with an artisan’s care, while other types are mass-produced with different priorities—namely cost, consistency, and long shelf life.
Handmade bar soaps provide a unique experience with each bar and are made from a combination of natural oils that deliver a richer, fluffier, often milder lather.
How Do You Use Bar Soap?
Here’s how to get the most from your bar soap, Outlaw style:
- Wet your hands and the bar: Give it a quick soak to soften the surface.
- Rub the bar between your hands or directly onto your skin. If you’re going straight to skin, keep it quick and light—this keeps the bar from melting too fast.
- Work up a lather: Take a moment to let the scent transport you. Clean isn’t just a chore, after all.
- Rinse and place the bar somewhere dry to keep it fresh.
How Do You Use the Right Amount of Bar Soap?
With bar soap, restraint is key. Rub it between your hands a few times for just enough lather.
If you go directly on your skin, remember: a quick swipe will get you clean without melting half the bar in one go. Your Outlaw soap deserves a little longevity.
Soap Bandit Alert: Outlaw bar soaps, with scents like Fire in the Hole, tend to get “borrowed.” If your bar of piney, campfire-scented goodness is mysteriously out of reach, consider keeping a backup hidden from family, roommates, and the occasional scent thief.
How Can I Make Sure My Handmade Natural Soap Doesn’t Melt?
The secret to a long-lasting soap bar is airflow. A traditional soap dish can trap water, turning your prized bar into a puddle.
Look for a soap dish that drains well, or place it on a shower caddy that gives it a chance to dry out.
Is Natural Bar Soap Better for the Environment?
In short, yes—especially when it’s done the Outlaw way. Traditional bar soaps are often wrapped in coated paper or plastic packaging that isn’t easily recyclable.
Many commercial bars also contain synthetic hardeners that can stick around in the environment long after your shower’s done.
But Outlaw’s handmade natural bar soaps? They come in recyclable kraft paper boxes—biodegradable, uncoated, and 100% plastic-free. This packaging ensures your soap’s journey ends as cleanly as it started, leaving nothing unnecessary behind.
With Outlaw’s bar soap, you’re getting all the lather, scent, and pure ingredients, minus the waste—giving you one more way to be gentle on the planet while keeping yourself unapologetically wild.
Outlaw's Handmade, Natural Bar Soaps
Outlaw’s bar soaps are crafted for those who crave a bit of the wild in their everyday wash. Each scent is designed to evoke wide-open spaces, a touch of adventure, and maybe even a little rebellion.
These soaps are your ticket to the rugged and refreshing scents of the outdoors, right from your own bathroom.
- Calamity Jane Bar Soap: Orange | Clove | Whiskey
Bold and spicy, with a kick that’s as unforgettable as Calamity herself. This blend of orange, clove, and whiskey is perfect for those who live a life full of adventure (and maybe just a little bit of trouble). - Fire in the Hole Bar Soap: Campfire | Gunpowder | Whiskey | Sagebrush
Smoky and daring, this scent captures the thrill of the campfire, complete with hints of gunpowder and woodsmoke. It’s like a night under the stars with the smell of a crackling fire. - Blazing Saddles Bar Soap: Leather | Gunpowder | Sandalwood | Sagebrush
A scent that feels like the open range—leather, sagebrush, and a dash of gunpowder. Blazing Saddles is for the Outlaw who craves freedom and wide skies, rugged and warm in every lather. - Home on the Range Bar Soap: Laundry | Fresh-Cut Grass | Blackberries
Clean, green, and a little fruity, like a summer day on a big open ranch. With the scent of fresh laundry, green grass, and ripe blackberries, Home on the Range is perfect for those who love a clean, crisp start. - Hair of the Dog Bar Soap: Whiskey | Coffee
Warm, rich, and strong enough to wake you up—or keep you going. Hair of the Dog combines the bold scents of whiskey and coffee, giving you that extra boost to face the day, no matter what you got up to last night.
So Is Body Wash Better Than Bar Soap?
When it comes to body wash vs. bar soap, the answer isn’t cut-and-dry. Body wash brings a spa-like experience with rich, foamy lather, while bar soap connects you to the traditional, tactile experience of a good scrub.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your style: body wash for a quicker, smoother shower, bar soap for a hands-on, rugged experience.
The beauty of it? You don’t have to choose just one—there’s room for both in any Outlaw’s life.
Which is Better? Here Are Some Scenarios
If you’re on the road: Bar soap wins. It’s portable, leak-free, and compact.
When you need a deep scrub: Body wash with a loofah for that maximum lather.
For that pure nostalgia: Bar soap. There’s something timeless about lathering up with a bar that brings back good, simple memories.
For long-lasting clean: Bar soap stays with you longer if you keep it dry.
If your shower shelf space is limited: Go with body wash.
Body Wash vs. Bar Soap: The Breakdown
- Travel: Bar soap wins here. Toss it in a case, and it’s good to go.
- Longevity: Bar soap tends to last longer when kept dry, but body wash offers better portion control.
- Skin Preferences: Body wash can have added moisturizers, which is ideal for dry skin. Bar soap is a bit more straightforward, great for those who prefer a no-frills approach.