How to Choose the Best Natural Soap for Sensitive Skin

There are so many natural soaps to choose from. I’m a soapmaker and I’m overwhelmed! So which is the best for your sensitive skin? This is not a one-size-fits-all answer.

Sensitive skin is no fun, but our soap and skin care routines do not need to make it worse. In fact, choose the right soap, and your sensitive skin can soften, smooth, and clear up.

Of course, depending on the causes of your sensitive skin, soap may not completely cure it, but it should at the very least soothe it. And on your very worst bad skin days, it should allow you to wash without aggravating already irritated skin.

* For a quick answer and my top recommendations, scroll to the end where you’ll find the section: Natural Soaps for Sensitive Skin. *

First and foremost, what is sensitive skin? And what causes it? Can it be cured? Answer these questions and we’re a step closer to knowing what the best natural soap will be for ourselves.

What is Sensitive Skin?

The Cleveland Clinic defines sensitive skin as skin that reacts negatively to something that normally does not irritate skin, including cosmetic products and environmental changes. I would add to that diet, allergies, and stress, among other things.

Your skin may react with itchiness, skin discoloration, dryness, burning, rashes, acne, redness, and bumpy skin. And on the more severe end of the scale, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rosacea may rear their ugly heads.

Causes of Sensitive Skin

Let’s dig into that Cleveland Clinic definition a little more.

Cosmetic products: 

Commercial products may contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and more. Natural products may incorporate essential oils or other allergens like corn or even coconut. Normally, these are gentle and desirable natural ingredients, but as I said, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Some of us are allergic to all kinds of things we wish we weren't. And anyone who is sensitive to fall pollen knows that natural does not mean allergy-free.

Environmental Changes:

Harsh weather, road construction and tar, and car exhaust are just a few possible environmental factors. Exposure to any of these can flare up sensitive skin.

Diet:

Spicy foods can cause red, irritated skin. Greasy foods can stir up inflammation. Sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar which triggers oil production which may cause clogged pores and acne. Anytime our diet throws off our digestion, our skin can be affected.

Allergies:

I’ve already talked about this a bit. Cosmetics, environmental factors, and diet can all contain allergens. Sometimes, we may not even know we’re allergic. That’s why choosing a mild soap with few ingredients is a good place to start exploring a soap for sensitive skin.

Stress:

Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This excess hormone production can cause acne, inflammation, a breakdown of collagen and elastin, slower healing, a histamine release that causes itching, and more. Gentle skin care and healthy moisturizing can combat and guard against these effects.

Some of these causes can’t be changed. And often the cause of our sensitive skin is multi-faceted. We can have bad skin days just the same way we have bad hair days, no matter what care we give our skin.

If this is the case, then choosing the best natural soap means choosing a soap with mild ingredients that don’t further irritate your skin and that support the rejuvenation and refreshing of your skin at the same time.

If you are able to identify a specific cause and eliminate it, then your job may be a little easier. Yet, knowing your skin is selective, you’ll still be looking for a soap with mild ingredients.

Mild Soap Ingredients

By definition, soap removes dirt and sweat from your body. That can be done with all kinds of soap formulations. A mild soap will do the job gently while also contributing essential vitamins and minerals, along with not stripping natural, healthy moisture.

The following are all calming and rejuvenating. And they'll all gently carry you through those bad skin days I mentioned. Of course my one caveat is if you have allergies to any of these ingredients.

Avocado Oil:

Avocado oil is high in oleic acid which helps to lock in moisture and repair the outermost layer of our skin. It naturally contains vitamins E, A, and D which fight against environmental stressors. Natural antioxidants decrease inflammation and relieve irritated, flaky skin.

Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil forms a protective layer that locks in moisture. This allows skin to rejuvenate itself. It’s also anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and an antioxidant.

Olive Oil:

Olive oil helps soften skin and is deeply moisturizing. If your sensitive skin is showing up as dry skin, look for olive oil in the ingredients of your soap. Olive oil also contributes vitamin E that guards against environmental stressors.

Goat Milk:

Goat milk contains lactic acid which moisturizes, unclogs pores, and reduces fine lines and sun damage. It also contains proteins, nourishing fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E, and minerals. It’s a great ingredient for sensitive skin as long as you are not sensitive to animal products.

Honey:

Honey is moisturizing and soothing. It calms inflammation associated with psoriasis and acne. It also promotes skin rejuvenation and has been shown to speed wound healing. It's a top pick for temporarily irritated skin due to sunburns, chapped skin, and other acute issues.

Oats:

Oats naturally calm inflammation and gently  cleanse. They also exfoliate gently. They are rich in fats and acids that refresh and rejuvenate the skin’s lipid barrier.

These are some of my favorite ingredients in soap for sensitive skin. Choosing your best natural soap is a personal decision. My hope is to offer you a few different options so that you can find one the fits your skin.

Natural Soaps for Sensitive Skin

The best natural soap for sensitive skin will contain mild ingredients that soothe and regenerate skin. Start with a soap that has a small number of ingredients. At first, try a soap that has no added color and is unscented.

At the Straddle Creek Soap Shop, I love to formulate soaps for different skin types. For sensitive skin, I suggest starting with one of the following:

1.       Avocado Soap is a mild soap without any added color or scent.

2.       Castile Soap is olive oil heavy without color or scent. It’s a good one to start with for dry, sensitive skin.

3.       Oatmeal Honey adds the soothing and regenerating properties of oats and honey to an already mild bar.

4.       Promised Land is a goat’s milk soap with honey, also without color or scent.

If you want a little color or scent, you could try Northern Lights or any of my goat’s milk soaps. For color, I only use plants and botanicals, never any earth pigments or synthetics. For scent, I use essential oils. If you know your sensitive skin is not a result of these plants or essential oils, you’re good to go!

Sensitive skin can be a frustrating condition to say the least. Our soap should not contribute to the problem. Rather, daily skin care should be a healthy, enjoyable experience that supports the natural function of our largest organ -- our skin. A good natural soap for sensitive skin will do just that.

Wishing you simple joys and soap you love!