Soap vs. bar soap – what exactly is the difference?

Soap, liquid soap, soap bar, syndet – phew! Sometimes it's not easy to keep track of everything given the abundance of cosmetic products available. There's often a lot of confusion when it comes to soaps and soap bars. Understandably!

There is no difference visually and there is little or no difference between soap and bar soap in terms of use. And their purpose is similar too. Both soap and bar soap are used to clean the skin.

In this blog post, I want to clear up the confusion and explain to you what the difference is between soap and bar soap. You will also learn how they differ slightly in terms of use and purpose and why that is the case and why we celebrate shower gel, shampoo, etc. in solid form so much. Ready? Let's get started then.

1. The pH value of the skin
2. Surfactants in cosmetic products
3. Bar, syndet and soap
4. pH value of soaps and soap bars
5. Advantages of solid care products
6. Summary of our great strong pieces!

1 The pH value of the skin

Before I go into more detail about soaps and washing bars, I would like to take another look at our skin. As we know, this wonderful organ has a number of important tasks. Protecting the body from external influences is one of its most important jobs. And it does a great job of that, provided we don't upset it too much with harsh products or marathon hot showers.

A sophisticated system is constantly working to ensure that germs, chemicals, etc. have no chance of penetrating the skin. The pH value plays a major role in this. Let's take a closer look at this pH value, which is mentioned so often in connection with cosmetic products.

The abbreviation "pH" stands for the Latin term "potentia hydrogenii". This indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions. So that you don't feel like you're in chemistry class, I want to simplify it a little. After all, many of us are happy that we no longer have to deal with scientific subjects. Who knows this?

So let's take a relaxed approach to the topic. The pH value indicates the strength of acids and alkalis (bases) in an aqueous solution on a scale of 0 - 14.

Acidic, neutral, alkaline:

• pH values ​​from 0 to approx. 6.5 are considered acidic (red area)
• The pH value 7 is considered neutral. Pure water is a good example. (green area)
• If the pH value is 7.5 - 14, it is called alkaline or basic (blue range)

Human skin also has a pH value. The natural pH value of healthy human skin is around 5.5. It is therefore slightly acidic. The pH value of the skin is created by the mixture of sweat and sebum. Together, these substances in the body form the so-called acid mantle, also known as the hydrolipid film.

You can imagine it as a kind of bouncer that lies like a protective film on the skin and controls who is let in. And the control is strict!

It prevents bacteria and harmful substances from entering the body through the skin. At the same time, this natural barrier protects against moisture loss and ensures that the skin does not dry out.

The acid mantle particularly likes products that correspond to its pH value, but less so those that deviate significantly from it. But more on that later.

2 Surfactants in cosmetic products

Most cosmetic products for cleaning the skin contain surfactants, also known as detergents. In our two-part surfactant guide, you can read in detail how these washing-active substances work, what types of surfactants there are and why they are also used as emulsifiers in creams and other cosmetic products.

In this article I would like to briefly touch on the subject of surfactants. Their ability to combine substances that repel each other, such as water and oil, makes surfactants so interesting for skin cleansing. They like fats and water equally and have a love affair with both at the same time. Surfactants do not know monogamy.

If, for example, a bar of soap comes into contact with water, the water-loving part of the surfactant ensures that the surface tension of the water is reduced. The fat-loving part flirts with the fat and bonds with it. And now the date begins: the surfactants combine water and fat and can thus be rinsed off the skin. Surfactants therefore take on a bit of a matchmaker role, if you want to imagine it figuratively.

There are stronger and milder surfactants. This makes sense because more surfactant power is sometimes needed to clean heavily soiled hands than to gently clean the armpits.

Another example for all those with a visual mindset: For a large move with heavy furniture, you would rather hire a moving company with hardened professionals, for a small move you might ask good friends for help who don't go to the gym every day and drink protein shakes for their muscles for breakfast.

3 Wash bar, syndet and soap

Surfactants can be made from natural raw materials or synthetically. The word syndet is a made-up word that comes from the terms synthetic detergents. It therefore contains synthetically produced detergent substances. These can be optimally adapted to the pH value of the skin.

For reasons of sustainability and to protect the skin, Junglück uses mild plant-based surfactants that are made from renewable raw materials such as sugar. Our solid shower gel cleanses the skin with gentle coconut surfactants. The difference between a syndet and a bar of soap with natural surfactants has therefore been clarified. But what about soap?

Soap is made from natural ingredients such as fats or oils and lye. When these ingredients are mixed, they react and the soap mass is created through a process known as saponification. Animal fats such as lanolin (wool wax from washed sheep's wool) and beef tallow are often used. Not every soap is therefore suitable for people who live a strictly vegan lifestyle.

Valuable organic, plant-based oils are used for Junglück's solid hand soap and solid shaving soap. They are therefore super veggie-friendly, just like all of our products.

We note: surfactants in the bar of soap, oils and lye in the soap. In addition to the ingredients, there is another difference between the bar of soap and the soap.

4 pH value of soaps and soap bars

Skin cleansing products also have a pH value. The additional label “pH skin neutral” is often printed on the packaging of shower gels or make-up removers. This means that the pH value of around 5.5 is roughly the same as that of the skin. Remember: the pH value of the skin is approximately in this range.

Soap-free wash bars for gently cleansing the skin are usually pH-adjusted. Products labeled as pH-neutral attack the skin's natural acid mantle much less. This is to prevent bacteria or other harmful substances from penetrating the skin's protective barrier.

Our solid shower gel has a pH value of 5-6.5 and is therefore very close to the pH value of the skin. Junglück's solid shampoo also cleanses hair and scalp with a pH value of 5-6 without disturbing the acid mantle.

Soaps, on the other hand, have an alkaline pH value of around 9 or 10. This means that they deviate significantly from the pH value of the skin. Because they are not as gentle on the skin's acid mantle, it is not recommended to use soaps to clean the body or face.

Especially for skin that is prone to blemishes or for very dry and sensitive skin, intensive daily cleansing of the skin could worsen the skin's appearance.

Acne bacteria or fungi also have a hard time multiplying on the surface of the skin if the acid mantle is intact. This is why it is strongly advised to avoid harsh products for impure skin, as they disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier and make it easy for bacteria to attack.

However, since the acid mantle of healthy skin regenerates relatively quickly, the issue should not be overdramatized. If your skin is in balance, it doesn't do any harm to wash with soap instead of shower gel or a bar of soap. As always in life, the dose counts.

The skin should also be moisturized afterwards. Hands in particular are stressed in the cold season by frequent hand washing, dry heating air and cold. Although our solid soap contains nourishing oils, you should still use hand cream in winter to keep your little ones perfectly cared for.

Soap is not suitable for babies' skin that is not yet fully developed. Little ones need care with extra mild surfactants. Take a look at our new baby line , which is perfectly tailored to the needs of delicate baby skin.

5 advantages of solid cosmetic products

We now know the properties of the various products. Whether you choose liquid products to cleanse your skin and hair or prefer solid cosmetics depends on your personal preferences.

However, I would like to highlight some special advantages of solid shampoo, soap bars, etc.

• Solid cosmetics are highly effective. They don't require water and are therefore wonderfully compact. The cleansing and nourishing substances such as oils or moisturizing aloe vera are only activated when they come into contact with water. This means you can enjoy your bar of soap, solid shampoo or shaving soap for an extra long time - which is good for the environment, the delivery person and your bank balance.

• Shampoo, shower gel and conditioner in solid consistency are perfect for travelling. They take up hardly any space in your suitcase or hand luggage and there are no quantity limits for the aircraft cabin like with liquids. Yes! One less stress factor.

• You don't have to worry about your shampoo or shower gel leaking in your travel bag when you go on holiday. But you'll have more space in your luggage. Maybe for a great souvenir. Or a third pair of shoes. Or an extra bikini. Another stress factor less.

• Less packaging material needs to be used for solid cosmetic products, which has a positive effect on the carbon footprint. Plus point!

• Despite their compact form, Junglück's solid cosmetic products contain a lot of valuable care for skin and hair. Organic oils and aloe vera from controlled organic cultivation, for example. Silicones, fragrances, parabens, microplastics and sulfates must be left out - #sorrynotsorry.

6 Summary of our great strong pieces!

There is just one thing I don't want to hide. Although the shower gel foams beautifully, it won't quite give you the ultra-foaming bubble bath feeling like in "Pretty Woman". But it cleans gently, nourishes and, despite the perfect wellness feeling, is very careful with your skin, your bank balance and our beautiful blue planet. If those aren't good reasons, are they?

Take care

Sources

https://www.diepta.de/news/praxis/seife-und-syndets-die-qual-der-wahl-537522/

https://www.chemie.de/lexikon/Seife.html