I won’t waste time burying the lede here: I love exfoliating bar soaps! Few things in my life are as satisfying as physically scrubbing away dead skin cells (is that sad?), which reveals smoother skin and makes for a great base for all my lotions and potions. As someone who takes anywhere from two to four showers per day, dryness is practically guaranteed. I’m not afraid to admit that my legs have been known to resemble dragon scales. Thankfully, the best exfoliating soaps have made a huge improvement. Despite their polishing abilities, some formulas are even gentle enough to use daily, which I happily oblige.
If you’ve never heard of exfoliating soaps, also known as buffing soaps or buffing bars, it helps to think of them the same way you might approach exfoliation in your facial skin-care or scalp-care regimen. Basically, they’re an apt solution for clearing away dry, rough patches and helping skin retain moisture. That way, body skin remains softer, smoother, and more luminous.
Vogue’s Favorite Exfoliating Bar Soaps
Unlike traditional exfoliating body scrubs, which can sometimes feel overly abrasive, exfoliating soaps suspend their buffing particles within a cleansing bar that often contains nourishing oils or mild chemical exfoliants. The result is a two-in-one cleanse and exfoliation step that resurfaces skin while helping maintain the skin barrier. Some soaps are even formulated to help address texture concerns, such as keratosis pilaris or psoriasis.
At Vogue, we’re big fans of bar soap and appreciate that the pendulum is swinging in its favor. The category has grown to feature an array of indulgently chic offerings across price points, skin needs, and ingredient compositions. Think botanical-infused bars that double as bathroom decor, sometimes priced north of $50, and fragrance-house collaborations like those from D.S. & Durga. For those interested in buffing away their worries, behold our edit of the exfoliating bar soaps to know in 2026, plus their benefits, what sets them apart, and how to choose the one for you. Everything you need to know, below.
Best Overall: Soft Services Green Banana Buffing Bar
- Why We Love It: When you think of bar soap, a luxury shower experience may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but Soft Services set out to change that. This buffing bar is formulated with superfine sanding crystals suspended in a moisturizing base that helps smooth keratosis pilaris, soften rough patches, and even prevent ingrown hairs. It comes in a set of two and smells faintly of not-yet-ripe banana, a scent that feels like a quiet prelude to summer. That said, board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, notes that it is not intended to replace your daily cleanser. Instead, he describes the bar as offering “moderate to intense physical exfoliation for targeted treatment,” making it best suited for areas that need extra smoothing.
- Editor’s Experience: Admittedly, I never considered myself a bar-soap person until I tried this one from Soft Services. It leaves my skin noticeably brighter and smoother, which also helps my lotions melt in more easily post-shower. At the same time, it moisturizes rather than strips the skin, which is rare for a bar. Just note that the original Buffing Bar offers a more moderate-to-intense exfoliation level, whereas this version leans mild to moderate. I also appreciate that each pack comes with two, since I tend to go through them quickly. The scent is delightful, though I’m equally obsessed with the brand’s newer launch, Affogato L’Orange.
- Key Ingredients: Magnesium oxide, alumina, glycerin, shea butter
- Best for: Keratosis pilaris, rough skin
- Size: 7.5 oz.
Best for All Skin Types: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliant Bar
- Why We Love It: “Delivering a moderate-to-hard in-shower exfoliating experience, this buffing bar contains 2% upcycled wood pulp along with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, plant oils, and plant-based surfactants to help treat keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, and rough skin,” explains Dr. Camp. The result is effective exfoliation without the stripped, thirsty feeling harsher exfoliants can leave behind. Because it’s fragrance-free, it’s generally suitable for most skin types, including those dealing with keratosis pilaris or psoriasis. It can also be used on areas like the elbows to help brighten and soften rough or pigmented skin.
- Editor’s Experience: I love all things Nécessaire, so I was delighted when the brand finally ventured into buffing bars. This one is gentle enough to use daily, which is exactly the cadence I prefer, and the exfoliation is so fine you can barely feel the grit. I also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free, though I’ll admit I’m eagerly awaiting the day they expand into scented versions. For now, I simply follow it with one of the brand’s delicious body washes.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin
- Best for: Keratosis pilaris, sensitive skin
- Size: 5 oz.
Best Indulgent: Flamingo Estate Jasmine Damask Rose Soap Brick
- Why We Love It: Flamingo Estate’s founder describes this soap brick as “the most beautiful thing we’ve ever made,” and we’re inclined to agree, which is saying something considering how strong the rest of the line is. Beyond its intoxicating jasmine and damask rose scent, the ingredients themselves are also beneficial for the skin. Board-certified dermatologist Azideh Shirazi, MD, explains that jasmine, rose, and olive oil help soften the skin, while subtle exfoliating components smooth rough patches. “When a bar is rich in lipids like this, it supports the skin barrier while improving texture,” she says. “The result is skin that feels softer, more supple, and visibly more polished.”
- Editor’s Experience: While spending over $50 on a bar of soap may seem indulgent, this one makes a compelling case. The bar is generously sized, so it lasts longer than you’d expect, and the jasmine and damask rose scent envelops your shower in a floral cocoon. Why buy flowers when you could smell like one instead? Everything is thoughtfully sourced, and unlike many soaps that rely heavily on palm oil, this formula uses babassu oil from Brazil, which leaves skin feeling soft and nourished.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, babassu oil, olive oil
- Best for: All skin types
- Size: 12 oz.
Best Bar Soap Set: Natura Ekos Açaí Creamy and Exfoliating Bar Soap Set
- Why We Love It: Made from 100% pure vegetable oils sourced from the Amazon rainforest, this set includes one exfoliating and three creamy bar soaps. Dr. Camp explains that the exfoliating bar contains natural passion fruit seed particles to gently buff the skin, while the creamy bars cleanse while helping retain moisture. There are a few formulas to choose from, including acai, Brazil nut, tukumã, and passion fruit. And while a flight to Brazil may be expensive, these soaps, paired with a healthy dose of imagination, certainly aren’t.
- Editor’s Experience: When it comes to body care, I’m a bit of a Natura enthusiast. Few brands do creamy, indulgent, sensorial textures quite like they do, and their formulas leave skin noticeably soft, especially if you gravitate toward fruitier scents. They’re a best-seller in Brazil, a country where beauty rituals are taken very seriously. So if it’s good enough for them, it’s certainly good enough for me.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin
- Best for: All skin types
- Size: 3.5 oz.
Best Plant Based: Evolve Together Exfoliating Bar Soap
- Why We Love It: “Available in four scents, this exfoliating bar soap is made with plant-based ingredients, including coconut shell for gentle, non-stripping exfoliation; murumuru butter and olive oil for moisturization; and licorice root for skin-barrier support,” says Dr. Camp. Gentle enough for daily use, it’s an easy way to maintain smoother skin without adding another time-consuming step to your routine. Unlike treatments that require careful timing, this is a quick shower upgrade you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.
- Editor’s Experience: I’m not the most crunchy-granola shopper when it comes to beauty, but I do appreciate when a brand tries to do good for both your skin and the world at large. The Havana scent is my personal favorite because it’s woodier than most soap options, though the fragrance does fade a bit after a few uses.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut shell, murumuru butter, olive oil, licorice root, shea butter
- Best for: All skin types
- Size: 5 oz.
Best Scent: Aesop Polish Bar Soap
- Why We Love It: If you’re proud to be someone who exclusively washes their hands with Aesop hand soap (and not someone who refills the bottle with drugstore soap), you’ll likely enjoy this exfoliating bar. According to Dr. Shirazi, it uses finely milled pumice along with botanical oils to gently buff away dead skin while keeping the skin comfortable. “I like that it contains nourishing ingredients like jojoba and pine-needle oils, which help maintain the skin barrier and reduce irritation,” she says. “It’s great for improving rough texture on areas like elbows, heels, and knees.”
- Editor’s Experience: I’d say this is a great option for those who prefer woodsy scents. That said, because of the pumice, you’ll want to avoid going over the same areas too many times, as the grit can be quite intense. The bar itself is also fairly large, so the first few uses can make it a bit awkward to grip until it wears down slightly. Still, who am I to complain about getting a little extra product?
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, pumice
- Best for: All skin types
- Size: 5.29 oz.
Best Moisturizing: Curie Coconut Nectar Exfoliating Body Wash Bar
- Why We Love It: For those prone to dryness, consider this pick recommended by Dr. Shirazi. “This one uses naturally derived exfoliants paired with moisturizing coconut-derived ingredients, which creates a nice balance of smoothing and hydration,” she explains. “The buffing action can improve uneven texture and promote a brighter look to the skin. Over time, that gentle resurfacing contributes to smoother, more even-feeling skin, while the moisturizing ingredients help minimize the tightness you sometimes get with harsher scrubs.” Curie is also refreshingly affordable and comes in the brand’s signature Coconut Nectar scent.
- Editor’s Experience: Unlike some of the other bars on this list, this one gets impressively sudsy, giving it more of that classic soap feel. It also fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, making it easy to grip without risking the dreaded slow-motion shower drop. If coconut isn’t your thing, the scent might feel a bit strong, but the reviewers and I agree it smells quite lovely.
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, glycerin
- Best for: Dry skin
- Size: 3.5 oz.
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Topicals Slather Exfoliating & Smoothing Bar
- Why We Love It: If you’re looking for help with keratosis pilaris or stubborn body texture, this bar works on multiple levels and is a strong option for anyone seeking visible results, according to Dr. Shirazi. “This bar is effective because it combines both physical and chemical exfoliation,” she explains. “Ingredients like AHAs and BHAs help dissolve dead skin buildup, while the bar format provides light physical polishing.” With regular use, it can help smooth bumps, refine texture, and give the skin a more even appearance. It also has a light lavender scent sourced from lavandin oil, so you don’t have to worry about added fragrance if you have sensitive skin.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, lactic acid, jojoba esters, urea
- Best for: Keratosis pilaris, dry skin
- Size: 3.5 oz.
Everything You Need to Know
The Benefits of Exfoliating Bar Soaps
According to Dr. Shirazi, exfoliating bars help remove the buildup of dead skin cells that can make skin look dull, rough, or uneven. “When used regularly, they can improve texture, boost radiance, and help moisturizers absorb more effectively afterward,” she explains. “Many also support smoother-looking areas prone to roughness, like the arms, legs, and back. I find they’re especially helpful for patients dealing with keratosis pilaris or body breakouts.”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate thoughtful edits.
Regarding exfoliating bar soaps, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, exfoliating agents, lather, moisture levels, and the body-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who sees patients in New York and Long Island.
- Azadeh Shirazi, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, California.
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