There’s no single winner for everyone — but there are clear patterns:

• Cold-pressed soap (also called cold-process or artisan soap) is usually richer in plant oils, butters and glycerin. It can feel more nourishing and less drying, especially on body skin.
• Commercial soap (mass-market bars and body washes) can be harsher if it’s a true high-pH bar — but many modern “beauty bars” and syndet bars are pH-balanced and surprisingly gentle.
• For most people, the best choice is a low-pH, gentle cleanser that respects the barrier — whether it’s cold-pressed or commercial matters less than ingredient quality and design.

If you love simple, oil-rich bars and mostly want to upgrade your body soap, cold-pressed can be a win. If you have very sensitive, acne-prone or facial concerns, a fragrance-free pH-balanced commercial cleanser is often safer and more predictable.

Cold-pressed soap (often called cold-process soap) is traditionally handmade by mixing oils or butters with a strong alkali (lye, or sodium hydroxide) at low temperatures. This triggers saponification — the chemical reaction that turns fats + lye into soap + glycerin.

Key characteristics of cold-pressed soap:

• High in natural oils & butters (olive, coconut, shea, cocoa, etc.).
• Contains naturally produced glycerin, a powerful humectant that attracts water.
• Often “superfatted” — meaning extra un-saponified oil is left in the bar for a creamier, less stripping feel.
• Cured for several weeks so the bar hardens and the pH stabilizes.

The result is a bar that feels creamy and conditioning compared to many old-school soaps, especially if the recipe prioritizes mild oils and a gentle cleansing profile.

Commercial soap is a broad term. It can include everything from classic “pure soap” bars to modern, pH-balanced beauty bars, syndet bars and body washes.

In general, commercial cleansers are:

• Manufactured on a large scale with standardized formulas.
• Made either from traditional soap bases or synthetic detergents (syndets).
• Often adjusted to a skin-friendlier pH and enriched with moisturizers.
• Frequently marketed as “dermatologist-tested”, “for sensitive skin” or “non-comedogenic”.

Some commercial bars can still be drying and high in fragrance. Others — especially syndet bars and mild body washes — can be exceptionally gentle and clinically tested for fragile or compromised skin.

Healthy skin is slightly acidic — usually around pH 4.7–5.5. Traditional soap bars (including some cold-process ones) are more alkaline, often with a pH around 9–10. That mismatch matters for people with sensitive or compromised skin barriers.

How that plays out:

• High-pH soaps can temporarily disrupt the acid mantle, leading to tightness, dryness and sometimes increased irritation.
• pH-balanced commercial cleansers (including many syndet bars) are formulated closer to skin’s natural pH, making them gentler for frequent use, especially on face skin.

Many well-formulated cold-process bars offset this with superfatting and generous glycerin, making them feel mild despite a higher pH — especially on body skin, which is often more resilient than the face.

Cold-pressed soap · Pros

• Rich in natural oils and glycerin for a conditioned feel.
• Often minimal ingredients, easier to read and understand.
• Low waste and minimal packaging — great for eco-conscious routines.
• Customizable: many options for fragrance-free, vegan, or specific oil blends.
• Supports small, artisan makers and local businesses.

Cold-pressed soap · Cons

• Often high-pH, which can be too much for very sensitive or facial skin.
• Quality varies between makers; not all recipes are equally gentle.
• Heavier residue can feel waxy or greasy on oily or acne-prone faces.
• Not always tested for specific conditions (acne, eczema, rosacea).

Commercial soap / syndet · Pros

• Often pH-balanced and clinically tested for gentleness.
• Options for specific concerns (acne, dryness, sensitivity, baby skin).
• Consistent performance from bar to bar or bottle to bottle.
• Widely available and often more affordable per use.

Commercial soap / syndet · Cons

• Some formulas still rely on harsh surfactants or strong fragrance.
• Longer INCI lists can be confusing and intimidating.
• More plastic packaging for liquids and some bars.
• Not all “moisturizing” or “beauty bar” claims live up to the marketing.

Dry to very dry skin

Cold-pressed for body, gentle syndet for face

A superfatted, glycerin-rich cold-process bar can feel dreamy on arms, legs and body. For the face, many dry-skin users do best with a pH-balanced creamy cleanser or syndet bar plus a rich moisturizer.

Normal & combination

Mix-and-match approach

You can often enjoy either — a mild cold-pressed bar in the shower and a light gel or cream cleanser for the face. Avoid extremely high-foam or “degreasing” bars on the T-zone.

Oily or acne-prone

Lean commercial, carefully

A non-comedogenic, pH-balanced commercial cleanser (or syndet bar) curated for acne-prone skin is usually safer. Cold-pressed bars rich in heavy butters and oils can sometimes contribute to congestion, especially on the face.

Sensitive or reactive

Fragrance-free & patch-tested

Whether you choose cold-pressed or commercial, go fragrance-free and patch test. Many dermatologists prefer pH-balanced, clinically tested commercial cleansers for rosacea, eczema or highly reactive faces.

Your facial skin is thinner, more exposed and often more reactive than the rest of your body. That’s why many skincare experts recommend separate cleansers:

• Use a gentle commercial cleanser or syndet bar for the face, especially if you use actives or have specific concerns.
• Reserve your cold-pressed soap for the body, hands and possibly the neck/chest if they enjoy richer cleansing.

That said, if you find a very mild, fragrance-free cold-process bar that your face loves, there’s no rule against using it — just monitor closely for dryness, redness or breakouts.

1. Look for “gentle”, “mild”, or “for sensitive skin”.
   These claims aren’t perfect, but they’re a good starting filter — especially in commercial products that undergo testing.
2. Scan for fragrance intensity.
   If fragrance or essential oils are high on the list, and your skin is reactive, that bar may be too perfumed for daily facial use.
3. In cold-pressed bars, notice the first oils.
   Olive, rice bran, sunflower and shea are often gentler than very high coconut or palm kernel content (which can be more cleansing/stripping).
4. In commercial bars, look for syndet surfactants.
   Ingredients like sodium cocoyl isethionate often indicate a syndet bar, which tends to be milder than classic soap.
5. Check for extra moisturizers.
   Glycerin, petrolatum, ceramides, squalane or plant oils can all help cushion the cleansing step.
6. Patch test new products.
   Especially if you’re sensitive, test new bars on a small area of the neck or inner arm for a few days before using them all over.

From commercial to cold-pressed

1. Start on the body first.
   Use your new cold-pressed bar on arms, legs and torso. Keep a familiar, gentle cleanser for your face while you observe how your body skin reacts.
2. Watch for residue comfort.
   Some people love the “moisturized” feel; others find it waxy. Adjust how often you use the bar based on comfort.
3. Pair with moisturizer.
   Even nourishing bars are still cleansers. Follow with lotion or body cream to lock in hydration.

From cold-pressed to commercial

1. Choose a gentle, pH-balanced formula.
   Look for “sensitive”, “dermatologist-tested for daily use” and ideally fragrance-free for the first trial.
2. Introduce on the face first.
   Many people switch to commercial cleansers because their face needs something more predictable. You can still keep your cold-pressed bar as a body or hand soap.
3. Give your barrier time.
   Any switch can cause temporary adjustment. Stick with the new cleanser for a few weeks unless you see clear signs of irritation or breakouts.

Is cold-pressed soap always better than commercial soap?

Not always. Cold-pressed bars can be beautiful, gentle and eco-friendly — but quality varies widely. Some are rich and soothing; others are strongly fragranced or very cleansing. Likewise, some commercial cleansers are harsh, while others are pH-balanced and clinically proven to be gentle. It’s less “handmade vs store-bought” and more “formula vs formula”.

Can I use cold-pressed soap on my face?

You can, but it’s not ideal for everyone. If your skin is resilient, not acne-prone, and loves richer textures, a mild, fragrance-free cold-process bar might work as a facial cleanser. If you have sensitive, acne-prone, or highly reactive skin, a pH-balanced commercial cleanser is usually a safer starting point.

Is commercial soap always bad for the barrier?

Old-school, high-pH bars can be rough on your barrier. But many modern commercial cleansers — especially syndet bars, “beauty bars” and gentle body washes — are formulated to be much kinder and can actually support a healthy barrier when used with a good moisturizer.

Which option is more sustainable?

It depends. Cold-pressed bars typically have less packaging and no water shipped in bottles, which is a sustainability win. However, large brands can sometimes source ingredients more efficiently at scale. Look at packaging, palm oil sourcing, and brand transparency to make the best call for your values.

What’s the best overall choice if I don’t want to overthink it?

For many people, the simplest upgrade is: a gentle, pH-balanced commercial cleanser for the face, plus a high-quality cold-pressed bar for the body. That combo gives you the best of both worlds — clinical gentleness where you need it most, and rich, natural-feeling cleansing everywhere else.