Solid Soaps vs. Liquid Soaps: Pros and Cons

When it comes to choosing the right kind of soap, the debate between solid and liquid soap has been ongoing for years. While both options can effectively cleanse the skin, there’s growing interest in the benefits of solid soap, especially in natural skincare products. Solid soap, including the handcrafted breast milk soaps offered by Milky Wave, can offer advantages over their liquid counterparts in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and ingredient purity.

Solid Soaps: A Natural Choice

Solid soaps have been used for centuries and are often viewed as a more traditional, natural form of skincare. Many solid soaps use minimal ingredients, relying on natural oils, butter, and, in our case, breast milk. These ingredients provide a rich, moisturizing experience that is free from unnecessary chemicals found in many liquid soaps.

Pros of Solid Soap

  1. Sustainability and Environmental Impact

One of the biggest benefits of using solid soap is its eco-friendliness. Solid soaps typically come with minimal packaging—often just a simple paper wrapper—whereas liquid soaps are housed in plastic bottles that contribute to waste. Solid soap lasts longer, meaning you won’t need to purchase new products as frequently, reducing the overall environmental impact. 

  1. Better for Sensitive Skin

Solid soaps, especially handmade varieties, use no preservatives or additives at all. For people with sensitive or dry skin, this is a significant advantage. Natural solid soaps often rely on ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, or breast milk, which are gentle and nourishing for the skin. This makes solid soap an ideal choice for babies and individuals with skin sensitivities.

  1. Cost-Effective

Solid soaps generally last longer than liquid soaps. Since they don’t rely on water as a main ingredient, solid soap doesn’t deplete as quickly as its liquid counterpart. A single bar of high-quality solid soap can last weeks, making it a more cost-effective option in the long run.

  1. Less Waste and Mess

Anyone who’s ever used liquid soap knows the frustration of over-pumping and wasting product. Solid soap bars eliminate that problem—what you see is what you get. You can control exactly how much you use, minimizing waste and ensuring every bit of the product is utilized.

Using a soap saver bag adds an extra benefit to your experience by helping your bar soap last longer while also creating a rich, luxurious foam—more than you'd typically get from liquid soaps. The natural, creamy lather is thanks to the blend of special oils and butters in the soap, and it's achieved without the use of harsh additives like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). This makes the foaming process both gentle and nourishing for the skin.

Liquid Soap: Pros and Cons

Liquid soap has become popular due to its convenience and availability, but it has its drawbacks compared to solid soap.

Pros of Liquid Soap

  • Easy to dispense and apply
  • Often more versatile, with specialized formulas for different skin types
  • Convenient for travel and public settings

Cons of Liquid Soap

  • Often contains preservatives and synthetic ingredients
  • Typically packaged in plastic, contributing to environmental waste
  • Can be more expensive in the long run due to quicker depletion

Why Solid Soap Is More Beneficial

Ultimately, solid soap offers more benefits for both personal care and the environment. Milky Wave’s solid breast milk soaps, for instance, are crafted to deliver not only a gentle cleanse but also sustainability and ingredient purity. By choosing solid soaps, you’re investing in a natural, long-lasting product that’s better for your skin and the planet.

Conclusion

While both solid and liquid soaps have their pros and cons, the growing interest in sustainability and natural skincare makes solid soaps the better choice for many. They offer a more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and gentle option, especially for those with sensitive skin. If you’re seeking a natural, nourishing product that aligns with eco-conscious values, Milky Wave’s solid breast milk soaps provide a perfect solution.