Does Bar Soap Actually Ruin Your Face?
By the oiled up team·Published 2026-08-05·Updated 2026-08-11·4 min read
Standard body soap bars have a high pH (around 9 to 10), whereas human facial skin naturally sits at an acidic pH of 4.7 to 5.5. Using body soap on your face degrades your protective acid mantle.
What high pH soap does to your skin barrier
Alkaline soaps strip natural ceramides and fatty acids. This leaves your face vulnerable to bacterial growth, tightness, and premature flaking.
Switching to gentle facial cleansing
Switch to a mild, pH-balanced facial cleanser or warm water rinse, followed by a hydrating facial cream to rebuild your acid mantle.