What should my body soap do?

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD

Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)

Body soap should cleanse your body by removing dirt and excess oil that can contribute to body odors. However, soap shouldn't remove so much oil that it dries your skin out. Some formulations even work to moisturize your skin.

Continue Learning about Skin Cleansing Soaps

You Don’t Need Antibacterial Soaps to Keep Your Hands Clean

Think antibacterial hand soap is the best way to lather up? You might want to think again—especially since handwashing is a key way to protect yoursel...

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD

There are specific chemicals in soap that act as foaming agents and help it to later. These include ...

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD

Personal care companies are secretive about their recipes, because it's part of what makes them uniq...

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD

Some soaps and beauty bars can change the pH of the surface of your skin, making it more alkalin...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Skin Cleansing Soaps

A true soap is made only of fats and an alkali (a form of salt). But most soaps contain synthetic, or man-made, ingredients. Antibacterial soap is a synthetic soap with added antibacterial ingredients to kill germs and bacteria. Skin cleansing soaps come in various forms -- liquid, scrub or bar -- and address skin problems beyond removing dirt. Moisturizing soap may help your dry skin, but be wary of a body wash that strips away too many of the skin's natural oils. Learn more about the different types of skin cleansing soaps -- and how to choose the best one for your skin type -- with expert advice from Sharecare.

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