Beekman 1802’s Pure Goat Milk Bar Soap Left My Skin So Soft

We put Beekman 1802’s Pure Goat Milk Bar Soap to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

When my editor asked me to try Beekman 1802’s Pure Goat Milk Bar Soap, I was kind of like, “But whyyy…” You see, I hate bar soap. I just think it’s kind of dated. I’d much rather shower with a nice body wash that is packed with actives that are great for my skin and a nice scent than a bar soap that’s going to slip out of my hands and congeal in the soap dish overnight. I’ve always felt like as a society we have moved past the need for bar soap—and I’m not alone. In the middle of 2017, Market Watch published an article titled, "Millennials Are Killing Bar Soap." And they were probably right. I mean, think about it: How many people do you know who still shower with a bar?

But then this bar soap fell into my lap and there was nothing else to do other than just try it and see. Could my mind be changed? Did I even want my mind to be changed? Keep reading for my honest take.

About My Skin: Acne-prone

I am prone to body acne. While that wasn’t always the case (I had pretty balanced skin my entire life), when I hit 30, my body was like, “well that’s enough of that,” and started to break out all over—and often.

There were those little red speckles strewn across my back, the ones that seem to live under the skin, as well as the larger breakouts that would actually make it to the surface. My face breaks out every once in a while, sure, but I’ve never dealt with actual acne on my face before, so I didn’t have the first clue about how to deal with it on my body.

After a couple of years of getting serious about treating the body acne and trying to keep it under control, I’m always wary of trying any new products that might throw a wrench in my system (i.e. those that don't specifically target body acne), but since Beekman 1802's goat milk bar soap is formulated to work on all skin types, I thought, "what the heck," let's give it a whirl.

The Feel: Oh-so-thick

Okay, so for starters, this bar of soap is thick. It’s scarcely smaller than the size of a brick, and really satisfying to hold in your hand. The lather that it creates in the shower is also thick. I was pleasantly surprised at how this foamed up to a rich, silky lather as I washed. It feels amazing on the skin as if it’s softening more and more each second as you wash—because it is. Also, unlike some soaps that have a deceptively rich lather that only seems to leave skin tight and uncomfortable, this one doesn’t strip skin after you’re all rinsed off.

One thing I will say is that this bar soap feels very softening and slick on the skin, but it also feels the same way on your shower floor. As I showered, I could feel the floor of my shower become noticeably more slippery as the suds ran off my body and down the drain. I had to consciously make sure I didn’t slip and fall—so keep that in mind and be careful. It may seem like a silly thing to call out, but it was noticeable enough to put into this article.

The Ingredients: Packed with benefits

• Sodium Palmate: A common ingredient in soap, sodium palmate effectively, albeit gently, cleanses the skin by removing dirt and oil. It's also ace at emulsifying so adding it to products helps maintain their texture and consistency.
• Glycerin: As a humectant, glycerin works to keep the skin hydrated, improving its appearance and overall texture.
• Caprae Lac (Goat Milk): With a pH level that matches your skin, goat milk has anti-bacterial properties and works to keep the skin's microbiome balanced. It's also rich in fatty acids and lactic acid, a natural exfoliant, which leave skin moisturized, nourished, and soft.

Beekman 1802's products are all formulated with skincare savior goat milk and this luxurious soap bar is no exception. In fact, it's the first product the brand ever created and its top-selling. Did we mention it's cruelty-free with a 100 percent vegetable soap base, too?

How to Apply: Just add water

Using a bar of soap doesn't come with instructions; it's intuitive. Just add water and gently massage the skin. This body soap does a fine job of lathering sans loofah, but the brand does recommend using one for the best results.

The Results: Clean, soft skin

It’s rare that I’ll use a body cleanser and feel like it immediately softened my skin. I’m not saying it’s unheard of, it just doesn’t happen often. This bar soap is one of the few exceptions to that rule. And while I had some trepidation about how this would react to body acne-prone skin, there was no irritation or any adverse reaction. In fact, it left my skin feeling silky-smooth and clean.

The Value: As solid as the soap

So, again, I’m not a bar soap connoisseur here, by choice, but as products go, this seems a bit steep. You get a nine-ounce bar of soap for $15. However, it is triple-milled, so it should take you a long time to work through, ensuring that you won’t be just washing away your money.

What to Look For: Other scents and sizes

• Scented versions: While this product is fragrance-free, the brand offers an array of scented goat milk bar soaps, such as Vanilla Absolute, Fresh Air, and Honeyed Grapefruit, to name a few.
• Additional sizes: The pure goat milk body soap is available in a single 9-ounce bar and as 3.5-ounce 3-Pack Bar Soaps ($18).
•  While allergic reactions are rare, perform a patch test before using this product to dispel any doubts.
  

Similar Products: Some stiff competition

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Face and Body Bar Soap: This product is appealing because it's made for both face and body. It also clocks in around $5, which seems like a steal—at first. But, you’re only getting 3.5 ounces to Beekman’s nine, which nets you out to be more expensive when looking at cost-per-ounce.

L'Occitane Sensitive Skin Extra-Rich Soap: Like Beekman, this is formulated for dry skin. Unlike Beekman, you don’t get much of a lather. At $13, this one is nice for sure, but Beekman’s creamy formula works quite well at a lower cost.

Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap: This soap is made especially to exfoliate the skin, leaving it smooth and soft. However, it might not be the best if you have sensitive and/or dry skin. And at $15 for seven ounces, it also doesn't come cheap.