Buying guide
Exfoliating Bar Ingredients
Updated How we research
Add scrub and texture to every bar. The page is split into five sections (Soothing Oatmeal; Speckled Poppy Seeds; Loofah for Scrub Bars; Detoxifying Charcoal; Exfoliating Clays), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 2.9 to 9.2 out of 10.
- Best overall:Yogi's Gift Pack of 5 Clays for Mask & Soap Making - Rose Clay, French Green Clay, Kaolin, Moroccan Red and Bentonite Clay, 8oz Each. Highest overall score in this guide at 9.2/10.
- Also great value:Bare Essentials Living Bentonite Clay Powder (5lbs) Cosmetic Sodium Bentonite Clay, Made in USA. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Natural Loofah Slices for Soap Making (20 Pack) - Organic Loufa Cuts, Bulk Luffa Soap Making Supplies. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.7/10.
- Feature-rich:The Soaping Factory Colloidal Oatmeal Powder 16 oz, Unscented Organic. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Soothing Oatmeal
- The Soaping Factory Colloidal Oatmeal Powder 16 oz, Unscented OrganicOur score8.4/10
- Yareli Colloidal Oatmeal, 2lb (32oz), Bath Powder for Dry Skin for All AgesOur score7.6/10
- Palm and Plenty 100% Pure Colloidal Oatmeal Powder Unscented, 32 ozOur score7.2/10
- 100% Organic Colloidal Oatmeal Powder for Sensitive Skin, Soap MakingOur score6.9/10
Speckled Poppy Seeds
- Schizandu Lemon Poppy Seed Bar Soap, Organic Herbal Skin Detox, 4 ozOur score4.0/10
- Sunshine & K French Pomegranate Exfoliating Soap with Poppy Seeds & Shea Butter, 5 ozOur score4.0/10
- Friendly Soap Natural Handmade Peppermint and Poppy Seed Soap 95gOur score4.0/10
- Handmade Natural Lemon Poppy Seed Bar Soap, Artisan ExfoliatingOur score2.9/10
Loofah for Scrub Bars
- Natural Loofah Slices for Soap Making (20 Pack) - Organic Loufa Cuts, Bulk Luffa Soap Making SuppliesOur score8.7/10
- FRTIM Natural Loofah Sponge for Soap Making, 20 Pack Organic Loofah Slices Cuts SetOur score8.2/10
- SABUN CO Argan Loofah Soap Bar - Natural Exfoliating Soap with Loofah Inside, Moroccan Argan OilOur score4.0/10
- The SoapNatural Loofah Soap Bar - Exfoliating Soap with Loofah Inside, 100% Herbal CoconutOur score3.5/10
Detoxifying Charcoal
- Charcoal House Activated Bamboo Charcoal Powder Food Grade - Skin Care, Body Scrub, Facial Cleanser, Soap Making - 6 ozOur score8.4/10
- Essential Depot Activated Charcoal Powder - 2.5 oz - Safety Sealed HDPE Container with Resealable CapOur score8.1/10
- Activated Charcoal Powder 1 lb. Hardwood - Food Grade Kosher Non-GMO - Teeth Whitening, Facial Mask and Soap MakingOur score8.0/10
- Herbs Botanica Activated Charcoal Powder 100% Food Grade Bamboo Charcoal Powder for Soap Making, Face Masks & DIY Skincare - 2 ozOur score7.4/10
Exfoliating Clays
- Yogi's Gift Pack of 5 Clays for Mask & Soap Making - Rose Clay, French Green Clay, Kaolin, Moroccan Red and Bentonite Clay, 8oz EachOur score9.2/10
- Bare Essentials Living Bentonite Clay Powder (5lbs) Cosmetic Sodium Bentonite Clay, Made in USAOur score8.6/10
- ClearLee Cosmetic Grade Clay Powders Variety Pack - Kaolin, Bentonite, Dead Sea, Moroccan, Rhassoul Clay, 5 PackOur score8.4/10
- Clay Mask Multi Pack 100% Natural - Bentonite, Rhassoul, Kaolin & French Green Clay with BrushOur score7.6/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Yogi's Gift pack of 5 clays, 8oz each: rose, French green, kaolin, Moroccan red and bentonite for soap and masks.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 5 clays at 8oz each give plenty for many soap batches
- + Mix of colors lets you tint soap pink, green and red naturally
- + Kaolin and bentonite add slip and a silky lather
- - Bentonite absorbs lots of water, so recipes may need adjusting
- - Five full bags take more storage than a small sampler
#2Natural loofah slices for soap making, 20 Pack of organic cuts for embedding in melt and pour soap.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 20 Pack of pre-cut slices saves cutting whole loofahs
- + Organic loofah cuts give a natural scrubby soap bar
- + Sold specifically as a soap making supply
- - Check the loofah slice thickness against your mold depth before ordering
- - Loofah absorbs soap, so it uses more base per bar
#3Bare Essentials Living 5lbs cosmetic sodium bentonite clay powder, made in USA, a bulk single-clay supply.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 5lbs bulk bag is great value for heavy bentonite users
- + Sodium bentonite adds slip and helps anchor fragrance in soap
- + Made in USA sourcing appeals to local-ingredient buyers
- - Single clay only, so it will not add color variety
- - Too much bentonite can make bars feel drying or draggy
#4The Soaping Factory 16 oz unscented organic colloidal oatmeal powder, from a soap-focused supplier.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Soap-focused brand means the grind suits soap recipes
- + Unscented organic oats will not interfere with fragrance
- + 16 oz size fits regular hobby oatmeal soap making
- - Smaller brand, so restocks may be less predictable
- - 16 oz runs out quickly for makers selling oat bars weekly
#5Charcoal House 6 oz food grade activated bamboo charcoal powder for skin care, scrubs and soap making.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Bamboo charcoal gives deep black or grey soap without dyes
- + Food grade powder suits facial bars and detox-style soaps
- + 6 oz amount covers many batches since little is needed
- - Very light powder floats and stains counters if spilled
- - Too much charcoal can make lather look grey
#6ClearLee cosmetic grade clay powders 5 Pack with kaolin, bentonite, Dead Sea, Moroccan and rhassoul clay.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cosmetic grade variety pack covers popular soap clays
- + Dead Sea and rhassoul clays suit spa-style detox bars
- + 5 Pack lets you compare clays before buying in bulk
- - Check each clay's bag size before estimating how many batches it covers
- - Dark clays can dull brighter soap colors
#7FRTIM natural loofah sponge slices for soap making, 20 Pack of organic cuts.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 20 Pack is a good amount for a batch of loofah bars
- + Organic loofah slices give gentle exfoliation in soap
- + Pre-cut pieces fit into round or square molds easily
- - Natural slices vary in size and shape from piece to piece
- - Loofah can float in thin base, so pour in stages
#8Essential Depot 2.5 oz activated charcoal powder in a safety sealed HDPE container with resealable cap.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + HDPE container with resealable cap reduces charcoal mess
- + Essential Depot sells soap supplies, so the product suits soap makers
- + 2.5 oz is a good starter amount for charcoal bars
- - Check the charcoal source listed if you need a specific plant origin
- - Small container limits production for regular sellers
#9A 1 lb. bag of hardwood activated charcoal powder, food grade, kosher and non-GMO, for masks and soap making.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 1 lb. supply is excellent value for frequent charcoal soap makers
- + Food grade kosher non-GMO labeling supports natural product claims
- + Hardwood charcoal colors soap a deep, even black
- - Large bag of light powder is messy to scoop from
- - Teeth whitening focus means soap usage guidance is limited
#10Yareli colloidal oatmeal in a 2 lb (32 oz) bag, milled to particles under 50 microns with no additives or fragrance. It is sold as a bath powder, and the fine grind is the type soap makers add to batter or melted base.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Particles under 50 microns per the listing, so it disperses in water instead of leaving coarse oat flecks
- + Free of additives, fragrances and artificial preservatives, leaving scent and color choices to your recipe
- + 2 lb bag covers many batches, since oatmeal is used in small amounts per batch of soap
- - Marketed as a bath powder: the listing gives no soap making directions or usage rates
- - No organic certification is mentioned, and 2 lb is more than an occasional maker will use quickly
#11A 100% natural clay mask multi pack with bentonite, rhassoul, kaolin and French green clay plus a brush.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Four popular clays in one pack work for both soap and masks
- + French green clay gives a natural green soap tint
- + Included brush is useful for face mask use
- - Included brush adds nothing useful for soap making
- - Mask focus means amounts may be small for soap batches
#12Herbs Botanica 2 oz 100% food grade bamboo charcoal powder for soap, face masks and DIY skincare.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + 2 oz size is plenty for trying charcoal in a few soap batches
- + Food grade bamboo charcoal also works in face masks
- + Small pouch is easy to store and keep clean
- - Small amount is less economical for regular charcoal soap makers
- - Fine black powder gets everywhere if not handled carefully
#13Palm and Plenty pure colloidal oatmeal, unscented, sold as a 32 oz pack and made in the USA. The listing names soap making, bath bombs and DIY cosmetics among its uses, and it costs more than the 16 oz bags in this guide.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 6/10
- + 100 percent colloidal oatmeal with no fragrance or dyes, so it will not alter the scent of a recipe
- + Described as highly refined with no specks, which suits smooth bars rather than a visibly flecked look
- + The listing explicitly covers soap making, bath bombs and DIY cosmetics, not only bath soaks
- - Size details conflict: the title says 32 oz while one bullet calls it a 32oz (1 lb) package, so confirm the weight before ordering
- - Among the higher-priced oatmeal picks here, and the listing gives no particle size or usage rate for soap
#14A 100% organic colloidal oatmeal powder aimed at sensitive skin and soap making recipes.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + 100% organic colloidal oats suit gentle sensitive-skin bars
- + Powder form mixes in easily at light trace
- + Also usable in bath soaks and masks, so none goes to waste
- - Check the bag weight listed before comparing value against other oat powders
- - Newer listing with little brand information
#15Schizandu 4 oz organic lemon poppy seed bar soap, a finished soap bar rather than poppy seeds for soap making.
Fit for the job 2/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 4/10
- + Useful as a reference for how poppy seed exfoliation looks
- + Organic herbal bar is ready to use with no making required
- + 4 oz bar gives a feel for poppy seed scrub density
- - A finished bar, not poppy seeds, so it does not suit a soap making guide
- - Detox claims are marketing and cannot be verified from the title
#16Sunshine & K French pomegranate exfoliating 5 oz soap with poppy seeds and shea butter, a finished retail bar.
Fit for the job 2/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 4/10
- + Shows how poppy seeds combine with shea butter in a bar
- + Pomegranate theme gives a fruity twist on a scrub bar
- + 5 oz bar is a nice size for personal use
- - Pre-made soap is not poppy seeds, so it misses this guide's purpose
- - Pomegranate fragrance may not suit everyone
#17Friendly Soap natural handmade peppermint and poppy seed soap, 95g, a finished bar instead of a soap ingredient.
Fit for the job 2/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 4/10
- + Peppermint and poppy seed pairing is an inspiring recipe idea
- + Natural handmade bar with a simple, fresh ingredient theme
- + 95g bar is a compact size for trying the texture
- - You cannot use a finished bar as a poppy seed supply for soaping
- - Peppermint can tingle or irritate on sensitive skin
#18SABUN CO argan loofah soap bar with loofah inside and Moroccan argan oil, a finished bar rather than a supply.
Fit for the job 2/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 4/10
- + Shows how loofah looks set inside a finished bar
- + Argan oil adds a luxurious touch to the scrub bar
- + Ready to use right away with no soap making needed
- - Finished soap, not loofah for making your own bars
- - Loofah soap bars get soggy if left in a wet dish
#19The SoapNatural loofah soap bar with loofah inside and 100% herbal coconut, a ready-made exfoliating bar.
Fit for the job 2/10 · Features and specs 4/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 4/10
- + Coconut herbal bar with built-in loofah gives an easy scrub
- + Good sample of loofah soap design for inspiration
- + Handy for trying the texture before making your own
- - Does not supply loofah slices, so it misses the soap making job
- - Herbal ingredient claims are broad, so check the label for specifics
#20A handmade natural lemon poppy seed exfoliating bar soap, a finished artisan bar and not a soap making ingredient.
Fit for the job 1/10 · Features and specs 3/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 4/10
- + Artisan exfoliating bar shows a classic lemon poppy pairing
- + Ready-made soap is handy for comparing texture before making your own
- + Natural handmade style makes it a pleasant small gift
- - Finished soap does not supply poppy seeds for your own batches
- - Check the bar weight and price per ounce before comparing value to other soaps
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Soap Making Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.