Soap Top Ten

Going back to June 2017, which honestly feels like decades ago, I started writing soap reviews in order to narrow down my favorites—I never intended to continue, indefinitely. I figured I would narrow down my choices to maybe half a dozen soaps that I would regularly buy. But as I continued to find soap that I liked more than the old favorites, I realized that the field is infinite—and why wouldn’t it be? So, it only makes sense to keep trying new ones. That said, there are some real favorites that I like to return to—and this gave me the idea of picking a “Soap Top Ten.” It should go without saying that if I pick a new top ten at some point in the future, it will no doubt be different.

Here is the countdown, Number 10 down to Number 1—along with a few words about each soap. Also, the review number, and the date of the original review on the “Soap Exotica” page of RSPEEN.COM.

Number 10 – Nomarks – Oil Control Soap

I’ve spent more time and effort on this soap—I mean, trying to figure out if I like it as much as I sometimes like it. I’m talking almost exclusively about fragrance, here. I went to great effort (well, traveled down to Oak Creek) to buy more of it, just to see. When I opened a new box, it offended me with its harsh, acrid presence, and I said, well, that’s that. A fluke. Yet, after it sat out awhile, one day I used it and was transported right back to the mystery-land of the past, wherever that is, and all that it evokes. So it’s back in the Top Ten. It’s an aloe vera, turmeric, lemon, and neem soap from the Bajaj company in India. Dirt cheap if you can find it. I re-read my original review (Number 123), from 3.20.21—it’s one of the more obsessive reviews. There’s no reason to repeat myself here. I wish I had figured something out—like which Aunt or Uncle or grade school or whatever it reminds me of—but I haven’t.

Number 9 – LovLab Natural Beauty – Sea Glass / Ocean Shores

Brought to me by friends from the far-off land of Tucson, at first I thought this was from space aliens—and even though it’s not, it’s a nice idea—and maybe someone out there knows where we can get space alien soap. Well, the closest thing to space is the world of the sea—and the scent here is called “Ocean Shores”—which I like quite a lot. I’ve had a few seashore-scent soaps, like some of the Swedish ones, and they’re all in this ballpark—a fragrance that’s hard to put your finger on—salty and fresh, maybe, but not necessarily fishy. The loveliest aspect of this soap, though, is that it’s one of the most strikingly visual I’ve used—with some really intense swirling colors that became even more intense as the soap diminished in size. Also, there were three red translucent dots (a later bar of the same soap had yellow) in which light shined all the way through. Or maybe—and I’d like to believe this—the light was coming, magically, from the inside. I mean, that’s a little scary, that thought. Anyway, I suppose each bar of this is somewhat unique, and the first I used was a good one, and delighted me every day for a while. This was originally soap review Number 96, from 5.16.20.

Number 8 – Pacha Soap Co. – Super Shrooms Bar Soap

I’m not the biggest fan of mushrooms, as a food—they’re okay, but kind of gross. Maybe I should reconsider, seeing how I like the idea of them so much—and since this was one of my favorite bar soaps—quite unexpected. This was soap Number 120, originally posted 2.13.21. If I didn’t care so much about trying a variety of brands, and I was made of money, I’d just go with Pacha most of the time—I’ve tried maybe ten of their varieties over the years and they were all stunning, fragrance-wise. They aren’t afraid to be bold. This one had a lovely four-tone tan composition—and for some reason, I’m really partial to tan soaps. The fragrance was pretty insane—I could never really get a handle on it, and it surprised me every time I used it. Deeply earthy, of course—but there was much more to it—several things going on at once. It might be hard to find—I’m not sure. I like that about Pacha soap—they make seasonal varieties, and not all of their soap is available all the time. I’m not sure when mushroom season is, though—personally, I guess, I’d put it in spring. But I can’t say if this one will ever come around again.

Number 7 – Barr-Co. Soap Shop – Willow

I used this this one back a few years ago—it was soap review Number 51, from 2.19.19. I have tried to find the soap since, but it’s all but disappeared. You can find plenty of other Barr-Co. soap—but there was something about this one—maybe it was an aberration—or maybe they just have something going on in the fragrance department. Their website is one of those with like a million different products—so you feel like it’s all run by robots. I believe this was a present from my brother, and I think it’s one you find somewhere like TJ Maxx—where, I’m guessing, they buy large quantities of stuff that didn’t sell—and offer it at a discount (maybe I should sell them my books). Anyway, I remember this soap like it was yesterday—it was one of the most surprising fragrances—just a really intoxicating floral scent. The packaging mentioned gardenia, and I believe I made a point of finding other gardenia soap—but nothing approximated this. More than anything, this soap evoked springtime—and what I like about springtime—the fresh, surprising smells. I don’t know what the name, “Willow” means—but it makes me think of the weeping willow, of course—which for me it the most magical tree.

Number 6 – Cloud Nine Soap Co. – Blossom Leaf + Bud

I bought this oddly fragranced bar of Cloud Nine soap at a craft fair near the end of 2019, didn’t use it until summer of 2020, and didn’t post the review (it was Number 111) until 11.7.20. It’s a local company (near Milwaukee), a wholesome, good for your skin soap—and long lasting—but not as long lasting as its fragrance/memory/mystery phenomenon—which is, in a sense, still going on. As best I can recall, it was heady and arresting. My original review is kind of over-the-top (I’m a bit calmer now), but it gets at the craziness the soap made me feel, trying to get a grip on its smell. It was one of those that initially intrigued me, later repulsed me, but then grew on me to the point of being in love with it, being obsessed with it, and being ultimately defeated by it. I feel like I can still smell it like it was yesterday. I am probably wrong. Anyway, at the time of the review, the Cloud Nine website no longer included the “Blossom Leaf + Bud” variety, and I just looked again—they still don’t. Maybe the FBI (Federal Bureau of Incense) got involved. Maybe it was just too much. Too real for civilians. Anyway, I will have to make a point to try another of this company’s soaps, and also, continue my lookout for the return of this one.

Number 5 – Caswell-Massey – Newport

I have tried maybe four Caswell-Massey soaps—which included Almond Cold Cream, Jockey Club, Number Six, and this one. I liked them all—and each, in their own way evoked rich guys from times past. Which might not always be the best association, but soap-wise, why not. Newport is the most nautical of the four—colored the deepest blue-green I’ve seen in a soap—the color of the sea, I suppose. The fragrance is extreme—not for everyone. I’ve never smelled anything that conjures up sailors, Rhode Island, rich guys, country clubs, lighthouses, etc. as much as this soap. Sure, it might be dated, but it was probably dated in 1950—this goes way back. My original review was Number 60, from 4.20.19—and admittedly a little goofy. Maybe the soap made me giddy, I don’t know. Anyway, the memory of it makes me think of the weather changing, smoking a pipe, and just all the good things about manly men without any of the bad.

Number 4 – Pacha Soap Co. – Pines & Needles

A seasonal soap from Pacha Soap Co. that I’ve used a couple of times in the past—it’s a pine tree themed soap, topped with little pine needles—and it has an intense fragrance. My original review was Number 68—posted: 7.21.19. It’s not that I’m the biggest fan of Christmas or “the holidays,” in general, but I do like winter, cold, snow, and pine trees. I like Christmas trees and decorations, and the music, and seeing family, of course. I suppose what I don’t like is the commercialization, and even that wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t shoved down your throat. I do like seasonal items like this soap—which quietly shows up every year, and you can buy it if you want to do a low-key holiday thing. Though… there’s nothing low-key about the fragrance, here—it will just about knock you over—but I like that in a soap, sometimes. And this one goes right along with the snow vacations and sweaters and that Vince Guaraldi music and strings of colored lights and eggnog. Or, if you’re not having all that—you might like this soap simply because of the intensity in which it evokes these trees that thrive at high altitudes and in the winter.

Number 3 – Eggwhite Soap – Eiwit Zeep – with Chamomile Flowers

At one time my favorite soap and a major obsession—around the time of my original review, which was Number 32, from 8.23.18—I’ve since calmed down and conceded to not remembering what the fragrance recalls. Something from childhood—I’ll leave it at that. It’s still one of my favorites, and the box is the best. You have to reuse it—I store precious stones in one—of course I don’t have too many (boxes) or I’d have to cash in those precious stones for my Belgium soap habit. I’m not even going to get into the mystery of why I had a white version of this, and now a yellow version—or the question of the similar soap from Sweden. And I do want to find a Swedish soap, I mean actually from Sweden. I mean, of course—from every country—but especially Sweden. But that’s why I’m not giving up after this “Top Ten” nonsense—it’ll be time to move on—time for further exploration.

Number 2 – Chandrika – Ayurvedic Soap

It was probably when I first tried Chandrika that I decided to start writing soap reviews—though it wasn’t until review Number 25, posted on 2.22.18, that I first wrote an excessive, nutty, but pretty fun, I think, review of this soap. I’m sure there are people reading this who have been using it forever—but somehow it never crossed my path. There are others who will not like this soap at all—and think my love for it is misguided. But I’m sticking to it—it’s pretty close to my favorite soap—and one I buy every so often. Sill trying to figure out what it evokes in my memory—the candy store, the bookmobile, Aunt Barney or Uncle Wilma—I’m just not sure. I still haven’t gotten to the bottom of the “two different presentations available” mystery—and I’m still not going to dwell on it. Lately, the little square box version has been easier to find. The bar is very, very small—doesn’t last that long—but it’s also dirt cheap—and if the soap affects you the way it affects me—you’re not going to be thinking about the price, anyway—but rather some distant galaxy.

Number 1 – Chami Soap – Laurel Soap

I have tried a number of these Aleppo olive oil soaps—I’m picking this one, though, because I’ve used it a couple of times and it’s excellent. The original review was Number 72, posted on 9.7.19. At first, the soap is a rough, brown and green cube, and as you use it (and it lasts forever), it becomes a lovely two-tone green square with an evocative, earthy fragrance. You can find it online for a lot of money—but if you’re lucky enough to have a Middle Eastern grocery in your town, you might be able buy it there—inexpensive—I think this one was under two dollars. Very good for your skin—almost entirely olive oil, with some laurel oil. You can watch documentary footage about how it’s made—an old process, really fascinating—it’s cut and stamped and stacked and aged. It’s one of the most popular soaps out there, and it’s my number one favorite at this point. The other weird thing—this soap floats—which is unexpected because it feels dense and heavy. I have no idea why—but one thing I’ve noticed, I’ve seen pictures of a similar soap on the internet where someone has cut it in half—and you can see how the aging process has dried the outside, but the middle is still green. Which made me think that has something to do with why it floats—but even after it’s worn down to a small version—it still floats. So… this soap has everything going for it, maybe even magic.