There’s nothing like stepping into the shower and indulging in a great bar of soap. You want something that not only cleans your body but also nourishes your skin, and, in some cases, invigorates your senses. Two brands that I’ve had the chance to try out extensively are Sudsy Bear and Dr. Squatch. They’re both amazing in their unique ways and have garnered quite the fan followings.
In my journey of testing out different soaps, these two have given me a solid run for my money. Hence, I thought it might be helpful to share an in-depth comparison for those looking to dip their toes in the artisanal soap world. So buckle up, and let’s dive in!
Ingredients
A soap’s composition is a significant factor for most consumers. We want to know what we’re slathering onto our bodies.
Sudsy Bear takes pride in using a broader range of natural elements in comparison to Dr. Squatch. Their emphasis on high-quality, natural ingredients will undoubtedly pique the interest of those of us who appreciate a more natural formulation.
Dr. Squatch, in contrast, claims that 98% of the ingredients in their products are derived from natural sources. That’s an admirable ratio, though there is a narrower scope of ingredients in comparison to Sudsy Bear.
Packaging
Sudsy Bear and Dr. Squatch both prioritize eco-friendliness by employing recycled packaging, which is a bonus point for all green zealots among us. Being environmentally conscious is clearly an important aspect of their brand ethos.
However, when it comes to the actual soap bars’ size, Sudsy Bear wins slightly. The brand offers bars ranging in size from 5 to 6.25 ounces, a tad bigger than Dr. Squatch’s offerings. It may not seem like a lot initially, but over time, even small differences can account for a couple extra showers which is a plus considering the price comparison.
However, there is a small caveat associated with the size of Sudsy Bear bars. Occasionally, I have received bars that weren’t fully cured on arrival, which meant I had to let them sit for a few days before using them. This isn’t a deal breaker though, as the advantages reaped from greater size outweigh this minor inconvenience.
Meanwhile, Dr. Squatch presents their products with slightly more appealing packaging. The packaging itself feels higher quality, and more vibrant, and truly exemplifies the brand’s natural ethos in its design.
Texture and Lather
Next on the list is texture and lather, which are crucial factors if you ask me. Sudsy Bear comes out strong in this respect, with soap bars that lather with ease and delight buds. The texture, on the other hand, strikes the perfect balance of abrasiveness – not too aggressive, but not too mild either. What I appreciate most about Sudsy Bear is their variety of grit options. With choices from low, medium, to heavy grit levels, you get to select the best fit for your skincare needs. They also incorporate a variety of exfoliants into their soaps, like Pumice Sand, Oatmeal, and Activated Charcoal, just to name a few.
On the flip side, Dr. Squatch also nails it in generating a lush, silky lather. They offer four grit levels (zero, light, medium, and heavy), giving you some choice in terms of exfoliation. While the options aren’t as broad as Sudsy Bear’s, they’re decent for folks who like keeping their skincare straightforward and fuss-free.
Scent Collections
One of my favorite aspects of purchasing artisan soaps is exploring their captivating scent collections.
Sudsy Bear excels here, with over 30 different soap scents to enjoy, all derived from essential oils. The scent strength strikes the right balance—it’s noticeable without being overpowering.
- Icy Eucalyptus
- Barbershop Bar Soap
- Livin’ Easy
- Ol’ Saint Nick on Vacation
- Dark Side of the Moon
- Charred Cinnamon Bark
- Bear Rum
- Smoky Mountain Fog
- Old Forest Pine Tar
- Hunt Camp
- Backwoods Brew
- Buck Hunter
- Florida Grove
- Twisted Grapefruit
- Swamp Dweller
- Old Glory
- Jurassic Earth
- Petrified Wood & Honey
- Summer Raspberries & Cream
- Wild Cherry Goat’s Milk
- Blueberries & Cream
- Milky Bee Hive
- Fresh Clean Aloe
- Arctic Peppermint
- Cool Mint Julep
- Twisted Mango
- Pepperminty Sage
- Smoky Mountain Fog
- Ghostly Ale
- Fright Night
- Scrooge Scrub
- Twisted Pumpkin
- Grinch Rinse
- Gettin’ Lucky
- Wild Caribbean
Among my favorites are Icy Eucalyptus, Barbershop, Blueberries and Cream, Dark Side of the Moon, Old Forest Pine Tar, Milky Bee Hive, Florida Grove, and Hunt Camp. What’s more, Sudsy Bear allows you to request samples if you’re unsure about any aromas, a nice touch that lets you try before committing to a full-sized bar.
Dr. Squatch also has a diverse range of scents. My husband and I are both fans of their fragrance collection, which currently sports 20+ scents with occasional new additions.
- Werewolf Wash
- Bricc of the Dead
- Summer Citrus
- Pine Tar
- Coconut Castaway
- Bay Rum
- Cool Fresh Aloe
- Alpine Sage
- Fresh Falls
- Wood Barrel Bourbon (Stagecoach Edition)
- Deep Sea Goat’s Milk
- Cold Brew Cleanse
- Gold Moss
- Birchwood Breeze
- Spearmint Basil
- Eucalyptus Greek Yogurt
- Grapefruit IPA
- Divine Storm
- Liberty Lather
- Stark Cleanse
- Scrub Smash
- The Batman Bricc
- The Riddler Enigma
- The Star Wars Collection
- The Avengers Collection
The scent remains constant during the lifetime of the bar, a great consistency feature. They also have exciting limited releases that surprise me from time to time. However, the scent doesn’t linger long after use, which may disappoint some users.
Longevity of Bars
As someone who appreciates value for money, the longevity of soap bars plays a crucial role. Sudsy Bear bars notably last longer, averaging about 4-5 weeks. Considering their price, this definitely gives them an advantage over Dr. Squatch’s bars in terms of duration. The larger size of Sudsy Bear soap contributes to its extended usage, allowing for a satisfying shower experience over an extended time.
On the other hand, Dr. Squatch’s soap bars don’t quite have that lasting power. I’ve found that after about a week’s worth of showers, the bar has significantly diminished in size. Compared to Sudsy Bear, this is quite a short duration for using a soap bar. Although, one way to address this issue is by using a cloth or loofah while washing. This helps retain the soap’s volume, allowing for more usage out of each bar.
Price Comparison
No product comparison would be complete without discussing the price factor. Sudsy Bear offers their 5 oz bars at $7 and their larger 6.25 oz bars at $9, which is a close call in comparison to Dr. Squatch’s $8 per 5 oz bar price tag. Sudsy Bear also provides a subscription service to save customers a significant 15% off every order when signing up for their automatic soap shipments. Remarkably, they have insanely quick shipping times and their customer service consistently receives rave reviews. They even have a responsive Facebook group where the owner directly helps customers with order issues.
Dr. Squatch, on the other hand, is slightly more expensive than Sudsy Bear, which wouldn’t be an issue if their soap bars lasted longer. In addition, they aren’t as customer-friendly with slow processing and delivery times when I ordered through the website. Recent random price hikes also indicate a lack of genuine concern for customers.
Which Soap is Better for Men?
Both Sudsy Bear and Dr. Squatch claim their origins proudly in the USA, and they both provide product discounts for military personnel, first responders, and medical professionals. It’s undeniably hard to pick a clear winner because a lot of it comes down to personal preference.
On one hand, Sudsy Bear brings an earthy, homemade appeal with its soap bars that not only feel natural but are too. It might indeed be the better choice if a longer-lasting soap bar is crucial to you. With price factors in mind, it tends to be slightly cheaper and hence might provide better value for money.
On the other side, Dr. Squatch may appear more mass-produced, yet it maintains its commitment to being all-natural. If wider scent selection and better accessibility are on your priority list, then Dr. Squatch may be the way to go.
In the end, the choice will pivot around what you’re looking for in a soap. My advice to you is not to shy away from trying different brands. Both Sudsy Bear and Dr. Squatch are pretty even when it comes to the quality of their soap. Remember, the best soap for you ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and your skin’s unique needs.
Happy lathering!
