Winter can be tough on your skin. The cold, dry air outside combined with heated air indoors creates the perfect conditions for dryness, tightness, and irritation. Most people reach for richer moisturizers and heavier creams this time of year, but many overlook one of the most important factors in their skincare routine: the soap they use.
The truth is, traditional bar soaps can actually make dry skin worse. Many commercial formulas strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving you feeling tight and uncomfortable even after you moisturize. But the right bar soap can do the opposite. It can cleanse gently while supporting your skin’s moisture barrier, leaving you soft and hydrated.
That’s where LAFCO bar soaps come in. Crafted with an olive oil and argan oil base, these luxurious bars hydrate while they cleanse, making them ideal for the dry winter months.
Why Your Soap Matters in Winter
Winter creates something of a perfect storm for dry skin. Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, so stepping outside exposes your skin to a parched environment. Inside, the heating systems that keep us warm also dry out the air. And those long, hot showers that feel so comforting? They strip your skin of its natural protective oils.
Your soap is the first line of defense in your skincare routine. If you’re using a harsh formula, you’re starting at a disadvantage. Many commercial soaps contain ingredients that do more harm than good.
Ingredients to watch out for:
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Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) that strip natural oils from the skin
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Coconut oil based formulas that can be drying when used in high concentrations
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Palm oil soaps that lack the moisturizing fatty acids your skin needs
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Synthetic preservatives and artificial fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin
What to look for instead:
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An olive oil base rich in fatty acids
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Added moisturizing oils like argan oil
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Glycerin for hydration
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No synthetic additives, parabens, or sulfates
What Makes LAFCO Bar Soap Different
LAFCO bar soaps are crafted in Portugal using traditional artisanal methods that have been refined over generations. According to LAFCO’s formulation details, the base is approximately 75% extra virgin olive oil, which provides the ideal balance of oleic and linoleic fatty acids for effective moisturizing. Olive oil soap cleanses the skin gently without stripping away its natural protective barrier, and it contains powerful antioxidants that help repair free radical damage.
What truly sets LAFCO bar soap apart is the superfatting process. Each bar is milled with argan oil, a technique that adds extra moisturizing power to the formula. Argan oil is rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants, and according to LAFCO, the omega fatty acids found in argan oil can boost collagen production and support skin repair. Glycerin locks in that moisture, keeping your skin supple long after you rinse.
The bars are then dry aged for four weeks, making them denser, longer lasting, and quick drying between uses. It’s no wonder the Feu de Bois Bar Soap won the 2024 Oprah Daily Bath Awards in the “Best of Oprah’s Favorite Things” category.
Every LAFCO bar soap is 97% plant based, hypoallergenic, and free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic preservatives. They’re also palm oil free, which supports global reforestation efforts. For every three bars sold, one tree is planted. And because olive oil in soap is known to help provide relief to skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, these bars are a smart choice for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin.
The 6 Best LAFCO Bar Soaps for Dry Winter Skin
Feu de Bois
Winner of the 2024 Oprah Daily Bath Awards, Feu de Bois is the ultimate winter bar soap. The fragrance is warm, smoky, and deeply comforting, evoking the feeling of curling up by a crackling fire on a cold night.
The scent profile centers on sandalwood, leather accord, and frankincense, supported by notes of fresh pine and Virginia cedarwood. It’s tranquil yet bold, earthy yet elegant. The warmth of this fragrance makes it perfect for cold winter mornings when you need a little extra comfort.
Like all LAFCO bar soaps, this 7 oz bar is crafted in Portugal with olive oil and argan oil. The creamy lather is also ideal for shaving, making it a versatile addition to your routine.
Chamomile Lavender
If relaxation is your goal, Chamomile Lavender is the bar for you. This calming, spa like fragrance is perfect for unwinding after a long winter day, and lavender is well known for its soothing, stress relieving properties.
The scent opens with bergamot and chamomile, then melts into a heart of eucalyptus that creates a feeling of well-being. Smoky patchouli is enhanced by hints of sage and rosemary for a quiet, relaxing finish. It evokes the feeling of slipping into freshly laundered sheets at the end of a long day.
One of LAFCO’s most beloved year-round fragrances, this 7 oz bar transforms your evening shower into a peaceful bedtime ritual.
Marine
Sometimes winter calls for an escape. Marine transports you to the coast with a fresh, clean scent that feels like a breath of ocean air on a dreary day.
The fragrance opens with bergamot and marine accord, carrying the subtle saltiness of sea air. Jasmine, rose, and cyclamen add soft floral layers, while rhubarb, vetiver, and sea moss create a green, slightly earthy finish. It’s light and airy without being overpowering.
Part of the House & Home collection and designed with the bathroom in mind, this 7 oz bar is perfect for anyone who prefers fresh, aquatic scents over heavier winter fragrances.
Retreat
For those prioritizing wellness and self-care in the new year, Retreat transforms your shower into a spa experience. This meditative fragrance is grounding, centering, and deeply calming.
A blend of matcha, mint, and ginger opens the experience with fresh, invigorating brightness. Clary sage adds warm, herbal depth, while palo santo wood rounds out the scent with subtle earthiness. Together, they create a profile that is both purifying and grounding.
Rosemary Eucalyptus
Dark winter mornings call for something invigorating, and Rosemary Eucalyptus delivers. This energizing fragrance clears the mind and awakens the senses.
The scent opens with a burst of eucalyptus, rosemary, and juniper, creating an immediate sense of freshness. Basil and sage emerge in the heart with herbal complexity, while warm patchouli and smooth elemi resin anchor the experience with a woody, earthy finish.
This 7 oz bar is perfect for morning showers when you need an energy boost. The eucalyptus is also wonderfully clearing if you’re dealing with winter stuffiness.
Champagne
Combat the winter blues with something bright and celebratory. Champagne is an uplifting citrus fragrance that feels like sunshine on a gray day.
The scent opens with grapefruit, Tuscan lemon, mandarin zest, and orange, awakening your senses with sparkling brightness. Raspberry, neroli, and ginger add warmth and sophistication without weighing down the effervescent quality. The result is a fragrance that feels luxurious and joyful from start to finish.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Bar Soap
To extend the life of your bar and maximize its skin benefits, keep these tips in mind:
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Let the bar dry completely between uses by placing it on a soap dish with drainage
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Never leave it sitting in water, which causes it to dissolve faster
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Work up a rich lather and let it sit on your skin for a moment before rinsing
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Pat your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing
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Follow with a moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in hydration
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Store extra bars in your linen closet, where they’ll gently fragrance your sheets and towels
Explore the Full Collection
If you can’t decide which fragrance to try, consider the Bar Soap Collection, which includes all eight LAFCO bar soap fragrances. It’s perfect for gifting or for keeping a variety on hand so you can match your mood or the season.
Every bar in the collection shares the same nourishing olive oil and argan oil formula, so no matter which scent you choose, your skin will thank you.
Transform Your Winter Skincare Routine
Winter doesn’t have to mean dry, uncomfortable skin. By choosing a bar soap that cleanses gently while supporting your skin’s moisture barrier, you can start every day feeling soft, hydrated, and beautifully fragranced.
LAFCO bar soaps deliver the skin loving benefits of olive oil and argan oil with the added pleasure of luxurious, essential oil-based fragrance. It’s a simple swap that transforms an everyday routine into a moment of self-care.
Ready to elevate your winter skincare? Sign up for the LAFCO newsletter and enjoy 15% off your first order.