Hey there, fellow grooming connoisseurs! If you‘ve spent any time online lately, you‘ve probably seen an ad (or 20) for Dr Squatch Soap. The YouTube ads alone have racked up over 120 million views. Clearly this isn‘t your grandpa‘s Irish Spring we‘re talking about.
As a guy who takes pride in smelling fresh and feeling clean, I‘ll admit I was intrigued by Dr Squatch‘s promise of natural, "manly" scented soaps. But with bars costing up to $7 a pop, I wanted to do my research before taking the plunge.
So I tried the soap for myself, talked to other Dr Squatch fans, and even consulted a dermatologist to get the 411 on these internet-famous suds. Is Dr Squatch soap really worth the hype (and the price tag)? Read on for my honest, unfiltered Dr Squatch review.
What Is Dr Squatch Soap?
Before we dive into the details, let‘s start with the basics. Dr Squatch is a men‘s soap and personal care brand that launched in 2013 with a mission to "raise the bar on bar soap." The brand‘s founder, Jack Haldrup, started the company in his basement, hand-making small batches of soap with natural ingredients like saponified olive, coconut and hemp oils.
Unlike a lot of mainstream "beauty bars" and body washes, Dr Squatch soaps are free of potentially harsh or drying ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and fragrance oils. They‘re also cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and use sustainable palm oil.
But what really sets Dr Squatch apart is their bold, masculine scent lineup. With woodsy aromas like "Pine Tar," crisp, herbal blends like "Eucalyptus Greek Yogurt," and foodie favorites like "Gold Moss" (which smells like an oak barrel of whiskey), these are not your basic bro scents.
Today, Dr Squatch has expanded beyond soap to offer deodorant, hair care, toothpaste, and other essentials, but bar soap is still the brand‘s bread and butter. They churn out roughly 1000 bars of soap per day to keep up with demand. And with a successful appearance on Shark Tank, celeb fans like Joe Rogan, and a cheeky marketing strategy heavy on quippy videos, Dr Squatch doesn‘t seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Dr Squatch Bar Soap Review
Alright, let‘s get to the good stuff: the soap itself. Dr Squatch currently offers 11 "core" bar soap varieties, plus a few limited-edition seasonal scents. Here‘s a quick rundown of the options:
| Soap Scent | Featured Notes | Scent Strength | Exfoliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Tar | Pine, Oatmeal, Sand | Strong | Medium |
| Cedar Citrus | Cedarwood, Orange | Medium | Slight |
| Gold Moss | Oakmoss | Medium | None |
| Deep Sea Goat‘s Milk | Oatmeal | Light | Slight |
| Grapefruit IPA | Grapefruit, Hops | Strong | None |
| Cool Fresh Aloe | Aloe | Light | None |
| Bay Rum | Clove, Cinnamon, Orange | Medium | None |
| Spearmint Basil | Peppermint | Medium | None |
| Cold Brew Cleanse | Coffee | Medium | Mild |
| Eucalyptus Greek Yogurt | Eucalyptus, Yogurt | Medium | Slight |
| Irish Cream & Whiskey | Whiskey | Mild | None |
At 5 oz per bar, Dr Squatch soaps are generously sized and should last for several weeks with daily use. The brand recommends rubbing the bar directly on your skin until it lathers, but you can also use a washcloth or loofah.
I tried 3 Dr Squatch varieties for this review: Pine Tar, Cedar Citrus, and Gold Moss. Here are my thoughts on each:
Dr Squatch Pine Tar Soap Review
The Pine Tar bar was the first soap Dr Squatch ever made, and it‘s still one of their bestsellers. And I can see why – this soap makes you smell like you just hiked through a dew-soaked forest at dawn. It‘s an intoxicating, super-fresh scent with a hint of smoky manliness.
Besides smelling amazing, the Pine Tar soap has a gritty texture that gently exfoliates as you scrub. The oatmeal and sand provide just the right amount of scrubbiness without feeling too harsh on my skin. After using this soap, my skin feels clean, fresh, and invigorated, but not dry or tight. The lather is creamy and satisfying, especially for a natural soap.
I will say, the Pine Tar scent is STRONG, so if you‘re sensitive to smells, it might be a bit much for you. My girlfriend said she could smell this soap on me for hours after I showered. Personally, I‘m into it, but I can see how it might be overpowering for some.
Dr Squatch Cedar Citrus Soap Review
If you like your soaps a little less in-your-face, Cedar Citrus is a great alternative to Pine Tar. The orange and cedar scents are crisp and refreshing without being overpowering. To me, this soap strikes the perfect balance of smelling clean and naturally masculine. The cedarwood oil adds a subtle woody base note that reminds me of an old-school barbershop (in a good way).
Unlike the Pine Tar bar, Cedar Citrus is super smooth with no exfoliating bits. It creates a lightweight lather that leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized. I have to note how impressed I am with how well these soaps lather, considering they‘re free of chemical foaming agents.
My one tiny quibble is that the scent doesn‘t seem to last quite as long as Pine Tar. By the end of the day, it‘s faded significantly. But that might be a plus if you‘re layering other scented products like cologne.
Dr Squatch Gold Moss Soap Review
If you‘re feeling a bit fancy, treat yourself to a bar of Gold Moss. This soap is pure luxury, from the shimmery gold color to the complex, warm scent. To me, Gold Moss smells like a cozy winter night curled up by a crackling fire, sipping a perfectly-aged whiskey. It‘s hard to describe, but it‘s intoxicating.
Gold Moss has a soft, almost creamy texture that feels amazing on skin. It creates a rich, dense lather that seems to melt away grime and dirt. After showering with this soap, my skin felt ridiculously smooth and moisturized – no need for lotion. And the scent lingered for hours in a really pleasant, non-overbearing way.
Honestly, I feel a little bougie every time I use this soap, but I‘m not mad about it. If you want to add a little everyday luxury to your shower routine, Gold Moss is 100% the way to go.
The Bottom Line
After trying 3 of Dr Squatch‘s signature scents, I can confidently say this soap lives up to the hype. The scents are unparalleled, the ingredients are legit, and my skin has never felt better. The generously-sized bars last a long time, so despite the higher cost, I actually think Dr Squatch is a solid value.
Obviously scent is highly personal, so you might have to experiment a bit to find the Dr Squatch variety that speaks to you. But with 30-day "Sudisfaction Guarantee," you can buy with confidence. And trust me – once you get a whiff of these glorious man-scents, you won‘t want to go back to the bland stuff. Your shower will become your new happy place.
What Other Dr Squatch Products Are Worth Trying?
While this review focuses mainly on Dr Squatch‘s famous bar soap, the brand offers a full line of grooming and personal care products. Here are a few other standouts worth checking out:
Dr Squatch Deodorant Review
If you‘re looking for a natural deodorant that actually keeps BO at bay, Dr Squatch‘s aluminum-free formula is a winner. It comes in 6 scents (my fave is Alpine Sage) and contains odor-fighting ingredients like arrowroot powder and probiotics. I put this deodorant to the test on a sweaty hike, and it definitely passed the sniff test.
Dr Squatch Shampoo & Conditioner Review
I can be a bit of a snob about hair care, but Dr Squatch‘s shampoo and conditioner impressed me. The fresh, herbal scent (cypress and sage) is energizing, and my hair felt clean without being stripped. The conditioner has a nice slip that detangles and leaves hair feeling hydrated. After a few weeks of use, I‘ve noticed less frizz and more shine.
Dr Squatch Toothpaste Review
As a self-proclaimed oral hygiene nerd, I was stoked to try Dr Squatch‘s fluoride-free toothpaste. The Citrus Mint flavor tastes zesty and fresh, while ingredients like green tea, xylitol, and aloe fight plaque and freshen breath. My mouth felt super clean after brushing, but never dry or tight. Plus the tube looks cool on my sink!
How Dr Squatch Soap Compares to the Competition
Wondering how Dr Squatch stacks up to other popular men‘s soap brands? Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Dr Squatch | Duke Cannon | Cremo | Marlowe. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per Bar | $7 | $9 | $6 | $6 |
| Natural Ingredients | Yes | No | No | Some |
| Sulfates, Parabens, etc | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| # of Scents | 11 | 15 | 5 | 4 |
| Offers Subscription | Yes | Yes | No | No |
As you can see, Dr Squatch soaps are priced competitively, considering their high-quality, all-natural ingredients and unique scents. For my money, Dr Squatch offers the best combination of effectiveness, scent variety, and ingredient quality.
Dr Squatch Soap FAQ
Before I wrap up this ultimate Dr Squatch review, I wanted to address a few common questions I‘ve seen about the brand and their products:
Is Dr Squatch soap good for sensitive skin?
While Dr Squatch doesn‘t offer any soaps specifically formulated for sensitive skin, their products are much gentler than conventional soaps thanks to the lack of harsh surfactants, preservatives, and fragrance oils. The brand also offers an unscented Oatmeal Stout bar that may be a good option for sensitive types.
However, Dr Squatch soaps do contain potent essential oils, which can be irritating for some folks. I spoke to dermatologist Dr. Marcus Goodwin for his take:
"For most people, natural soap bars like Dr Squatch are a great alternative to traditional body washes and soaps, which can disrupt skin‘s moisture barrier. However, if your skin is highly sensitive or reactive, you‘ll want to do a patch test first, or talk to your derm about which ingredients to avoid."
So there you have it – when in doubt, start slow and listen to your skin.
Is Dr Squatch soap antibacterial?
Dr Squatch soaps are not specifically antibacterial, but they will still get you clean! Many antibacterial soaps contain triclosan, an ingredient that has been linked to hormone disruption and bacterial resistance. Dr Squatch keeps things natural and non-toxic by avoiding triclosan and other questionable antibacterial ingredients.
How long does Dr Squatch soap last?
On average, a 5 oz bar of Dr Squatch soap should last 3-4 weeks with daily use in the shower. To extend the life of your bar, make sure it has a chance to dry out between uses by storing it on a well-draining soap dish like this one. You can also cut your bar in half and only bring a portion into the shower at a time.
Can women use Dr Squatch soap?
While Dr Squatch markets itself primarily to men, there‘s absolutely no reason the ladies can‘t enjoy these soaps too! Scents like spearmint basil, gold moss, and grapefruit IPA are universally appealing, and the natural ingredients are great for all skin types. Plus, stealing your man‘s Dr Squatch soap is a great way to get a little closer (wink wink).
Should You Try Dr Squatch? My Verdict
If you‘ve made it this far in my Dr Squatch review, you can probably guess how I feel. In my professional opinion, Dr Squatch soap is definitely worth a try if:
You‘re looking for a natural, sulfate-free soap that won‘t dry out your skin
You appreciate bold, unique scents that break the mold of generic "sport" and "ocean breeze"
You don‘t mind paying a bit more for quality, US-made ingredients
You love supporting small businesses with a great mission and killer marketing
Honestly, my only hesitation in recommending Dr Squatch is the price tag. At $7 per bar, this soap is definitely a bit of a splurge. But considering how long they last (and how darn good they smell), I really do think it‘s a worthwhile investment in your skin health and overall shower experience.
My suggestion? Start with a 2- or 3-bar bundle to test out a few scents and see how your skin reacts. If you fall in love, commit to the Subscribe & Save option to get a nice discount and keep the good vibes flowing. In a world full of subpar suds, Dr Squatch is a bright spot of lathery, heavenly-scented goodness. Your body (and your S.O.) will thank you.
Hopefully this absurdly thorough Dr Squatch review helps you suds up with confidence! Got a favorite Dr Squatch scent I didn‘t cover? Lather up and let me know in the comments below.
Stay sudsy, my friends!
-The GoodGlow Team
