Is Tone Soap A Good Soap?
What is Tone Soap?
Tone soap is a brand of bar soap that has been around since the 1800s. It is made by Henkel Consumer Goods Inc. and is sold widely in stores like Walmart, Target, Walgreens and online retailers like Amazon.
The Tone brand includes several varieties of moisturizing and fragrance bar soaps such as their signature Cocoa Butter bar, as well as body washes and other bath products. Their bar soaps are known for being gentle, containing moisturizers like cocoa butter and vitamin E, while still lathering well.
Some of the key products sold under the Tone brand name include:
- Tone Cocoa Butter Bar Soap – An original moisturizing formula that includes cocoa butter.
- Tone Botanicals Bar Soap – Infused with coconut milk and essential botanical oils.
- Tone Lavender & Chamomile Bar Soap – With a calming lavender scent.
- Tone Body Washes – Gentle cleansers for all skin types.
Overall, Tone has become known as an affordable, trusted brand for basic bath and moisturizing products. It has maintained popularity over decades as an effective but gentle soap that doesn’t strip away too much moisture from the skin.
Tone Soap Ingredients
Tone soap contains a number of key ingredients that provide moisturizing, cleansing, and smoothing properties. Some of the main ingredients in Tone soap include:
- Water – Serves as the base and helps dissolve the soap ingredients
- Sodium Tallowate – A sodium salt derived from tallow that acts as a surfactant to remove dirt and oil
- Sodium Cocoate – A sodium salt derived from coconut oil that also acts as a cleansing agent
- Sodium Palm Kernelate – Derived from palm kernel oil, this is another surfactant
- Glycerin – Draws moisture into the skin and acts as a humectant
- Fragrance – Provides the signature Tone scent
- Cocoa Butter – Softens, smooths, and moisturizes skin
- Vitamin E – Antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage
The combination of moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter and glycerin along with the cleansing agents produce a bar that helps clean dirt and oils from skin while retaining moisture for soft, smooth skin.
Benefits of Using Tone Soap
Tone soap offers several benefits that make it a popular choice for cleansing and moisturizing the skin. Some of the key benefits include:
Cleansing Properties
Tone soap is formulated to gently cleanse the skin without over-drying. The soap contains cleansing agents that help wash away dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin’s surface. Many users find Tone leaves their skin feeling clean but not tight or dry like some other soaps 1.
Moisturizing Properties
In addition to cleansing, Tone soap contains moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter and vitamin E. These ingredients help replenish moisture to prevent the skin from feeling dry or flaky after cleansing. The cocoa butter adds a luxurious, creamy lather that leaves skin smooth and soft 2.
Fragrance
Tone soap has a light, pleasant fragrance that many users find refreshing. The original scent contains notes of cocoa butter and other natural ingredients that create an inviting aroma. The fragrance isn’t overpowering and tends to linger gently on the skin after rinsing 3.
Drawbacks of Tone Soap
While Tone soap is a popular choice for its moisturizing properties, there are some potential drawbacks to be aware of when using this product.
One of the most commonly reported issues with Tone soap is that it can dry out certain skin types, especially those that are already prone to dryness. Some users have found that regular use of Tone leaves their skin feeling tight, flaky, or irritated (Source). This seems to happen most frequently in people with sensitive skin.
The added fragrances in Tone bar soaps can also lead to irritation for those with sensitivity. While many enjoy the light scents of Tone products, others find that the perfumes and botanical extracts cause redness, itching, or breakouts. Those with existing skin conditions like eczema may want to opt for a fragrance-free bar instead.
Overall, while Tone soap has many benefits for normal to dry skin types, those prone to dryness or with fragrance sensitivities may want to consider a more moisturizing, hypoallergenic soap alternative.
Tone Soap vs. Other Brands
Tone soap has been around for decades and is a household name in bar soap. But how does it compare to other popular soap brands like Dove, Olay, and Cetaphil? Here’s an overview of how Tone stacks up:
Ingredients
Tone soap contains sodium tallowate and sodium cocoate as its primary cleansing agents. It also includes glycerin for moisture. Some varieties contain extracts like blueberry or cocoa butter for additional skin benefits.
By comparison, Dove is made with gentle cleansers like sodium lauroyl isethionate. Olay bars use sodium palmate and sodium palm kernelate. Cetaphil is formulated without harsh sulfates or fragrances.
Price
Tone soap is affordably priced, usually between $1-$2 per bar. Dove, Olay, and Cetaphil are typically priced slightly higher in the $2-$3 per bar range.
Reviews
According to customer reviews, Tone soap is known for its refreshing scents and deep cleansing properties. Some find it can be drying with prolonged use. Dove rates well for gentleness and moisture, while Cetaphil gets praise for its mildness on sensitive skin.
Overall, Tone tends to be a decent budget-friendly option. But those with dry or sensitive skin may prefer the more moisturizing formulas of Dove or Cetaphil.
Best Tone Soap Products
Tone soap comes in several popular variants that are tailored to different skin types and concerns. Here are some of the most recommended Tone soap products according to skincare experts:
For normal skin: Tone Moisturizing Face Bar is gentle daily cleansing bar that helps retain moisture and leaves skin feeling soft.
For dry skin: Tone Shea Butter Bar contains shea butter to nourish dry skin while washing away impurities.
For oily skin: Tone Clarifying Bar is formulated with citric acid to remove excess oil without over-drying.
For sensitive skin: Tone Sensitive Skin Bar is a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free bar that cleanses gently.
For acne-prone skin: Tone Sea Kelp Clarifying Bar contains sea kelp extract to treat breakouts and blemishes.
Experts recommend choosing a Tone bar soap specifically formulated for your skin type for the best results. Avoid general purpose variants if you have specific skin concerns you want to address.
Using Tone Soap Effectively
To get the best results from Tone soap and avoid irritation, here are some tips:
Wet your skin first before applying the soap. This helps create a nice lather which lifts dirt and oils from your skin more effectively. Apply the soap to a wet washcloth or loofah rather than directly to your skin.
Use gentle circular motions as you cleanse your face or body with Tone soap. Avoid rubbing too vigorously or scrubbing your skin, as this can cause irritation.
Pay extra attention to oily areas like the T-zone on your face. Let the soap sit for 10-15 seconds before rinsing to allow the ingredients to work.
Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry gently with a clean towel. Don’t leave soap residue on your skin.
Moisturize after cleansing with Tone soap. The glycerin in the soap helps retain moisture, but following up with a moisturizer suitable for your skin type will prevent dryness.
Use once or twice daily at most. Over-cleansing with any soap can strip your skin and cause irritation. Limit use if your skin feels tight or dry.
Avoid contact with your eyes. Tone soap can cause stinging and irritation if gotten into your eyes. Carefully avoid the eye area.
If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before full use. Try Tone on a small area first to check for allergic reactions or irritation.
Consider milder Tone products if traditional bars cause dryness or irritation. Options like their sensitive skin body wash may suit sensitive complexions better.
Tone Soap Reviews
Tone soap has received generally positive reviews from customers on sites like Amazon. The soap seems to be a long-time favorite for many, with reviews mentioning its classic scent and ability to leave skin feeling clean and moisturized without over-drying.
On Amazon, Tone Original Scent soap has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating based on over 1,500 global reviews. The cocoa butter formula rates even higher at 4.7 stars. Positive reviewers say the soap has a pleasant, mild fragrance. They mention it lathers well without stripping moisture from the skin. Some note their sensitive skin feels soothed after use. Others say it helped clear up bacne and body acne.
Critical reviews mention the scent not lasting very long after use. Some felt the bar dried out their skin. There are also complaints of the formula or scent changing over the years. However, the majority of purchasers seem very pleased with Tone’s effective cleansing and nourishing properties.
Reviews on third party sites like Viewpoints reiterate similar positive feedback. Users highlight the bar’s ability to leave skin smooth and soft without residue. Some do note it can be drying for certain skin types when used on the face.
Based on customer reviews, Tone soap appears to be a gentle yet effective cleanser that offers a classic scent and moisturization. While some skin types may find it drying for the face, the majority of users praise its conditioning and soothing properties for the body.
FAQs about Tone Soap
Tone soap has been around for decades, so it’s no surprise people have a lot of questions about this classic product. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Does Tone soap still contain cocoa butter?
Yes, the original Tone soap formula still contains cocoa butter, which is known for its moisturizing properties. This ingredient helps the soap glide over skin smoothly and leave it feeling soft.
Is Tone soap being discontinued?
Despite some rumors, Tone soap is not being discontinued. The brand confirmed they will continue producing and selling their classic soaps. Tone has remained popular for over 65 years.
Where can I buy Tone soap products?
Tone soap is sold at most major retailers including Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and grocery stores. You can also purchase directly from the Tone website or online retailers like Amazon.
Who makes Tone soap?
Tone soap is made by Henkel, a German-based consumer goods company. They manufacture many popular skin, hair, and laundry brands around the world.
Hopefully this clears up some of the common questions surrounding the classic Tone bar soap. It remains a gentle, affordable, and quality cleanser for many consumers decades after its introduction.
The Verdict: Is Tone Soap Worth It?
Based on the research, Tone soap has several benefits that make it a good choice for many people, but it also has some drawbacks to consider.
On the pro side, Tone soap contains nourishing ingredients like cocoa butter that moisturize and soften skin (1). The formula is gentle enough for daily use, even on sensitive skin types. Many reviews praise Tone for its pleasant, original scent and its ability to cleanse without drying out the skin (2, 3).
However, some downsides are that Tone tends to be more expensive than generic bar soaps. The formula also contains sulfates, which some prefer to avoid. Additionally, since Unilever discontinued Tone soap bars, the remaining stock is now limited (1).
Overall, Tone soap is a good option for people looking for a gently cleansing, moisturizing soap that smells nice. It’s especially ideal for those with normal or dry skin types who want a classic, nostalgic bar soap. However, the discontinuation may make it hard to find Tone soap moving forward.
Sources:
(1) https://www.viewpoints.com/Tone-soap-bar-reviews
(2) https://www.amazon.com/Tone-Cocoa-Butter-Original-4-25-Ounce/product-reviews/B00HT6ZP6M
(3) https://www.amazon.com/Tone-Original-Scent-Cocoa-Butter/product-reviews/B06ZY14MRS
