Irish Spring Soap- Is it Good, Benefits, & Side Effects

Irish Spring is one of those soaps that I grew up using way before I even knew what true skincare really is. That all-too-distinctive scent brings back a lot of nostalgia.

That’s why I RAN to research and write this article. I’m going to cover the benefits, risks and answer all your questions about Irish Spring Soap.

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Is Irish Spring Soap Safe

Irish Spring soap does not contain any ingredients in amounts that are toxic or known to cause any health effects in people who do not have specific allergies or sensitivities to any of the listed ingredients.

Keep reading to learn more about those ingredients.

Also consider checking out my article on What are pH-Balanced Body Washes- Benefits & Best Brands

Is Irish Spring Soap Healthy

While Irish Spring soap is safe for the skin, it might not be the healthiest option for skincare.

This soap focuses on cleaning the skin and deodorizing. Apart from a small amount of glycerin, it does not contain any additional ingredients that nourish the skin.

Therefore, if you have dry or sensitive skin, or if you are looking to nourish your skin and not just get rid of grime, then this soap will not be the healthiest option.

The long-term use of Irish Spring Soap without proper moisturization and skincare afterward may eventually cause your skin to become stripped and dry. However, a good, fortified moisturizer, can make all the difference!

Personally, I have very sensitive skin that gets dry very quickly so I avoid using it anymore. However, if I have to use it, as long as I moisturize well, I am usually good to go.

For some extra moisture therapy and healthier soap options consider checking the following articles out:

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Benefits Of Irish Spring Soap

Irish Spring soap is very good at removing excess oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and dirt from the skin.

It gently exfoliates the skin and also helps to get rid of surface bacteria and fungi.

Since it cleans the skin so well, it is also very good for getting rid of and preventing body odor. We know that body odor develops when the bacteria on our skin mix and react with the sweat and dirt that is also on our skin.

Irish Spring is also known for leaving you with its distinct scent. For some individuals, this is great and refreshing while for others, it isn’t their thing. I personally love how it smells (maybe its the nostalgia).

Ingredients List

According to the Irish Spring and Colgate-Palmolive website, the ingredients in Irish Spring bar soaps include:

Sodium Laurate/Linoleate/Oleate/Palmitate
Water/Eau
Glycerin

Fragrance/Parfum
Sodium Chloride
Charcoal Powder

Tetrasodium EDTA
Etidronic Acid
Dyes/Coloring

Ensure you read the ingredients of your packages before buying since some of the ingredients will vary depending on the fragrance.

Fragrances & Options

The Irish Spring bar soaps are available in different fragrances and options, all of which can be found easily on Amazon.

Click on each option below to view and purchase them from Amazon:

Original Clean

Aloe Mist

Moisture Blast for men

Icy Blast

Active Scrub – Exfoliating (Fresh, clean scent)

Sports Strength Antibacterial

Side Effects Of Irish Spring Soap

While Irish Spring soap cleans the skin well, it can be drying and irritating for some skin types.

Even though the soap does contain some amount of glycerin, it is usually not enough to truly moisturize the skin adequately after stripping it of excess oils during our bath.

Therefore, if used every day without additional moisturization, it can cause your skin to become too dry and irritated. This is even worse in people who already have dry skin or sensitive skin.

Some ingredients of concern in the soap include Sodium Laurate/Linoleate/Oleate/Palmitate, dyes, and fragrance. While these are not unhealthy for the general population, they could be harmful for people who have extra sensitive skin or who are allergic to these ingredients.

The soap also contains Tetrasodium EDTA and Etidronic Acid, both of which many people are worried about. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel have approved their use in soaps as long as they obey the regulations. Both of these ingredients are usually used in concentrations less than 2%, which are safe for use on the skin.

Please note that the Irish Spring bar soaps are regular soaps and are not medicated or considered drugs and so are not specifically regulated by the FDA. However, they are monitored by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Therefore, the manufacturers still have to adhere to the guidelines on safe concentrations and uses of certain compounds and chemicals used in the soaps.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Irish Spring soap lighten skin?

Irish Spring soaps will not bleach your skin. However, they do exfoliate and clean your skin well. Over time, this can make your skin look lighter (but not significantly).

After years of using Irish Spring soap as a growing child, I never noticed my skin getting lighter in any way. But, everyone’s skin is different and some people may notice some toning. You should not expect to see overt bleaching.

If you’re looking for soaps that will lighten your skin consider using ones that contain ingredients that specifically lessen the melanin in your skin. You can check out the links below:

5 Best Soaps to Lighten Dark Underarms, Necks & Thighs.

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Is Irish Spring soap good for body odor?

Irish Spring soaps are great for body odor.

They get rid of sweat, oil, dirt, bacteria, and fungi from the surface of the skin. When all these things combine and react, body odor is caused.

So, getting rid of them helps to get rid of body odor and keep it at bay!

For some great soaps to help combat body odor consider:

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Will Irish Spring soap help or cause acne?

Irish Spring soaps can help to keep the skin clean and prevent bacteria and excess oil from causing acne flare-ups, but they can also cause dry skin to overproduce oil.

These soaps cannot treat acne and will not prevent acne from fully occurring again, but they can keep the skin clean and help to reduce flare-ups and active lesions.

On the other hand, if your skin is dry and you use Irish Spring every day, it can cause your skin to overproduce oil. This can also lead to acne flare-ups.

I recommend that you first try to figure out what kind of skin you have. Then, do a test run with your Irish spring soap to see how your skin will react to it for a few days/weeks. If your skin can tolerate it, play around until you find a routine that works for you.

If you have severe acne or if your acne just will not improve, I recommend that you see a dermatologist for advice on using actual acne treatments. Some great options are Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

Click here to read about Benzoyl Peroxide Soap: Benefits, Side Effects & Best Ones

Click here to read about the Best Salicylic Acid Soaps – Benefits, Risks & How To Use

Click here to read about Sulfur Soaps- Benefits, Side Effects, How to Use & Best Brands

Is Irish Spring soap good for sensitive skin?

Using Irish Spring soaps is not the best option for people with sensitive skin.

These soaps contain deep cleansing agents, fragrances and dyes, all of which can be irritating to sensitive skin. They also contain glycerin, which is great, but not enough to hydrate and soothe the skin properly.

I personally don’t use Irish Spring anymore due to its drying effect on my skin type. However, I do try to look for milder and more nourishing soaps.

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Can Irish Spring soap be used on the face?

Irish Spring soaps can be used cautiously on the face, especially to remove makeup and other cosmetic products from the skin.

However, keep in mind that these soaps are relatively intense when it comes to cleansing and may be too harsh for the skin on your face, especially if you are already sensitive and easily irritated.

If you are using them on your face, I recommend that you use a good moisturizer after every face wash.

Can Irish spring soap be used for private parts?

Irish Spring soaps can be used externally on your private parts.

These soaps are usually scented and sometimes too harsh for sensitive skin. Therefore, avoid getting them on your mucus membranes and do not use them on interior surfaces.

This can throw off your pH balance, cause irritation and even cause infections.

You can also check out the Lume Acidified Body Wash – What It Does, Benefits & Risks

Irish Spring Soap History – For Us History Nerds

Irish Spring Soap was first launched in Germany by the Colgate-Palmolive Company in 1970 and then in the United States in 1972.

It was first only available as a bar soap in one scent called “Ulster Fragrance”. However, from then to now, the brand and company have changed its formula and introduced other bar soaps and body washes in many different scents.

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