The Better Body Bar: Dove Beauty Bar Vs. Ivory Original Bar Soap

Dove Beauty Bar and Ivory Original Bar Soap both come from long established, well known brands. Both have been used in households for decades, and have well-deserved reputation for quality. There are some further similarities between these two products that make them almost like twins. However, Ivory Original boasts one unique feature that sets it apart.

Dove Beauty Bar comes in several different kinds, including White, Pink, Cool Moisture, Sensitive Skin Unscented, and Calming Night. The white version appears to be more popular. It has this classic, basic feel of good soap that cleans well, enhanced by its soft, barely noticeable fragrance. The scent is best described as that of "freshness" and "cleanness." Dove Beauty Bar is ideal for those who do not like strongly scented bath products - or those who want to take a break from strong fragrances and just smell clean.

The strongest point of Dove Beauty Bar is its moisturizing effect. This soap is made with moisturizing cream: every bar contains 1/4 of it, which helps not just to retain moisture in the skin but actually add some, making it soft and smooth. Whether you use it for hands, body, or face, you will feel the difference. Dove Beauty Bar never dries out the skin. It is gentle enough to be used on small children and even babies. Dermatologists recommend it to those with extra dry or sensitive skin.

Dove Beauty Bar is sold in single and multiple packs. Single packs are priced around $1.70-$1.99 and are the least economical to buy. Packs of 6 and 8 are more affordable, per piece, costing around $9 and $11, respectively.

While Dove Beauty Bar is known for its gentleness and moisturizing, Ivory Original Bar Soap is known for purity. According to the claim on the box, Ivory Original is "99.44% pure," it is made with minimal ingredients. No heavy perfumes, no lotions are added. Just like Dove Beauty Bar, Ivory Original has a very, very light scent, a barely noticeable hint of floral freshness. Those unaccustomed to it sometimes complain about lack of fragrance. The most popular, classic type of this soap is white in color. Other, slightly more scented kinds are also available (Lavender, Aloe). Despite having no added moisturizing cream, like Dove Beauty Bar, Ivory Original is also gentle enough to be used on face, sensitive skin, as well as on children and babies.

Overall, both brands offer simple, basic, and gentle bar soap that is good for the skin. Both are relatively inexpensive, with Ivory Original being a little cheaper. Yet, as I have already mentioned above, there is something else that sets Ivory Original Bar Soap apart and makes it unique. It's the ability to float.

Yes, the soap bar actually floats in water. This now famous feature was achieved by accident. A factory worker operating the soap mixer went out for lunch break and forgot to turn the machine off; so the mixer continued to work, pumping more air and producing much lighter soap bars. When the worker returned, he was afraid to make his mistake known, so he just packaged the lighter soap and sent it to stores, hoping that no one would notice. Well, customers did... and they loved it! People came back asking for more of that special soap that floats in the tub. Thus a new soap was born, Ivory Original. While this ability to float does not add to the quality of the product, it has become a distinguishing trademark feature.

Ivory Original Bar Soap is also sold in single and multi-packs. It is available in two sizes, 4.5 oz and 3.1 oz.

Comparing these two products, I guess I personally would have rated them about the same. Perhaps Dove Beauty Bar scores an extra point for its excellent moisturizing ability, but then Ivory Original scores it back with its cheaper price; besides, floating is kinda cute as well!