Carbolic Soap: Benefits, Uses and Alternatives

Quick answer: Carbolic soap is a traditional disinfectant-style cleansing bar made with carbolic acid (phenol), best known for its sharp, medicinal smell. People use it to wash hands and body and to cleanse oily skin. It can be drying, so use it sparingly on the face and stop if your skin feels sore.

What is carbolic soap?

Carbolic soap has been around since the 19th century, when it was introduced as an antiseptic soap. It is still used for everyday washing. Read more about the benefits of cleansing soaps.

What people use carbolic soap for

Cleansing: a strong bar lifts dirt, oil and sweat from the skin, which suits hands, body and oilier areas.

Everyday hygiene: washing with soap and water removes germs from your hands, which is the main reason many households keep a bar by the sink.

Freshness: washing away sweat helps with body odour, and the scent of the soap itself is strong and lasting.

Drying: the same strength that cleans well can leave skin tight. If that happens, rinse well, moisturise, and use it less often.

Not a treatment: carbolic soap is not a treatment for wounds, bites, acne or eczema. See a pharmacist or GP for those.

Is carbolic soap safe for your face?

Many people avoid strong disinfectant soaps on the face because facial skin is thinner and dries easily. If you want to try one, patch test on your inner arm first, keep it away from the eyes, and avoid broken or sunburnt skin. If your skin is sensitive or eczema-prone, a gentler bar is the safer choice.

Can you buy First Lady Carbolic Soap?

We do not currently sell carbolic soap. For everyday cleansing, these bars are in stock:

Cocoa butter and honey and glycerine are the milder choices if your skin dries easily.

How to use a cleansing soap

  1. Wet your skin with warm water.
  2. Lather the soap in your hands or on a washcloth.
  3. Massage the lather gently over your skin and avoid the eyes.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
  5. Pat dry with a clean towel and moisturise.

Browse the full First Lady London range or our handmade soaps.

Carbolic soap questions

What is carbolic soap?

Carbolic soap is a traditional disinfectant-style cleansing bar made with carbolic acid (phenol). It is best known for its sharp, medicinal smell and has been used for washing hands and body since the 19th century.

Is carbolic soap good for your skin?

It cleans well, but strong disinfectant-style soaps can dry the skin. Many people keep a bar like this for hands and body and use a gentler bar on the face.

Can I use carbolic soap on my face?

Use it with care. Patch test on your inner arm first, rinse well and stop if your skin feels tight, sore or red. If your face is sensitive, choose a milder cleansing bar.

Does carbolic soap treat acne, eczema or wounds?

No. It is a cleansing soap, not a medical treatment. For persistent acne, eczema, or any cut or wound, speak to a pharmacist or GP.

Does First Lady London sell carbolic soap?

Not at the moment. We sell African black soap, cocoa butter soap and honey and glycerine soap for everyday cleansing, listed on this page.