The idea of using a bar of soap instead of a shower gel is still met with a few raised eyebrows in the UK, and even a notion of “why would we want to go backwards?” These little bars of scented paradise started to go out of fashion in the eighties with the arrival of liquid soaps, with the idea that they were somehow less efficient than their fluid counterpart. Now in France, the spiritual home of the soap industry, they’ve never disappeared from the bathroom. If anything, the selection continues to grow year on year to the delight of us soap hunters.
One of the launches that I loved back in 2019 was Baron Shower Bar. It was founded by Geoff Thornton and featured a fantastic range of six soaps that were all made in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France. He had insisted on using a local company that still produced soap in the traditional triple-milled way for maximum scent and stability. How often have you bought a soap only to find it splinter or crack within a few days? Well, this time-honoured way of manufacture meant that this didn’t happen, which meant that the bars were also fantastic value for money.
The actual soap is still made in the same way as the original, with the combination of shea butter and argan oil, but the scent is a new addition. It’s a wonderful blend of citrus and woody notes, with particular emphasis on a sweet orange, but the addition of vetiver in the fragrance adds an earthiness that helps to keep the scent exciting. You also get a citrus quality from the argan oil, which means that uplifting quality stays on the skin for longer, but a final touch of cedarwood adds a unisex elegance that is truly delightful.
Shower PUK is available from the website at shower-puk.com and prices start at £2.50 for a solo soap or £7 with the case. [Sample provided by Geoff Thornton]
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