Jack Haldrup, the founder of Dr. Squatch Soap Co., kind of revolutionized the world of men’s soap products when he started selling natural soap with a manly scent back in 2013.
(And speaking as a guy who spent his teenage years showering with the lavender-infused Dove beauty bars his mom insisted on buying in bulk, I can confirm that the soap market was in need of a shake-up.)
Up until that point, the standard bar of soap commonly found in the United States both smelled and felt like plastic, which makes sense since it was mass-produced with all sorts of potentially harmful ingredients.
By contrast, Dr. Squatch’s soaps are 100% natural products made with natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and other essential oils, and infused with a wide range of masculine scents that evoke adventure, nature and the great outdoors.
And therein lies the problem:
While it’s great to have options, Dr. Squatch now has more than a dozen unique scents in its standard collection, with more popping up periodically in partnership with major brands like Marvel and DC Comics.
Figuring out exactly which scent will suit your tastes can be a little overwhelming, which is where this post comes in.
The Method to Our Madness:
How We Ranked the Best-Smelling Dr. Squatch Soap Bars
To help you step up your shower experience, we’ve come up with a system for ranking Dr. Squatch’s bar soaps that relies not just on our personal preferences, but on – you guessed it – math.
(Alright, fine – you probably didn’t guess it.)
We’ve put together a simple formula that takes into account:
- The quality of reviews left for each bar on Dr. Squatch’s website
- The number of reviews each scent has received
- The quality and quantity of reviews on other sites, and
- Our own personal experience with the bars of soap we’ve tried ourselves
Scroll down to discover the results of our analysis and find out which scents might work best for you.
The (Absolute) Best Smelling Dr Squatch Soap
Which Dr Squatch soap smells the best? Well…
Overall Best Dr Squatch Soap Scent ↓
Pine Tar
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.5 Stars
- 14,716 Reviews
Rating on Amazon:
- 4.5 Stars
- 43,506 Reviews
About This Soap:
The Pine Tar soap was one of the very first Dr. Squatch products, and it’s easy to see why it helped launch them to such heights.
It was the first scent I tried when I conducted my full Dr. Squatch review a while back, and it’s still one of my all-time favorite personal care products.
The first thing you notice is that it smells woodsy and rugged, which is one helluva improvement over the aforementioned Dove beauty bars that my mom used to buy.
As I wrote at the time, “While showering the natural woodsy scent was fresh, outdoorsy and masculine, which added a little vigor to my otherwise boring shower routine.”
The fact that it’s been around so long – and has been used/tested by so many guys – but still maintains such a high score speaks volumes.
If you only want to invest in one Dr. Squatch bar soap for everyday use, make this the one.
What Users Say:
Smells awesome, and the heavy grit is like an all-over back scratch. fantastic way to start the day.
– James C.
Bay Rum
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.6 Stars
- 6,097 Reviews
Rating on Amazon:
- 4.7 Stars
- 4,117 Reviews
About This Soap:
Another one of my favorite scents, the best way to describe Bay Rum is that it smells zesty and tropical, but also manly and adventurous.
While it’s still quite masculine, this one has a light grit that some guys prefer for daily use.
Dr. Squatch popularized the scent, but in recent years it’s been adapted by other brands who make natural bar soaps, including Duke Cannon and Natrulo, which gives you a sense of how well loved it is by those who try it.
(One reviewer on Dr. Squatch’s website said it smells “like Captain Jack Sparrow, only better.” I think that’s pretty accurate, but I think it’ll be a long time before I can hear a Johnny Depp reference without cringing…)
What Users Say:
Absolutely love the smell! Can’t wait to order more. Feels great on my skin! Love the brick look and how it stays firm. The overall vibe is just great!
– Tyler N.
Cedar Citrus
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.5 Stars
- 5,383 Reviews
Rating on Amazon:
- 4.5 Stars
- 2,259 Reviews
About This Soap:
My go-to summer soap, Cedar Citrus Summer Citrus is the perfect blend between woodsy ruggedness and refreshing zest.
If you’re sick of buying lemon- or orange-scented liquid soap that smells more like the lab it was created in than an actual field of orange trees, this is the perfect natural alternative.
It always reminds me of my honeymoon in Italy, when my wife and I sat on the patio drinking Aperol spritzes and watching the sunset, which is about as much as I think you can ask from an organic soap.
But it’s worth noting that this one has zero grit, so while it certainly smells great and provides a nice lather, it won’t be as exfoliating as some of the other scents.
What Users Say:
Great way to start the day. Combined with the Cedar Citrus deodorant, it is a light scent perfect for the summer months.
– Nathaniel K.
Cool Fresh Aloe
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.6 Stars
- 5,785 Reviews
About This Soap:
This one has a more subtle scent than some of Dr. Squatch’s products, which is slightly harder to articulate but smells like what you might expect a lush mountain valley to smell like.
As its name implies, it’s made with a combination of aloe vera and sea salt, along with natural oils like olive oil and sustainable palm oil.
The result is a soap that nourishes and replenishes dry skin while smelling
What Users Say:
This one is just so refreshing and helps out so much with my sensitive skin, I love the smell. One of my favorites and Dr Squatch knocked it out of the park with this one.
– Cameron F.
Fresh Falls
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.5 Stars
- 5,211 Reviews
About This Soap:
Fresh Falls is made with two types of clay: kaolin clay, which helps absorb excess oils, and Alaskan mineral clay, which comes from a glacier and absorbs dirt and toxins.
It’s also infused with lichen moss and has notes of birch and pine, giving it a scent that’s forestry, but not quite as woodsy as the Pine Tar soap.
What Users Say:
One of the best scents they sell for the bars of soap. My favorite soap to use by far. I cannot recommend this one enough.
– Roberto S.
Wood Barrel Bourbon
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.6 Stars
- 4,543 Reviews
About This Soap:
This medium grit bar is infused with brewer’s yeast and Jimmy Red Cornmeal, which is what distillers use to make bourbon.
It has a musky, old-school scent that reminds me of manly men from a previous era, like Burt Reynolds and Tom Selleck, who rocked a beardstache with pride and didn’t give a sh*t about “manscaping.”
Esquire put it well when they described this scent, call it “a combination of guaiac wood, patchouli, and clove.”
They want on to explain, “There’s an earthiness that’s not too earthy, a sweetness that’s not too sweet, and a smokiness that’s not too smokey.”
What Users Say:
One of my favorite smells. Grit level is subtle and feels good against your skin. Bourbon scent is not too strong but is still musky. Love it.
– Zack G.
Alpine Sage
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.5 Stars
- 4,392 Reviews
About This Soap:
Formerly known as Nautical Sage, this one is infused with clary sage essential oil, which smells like a fresh spring morning and has the added benefit of helping to reduce skin irritation.
What Users Say:
I really enjoyed the scent of Alpine sage, so much so on my next order I included the deodorant.
– Michael K.
Birchwood Breeze
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.5 Stars
- 3,782 Reviews
About This Soap:
While the Pine Tar soap above has notes of birchwood, this one dials it up to 11.
As the name implies, the main ingredient here is birch bark, which helps exfoliate the skin and smells like a (handsome-ass) woodshop.
What Users Say:
Nice light outdoorsy smell. One of my faves along with Bourbon and Pine Tar.
– James P.
Deep Sea Goats Milk
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.6 Stars
- 3,415 Reviews
About This Soap:
Made with a combination of goat’s milk, oatmeal and kaolin clay, this bar doesn’t overpower you with outdoorsy ruggedness the way some of Dr. Squatch’s other scents do.
But the good news is that it still provides a great lather, and contains a host of ingredients that work in conjunction with the goat’s milk to help hydrate and soothe dry skin, including organic oils and shea butter.
What Users Say:
This scent is nice, very clean in my opinion. Definitely something I would recommend using when going out somewhere where you wouldn’t want any overpowering type of scent on you.
And I do love the addition of the aloe, as it is amazing for skin care.
– Shannon H.
Cold Brew Cleanse
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.4 Stars
- 3,322 Reviews
About This Soap:
A great product for those of us who love the smell of java in the morning, this caffeine-infused bar has an aroma that evokes freshly ground coffee.
What Users Say:
Great Manly scent! I love the heavy grit when washing the body. You can feel the dirt getting washed away!
– Edward B.
Grapefruit IPA
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.6 Stars
- 3,110 Reviews
About This Soap:
Speaking as a guy who loves a hoppy, citrus-infused IPA, I honestly thought I’d like this scent more.
While I love both grapefruit and hops, I have to admit that the combination of the two isn’t my favorite.
Personally I find myself drawn more to the outdoorsy/woodsy smelling scents, which is why the Cedar Citrus ranked higher for me than this equally citrusy alternative.
What Users Say:
My favorite brick, as I love grapefruit and IPAs. The light grit is a perfect match for the scent
– Matthew L.
Spearmint Basil
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.5 Stars
- 3,011 Reviews
About This Soap:
The scent of this soap reminds me of a mojito: minty, refreshing and undeniably cool.
A lot of synthetic soap and body wash slaps “mint” on the label but smells more like the artificial mint flavoring they put in chewing gum.
But with a natural soap that’s made from actual peppermint leaves you can really smell the difference, and this one has an invigorating scent that will make you want to break out the rum and go dancing with Colin Farrell.
What Users Say:
I’m glad that I made the decision to try these soap products. I absolutely love the spearmint basil bar soap, the texture of this soap is smooth and the scent is refreshing and very minty.
I would definitely recommend this and I will definitely buy more from Dr. Squatch.
– Kylon J.
Eucalyptus Greek Yogurt
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.5 Stars
- 2,919 Reviews
About This Soap:
Eucalyptus is something of an acquired taste, and one of those scents that can be a bit polarizing.
Those who like it tend to really like it, while those who don’t tend to avoid it at all costs.
This is a great bar for those in the former camp, with a strong aromatic scent that can help clear your sinuses.
But if you’re not much for eucalyptus, you should definitely stay away, because this is one of Dr. Squatch’s stronger scents overall.
What Users Say:
Nice strong eucalyptus scent. Would definitely buy again.
– Robert D.
Gold Moss
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.6 Stars
- 2,846 Reviews
About This Soap:
Another one that’s firmly in the woodsy category, Dr. Squatch bills Gold Moss as their “top reviewed” scent, but I have to admit it’s not my favorite.
I found that most reviewers preferred the woodsy aroma of the Pine Tar scent, which was also my favorite when I did my own Dr Squatch soap review awhile back.
Both have a masculine and rugged smell, but I find that the Pine Tar scent just smells a little more modern sophisticated.
By comparison, the Gold Moss is kind of a blend between woodsiness and softness, which is still quite pleasant, but not, as Danny Ocean would say, my particular brand of vodka.
What Users Say:
I’ve used all of the Dr. Squatch catalog. Can comfortably say the Gold Moss is their best bar of soap. If you’re looking for a smooth bar that helps you feel fresh after using it, look no further. It’s got an earthy scent that keeps on giving.
– Jonathan D.
Coconut Castaway
Rating on Dr. Squatch Website:
- 4.6 Stars
- 2,151 Reviews
About This Soap:
And speaking of things that smell nice but aren’t my cup of tea…
While the scent is lighter and less overpowering than some of the other soaps, I’ve never been much for coconut, so this one really doesn’t speak to me.
Coconut oil has been shown to have all kinds of benefits, so I can see why Dr. Squatch used it and why so many guys enjoy the experience of showering with this one.
(Plus, multiple reviewers mentioned that the soap lathers nicely, which I know is important to a lot of guys.)
But as I alluded to above, for me the best soap scent is one that’s a little more rugged and sophisticated, so the sweet smell of coconut just doesn’t do it for me.
What Users Say:
Really like this one, especially in the summer. It’s my vacation go-to.
– Ryan D.
FAQ
Between the scent breakdowns above and the quality assessment in my Dr. Squatch soap review, you should have a pretty good idea of how their soaps smell and how they hold up.
But after writing my original review I’ve received a bunch of questions about some of their other products, which are worth addressing here.
Have you tried Dr. Squatch Deodorant?
I have indeed. I tried three different scents of their natural deodorant and put together an in-depth honest review, which you can see here.
Are Dr. Squatch shampoo and conditioner products any good?
I haven’t tried any of the hair care products myself, but I thoroughly enjoyed both the soap and the deodorant, so I suspect the hair products are of a similarly high quality.
Should I spring for the soap saver?
It depends. The main advantage of the soap saver is that the ridges prevent the bar from sticking to the surface, which causes the bar to get all scummy and makes a big mess.
But nowadays most showers and tubs come with soap dishes that have built-in ridges, which pretty much do the same job.
So if you’re routinely resting the bar on a flat surface you may find you need something to keep it from sticking, but in most cases you can probably live without it.
Is Dr. Squatch really a doctor?
Honestly, I have my doubts. Where did he go to med school? Has anyone even seen his diploma? I’m starting to think he might just be a regular sasquatch, albeit one who happens to excel at making cold process soaps and beard oils.
The Recap ↓
Summary
The natural woodsy scent of Dr. Squatch’s Pine Tar scent is fresh, outdoorsy and masculine, easily earning it top spot on our list.
More Resources ↓
More Men’s Grooming Advice & Style Reviews From Irreverent Gent:
- The 15 Best Men’s Body Soap Brands
- 29 Really (Really) Good Shampoos for Men
- The 25 Best Skincare Brands & Products for Guys
- In-Depth Dr. Squatch Deodorant Review
- The Absolute Best Dr. Squatch Alternatives & Competitors
- The 13 Most Soothing, Smooth and All Around Best Shaving Soaps for Men
- Taper vs Fade vs Taper Fade – The Ultimate Guide
- The (Absolute) Best Foil Shavers on the Market
- How to Shave Your Back by Yourself (Safely & Smoothly)
- The 15 Best Clippers for Bald (& Balding) Head Shaving
- The Best Trimmers for Shaving Your Balls
- The 13 Best Back Shavers for Men
- How to Grow a Beard Faster – The Definitive Guide
- The 17 Best Colognes to Attract Females
- The Absolute Best Clippers for Fades
Banner image: Dr. Squatch; Illustration: Irreverent Gent
