Typical bar soaps, even ‘sensitive’ or ‘moisturizing’ bars, are made through a chemical process called saponification. By Law, they must be labeled as "soap". Read why, and understand why HARP® is allowed to be labeled as a CLEANSER, not a soap.

Why HARP® Is Different — And Better Than Traditional Soap

Mansure & Prettyman’s HARP® is not traditional soap — and that distinction matters. Most bar soaps on the market are made with lye and saponified oils, creating a harsh, high-alkaline cleanser that disrupts your skin’s natural barrier. Regardless of price or branding, these soaps commonly operate at a pH of 9–10, stripping moisture, causing dryness, irritation, and long-term imbalance.

HARP was engineered to solve this problem.

Our cleansing bars use a premium, soap-free syndet formula designed to match the natural pH of healthy skin. Instead of raising your skin’s pH and damaging its protective acid mantle, HARP cleans effectively while helping maintain balance, hydration, and comfort. This pH-balanced approach is fundamental to healthier-looking skin and a noticeably gentler cleansing experience.

Unlike traditional soaps that rely on inexpensive fats and oils, HARP is built on science-backed surfactants trusted by cosmetic chemists and dermatologists. The result is a cleanser that delivers a rich, creamy lather without the tight, stripped feeling caused by old-fashioned soap chemistry. It is gentle enough for daily use on both face and body, even for those with sensitive or dry skin.

HARP bars are triple-milled for density and durability, creating a long-lasting bar that resists melting and crumbling while delivering consistent performance from first use to last. Each bar provides more value through longevity — without sacrificing quality or skin health.

Our formula goes beyond cleansing. Ingredients like shea butter, borage oil, and meadowfoam seed oil are included to support moisture retention and skin comfort. While traditional soaps remove natural oils, HARP helps protect them — leaving skin clean, soft, and balanced rather than dry or irritated.

The difference is intentional. Traditional soaps succeed because they are cheap to manufacture. HARP exists because skin deserves better. By eliminating lye, avoiding high-alkaline formulations, and prioritizing pH balance and barrier support, HARP delivers a modern cleansing bar that outperforms soap in every meaningful way.

If you’re looking for a cleanser that respects your skin instead of fighting it, HARP® is the standard traditional soap never met.