Soaps are one of the most basic and essential items in every Indian household. They have been an integral part of our lives for hundreds of years and a symbol of care, comfort, and hygiene.
India has a rich history of manufacturing soaps, right when they were made from plant-based ingredients.
Now, of course, the soap industry in India is far more diverse and has a range of options. So, if you’re looking for the top soap brands or thinking of switching your soap brands, then keep reading this article!
Household Brands
1. Lifebuoy
If you’re looking for a soap brand that works wonders for your kids, then look no further than Lifebuoy!
The brand, featuring children washing their hands before eating, and the slogan dhote jao dhote jao, still rings in every Indian’s ears. It was an amazing way to highlight Lifebuoy’s main mission to promote good hygiene and prevent illnesses like diarrhoea.
Owned by Hindustan Unilever, Lifebuoy was first delivered to soldiers who were badly affected in the First and Second World Wars. Initially, it was known to protect soldiers and injured patients from illnesses due to its antibacterial properties. After the war, it was repositioned as a red-coloured soap meant to reduce infections.
With sales in over 60 countries and a minimal price, Lifebuoy is now a household name when it comes to antibacterial soap brands.
Standard Price: INR 38 for 125 gm
2. Santoor
Santoor, owned by Wipro Consumer Care, is one of the most popular bathing soap brands in India.
Its famous bright-orange packaging and emotional advertisements have appealed to thousands of Indian consumers, who all view Santoor as the tool that makes their skin buttery soft!
In fact, even now, you’ll see many young mothers on social media flaunting their beauty and calling themselves Santoor Mammi.
Though Santoor started with a modest beginning, its sales quickly rocketed, and people started identifying it with benefits like younger-looking skin.
Now, Santoor has expanded its product lines to include bathing gels and handwash, but the soap bar remains as popular as ever.
Most importantly, its affordable pricing has made it even more popular among middle-class Indians. If you want to experience Santoor’s goodness, try out their Almond Soft soap!
Standard Price: INR 36 for 100 gm
3. Lux
While Lux isn’t trending a lot, it’s still a common household brand. Lux first came as a white bar of toilet soap in pastel packaging, meant to mimic exotic French soaps but at more affordable rates.
Within a short time, it became a rage, with Bollywood celebrities endorsing it. Advertisements vouched that it gives chaand sa roshan chehra and a guaranteed lifetime bathing experience!
Later, Hindustan Unilever started campaigning Lux as the epitome of elegance and style by launching different variants, such as Fresh Glow, Lux Soft Glow (enriched with Vitamin E), and Lux Velvet Glow containing Jasmine.
Manufactured by Hindustan Unilever and is primarily marketed in South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is also marketed overseas in Brazil, South Africa, and the Middle East.
Standard Price: INR 40 for 75 gm
4. Mysore Sandal
Having a Mysore Sandal soap at home was such a rage among middle-class Indians back in the day.
After all, this is the only soap brand in the world where the product is made entirely out of 100% pure sandalwood oil! It also contains nourishing ingredients like conditioners and moisturisers.
The soap’s sandalwood fragrance is still loved by Indian consumers and is immensely popular among babies and young adults.
Manufactured by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which is owned by the government of Karnataka, this soap was popular for its affordability and luxurious scent. The soap’s popularity also told a tale of consumers’ trust in the government!
If you can’t find this nostalgic soap bar in the supermarket, check out the official KSDL website!
Standard Price: INR 42 for 75 gm
5. Cinthol
Cinthol, from the house of Godrej, has been a household name in every Indian home. Known for its refreshing and cooling properties, the bright-green Cinthol soap quickly became the favourite soap brand of Indian homemakers who wanted nothing more than a refreshing bath after a long day of work.
The original Cinthol variant has 99.9% germ-killing properties, but now you’ll find several astonishing variants, such as the Cinthol Lime and Cinthol Cool.
In the beginning, this brand was seen as a premium one, affordable to the elite class. However, Cinthol repositioned itself to cater to the country’s vibrant youth. Priced economically, this brand won’t disappoint you!
Standard Price: INR 50 for 100 gm
Premium but Affordable Brands
6. Dove
When talking about Indian soap brands, we can’t forget Dove! Dove was bought from a French firm by Hindustan Unilever, and since then, the brand hasn’t looked back!
Known for its milky white soap bar, white-and-blue packaging, and the sweet fragrance of milk, Dove has been symbolised as a woman’s source of beauty and confidence.
Dove promised clear skin with the goodness of milk. Unlike most other soaps, the soap leaves users with soft and smooth skin, just as they claimed in advertisements.
More than selling soaps, Dove focuses on portraying women with authentic skin and real stories, which is what made the brand so popular.
Besides the original model, Dove’s newer product lines containing sandalwood and other ingredients have also taken over the Indian market by storm!
Standard Price: INR 60 for 100 gm
7. Savlon
If you’re looking for a soap brand that prioritises safety and health over fragrance or packaging, then Savlon is the perfect choice! Produced by ITC Limited,
Savlon has become synonymous with trust and efficacy. Its antibacterial properties make it different from other soap brands.
Originally used as a disinfectant liquid to clean surgical wounds and scars, Savlon later developed into a soap with the ability to kill 99.9% of germs.
It’s also gentle on the skin, which is why so many parents prefer antibacterial soaps like Savlon for their kids.
The brand has also promoted a mission to encourage children to frequently wash their hands with soap and to practice hygienic habits.
Standard Price: INR 85 for 125 gm
8. Pears
Back in the day, Pears was the world’s first mass-market translucent soap. During the initial launch in India, consumers were amazed by its see-through factor and refreshing smell.
Made with natural oils and superior moisturisers, Pears is known to leave the skin feeling super-fresh and glowy! They often feature advertisements with young children, showing their soft and supple skin after using the soap. The brand was also repositioned as the “gentle soap” for containing 98% pure glycerin.
It was originally manufactured by a British brand, but Hindustan Unilever acquired it. Moreover, in today’s age of high-speed manufacturing techniques, Pears is still fine-checked by hand and held up against the light to check for imperfections!
Standard Price: INR 54 for 75 gm
9. Fiama Di Wills
Fiama Di Wills, more popularly known as Fiama, blends the goodness of nature and the benefits of science.
Claimed to have developed after years of extensive research in a French lab, the ITC Limited-owned premium soap brand became popular for its fragrances.
Fiama soaps are gentle and effective and form a thick, scented lather while bathing, offering a luxurious spa-like feel.
Later, ITC launched a wide range of gel-based soaps from the Fiama line, which became even more popular.
Its most famous soap is the golden sandalwood and patchouli gel bar, designed to leave the skin with a soft and glowy feeling. There’s also a dedicated men’s soap line by Fiama, so don’t forget to check that out!
Standard Price: INR 95 for 125 gm
10. Patanjali Multani Mitti
Last but not least, we can’t forget Patanjali, the renowned Indian Ayurvedic brand aimed at promoting the science of herbs and wellness among people.
Its flagship soap brand, Multani Mitti Body Cleanser, is a soap bar containing rich amounts of Multani Mitti or Fuller’s earth.
Though the packaging or the smell might not seem very appealing, the brand is famous for its purifying and cleansing properties. It effectively removes dirt and impurities from the deepest pores of the skin, leaving you with a soft and fresh glow!
Unlike soaps that contain harsh chemicals, the Multani Mitti cleanser contains only Ayurvedic ingredients that are suitable for all skin types.
Standard Price: INR 75 for 75 gm
Conclusion
Choosing the most suitable soap isn’t just about how it looks or smells. It involves finding what your skin needs while considering your budget constraints.
So, make sure you consider your skin type and condition and compare it with these soap formulations. while selecting any of these brands.
Prioritise what works best for you and make your bathing rituals a refreshing experience!
