Pears Soap

As I am still a “bar of soap” kind of shower person, I have used Pears traditional transparent soap for many years.

Pears soap was first produced and sold in 1789 by Andrew Pears at his factory in London.  It was the world’s first transparent soap, the world’s first registered brand and therefore the world’s oldest continuously existing brand.

So, why change something that is so great?  Well in October 2009 there were changes to the quality of ingredients used in the manufacturing process. These have resulted in a noticeably different shaped bar (flatter rather than concave) and a difference in scent. The aroma, which used to be a characteristically mild, spicy fragrance, is now a very strong, almost like coal tar and with a reduction in the moisturizing properties.

The transparent amber soap was altered from the original to become 'Gentle Care' wrapped in an inner cellophane covering. The new soap was slightly softer in texture and lasted half as long. The "Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic" claim was dropped because of the new ingredients. Furthermore, the 3-month aging process described on the original box does not appear on the box of the 'Gentle Care' formula, suggesting that the "improvements" were made so that the soap could be produced more quickly and with cheaper ingredients, therefore increasing profits.

The old bar contained just eight ingredients:- Sodium Palmitate, Natural Rosin, Glycerine, Water, Sodium Cocoate, Rosemary Extract, Thyme Extract, Pears Fragrance Essence.

The listed ingredients of the new soap are: Sorbitol, Aqua, Sodium Palmate/stearate, Sodium Palmkernelate, Sodium Rosinate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG-4, Alcohol, Glycerin, Perfume, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Meta Bisulfite, Etidronic acid, Tetra Sodium EDTA, BHT, Cl 12490, Cl 47005, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamal, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool.

It was reported in the media that Pears would not abandon the new formula but "make further improvements, by delivering a scent that more closely resembles the original formula”, however, this has not occurred.

So I’ve just recently tried the Green Pears Oil-Clean Soap Bar, and that’s even worse than the amber bar.   I shall no longer be buying Pears Soap and will be looking to hunt down a pure new soap! – Watch this space!!