Is it better to use bar soap or shower gel?

No, I don’t think that’s true. Even if germs did accumulate on the bar, they would be destroyed when you began to lather up. Unless you use a new washcloth everyday, I would say that your washcloth poses a greater threat than the soap would.

Here’s a news article I found that provides more information. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/science/10qna.html?ex=1341720000&en=b36ad65085b650eb&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

great article, thanks!

In the case of herpes, though, you’ll want to use a different bar altogether.

i love liquid soap, but have recently switched back to bars. couldn’t have all that plastic bottle waste on my conscience, even if they were recycled!

If you check the Straight Dope website I think there is a good discussion of this. I think that rinsing and drying your hands after washing is even more important than what soap you use.

You should be fine. Just lather it up and rinse away. Now if there was something sickening pasted on it such as poop, that’s when you should know not to use it.

Best to use a fragrance free shower gel or cream rather than shower gel or soap. No chemicals and better for the skin.