Dr. Squatch Review 2026: Is It Worth the Hype?

We make soap. So does Dr. Squatch. You've probably seen their ads—the bearded guy yelling about "natural" ingredients while making fun of your Irish Spring. So here's the thing: we're going to give you an honest review. Not because we're nice. Because you deserve to know what you're buying.

Let's get the obvious out of the way: yes, we're competitors. Yes, we'd love for you to buy our soap instead. But here's what we won't do—trash a product just to make ourselves look better. That's not how your grandpa did business, and it's not how we do it either.

So here's our honest take on Dr. Squatch. What they get right. Where they fall short. And whether the viral marketing matches reality.

What Dr. Squatch Gets Right

Credit where it's due. Dr. Squatch helped put natural men's soap on the map. Before their viral ads, most guys thought bar soap was just bar soap—the stuff your mom bought at Costco in packs of twelve.

The Good Stuff

They use real ingredients. Olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter—the foundation of their bars is solid. These aren't synthetic detergent bars masquerading as soap. They're actual cold-process soap made with actual oils.

They made natural soap cool for men. Before Squatch, natural soap was marketed to yoga moms and farmers market types. They proved that regular guys—construction workers, accountants, dads—actually care about what they put on their skin. We respect that.

Their scent game is decent. Pine Tar, Bay Rum, Cedar Citrus—these are legitimate masculine scents. Not "ocean breeze" garbage. Real smells that remind you of something.

Where Dr. Squatch Falls Short

Here's where we get honest—and where being a soap maker ourselves gives us perspective most reviewers don't have.

The Price Problem

At $7-8 per bar (more if you're not subscribing), Squatch is expensive. Not "premium soap" expensive. Expensive expensive. You're paying for those viral ads. You're paying for the influencer deals. You're paying for the Super Bowl commercial.

Is it better than Dial? Absolutely. Is it $7 better? That's where it gets murky.

The Ingredient Fine Print

Here's something most reviewers miss: Dr. Squatch uses fragrance oils in many of their bars, not just essential oils. Check the label—"fragrance" or "parfum" means synthetic scent compounds. Nothing wrong with that if you know what you're getting. But their marketing leans heavy on "natural" while quietly including synthetics.

For comparison, our Pine Tar Bar uses only essential oils. Same with our Cedarwood and Campfire bars. Zero synthetic fragrance. That's not a knock on Squatch—it's just information you should have.

The Longevity Issue

Multiple users report Squatch bars dissolving faster than expected. Two to three weeks seems to be the average for daily use. That's... fine. But at $7 a bar, you're looking at roughly $120/year just on soap.

The fix? Let your bar dry completely between uses. Get a soap dish with drainage. Or try a soap that's been cured longer—six weeks of curing makes a harder, longer-lasting bar.

Dr. Squatch vs. Nostalgic Skin Co.: Head-to-Head

You're probably wondering how we stack up. Here's a straight comparison—no spin, just facts.

The numbers are close. The difference is in the details—and what you personally value.

Who Should Buy Dr. Squatch

Look, Squatch isn't for everyone. But it's right for some people:

• If you've never tried natural soap before — Squatch is a solid entry point. They've made it easy to get started.
• If you like their specific scents — Their Pine Tar and Bay Rum are well-done. If those scents click for you, stick with what works.
• If convenience matters more than cost — Their subscription model is seamless. Soap shows up. You don't think about it.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere

On the other hand, you might want alternatives if:

• You want 100% essential oil fragrance — Check labels carefully. Or go with a brand that guarantees it.
• You're price-conscious — Our 4-pack gets you comparable quality at a lower per-bar price, no subscription games.
• You want something that lasts longer — Longer cure time = harder bar = more showers per dollar.
• You're tired of being marketed to — We get it. Sometimes you just want to buy soap without feeling like you're in an infomercial.

Our Recommendations by Squatch Scent

If you've been using Squatch and want to try something different, here's what we'd suggest based on your current favorite:

The Bottom Line

Dr. Squatch makes decent natural soap and wraps it in excellent marketing. If you've tried it and you're happy, keep using it. Brand loyalty to something that works for you isn't dumb—it's efficient.

But if you're curious about what else is out there—or if you're tired of paying a premium for advertising—there are alternatives worth exploring. Including ours.

We don't have Super Bowl commercials. We don't have influencer armies. We just make soap the way it's supposed to be made: small batches, real ingredients, six-week cure, no synthetic fragrance.

That's it. No hard sell. Just honest information so you can make your own call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about how our soap compares to Squatch? Ask us directly. We'll give you a straight answer—even if that answer is "stick with what you've got."