Health News

How HARP Is Reinventing the Bar Soap Market — Without Soap

Once dismissed as outdated, bar cleansers are making a return, but not as the harsh, high-pH soaps of the past. HARP , a premium skincare company founded by Richard H. Mansure III, has introduced a new class of pH-balanced body wash bars made entirely without soap. Crafted with the same precision Mansure once used to separate aircraft, HARP’s 100% Syndet formulations are shifting how consumers think about cleansing. Photo Courtesy of Mansure & Prettyman’s Harp Traditional soaps rely on lye-based saponification, a centuries-old process that creates alkaline bars known to strip natural moisture from the skin. HARP’s Syndet bars replace that chemistry with a mild synthetic cleanser that mirrors the skin’s natural pH. The result is a product that lathers richly, cleans effectively, and protects the barrier rather than damaging it. “I realized that soaps haven’t changed for thousands of years, and that was the problem,” said Mansure. “People accepted dryness as normal because the products available were made to be cheap, not to be kind to the skin.” Each HARP bar is professionally manufactured under cGMP standards in the United States. The brand’s best-selling Fragrance-Free Cleansing Bar, Anti-Aging Body Wash Bar with Retinol, and Exfoliating Bar all share one principle: healthier skin and quality without compromise. Free from lye, parabens, and sulfates, the bars are non-comedogenic and crafted for those with sensitive or dry skin, and for anyone simply looking to treat their whole body better. Mansure’s background in air traffic control informs every detail. “In my previous work, everything had to be perfect every time. That mindset carries over to HARP. Every bar must perform consistently and safely,” he said. Consumers are responding. The company has grown nearly 300% year-to-date, reflecting a global shift toward cleaner, more sustainable skincare choices. As the bar cleanser category regains momentum, HARP stands as the standard-bearer for products that deliver face-wash quality in bar form, a concept once considered impossible. About HARP HARP is a U.S.-based skincare brand offering premium pH-balanced body wash bars made entirely from synthetic detergents (Syndets) rather than traditional soaps. Founded by Air Traffic Controller Richard H. Mansure III, the brand operates under the legacy name Mansure & Prettyman, a tribute to his family’s former luxury menswear business in Wilmington, Delaware.