Type keyword(s) to search 1 of 6 BAR NONE THAT SCUMMY RESIDUE ON YOUR SOAP DISH? Imagine it on your skin. If that sounds gross, then maybe it's time to switch to a gel. According to a Thai study, gel cleansers are less likely than soap to disrupt your skin's pH. In fact, a product labeled "soap" can strip skin of essential oils, says Kavita Mariwalla, M.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at Stony Brook University.