Review: WATO Akanekaba Bar Soap

(2022) It’s that time of year in the northeast where the face takes a beating. Whether it’s an outdoor bike ride or an indoor trainer session, a cyclist’s face is the leading edge of damage. Skin care is just as important in the winter months as it is in the summer’s rays. When Portland Razor Company suggested we try WATO Bar Soap, we knew we were in for a progression.

WATO Bar Soap is a Japanese remedy soap made in Los Angeles, CA. Created to be sustainable, WATO is not only concerned about the skin on which the soap is applied, but it is also taking what goes down the drain into consideration. They have a dedicated link listing their ingredients. Built under the guiding principles of ancient Japanese remedies, and using Earth-friendly materials, WATO creates restorative soaps that will leave the user feeling better than using those supermarket bars.

WATO soaps sends a five ounce hunk of soap in an attractive box.

It is important to stock up on remedial soaps in the harsh northeast winter. Outdoor rides are entering salt territory. The local municipality is always excited to throw out a month’s-worth of salt on the road when the first sub-freezing night rolls around. Those clouds of salt cake the face of the cyclist and need cleansing when returning home. Similarly, indoor rides are a sweatfest, gone is the benefit of a headwind no matter how much the fan is blowing. While the body sweat can be rinsed off in the shower, the face’s pores need extra attention.

For the past few weeks we have followed outdoor and indoor rides with WATO bar soap. The scent immediately transports one to a tropical environment while leaving the skin feeling refreshed. The dry winter air is no match for the rehydrating ingredients piled into each WATO bar of soap. To all those looking for a quick way to rinse off the dedication of riding in the darkest months of the year, the path leads straight to WATO bar soap.

We’ve said it before; we’ll say it again- using sustainable products makes sense. Sometimes these sustainable products cost a bit more, but we have found they outlast numerous grocery store items in the same category. Whether it’s wet shaving or using Japanese remedy soaps, sustainable products can provide the extra boost to that post workout feeling. In our case, whichever winter ride we chose, WATO is tasked with sloughing off salt.