For as long as I can remember, a bar of Ivory soap has been a fixture in our bathroom. It was a classic, a symbol of simple, reliable cleansing. Ninety-nine and 44/100% pure—the commercials proclaimed. It was the soap that floated, but not anymore. Yet, Ivory soap decided on a formula change that altered this long trusted bar soap.
Procter & Gamble introduced Ivory Soap way back in 1879, and it’s always been a favorite in our household. But recently, the company chose to change the product, for reasons only they know. It’s frustrating because it feels like we, as consumers, are constantly being subjected to these changes.
It seems we have to get used to the products we love being altered, often under the guise of saving a few bucks. Companies seem to think we won’t notice these subtle shifts. It’s like the coffee being sold in larger containers but with less product inside—do they really expect us not to notice?
I’ve noticed this trend with soaps too. Shower soaps seem to be shrinking. It’s not that I’m using more soap; it’s that the bars themselves are smaller—a sneaky way to raise prices without actually raising the price tag. But when you change the formula, it’s not just a size difference; it’s a completely different product. Remember when Coke tried that disastrous formula change? People rebelled. When a company messes with a classic, they risk losing loyal customers.
And Ivory has definitely messed with a classic. The most glaring change that registered with me is its terrible scent. Besides that, it sinks like a rock. Even the color is not bright white, but an off-white shade now. I also noticed the bar was incredibly hard. I used to easily snap a bar in half for easier handling in the shower, allowing it to dry more effectively. Now, it feels like trying to break a brick. I even had my strong guy try, and he struggled!
At first, I wondered if the bars had just been sitting in a warehouse and had dried out excessively. But a quick online search revealed a flood of product reviews with people expressing the same concerns about a change to their Ivory soap formula.
Apparently, Procter & Gamble switched from tallow, an animal-based fat, to a plant-based or vegan fat. While this might appeal to consumers concerned with animal welfare, I’m not a vegan. I just wanted the soap I’d always used, the soap that is now gone.
My suspicion is that this change is primarily about cutting costs. It feels like this whole inflation period is being used as an excuse to palm off smaller sizes and altered products, hoping we’ll continue to buy them.
But the new Ivory soap isn’t the same. It doesn’t lather as well as the old bars. They seem smaller too, though that’s a common trend these days. Perhaps the new formula even contributes to the shrinkage, who knows? All I know is the new Ivory soap is harder, doesn’t lather well, and has a noticeably stronger scent—a scent that’s quite different from the clean, subtle fragrance I remember. Some online reviews even reported skin irritation from this formula change after using the new Ivory soap.
Using a plant-based fat can potentially cause such problems. Everyone’s skin is different, and people can react differently to various plant-based ingredients. A new formula with different ingredients increases the likelihood of skin irritation and possible contact dermatitis for some users or hand eczema. You also may want to read my earlier post on dry skin during winter and fixes because that possible irritation could be worse in winter.
It’s such a shame that Ivory chose to make such a drastic change. They would have been better off testing a new brand all together. It feels like a small piece of my routine, of my history, is gone. Now, the search begins for a new reliable soap—a task I never thought I’d have to undertake. However, I am sure that I will not be the only unsatisfied consumer hunting for a better soap.
