Soft Services Dropped A New Buffing Bar (& It's Better Than The O.G.)

There are some products that I simply can’t be without: the hand cream that lives in my bag year-round; the lip balm that I buy in bulk; the dry shampoo that has a permanent spot in my routine. When I find something that works, I stick with it.

So when Soft Services announced a new scent of their legendary buffing bar, L'Affogato L'Orange, I didn’t hesitate to call in a sample. The original buffing bar has been in my rotation for almost a year, and it's been my go-to for eliminating painful ingrown hairs (especially in the summer months).

The only issue? The abrasive exfoliator occasionally felt too good at its job. Yes, the rough microcrystals would buff away dead skin, but I was convinced it was removing some healthy skin, too.

Humans shed 200,000,000 skin cells every hour. These dead cells can accumulate, causing dull skin, clogged pores, ingrown hairs, and acne. A physical exfoliant, like the Buffing Bar, tackles this buildup by manually sloughing away the layer of dead skin cells.

I'm a fan of the Buffing Bar because it uses microcrystals made from minerals (magnesium oxide and alumina) rather than plastic microbeads. These ultra-fine crystals are swirled into the base of the shea-butter bar, so you'll feel their gritty texture when passing the soap along your arms, chest, thighs, and legs. Think of it like an ultra-gentle pumice stone—you can feel the rough texture, but it's never painful.

When I unwrapped the new L'Affogato L'Orange bar, I immediately noticed the softer texture. The bar was smoother than previous iterations, where the bumpy texture was visible at first glance. At first, I worried there might not be enough exfoliation with this gentler version—until I ran the bar under the shower head.

Immediately, the scent of a creamy orange soda took over my shower. There were hints of vanilla, touches of coconut, and an overarching citrus note. More importantly, the top moisturizing layer melted away, and I could feel the signature microcrystals.

The gentler texture also means I can use the exfoliator more often. With previous iterations, I limited use to just a couple of times a week. Now, I feel comfortable adding it to my routine every other day—which has been a game-changer for tackling ingrown hairs.

Although the scent doesn’t last as long as the brand’s previous collab with D.S. & Durga last fall, it lingers just enough to leave a faint orange note on your skin. That makes it a great option for people who enjoy fragrance but are sensitive to intense scents.