The Black Stuff. Even the name has character. A small Irish soap company with scents like Irish Mountain Rain and Black Stout – as someone with Irish ancestry, I’ll admit it had me at hello. But I’m not here to give anyone an easy ride just because I like their branding.
So, does it actually deliver?
This review is part of my Best UK Men’s Soap Bars roundup, where I test solid bars with my own money to find out which ones actually deserve a place in your bathroom. No marketing BS, no sponsored content. That’s the No BS Reviews promise.
Who Are The Black Stuff?
The Black Stuff is a small Irish soap company owned by John Larkin and run by a very small team. It’s exactly the kind of independent business I like to support – real people making a product they care about, without the corporate machinery behind them. The Irish heritage runs through everything from the scent names to the branding, and if that speaks to you, it’ll speak loudly.
My Overall Score: 7/10
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smell | 8/10 | Pleasant and natural – wife noticed it |
| Skin Feel | 5/10 | Some tugging remains |
| Price | 9/10 | £0.46 per wash – excellent value |
| Scent Range | 5/10 | Limited selection |
| Branding | 7.5/10 | Strong Irish identity |
| Customer Service | 7/10 | First email unanswered, second got a reply |
| Weight Transparency | 10/10 | 146g against a stated 135g |
Smell – 8/10
I tested both Irish Mountain Rain and Black Stout, and both are genuinely pleasant. They smell natural rather than artificial, not the kind of overpowering synthetic scent you get from some bars. My wife noticed it, which as I’ve said before in this series is one of the more reliable quality indicators I’ve got.
The scent names are appealing and the execution matches them. Good stuff here.
How It Feels on Your Skin – 5/10
This is the main stumbling block. The suds glide well enough, but there’s still some noticeable tugging, less than the worst offenders in this series, but present. For a bar at this price point it’s disappointing, especially compared to bars like Bare Bar or Dead Clean where the skin feel is flawless.
If you’re sensitive to tugging, this is worth bearing in mind before buying.
Price – 9/10
Here’s where The Black Stuff really shines. At £8.00 per bar plus £3.00 postage, you’re paying £11.00 delivered. The bar lasted me 24 baths, which works out at roughly £0.46 per wash – one of the better value scores in the entire series.
Scent Range – 5/10
This is the other weak point. The scents that exist are good, but the selection is limited. If you want variety, you won’t find it here – and that’s a shame because what they do offer is quality. Hopefully something they expand on as the brand grows.
Branding – 7.5/10
The Irish identity runs through everything and it works. I’ll be honest – as someone with Irish ancestry, I’m probably scoring this slightly higher than someone without that connection might. The branding has charm and character, and the scent names like Irish Mountain Rain give it a real sense of place. It’s not the most polished presentation in the series, but it has genuine personality.
Customer Service – 7/10
Mixed experience. My first email went unanswered. About nine days later I reached out again and got a reply. For a small business, I understand that things can slip, but in a series where Bare Bar and Dead Clean both responded quickly and warmly, it’s hard not to notice the contrast.
Weight Transparency – 10/10
Advertised at 135g, my bar came in at 146g. That’s significantly more than stated, which is a great sign and contributes to the excellent value per wash. Full marks here.
The Black Stuff Pros and Cons
Pros
- Pleasant, natural-smelling scents – wife approved
- Excellent value at £0.46 per wash
- Bar came in significantly over the advertised weight
- Genuine Irish identity and character in the branding
Cons
- Some skin tugging remains
- Limited scent range
- First customer service email went unanswered
Final Verdict: Is The Black Stuff Worth It?
The Black Stuff is a likeable brand with genuine character, excellent value per wash and honest weight transparency. If the scent range were wider and the skin feel cleaner, this would be pushing the top of the table.
As it stands it scores 7/10 and sits in the middle of my full UK men’s soap bar roundup. It’s a worthwhile small independent business and I’d encourage you to support them, just go in knowing the skin feel isn’t flawless and the scent options are limited. There are a lot better independent brands out there.
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The Black Stuff FAQs
Where is The Black Stuff soap made?
The Black Stuff is a small Irish soap company owned by John Larkin and run by a small team. The brand has a strong Irish identity running through its scents and branding.
How much does The Black Stuff soap cost?
The bar costs £8.00 plus £3.00 postage, coming to £11.00 delivered. In my testing the bar lasted 24 washes, working out at approximately £0.46 per wash.
Is The Black Stuff soap good for sensitive skin?
There is some noticeable tugging during use, so it may not be the best option for sensitive skin. For a tugging-free experience, Bare Bar or Dead Clean would be better choices.
What scents does The Black Stuff offer?
I tested Irish Mountain Rain and Black Stout, both of which were pleasant and natural-smelling. The overall range is limited — check their site for current options.
Is The Black Stuff soap worth buying?
It’s a solid mid-table option with great value per wash and genuine character. See how it compares to the full field in the UK men’s soap bar roundup.
