I make soap. Dove does contain some soap. In the industry it’s called a Sidnet bar, meaning it contains both detergents AND soap.
Thanks to dpworkin:
sodium cocoyl isethionate(a ‘nonsoap’ cleanser), stearic acid, coconut acid, sodium tallowate (a ‘true soap’ made from combining NaOH with an animal fat, usually pig tallow), water, sodium isethionate, sodium stearate (a true soap made from adding a refined type of fat, usually animal derived, with NaOH), cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoate or palm kernelate( another true soap made from coconut fat and NaOH), fragrance, sodium chloride, tetrasodium EDTA, trisodium etidronate, BHT, titanium dioxide and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate,
So, it’s a sidnet bar, a combination of ‘true soap’ and other things that clean. They don’t list lye (NaOH) as an ingredient because there is no longer lye present after the saponifcation process.
A well made bar of soap is NOT bad for your skin. People are more likely allergic to the fragrances that are put in most products, or have irritated skin from over using liquid ‘soaps’ (that aren’t soap at all, they are detergents) that dry out the skin.
If you’re vegan, don’t use this product. It contains soaps derived of animal fat.