Soaps clean skin through a combination of chemical and physical actions. Soap molecules have a dual nature; one end is hydrophilic (attracted to water), and the other is hydrophobic (attracted to oils and grease).
When washing, soap molecules act as a bridge between water and the dirt on the skin. The hydrophobic ends attach to the oil and grime, while the hydrophilic ends attach to the water. This process lifts the dirt and germs from the skin. Soap molecules then surround the detached dirt and oil, forming clusters called micelles, which are washed away with water.