Abstract: The invention provides a firm, ultra mild, neutral pH cleansing bar comprising: from about 5% to about 50% of monocarboxylic acid; wherein from about 20% to about 65% by weight of said monocarboxylic acid is neutralized; from about 20% to about 65% of an anionic and/or nonionic bar firmness aid, and from about 15% to about 55% water by weight of said bar;wherein said free monocarboxylic acid is from about 35% to about 80% by weight of said mixture of free and neutralized monocarboxylic acid;wherein said neutral pH is from about 6.3 to about 8.0;wherein the said neutralized monocarboxylic acid has a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, and mixtures thereof; andwherein said bar comprises a rigid crystalline phase skeleton structure comprising an interlocking, open three-dimensional mesh of elongated crystals consisting essentially of said monocarboxylic acid.