Cleansing bar compositions having high water content comprise: (a) at least about 15%, by weight of the composition, of water; (b) from about 40% to about 84%, by weight of the composition, of soap; and (c) from about 1% to about 15%, by weight of the composition, of inorganic salt. The bar compositions further comprise a component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrate structurant, free fatty acid, synthetic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. The bar compositions preferably have a Water Activity (“Aw”) of less than about 0.95, preferably less than about 0.90, and more preferably less than about 0.85. The bar compositions are preferably manufactured by a milling process.