Has anyone noticed a difference switching to bar soap?

[bobstersmum]

A few weeks ago I stopped using shower gel and face wash and use only soap now (dove beauty if interested).
I have noticed that even in the heat we have had I am hardly sweating. And I have also noticed that my sparse eyebrows are definitely thickening up for the first time in years! Is this likely to do with the soap? I did notice it says sulphate free on the box.

I've been thinking about this since realising that shower gel takes AGES to rinse off your body. What's the best for sensitive skin? I find Simple etc. a bit drying, and even the brown Pears is a bit too scented for me (never been the same since they changed it some years ago).

I use Johnson’s baby soap, have done for years. Always feel cleaner than with shower gel.

I use my nylon puff to put the soap on. Works better than it did with shower gel.

We always used soap when I was a kid and I switched to Dove somewhere along the line, but Dove is basically solid shower gel.

I've got a basket of white facecloths and I soap one up and use it to have a good scrub, it feels cleaner than just rubbing the soap over my skin with my hands. I use a fresh one each day.

I’ve used bar soap (Imperial Leather) all my life, and I’m in my 60’s. My skin is fine. I never understood the modern fad for shower gel or liquid soaps in single use plastic dispensers - such wasteful packaging.

I was going to ask how you apply the soap as I do don’t think a puff would work? May get a sponge and try as I would love to use less plastic. How do you store your wet, slimy soap? Soap dish on edge of bath?

I use a puff with soap and it works fine. I got a soap dish thing for the bath from b&m that drains water back into the bath. In the shower I use the soap dish that is attached to the shower riser

I have one of these

A puff works really well with bar soap. For em anyway.

I like that @dementedpixie - where did you find that?

I have that too demented!

It's from B&M

Savon de Marseille soaps are approx £5 inc postage on Amazon and are AMAZING. They feel really creamy, do not dry my skin out at all, smell gorgeous (I love the grapefruit scent) & last for months. I'm quite obsessed with the smell of grapefruit and have tried a few natural soaps - Savon de Marseille is by far the best. I keep this soap for myself though & keep Faith in nature soaps by the bathroom & kitchen sinks (also very gentle).

@FrappeLatte
I was gonna ask exactly the same question!

I use a pair of exfoliating gloves with bar soap: it foams up well and makes it easy to grip.

I feel squeaky clean, even when the weather is hot and sticky.

I suffer from dermatitis and have dry skin and recently started using Savon de Marseille French soap. My dermatitis has completely cleared up and my dry skin is not so dry now.
Bought it from Artisan French Soap and can highly recommend it.
Doesn't go all soggy either and lasts for absolutely ages.

The Lush shampoo bars were really popular on a recent thread. Are their soap bars as popular? Has anyone tried one?

So glad I’m not the only one with that question thanks for the answers! I might invest in some more flannels.

I love Nesti Dante soaps, but definitely fancy trying the Savon de Marseille ones. I love Lush for other things (especially shampoo bars), but I find their soapsgo a bit too slimy and soft with my soft water.

I use bar soap. I don't know how people can justify the environmental cost of using plastic containers for handwash and shower gel.

A good, (handmade) cold processed soap is by far the best thing, imo.

Pretty easy to make it yourself if you've the time and inclination to learn the theory and make sure you have a reliable recipe.

I make it in batches and then leave them to dry/cure in the airing cupboard so it is easy to grab one when needed. Cost me about £2 a bar to make, using top notch butters and oils.

missbattenburg would it be possible to make it without an airing cupboard?

I use Simple soap in the shower. Gels never did the trick on armpits. Hard to believe we ever thought they were a good idea really. Expensive and ineffectual.

I just asked for a load of nice soap for my birthday 🙂
I swapped from things with SLS in and now routinely use Dove Baby soap on body and hair. My drug side effect-induced flaking skin on palms and feet stopped within a fortnight.

I've swapped to bar soap, after recommendation on here for stinky pits. Much, much better, and reduces plastic use. I had always thought I had sensitive skin - I do react to most shower gels and really only use Dove, but Aldi basic soap is less than a quid for 4 bars if i remember correctly, and no itchy blotches, just clean skin! And we are still on the first bar, it has lasted months!

Tried bar shampoo, couldn't get on with that, but refilling and reusing shampoo bottle at zero waste shop instead, so another step in the right direction!