Not washing these body parts?

[Hanyyd]

It occurred to me yesterday that I have only ever washed my feet with soap on vert rare occasions like when I’ve walked on grass or got them grubby in flip flops. Other times I just let the water wash them from the shower or Bath.

Similarly, I don’t think I’ve ever washed my neck or behind my ears, for the same reasons - shampoo surely covers it when I wash my hair?

The magazine I read was talking about the benefits of using less soap and sometimes only water to rinse to give skin a break. I rarely scrub anywhere with soap except my underarms, chest, breasts and carefully with bits below. Anyone else?

[Scianel]

Soap and shower gel can be very drying on the skin hence I'm happy to just wash the bits that would actually be smelly/unhygeinic if I don't. So no, washing all over wouldn't improve my skin.

[Silversprinkles]

@Scianel soap is drying for skin because it isn't the right ph. If you buy a decent shower wash that is both ph balanced for human skin and doesn't contain SLS (hugely common in most brands) they are much better for skin and will actually improve it/moisturise rather than dry it out.

[Scianel]

I'm honestly happy to just keep doing what I'm doing.

[Benjispruce4]

Dove soap isn’t drying and lasts longer than gel and doesn’t come in a plastic bottle.

[JaninaDuszejko]

Haven't there been multiple threads on here about people still smelling straight after using shower gel and moving to using soap and no longer having a BO problem. Not to mention the horrendous and unnecessary impact of all the single use plastic containers shower gel comes in.

I do think the traditional 'good scrub of everything' wash is based on people who did physical jobs and only washed once a week. With our daily showers less soap is needed to keep clean.

[Fizbosshoes]

I wash my feet regularly with shower gel or scrub, and I cleanse my face and neck every day, although I don't consciously wash neck or behind the ears with shower gel or soap.

[HowIsItMarchAlready]

It was while flat-sharing during my younger years that I realised quite how differently various cultures approach personal hygiene. So the way we wash may be down to who raised us/where we grew up. But I still wash every part of my body daily!

[Benjispruce4]

Behind ears gets a good clean when you wash your hair.

[Benjispruce4]

@JaninaDuszejko I switched to bar soap (Dove) and Fussy deodorant which is natural and haven’t had any issues even after long walks on warm days. Maybe there is something in that.

[Rosebuud]

I don’t understand how people don’t know the difference between washing and rinsing. Water and soap flowing over something is not washing, it’s basically a rinse. Rinsing doesn’t get anything clean. Try it with your dirty dishes or clothes and see. They will soon stink and still be dirty if that’s all you ever do. Your body is no different.

washing yourself properly is hardly some big time consuming and damaging chore like some are making out.