I want to switch to soap bars, but...

[theneverendinglaundry]

...I really hate the way my skin feels after using soap. It feels like it leaves a waxy kind of residue, whereas shower gel washes away cleanly. Am I missing something? Is it because I'm in a hard water area? Am I just using bad soap? (I tried a Faith in Nature cedar bar which smelled lovely).

Its putting me off trying any kind of shampoo bar too.

Thanks for all the replies! Hmm...maybe I need to try a different brand..there are a couple of nice zero waste shops in town so I may have a look.

We use cotton flannels to wash with.

You want proper cold process soap. I found some 'normal' soap lurking around recently, and it did feel odd compared to our normal soap - which ds makes. He uses olive oil, shea butter, and coconut oil plus essential oils. The latest batch is lavender and sweet orange which is yum

Faith in Nature soap is lovely- smells fantastic and lathers pleasingly

Agree on trying different soaps. Try roger and gallet soaps. Available online or in M&S. I LOVE them

Lots of soap to try OP.

I am not too fussy about soap.I don't have sensitive skin, it lathers, rinses away and leaves my skin clean. I have always thought shower gel a pain. I grew up in the days before shower gel, soap came in a paper packet. Soap is in a convenient small holder in the shower. Always to hand- no grabbing a bottle, trying to flip it open with wet eyes. Trying to look while you squueze an appropriate amount into a wet hand and quickly transfer to the place you want to wash before the whole jelly ball catapults out of your wet hand and down the drain before hitting the target. Trying to replace the shower gel bottle on a slipperly surface after dispensing, but before lathering. Needs about three hands!
Having to wait and squeeze hard when it is near the end, then having empty bottles to get rid of.
Soap is cheaper, easier to use, little or no plastic. Always hits the mark, can be done with eyes closed.
I have a lovely soap on the go at the moment- " Bee" brand Sandalwood bought from my local Chinese supermarket. Cost me 68p, paper packaging, six weeks ago,and still a good size left despite a daily shower.

The white company bay and lime is amazing! We were given it for Christmas and I absolutely love it. I’m basically going to buy it forever more as my luxury gift to myself.

Second Faith in Nature soaps suggested previously- great scent and fairly cheap.

I prefer soap, but occasionally ring the changes with Faith in Nature shower gel which I get from zero waste shop - I reuse old bottles, some of which I scrounged from neighbours who are not yet low plastic.

Use splosh - they are an online company that sell refillable products. You could use their shower gel.

They don't do shampoo but I have found a shop in my area that does refills so I bring my bottle to the store and get refills.

I started using faith by nature for hand washing and had to stop as my hands just cracked, it was awful!

Also found lush soap so drying on my body so the only one ive liked is Dove

I use the dove beauty bars which aren't technically soap but still cuts down our plastic usage. My skin feels the best it's ever done and I use it on my face as well! If I use normal soap I get cystitis.

I get a waxy feeling off some bars when they get a bit old. They still work, but they leave a film and its not as nice. Depends on the soap though. Try palmolive green olive soap. Its really cheap, smells lovely and lathers up best ive tried

I dont get on with shower gels though, as they make me itch

I wanted to like faith in nature but didn't :( i use pears and I also brought some in Rome

I like the Friendly Soap Company soap, shampoo & shaving bars.

See, I usually love faith in nature but their soap left me with that feeling.

I might try a few other bars, otherwise I may have a rethink and get something refillable. I've no excuse really as my local zero waste shop is amazing.

I've never had a waxy feeling from soap and I live in a hard water area. I use any soap from cheap to expensive (which I ask for as gifts) but make sure I rinse thoroughly.

I would look at handmade soaps but you can get some that are designed for hard water areas. My husband uses a shampoo bar and I had to search for specific ones. It makes his hair lovely and soft

I find Simple soap quite good and have gradually converted my family away from squirty soaps. However, I do keep one bottle of handwash for guests in the downstairs loo.

I have psoriasis can anyone recommend a soap bar for me? My skin isn't sensitive, I have patches on my knees and a little on my hands.

The best soap is the savon d'Alep made with laurels and olive oil. Natural and you can wash your hair with it.

Thanks @MadameF I have just looked and they sell on Amazon which is handy. It's recommended by dermatologists aswell. I'll give it a go and see if it makes a difference.

Proper savon de Marseille or Aleppo soap is lovely.

That said, I love nice smells and buy mine from www.frenchsoap.co.uk it from the continental market when it's in town.

I use a puff and get oodles of foam. A bar lasts 3-4 months. A sisal mitt I bought recently seems to get similar results.

Not going back to shower gel. Used it this week as away from home and don't feel clean!

@nearlyfinished1moreyear You can get a plain olive oil soap called Oliva in most health shops. It's very gentle so would be worth a try.

Sorry, www.frenchsoaps.co.uk

I feel SO much cleaner using soap. I really dislike shower gel and I hate that it comes in plastic. For everyday brands I swear by Dove soap. If I’m pushing the boat out I like Jo Malone or one called Soft Cashmere from Zara Home. That smell is heavenly.