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Original poster

Soap instead of shower gel

821 replies

Firstaidnovice · 04/10/2017 08:02

Just wanted to say that based on a thread I read on here probably a few months ago, I swapped my shower gel for soap (I think the original thread was about deodorant, as OP felt a bit whiffy not long after showering, but lots of people recommended switching shower gel for soap instead).
Anyway, the difference is remarkable! I went to a stupidly hot soft play with DS at the weekend, where I had to follow him round the bloody playframe for an hour, (which is a whole other thread!), and still felt pretty fresh that evening, which I never would have been before. Same for the mornings, I usually wake up feeling a bit stinky because I seem to get very hot overnight, but no more! I'm just using Simple soap bars, two for £1. Amazing!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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BarchesterFlowers · 09/10/2017 16:45

That is why I use the mull soap co soaps Regina, not drying at all and I have had dry skin all my life. I only moisturise twice a month since switching completely.

sparklefarts · 09/10/2017 16:54

Ooh I too have been wanting to swap to soap after that thread. But, I'm a bit scared to due to eczema. Any eczema prone people recommend a good soap?

MrsHathaway · 09/10/2017 16:59

I'm eczema prone, though not severely. I can use anything plain white without interesting perfumes. And I don't use anything but water on my more sensitive face.

MrsHathaway · 09/10/2017 17:00

I'd be delighted to post you a plain bar DH liberated from a hotel if you'd like to try without splashing out.

MotherofPearl · 09/10/2017 17:38

I've just been on amazon and ordered my first bar of Nesti Dante, and I'm pretty excited for it to arrive! I spent ages deciding which fragrance to opt for but in the end opted for simple lavender.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 09/10/2017 17:45

The lavender one is gorgeousSmile

Queenofthedrivensnow · 09/10/2017 17:48

Signing in to say also converterd due to the other thread - Dettol soap here

Kamanda · 09/10/2017 18:25

My little boy is 12 months old and today he’s had his 12months injections. He’s been fine all day but asthe evenings come he’s started screaming and not walking now usually we can’t eat et tomorrow I stand s..I believe in my head this is normal can people please just clarify it please. Thankyou x Flowers

magratvonlipwig · 09/10/2017 18:30

I and my kids have always used soap for armpits and bottoms... nice shower gel for "normal" skin.
If i go away and theres no soap I dont really feel as clean with out soaping my undetarms !

magratvonlipwig · 09/10/2017 18:31

Ps.... Shield. Smells clean feels clean !

Mrswinkler · 09/10/2017 18:42

Get yourself a magnetic soap holder for the shower. Bit of retro. Love mine.

Shutupanddance1 · 09/10/2017 19:26

Live in Middle East and they usually have half an aisle dedicated to soap!

I only use one liquid soap in the guest bathroom at the sink, rest of the bathrooms are soap only. Haven't ditched the shower gels yet but I'm definitely thinking about it!

pinkingshears · 09/10/2017 19:32

Two years ago I swapped liquid handwash for bar soap (Pears, tho I MISS the old fragrance). Kids were just washing the liquid down the drain and still had mucky hands. Plus, they are both awful soap dodgers and I can do the 'sniff test' to tell if they are fibbing more easily with bar soap.

The only thing about using same bar for face and bum is the 'ick' factor of getting stray hairs in it. 1 child has sensory issues and I can imagine if a hair gets stuck to the soap it will be high drama...

sparklefarts · 09/10/2017 19:47

Ah mrshathaway that's a lovely offer thank you! However I'm quite excited at the idea of soap browsing now so shall politely decline. But thank you for the tip, I love the idea of nice smelly soaps but shall be sticking the white ones

Orangeplastic · 09/10/2017 19:50

sparklefarts I have eczema on my hands so I need to wash them with something mild, SLS is the worst stuff to put on my skin or hair, I haven't used it in a few years.
I am currently using the Waitrose Glycerine soap - no colours or perfume or anything unnecessary, just oils and sodium hydroxide - dare I even say it's quite moisturising, I've used it on my hair today and yesterday and my hair looks really shiny!

JessiCake · 09/10/2017 19:59

Checking back in to lovely soap thread (I swear, even the WORD soap makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside these days) as the OP of the whiffy armpit thread... so glad to hear other formerly-whiffy souls are now smelling divine too :)

I can see how, if you're not a bit prone to stinkiness, shower gel is fine and you wouldn't see the need for a switch. DH is bizarrely un-stinky and much prefers shower gel, has no need or desire whatsoever to try soap instead as shower gel keeps him smelling fresh all bloody day.

But re-discovering soap seems to be a godsend to us less fresh people and I'm really interested to read on here that eg in Southern Hemisphere where it's much hotter, soap is the norm.

I'm working my way through some gorgeous TK Maxx finds - massive bar of something lovely from there the other day for £2.99, triple-milled and made from sustainable palm oil - and also treated myself to a less massive bar of the lemon/lavender one from Waitrose that a pp recommended.

I do love Imperial Leather but I'm going to try to stick to soaps made with sustainable palm oil as it bothers me otherwise - can't be fresh without a clean conscience Grin

Body Shop are sustainable palm oil apparently and not too £££ but TK Maxx do have lots of lovely big bars and easy to find the organicy/posh type that if you read the packs are made sustainably.

Love this thread and thrilled by all the soap converters! Pleasure of unwrapping a new bar is immense.

MeatAndPotato · 09/10/2017 20:47

Might I ask, after you would use a bar of soap to wash your hair, do you need to use conditioner like you usually would after shampooing?

Genuine question sorry if it is a stupid oneBlush

BoreOfWhabylon · 09/10/2017 20:58

In the olden days a vinegar rinse was all that was required.

I still often do a final vinegar rinse after shampoong, rather than conditioner. The smell goes once the hair is dry.

wizzywig · 09/10/2017 21:02

Thanks op. Used soap for the first time. So quick and easy. And no itchiness like i usually do with shower gels

Mrsmomo · 09/10/2017 21:24

My DH has just asked me what's with all the soap these days lol

Queenofthedrivensnow · 09/10/2017 22:25

Yes to shaving with soap. You can just scrape the blade along the soap and it lubricates the razor perfectly.

My legs were tight and itchy post shaving. I thought it was the shaving - again no, just shower gel ffs.

BarchesterFlowers · 09/10/2017 22:36

sparkle the mull innocent is great for sensitive skin. I buy it as a facial soap now but I did use it on DD as a toddler, eczema prone skin with lots of allergies.

I should branch out really as I only but from there in the UK.

There is a woman who sells handmade soaps in Covent Garden, on a stall next to the tube. Very pretty soaps but I find them more drying than Mull soaps so stopped buying them.

BarchesterFlowers · 09/10/2017 22:37

DH shaves with soap these days, doesn’t buy shaving cream any more, just uses one of the soaps in the shower.

Supermam · 09/10/2017 23:17

Neal's Yard have some lovely soaps. (Natural). I can't vouch for use on body, but they're great as "hand" soap. I'm going to try them out instead of shower gel, for a change. It would be much cheaper than the shower gels I use. Thanks for the recommendations 💐

oldlaundbooth · 10/10/2017 01:20

There is just something so satisfying about washing with soap.

Much more so than shower gel.

Hurtyteeth, not sure what it is but you sound like a right laugh! You write really well.