Soap instead of shower gel

[Firstaidnovice]

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!

Can I ask a question please? I didn't see the other thread so apologies if this has been covered - I what about liquid hand soap? Does that leave a residue too? We tend to use this when having a strip wash in the morning. Both DH and me have been complaining about our deodorants for a while, but now I'm wondering if it is the liquid soap?

Furrymenace The problem I have with liquid soaps is the ingredients - there's usually a very long list - the one that causes me greatest concern is sodium laureate/laurel sulphate and it is the most usual foamer used in liquid soap. You can buy liquid soaps which are sls free but they are comparatively expensive.

Thanks Barchester - That looks like a lovely soap but it contains coconut and unusually I have a sensitivity to coconut when consumed - which puts me off putting it on my skin - not sure if it would upset my skin but I'm reluctant to try it.

As for soap on my hair, I didn't use a vinegar rinse or conditioner and my hair looked fantastic but I could see how you might feel the need for conditioner as a detangler.

DH and I are recent soap converts too after the whiffy thread. I had a trip to a local health food shop and bought several different ones to try out. DH in particular is amazed by the difference in stinkiness (he does a very physical job) and I no longer need to use moisturiser on my body after a shower. We both use a shower puff to lather up and I use a flannel with my face soap. We've also switched to shampoo bars with good results. I can't wait to branch out and try some of the fancier and more fragrant soaps but due to the longevity of the current ones, it will be next year before we need to restock!

My main regret now is that I went and bought a multi pack of Simple soaps before starting this thread! From what I've been reading it's basically going to last forever, and will severely inhibit me buying more exciting soaps.
Definitely interested in shampoo bars though - anyone have any recommendations?
Also, I travel a lot, does anyone have any good travel soap dish recommendations?

I get my soap from my friends business www.handmadesoap.co.uk she's updating new products on here as we speak, but she's been making soap for 10 years.... It's all cruelty, SLS and paraben free. Lovely stuff, lots of different flavours or all natural fragrance free if you'd rather.
The bath bombs are also amazing, skin is so soft.

Sorry - I am not in the business of running a company down, but this is NOT soap and certainly not SLS free. It is made from 'melt and pour' synthetic detergent that you bulk buy as a base and add some colourings to make it look nice. It is quite specifically made from SLS.

Here, from this website is e.g. the ingredient list of the baby powder soap:

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Laurate, Titanium Dioxide, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Benzyl Salicylate, *Limonene, CI 17200, CI 42090

So, made predominantly from SLS and propylene glycol, not from soap. 'Hand made' is untrue - these are at best hand poured.

I luffs it when you do the science stuff Haffiana

Wow ok sorry, I did check with her before I posted anything obviously I've got the wrong end of the stick...😥

This is really interesting! Dim q but HOW do you use a bar? Both DH and I use bath mops with shower gel (mop replaced monthly!). Just rub the soap on the mop?

(Pondering my shower procedures now!)

Think I might try this one next
http://poshbrats.com/just-for-baby-lavender-chamomile--vanilla-natural-handmade-soap-8403-p.asp

delta basically yes. work up a lather and away you wash :)

reliant on the positive side your friends products are well declared.

I was stroking these in the farm shop this morning.

Thinking I might put "nice but gentle soap" on my Christmas list

I dug out some lavender soap which was a present a Christmas or two ago on the back of this thread. I now feel wonderfully clean and much fresher than normal! I'm not going to RTF as I have three bars of the stuff to get through!

I think Muji do little mesh drawstring bags that you can put your bar soap in to create a good lather, then hang it up to dry.

I've often thought about trying it with a small mesh delicates bag as Muji haven't been in Scotchland for yonks and I've not been to London for a while.

I was going to use an old stocking for tomorrow's shower. Will report back!

Never stopped using soap. Shower gel never felt clean,

Minnie good thinking, I may have a stray pop sock that would do the job.

This is going to sound grim but for various totally legitimate reasons (which may or may not include drinking too much last night and sleeping in), I have not had a shower since yesterday morning.
I have just given my armpits a REALLY good sniff and honestly no-one would know!
They are much nicer after 36 hours post soap shower than they used to be 12 hours after a shower cream shower.

For completeness, I'm using
Essential Waitrose Seamoss Bar Soap 4 x 125g for £1.25

I have litres of nice moisturising shower cream and will continue to use that on rest of body but the important places are getting soap only from now on!

Can you still get Imperial Leather Pink soap?

Timmytoo Coolcarrie I have the Iris Nesti bar sitting in my undie drawer, I bought 3 at Woolies last year when they had a 3 for 2 on. Not sure what part of SA you are in, but my absolute favourite soaps are from a lady who makes her own and sells at Rosebank Market. I bought face wash soap which is olive oil and carrot, and it has lasted close to a year now, and I will never use any other soap on my face after this. She does a hair shampoo one too, but the dc can't quite get their head around that one just yet. I will go back time and time again just to buy her grapefruit body soap, the whole house smells of it once you've been in the bath.

Haven’t read the thread.
Just wondering here - do you have your own soap or does everyone in the family use the same one. I’m not sure I’d like that! 😷

We have a body soap and a face soap in each bathroom Pandora. Yes everyone just uses the same ones.

Soaps are naturally anti bacterial so they're fine to share.

murphys, I know the market at Rosebank, we used to live in Parkview, so Rosebank was my nearest shopping centre. I read that there has been extensive building work added on to the centre, which is good, it was a nice mall. We are in Cape Town now, and having 2 minute showers due to water shortage! No nice long baths down here for months now...

Coolcarrie, when you next visit up this way you will need to make a turn there... , market is still on the rooftop. Wish we could send some water down your way, we are so flooded out at the moment. Seems so unfair.

Next time I will ask for her details (thought I had, did check) and perhaps you can order from her to send to you. I am using the berry and apple soap at the moment, but grapefruit is still the winner.