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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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Alabasterangel6 · 04/10/2017 20:33

Crikey that black soap brings back some memories.....

Super heavy duty soap (for those prone to underboob rashes, hydrentis supperavita or spotty backs) is shield. It's antibacterial. I've only recently been able to get it in home bargains so if anyone else ever finds it please let me know!!

Dontknowwhattodonowok · 04/10/2017 20:35

Perhaps I’m weird but I’ve always used soap and shower gel. I use soap to clean myself- shower gel is just the finishing touch which makes me smell nice and my skin soft. Soap goes everywhere first!

Original poster
Firstaidnovice · 04/10/2017 20:53

alabaster, they sell Shield in Wilkos too if that's any use? I spotted it when I bought my simple - it's the soap of my childhood. I don't think I've smelt it since I was about eight.

OP posts:
TeaAddict235 · 04/10/2017 20:57

This is a really nice thread of enlightenment. Who would have thought that so many of us were experiencing the same effects post showering and unsure of how to remedy it. Makes me wonder what else in terms of body care that we are unaware of due to marketing, like the Sulfates in Shampoo or cowashing.

Appuskidu · 04/10/2017 21:16

If the premise of the previous thread was that shower gel leaves a residue that makes your deodorant not work--surely using soap and then shower gel wouldn't really help?

MotherofPearl · 04/10/2017 21:18

I also love this:

Soap instead of shower gel
Ktown · 04/10/2017 21:27

Shower gel companies managed to convince everyone about bar soaps being the wrong ph and breaking down the acid mantle or some such guff.
Also there was a time when if you had any infections in the vuval region you weren't supposed to wash with anything but water. I don't see how this would improve an infection.

onlyonaTuesday · 04/10/2017 21:28

I’m going on a soap hunt tomorrow.
I’m also after a shampoo that will leave my scalp completely clean.

BluePheasant · 04/10/2017 21:31

Yes! Soap is so much nicer to wash with than shower gel. With bonus of being more economical (unless you buy really posh soaps of course) and reducing plastic packaging waste.

I also try to buy palm oil free soap, found a really nice one in Waitrose recently Smile

TeaAddict235 · 04/10/2017 21:32

onlyona I feel like I've been on that holy grail Shampoo hunt for ages now; it has to give a thorough clean but not leave an itchy or dry scalp or leave my cuticles open ....or....or.....or

user1486076969 · 04/10/2017 21:32

Silly question perhaps but can I just ask where you all keep your soap (bars) in the shower? We have a shower cubicle with no facility for a soap rack anywhere. Would love to use soap bars but end up with a slimy lump.....suggestions?

KimGordonsKinkyBoots · 04/10/2017 21:33

I would not use a bar of soap since having C diff. The infection control nurses advised against it and said only to use liquid. I wouldn't ever want to get it again so I'm not taking any risks.

IckleWicklePumperNickle · 04/10/2017 21:34

We’ve been using dove soap for at least 10 years.

SuburbanRhonda · 04/10/2017 21:37

You can get soap dishes that stick on the wall of the shower with a suction pad.

Though my favourite has to be one of these!

Soap instead of shower gel
SuburbanRhonda · 04/10/2017 21:38

kim

What about infection being spread by pressing the pump of a soap dispenser before washing your hands?

Crumbs1 · 04/10/2017 21:39

Soap,is much nicer. L'Occitane do lovely soaps.

cannaethink · 04/10/2017 21:40

Ooh I love soap too! I get the big bars from tkmaxx. I've found my skin is much less dry since switching from shower gel, I'm assuming it was the SLS in it that was drying my skin out.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 04/10/2017 21:46

I've also switched to soap on the basis of that thread. I definitely was feeling like I wasn't as fresh throughout the day and deodorant wasn't as effective. I've also switched to bio powder and detail laundry liquid to tackle a couple of tops that weren't coming out of the wash too clean smelling.

Completely revolutionary. I've tried pears so far and hoping for some l'occitane soaps in my Christmas stocking. DH has opted for good old fashioned imperial leather after I got him on board. I'm slightly ashamed at all the shower gel bottles I've been through over the years!

KimGordonsKinkyBoots · 04/10/2017 21:46

I'm not sure Suburban but both nurses from the team were disgusted by the thought of a bar of soap and said liquid is much safer than a bar. They said a bar was a breeding ground for nasty bugs. First thing I did when I was discharged was bin my lovely soap and buy antibacterial liquid. They were the experts and I trust their judgement.

twofloorsup · 04/10/2017 21:48

I've also switched to soap since reading that thread and loving it.
I found a soap dish in poundstretcher for a quid and it has suction cups which are stuck to the tiles in my shower and hold a new bar quite happily. I'm currently enjoying coal tar soap and like another poster the rest of the bars are in my clothes drawers keeping them fresh tooSmile
I think for the environment and our purses we could learn a lot from how our parents and grandparents did things.

KimGordonsKinkyBoots · 04/10/2017 21:50

I've remembered now they said soap dispensers can be cleaned unlike soap bars. That's why they have them in hospitals.

MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 04/10/2017 21:51

I swapped to shower gels in the early 90s because soap dries my skin out and leaves it itchy and taut, however I saw the thread mentioned and thought I'd try soap on my underarms as they never smell clean and it really works. I'll keep the soapy pits/gel for everything else combination I think.

slippermaiden · 04/10/2017 22:04

Love soap, feels luxurious opening up a bar of organic soap, makes loads of bubbles in the shower. Better for the environment too, no plastic bottles. I think it definitely makes me smell better for longer.

SuburbanRhonda · 04/10/2017 22:09

I've remembered now they said soap dispensers can be cleaned unlike soap bars.

I think the key word there is "can".
I wonder how many people get C. diff and MRSA during a hospital stay versus getting it at home.

SealSong · 04/10/2017 22:17

I'm a soap lover too! Feels so much cleaner than sticky shower gel.

I do try not to buy soaps with palm oil in (rainforest destruction and threat to orang utans etc) or tallow/sodium tallowate (rendered animal fat, basically).
Many soaps have these ingredients so if you want to avoid those, read the ingredients and choose soaps that are made with eco-friendly products such as those by Suma or Faith in Nature. Holland and Barrett usually stock these, and they are good quality soaps.