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!

My mil was born and raised in another continent. Hardly any British influence or culture where she is originally from, so it must have been a culture clash making an appearance. Then again, I'm now wondering what she might have used growing up 🤔. It's hardly like soap bars are alien to countries outside of the UK, is it? Ok, scrap what I just wrote. I've no idea.

LadyEdith - I love the blue Pears soap!
Smells like a combo of mint and rose to me.

Nazdarovye - I have the same MO, with a washcloth for scrubbing the rest.

I have used soap for a good while. I buy Italian and French fine milled soap in Marshalls (like TKMaxx, in the US) or TJMaxx (US TKMaxx). It lasts ages - three bars does me for a year of daily showers.

My people! Waitrose used to do multipacks that matched their shower gel/bath foam/hand wash -one whole quid! They were lovely, especially the vanilla and camomile (not vanillery at all)
Currently I'm using Savon de Marseille in orange blossom, but they do gorgeous scents. They are very coloured though and make a mess. I have a lush violet one I'm saving for a day I need a lift.

I treated myself in the supermarket last night! It smells lovely.

“Does soap not really dry out your skin?”

No. You don’t need to use soap all over your body every time you have a shower. Just the necessaries of course. Some soaps aren’t drying at all. I use the ones from Holland and Barrett which are mild enough to use on my face as well.

“BUT it goes all goopy, how do I stop that?”

What are you storing it in? Soap needs to be on a rack so it dries out completely between uses.

“We have a shower cubicle with no facility for a soap rack anywhere.”

If you have a tiled wall just buy a soap rack that sticks on by suction cup. It really does work.

“Shower bottles are recyclable though”

Not as much as you think, and it is more environmentally friendly to not use them in the first place.

It's depressing that soap in supermarkets is getting harder to find. I once asked where the soap was and got a funny look because it was soap I was after and not shower gel.

Was anyone as a kid not allowed to use fresh from the shop bars? Ours went in knicker and sock drawers and airing cupboards for months(years in special cases) They do last a load longer. Not glycerine soap though, which shrivels to nothing.

Yes Fuckery, my DM was very insistent about the importance of drying them out well before starting to use them!

I gave up SLS a few years ago - but the liquid soaps and shampoos were quite expensive but it did make an enormous difference to my skin. I have only recently started to appreciate how pure and how few ingredients real soap has - basically sodium hydroxide and oil or fat it's so basic, contains no nasties, costs very little, lasts for ages and uses minimal packaging. I like Waitrose soaps - the glycerine bar costs less than £1 - kids like the coloured smelly ones.

I use it everywhere including the kitchen sink! I've been wondering about shampoo bars - I know Lush make them - but I hate Lush - too perfumed and brightly coloured I want something that works on my hair but doesn't contain unnecessary additives to make the soap look nice - any shampoo bars recommendations?

To stop them going all gloopy in the shower apart from having a soap dish that allows the air to circulate - try having a soap bar each, rather than everyone sharing the same one - it gives the soap more of a chance to dry out between uses. Curing - exposing it to air for a few weeks before use also helps.

Ive used soap on my pits n pubes since birthing dd 11 years ago. On the advice of the midwife. I just use whatever own brand plain soap i can get.
It is better than shower gel.
I love good bubble bath though.

www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=569286

Huge relief,Waitrose haven't discontinued my favourite soap! It's so gentle I can even use it on my face now and again . Love the stuff

Yip been converted to soap for a while here too and from TKMax, yes just the best soaps ever!

So glad to find this thread! I also swapped over recently because of the packaging of shower gel.

Anyway mine to add is Dr Bronner Almond soap bar. It's gorgeous, foams well (better than shower gel for shaving legs), lasts a goodly amount of time and is organic and cruelty free.

love it!

You need a magnetic soap holder! I have one in the shower and one over the bathroom sink. No more soggy soap.

I use the Body Shop fruity soaps somebody mentioned earlier on body and hair. Love 'em!

Went to Tesco this morning and found that they have increased their range of soaps. Under a "New" labels they have added Palmolive and Shield. They aren't new products at all, but clearly the demand for bars of soap must be increasing.

Ooo definitely going to get some shield and pop into TK Max for a nosey

Well I found myself looking at soaps in Ttk Maxx this morning. Bought a coconut oil one - I've bought coconut oil from the same brand before and like it. Love the smell if I'm on holiday and I'm going to Australia in November. Also bought a lemon one which is smaller s that might be my holiday. Bought a suction soap holder too.

And discovered I am on my second last bottle of shower gel so not long to go until I can start on my soaps.

Fascinating reading all this.

What about liquid soap? Is that good or not?

I also tried it on the back of that thread. I’m amazed that I don’t feel sweaty under my arms now - I seem to stay fresher all day.

I’m using Sainsbury’s own brand soap, but as it lasts for much longer than shower gel, I will have to wait a while before branching out. Lush do all sorts of soaps so I am looking forward to treating myself.

I’m slightly amazed that I’ve been using shower gel for years, and that it’s the norm, when soap is much more effective.

I also had a lovely session sniffing soaps in TKMaxx this morning

I saw some Dr Bronner ones, is that good? I didn't actually buy any this time.

Oh and I think I might open up a soap shop now sounds like popularity for them is growing.

This thread has got me all in a lather.

I ONLY use dettol soap. Never use shower gel. Sometimes i like to use the pears soap. Showergel is just fragranced water! Swapping to soap will help anyone wiffy lol

AllBuggiedOut how does the soap stick to the magnetic? Do you stick something in it?

Showergel is just fragranced water!

It's not actually. Read the ingredients.
All soap and shower stuff contain surfactants which remove stuff from your skin- namely the bacteria that feed on sweat and by feeding they cause a pong.

Sorry but I don't agree with the posts here. I always use shower gel and find it perfectly adequate for washing my pits. I use unscented soap for my bum.