Newly converted real soap users - what changes have you noticed?

[KnownUnknowns]

I'm not sure if this is related to using soap instead of shower gel or something else has caused this change but I no longer have hard dead skin on the heels of my feet and dh whose feet have always been a bit of a mess with cracks etc has found the same thing - but he's a bit more cynical about soap being the reason.
So I'm curious soap users - have you noticed the same thing?

I think it’s just so funny that such a humble, basic product that’s been around like forever is getting rave reviews on this thread.

Btw my Waitrose has a poor selection of soaps. They are also on the bottom shelf - so you have to bend right down to browse

Ive been using soap too since reading the thread on here a while ago. I def feel cleaner, still to get a soap dish though- the Joseph Joseph one comes recommended. I also like to browse the tk Maxx selection. My only gripe is that soap lasts so long sometimes I get bored with it before it’s done!

Also, has anyone switched to using it to wash their face? I haven’t done that as feel it will dry my skin out but that’s probably a myth!

I use a Whole Foods coal soap on my face, WeeM, but I don't have dry skin.

I haven't tried any yet but Chicklong Goat also have hard bar cleansers www.chucklinggoat.co.uk/the-products/kefir-cleansers/

The Chuckling Goat soaps are very gentle. I have the ‘soothing’ one and it’s lovely to use.

Boldly have you ever tried their kefir drink? Have been intrigued for ages but never quite ready to make the investment, not least because I'm crap at taking (vitamins, supplements for example) on a regular basis.

@0ccamsRazor
Which of the Funky Shampoo bars is good for curly hair?

As far as soap dishes go, I read on here a tip to use a folded up clean face cloth. I did it (whilst choosing out a soap dish) and ended up not buying the soap dish. It dries the soap really quickly and my white soap on white face cloth means it never looks dirty. I throw it in the wash once a month just for the sake of it really but you can't even see a trace of soap on it, it looks like it's just out the washing basket right now and I haven't washed it for at least a fortnight.

Love the face cloth tip! I use one for oil cleansing anyway so I'll dry my face soap on a fresh one ready for the next night.

I love moogoo's soaps for my face, the goats milk one is lovely and totally non drying.

I think I might have a bit of a soap problem....

Bagel, I’ve just started their 21 day course of kefir. It is potent stuff! Much stronger in flavour than the supermarket brand I had been buying. It’s fizzy and quite tart and I haven’t worked my way up to the full recommended amount of 170ml per day yet.
I have various issues which I’m trying to sort out so hoping the kefir will help.

We use Pears soap, smells lovely and classic and much cheaper in the long run than any shower gels.

Soap just seems to agree with my skin better than shower gel does. It feels properly clean but with no residue. I tend to use it with a shower puff or an exfoliating glove. My favourites so far have been from Little Soap Company which is often on offer in Waitrose, the goat's milk & shea butter soaps from Laughing Bird and Movis facial soap from Lush.

Very intrigued by this! I know my hands prefer bar soap to liquid soap - I suffer from terrible eczema in the colder months, and using bar soaps really reduces flare ups. Never occurred to me to try showering with bar soaps as well.

I love L'Occitane shea butter and Marseille soaps, but they're pricey. So I found some Marseille soaps on eBay and have a stash in my knicker drawer for my hands. Will take one into the shower and report back. If it helps my cracked feet and spot-prone areas on my chest and back I'll be delighted

I have just realised, my heels are looking a bit dry and cracked. Could that be due to the Coal Tar soap?

We’ve used dove soap for years, I’ve never been I shower gel person! Have recently tried body shop ones too which smell nice.
I also use Clinique soap too to clean my face. Never tried shampoo soap though.
But my dh’s Feet are pretty bad I’ll remind him to go over them more with it!!

I used to use dove soap and I've just converted back. I love it. Dh doesn't!!

I use it on my face if in the shower and then o
Put some moisturiser on.

I think my skin is looking better than it has for along time. ...

lush shampoo car is great also :) great for washing and good for the environment

I used an old bar of soap out of desperation when my showergel ran out. I felt sooo much cleaner. I used showergel a few weeks after in a hotel and I was disgusted at the amount of perfume that I could smell. I don't think that they clean well, just perfume you. My skin is softer too and I don't smell sweaty as quickly as I used too. This thread has made me realise that I don't pedicure as often as I did as well....

I now wonder how I ever got converted to showergels all those years ago. They are pretty shit.

blank Dove soap unfortunately doesn't count because it has a lot of moisturiser stuff in it but if you change to a normal soap you will feel more of a difference

TKMaxx has so many gorgeous soaps and lots come in their own tins or boxes.

My theory is that I don't think soap is particularly "good" for your skin, I think it's the liquid detergents that they use in almost all shower gels, liquid hand soap and shampoos that are really harsh and strip the oils from whatever they come into contact with. I think when you stop washing your skin with detergent it starts to recover and hence my feet look so much better, they have less to battle against.

Has anyone else tried The Sanctuary soap bar? It's lovely.

Is this a zombie thread? Can't see dates on phone. Apologies if it is! I've found it after doing a search for bar v gel and am interested in the consensus that bar is better. I switched to gel years back because soap made my skin tight and dry. I like the idea of a bar of soap instead of loads of bottles but doesn't it dry your skin?

Cismyarse, I get dry skin easily but the Chuckling Goat, L’Occitane Shea and Savon de Marseille don’t give me that tight, dry feeling.

Thanks boldly. I have some bars here so will give it a try. You lot would love France - markets with stalls full of naturally made soaps - gorgeous!

MrsMarplesKnitting I spend my summers in France and always bring loads of toiletries back - I'm in South Wales - whereabouts are you? Happy to bring a box back for you