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 love Crabtree and Evelyn soaps, usually use the Jojoba one. It leaves a lovely light scent on skin and feels really clean iyswim.

I’ve also been known to indulge in Chanel no 5 soap, at £10 a bar it’s a cheap way to smell expensive!

I don't get nearly as much athlete's foot since i switched to soap (tmi? Sorry. ) i think it's because they sweat less. They niff less too. Other bits are also less niffy.

I've been trying several different ones and my favourite is a Moroccan rose and Argan oil one from waitrose that really holds it's scent. I'm a total convert.

I have been loving using soap since the thread last year. I am using Simple soap and noticing the benefits.

I also wonder about what ingredients to look out for / avoid. I can't use SLS or coconut oils, but I don't know how to tell if a soap is detergent based?

I like Simple soap, no frills and no reactions for me, also Loccitane milk soap, Body Shop moringa or olive soap. Also Dove soap, even though it’s technically a syndet and not a soap.

I’m thinking of getting and big glass jar and putting my soaps in it, as well as some Nesti Dante ones I have my eye on.

@andalittlebitofpixiedust - www.bare-soaps.com/blogs/your-impact/116431557-what-s-in-a-bar-of-soap this is quite a helpful explanation of the ingredients in soap and cleansing bars. Basically, soaps have an oil base, like coconut (sometimes called sodium cocoate), palm oil (sodium palmate) or olive oil (sodium olivate). Lye creates a reaction called saponification which turns the soap solid and creates the cleansing action.

If you want to avoid coconut oil, you could try one of these:

olive oil based
sustainable palm oil based

So pleased to find this thread and fellow soap-lovers! I switched to soap when I was first pregnant with DS (13 years ago) and had horrible pregnancy sickness. I found the smell of shower gels really overpowering and artificial, and much preferred the fragrance of soap bars (especially the ones with natural fragrances). I now collect soaps when out and about (particularly love a craft market with local soap makers). I use them to fragrance my underwear drawer!

Can I just ask, isn't soap supposed to be more drying? I have eczema and have always been advised to steer clear from bar soap though I did once use a Lush honey one and that was nice.

@citygirl1961 I have eczema and I would say my skin and my hair are in much better condition since giving up detergents. First step was going SLS free and that improved my eczema quite a bit but even the sulphate free detergents are too drying - I use soaps with as few ingredients in them as possible.

myheartgoesout, I normally use E45 wash which doesn't have SLS in it. I thought most bar soaps so have it in, I know the Lush ones do. Is this the same for hair products too?

I don't need to use 48hr cream deodarant any more. Use a cheap rollon and haven't noticed any bo type smells

I use Dr bronner soap, tea tree soap and my fave is weleda calendula

@citygirl1961 no soap does not contain sls or any variant of it, sls is a detergent and it's in most shampoos and shower gels - some make a detergent without the sulphate which is better but for me soap was better still - good quality basic soap, like this one, I never liked E45, don't know about the ingredients - hated the smell.

I don't know which one to buy! My French stash from last year smells a bit off so I've binned it. I've bought a lemony soap from Tesco but it's leaving me and DD feeling tight and itchy.

I'd love to reduce plastics and packaging and more importantly, SLS and any nasties that irritate DD's eczema prone skin. I just don't know what to buy!!

Aveeno is good for my grandson aged 3, it stops him suffering with his eczma, this hayfever type weather is aggravating it. We use soap here and if anyone knows what the heck we can do with all the shower gel gifts we get I would be grateful, I had a pile at Xmas, hubby had a pile on Fathers Day. They are cluttering up the bathroom now. Even teenage son is using my soap rather than his posh shower gels. He also found using shampoo made his back itch horribly when rinsing so I bought him some Simple shampoo which he says is better.

You can donate them to food banks sometimes welshmist or church fetes for the tombola.

My scalp is driving me utterly insane at the minute. I'm using T gel medicated shampoo but even that isn't helping. I used soap for a while ages ago when I ran out of shampooo and I'm seriously considering switching back to it for hair washing too.

Does anyone use shampoo bars they could recommend? The lush ones have sls in them and make me itch too.

CisMyArse (great name!!) have you seen the Faith In Nature soaps? Stocked on many health food shops:

www.biggreensmile.com/products/faith-in-nature-natural-soaps/finsoap.aspx?productid=finsoap

Flavia my order of these natural SLS free shampoo bars has just arrived. But I haven't tried it yet - probably will tomorrow :)

www.lovesoappadstow.com/product-page/solid-shampoo-bar

I use pears soap, l just love the smell. My eczema always flares up but hasn't been too bad lately so I couldn't say for sure leaving shower gel has had an effect. My skin does just feel nicer though and I really do feel fresh for longer

I have bought some nesti dante soaps and agree with pp that they are lovely.
I have used soap for a while now, usually from t k maxx or lush but this will be my go-to soap now.
Interesting about soft feet using soap, I've always washed my feet with soap and have always been clean and soft and I've never needed footner etc.

Ooh looks good Clitteriti, could you let me know how it is please?

@citygirl1961 Try Aleppo soap, my then 6yo son had eczema, one of my friends recommended it and it helped him. It is sold in many places (I usually get it from eBay or amazon and order a year worth supply). It is really good, I use it myself too for 6 years now. It somehow makes my skin squeaky clean and moisturised at the same time

They say quick showers are better than a soak. Also just soap the bits that get sweaty smelly daily. Your arms, legs, trunk are dry enough already. Your body does produce non smelly oils so stripping exfoliating them every day is just not sensible.

Well this is fascinating! I have bad eczema as does one of my children. And cracked feet! I have just bought some black African soap, and some goats milk soap off amazon. I am very excited!!!

Could i ask a question about shampoo bars? Do you later it in your hands first or directly in your hair?
I think i am doing it all wrong
Any recommendations would be much appreciated too.

V interesting thread! Apart from to Maxx where do you guys get your soaps?

I'd also like to know re the shampoo one rick.

Finally a good shampoo bar soap for someone with eczema?

Thanks v much 😁

Best one I can buy in Waitrose or boots?