Soap (again!) Save or splurge?

[Avegemitesandwich]

So, following in the footsteps of lots of others on here, I am switching to soap. Mainly because we get through so many bottles of shower gel and hand-wash and I am trying to cut down on plastic a little.

I bought some Bloomtown Botanicals soap, which is very nice but doesn't have that 'soapy' smell and I'm worried its a bit too 'gentle'? Plus it's quite expensive. I saw some Imperial Leather in Home Bargains and it smelt lovely and soapy but is it really drying?

Also, what is it in soap that cleans you compared to shower gel? I saw on another thread people saying that Dove soap isn't actually soap, it's a 'detergent bar' but if there is no detergent in soap then what is it that cleans you?

Thanks!

Sorry, so my question is should i go for the posher soaps, or does anyone have any suggestions for nice ones?

I just put up a post on an amazing soap called Label Young. So bloody good. More of a skincare soap though.

I normally use Nesti Dante which is lovely.

Here is my recent soap recommendation post: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3443828-Amazing-soap-bar-for-face-and-body

Soap is fat mixed with, usually, sodium hydroxide, if Fight Club can be trusted. Shower gel is water, SLS, and anti bacterial agents, I think.

I don't find soap drying at all. Switching to soap has been great for my dry skin. I usually go for a mid priced soap, I find they don't go soggy as quickly. I quite like TK Mass for it. But using Imperial Leather works just as well, and I love that it smells like my Nan.

The difference is more in how they are made and what's in them. Soap is made with natural ingredients. Detergents are entirely synthetic. As a result, when soap gets into the environment it degrades. Detergents do not.

Soap is actually pretty easy to make yourself once you get your head around the chemistry of it. I make it in batches once a year and it sees me through till the next year.

However, the key to choosing a soap is to look at the ingredients and find one with good fats and oils in. Olive oil, Shea butter, cocoa butter, etc. Look for soap labelled cold process (this relates to how it's made) to help narrow down the field.

As an eg: www.littlesoapcompany.co.uk/

I love soap, my very favourite being Chanel No.5, it's seems soapy, powdery and luxurious and keeps its scent. L'occitane do some nice soap too.

Pears soap is good for hands,has a lovely fragrance and is cheap enough.

Posher soaps.

Unless you got a hardy skin which doesn’t mind being stripped of natural oils.

My skin gets dry very easily, so I am picky with my soap. Generally anything cheap is a no. Apart from Lidl and Aldi own brand which is lovely and gentle and doesn’t cost the earth.

My faves are Nesti Dante, Dr Bronner, Marseille soaps, Scottish argan oil soaps. Avoid anything overperfumed and go for high fat content, glycerin or high vegetable oil content.

I like Cidal soap the best, a nice fresh light citrus smell.

Marseille soaps. Not drying at all they come in every fragrance possible and only a couple of quid on eBay.

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions to look into

I just buy what a fancy as and when I see it. I’ve had Jo Malone, handmade from a craft stall, Dove and Imperial Leather and everything in between. Can’t say I notice any difference between them in the drying effect on my skin (none) or lingering fragrance.

Oh Black African soap is also lush.

Lush Ro's Argan is incredible. We have an en suite and it perfumes the whole bathroom and bedroom. Cleanses well and leaves soft perfumed skin. God I love that stuff. Would never go back to shower gel.

I like Nesti Dante. I cut it in half and each chunk lasts about 6 weeks with daily use. £5 for 3 months is better value than shower gel IMHO.