What do you use in the shower / bodycare routine?

[DirtyThree]

Since reading on here about soap helping to reduce BO, I’ve just been using a scrunchy with whatever soap is close to hand. It does make a difference in terms of deodorant effectiveness for sure, and I like the fact that soap packaging is usually cardboard (ie not plastic like shower gel bottles).

But - my skin is pretty dry. Especially my elbows, knees, and arms and legs generally.

I’m not so good at putting on body moisturizer but it seems as I’m getting older (40) I need more help in this department.

So just wondering what other people do for their body skincare.

I just chuck some shower gel on with a scrubby sponge and wash hair every 3 days.
Sometimes I moisturise my face when I remember ( sleep deprived mummy routine )
I usue Astral when my skin goes really dry.

You could try aveeno ... you can get one that you put in the bath it turns the water a milky colour if you soak in it ... you will find it moisturises you. I don’t have the budget for it but my Friend gave me a bottle it is lovely stuff ... I use this for
My baby who has dry skin x

I normally use Dove sensitive, though at the moment using Crabtree and Evelyn’s jojoba soap (which is definitely more drying but smells divine). Then full body moisturiser (Nivea Q10, though again using the jojoba one but isn’t as good, but the smell 💓) when I get out. You just gotta get that moisturiser into your routine!

You could try one of the in-shower body moisturisers - there's a Nivea one or Sanctuary have a couple. When you turn off the shower, you put it on just before you get out and then towel off. Takes about 30 seconds max.

Use better soap. Yours sounds very old school soap which will be drying. I use Lush's Rose Argan which is mainly essential oils and nicely cleansing.

I use Shield soap mostly, alternating Soap and Glory shower cream or Sanctuary Spa shower cream or Imperial Leather foam, with a scrunchie, but slap on moisturiser after every shower. I don't know why people think it's a big deal to do that I put a generous amount on one hand then use that to literally speedily slap it on in turn - leg, leg, arm, front of body and bottom (yes don't forget bottom, it really does need moisturising like anywhere else!) and with the last of it I do the remaining arm and neck lastly. It takes probably 20 seconds in total. Even if I'm really busy I always do it, there's no need to make a meal out if it like being in an advert where you are caressing each limb and all that - just slap the stuff on. I give it a rough rub in and pop my dressing gown on after whist I clean my teeth, it's not sticky if you get the right moisturiser. I like Soap and Glory's lotion, their body butter is nice but that can take longer to sink in. Then after cleaning teeth I put on an SPF moisturiser and deodorant (I layer up deodorants in summer with both a roll-on and an aerosol on top) and job done. If it's a really hot day I bang on a dusting of talc here and there but again, I sprinkle it liberally around and give it a rough rub in.

I'm told I'm scented like a rose all day

You probably do need a lotion. Soap is amazing for getting you extra clean in the shower but the downside is the drying aspect.

The Vaseline ones are a good starter for people who aren't used to lotion as they're cheap, light and sink in straight away. Also come in spray form.

Also don't use it everywhere. I still only lotion my arms and legs. The rest of me just doesn't need it and it's a bit of a waste of time.

I'm using baby soap with honey, it was on offer for £1 for 4 bars so not expensive! Skin is a lot softer than when I was using DHs imperial leather or whatever was in the bathroom. Also alternate between scrunchy thing and a hammam mitt, seems to keep the scalys on elbows and knees etc under control!

I switched to soap too! I use exfoliating gloves in the shower (£1 from places like Poundland and Savers but more expensive in Boots etc) and lather up with soap - usually either Pears or Knights Castile. After the shower I moisturise all over ... I've been doing this for years and after you're in the habit, your skin feels unpleasantly dry and scratchy if you don't do it - although you could probably get away with doing it every other day. In case you need extra incentive, every boyfriend I've had has complimented me on my skin

I have dry skin too and the main thing I do is avoid sodium laurel/laureth sulphate, which is in most shower gels and bubble bath but also in Dove 'soap' - avoid!

Despite people often saying that too much washing dries the skin, I actually find that mine is drier if I don't shower every day - I put this down to the fact that if I'm not showering, then I'm not exfoliating and moisturising either. When I had 2 kids under 2 I went down to a shower every 3 days, and actually ended up getting rough, dry patches on elbows, knees, and hips (I know, wtf with the dry hips).

I am back to the L'Occitane Almond shower oil, it's really nice and I love the smell.

I use soap sometimes but recently even Simple Soap has been making me itch like crazy and feel crispy.

QVC have good deals on the L'Occitane stuff, that just make it a bit pricey, rather than yikesfuckingHOWmuch?