Currently using a nice sheabutter soap from Whole Foods

We are using dove liquid soap.. It's good because it has moisturizer.. Hm, it lasts long than bar soaps..

For a number of years I have struggled with the so-called winter itch. My lower legs would get nasty looking. I used washes, hypoallergenic soaps and assorted other stuff.
Last winter I just about got through the winter with some Italian made soap I bought from Gio before he closed up shop. This winter I have used a couple different brands of old fashioned lye soap, just plain lard and lye. The results have been no winter itch and softer skin. There is one brand I found at a nearby True Value Hardware. There are online and Ebay sellers as well. The contemporary product is decidedly milder than the soaps people made for themselves years ago.

I know I'm new here and don't have the lingo down, but I thought I'd chime in on this topic. I've been a bar-soap user for almost all of my life--I don't use a wash cloth or a pouf, I just rub the bar over my body (not my face), then later up my hands to give the twig, berries, and undercarriage a thorough "how's your father". About three years ago, I received homemade soap as a gift; it was epiphanal. I've only had to endure store-bought soap once since that time when I wasn't able to procure any homemade soap, and I also bought some "hand-made" goat's milk soap recently from a drug-store that's very nice. My wife's friend makes it, so that's my supplier usually, but I've also seen it at the local farmer's market, too. I've found it less malodorous, found that it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry, and has a pleasant texture.

For bonus enjoyment, try to get a handmade soap that includes seeds or some other kind of natural grit. The last handmade bar I received was almond with poppy seed, and that natural grit was very invigorating!

I've been enjoying the Yardley's Oatmeal soap as well. It has a bit of the oatmeal grit the poster above me mentioned, though not enough to be uncomfortable. I literally just rub the bar across every surface of my body that needs cleaning and rarely use the pouf. The bar gets used up fairly quickly, but I can find Yardleys for less than $1 a bar around town.

I just ordered some Sandalwood soap to take for a spin as well, as I've been exploring the Sandalwood scent lately. Chandrika Ayurvedic, Bee and Flower Sandalwood, and Superior Trading Company Sandalwood. I'll give a report when they arrive.

I've been using Savon De Marseilles olive oil soap, I just hold the bar and rub it all over myself, even on my face. Great product, great skincare and simple.

I used to be into different washes for body/face etc., but I realized, for me at least less is better.

Interesting. I've only ever used Ivory, the cheapest stuff on the market. It hasn't been bad, but I do find my skin is sometimes dry. More in the winter mind you, so that's likely part of it. Would this type of thing be worthwhile? It is costly? Could you procure some for me to try?

I find the inexpensive grocery store bought soaps very drying. I like a bar of artisan soap in my hands the best. Liquid soap is ok. I use that more at the sink to wash my hands with.

It costs more than bar soap, but I think it is worth it. Amy is making up a bunch for me right now (it takes a while to cure) so I'll grab you a bar to try.

I pretty much only use bar soap because it makes for a faster shower. I like to get in and get out.
In the winter time I have to use a moisturizing soap as I get very dry flaky/itchy skin due to the dry air. In the summer I use whatever smells good.

SWMBO has been using some bar soap from Cetaphil, I've been using it this week on my face, very nice feel to it, supposed to be good for the skin--anyone know about this soap?

The Sodium Laureth Sulfate in it tends to dry out my skin, so I don't use it.

by applying the lessons I learned with shaving soaps/creams.

I wash my hair first (lather, rinse repeat), ensuring my body is thoroughly wet.

Then I use my shower gel on a pouf (versus a brush for the face) Builds up a good lather and gos much further on my body than using hands or a facecloth.

I use the liquid soap because it is easier to clean up - No soap crap in the dish or dried up soap crap dripping under the soap dish.

However, the bar soap leaves me feeling cleaner. I always feel "too smooth" after using liquid soap. Girlfriend says it's the moisturizers in the liquid soap.

OBR or Ivory

I"m currently using Ogallala Bay Rum bar soap and Dove on my face. I've experimented with some different organic soaps but found they didn't last long and got cost prohibitive. Based on the recommendations here I'm gonna try some Yardley's when my OBR runs out.

I know it sounds weird but I use the johnsons baby body wash.

It's a great price and it's very good for my skin. It always leaves it soft and very moisturized. It creates a nice and rich great smelling lather that leaves a great scent after im out of the shower too. I mean if it's good enough for a baby why can't it be good enough for me?

The only issue is that if I'm covered in dirt and smell like a skunk I'll need to lather up twice just to make sure. But most often I'll be fine with one go of the baby wash.

I'd say you should really try it it's all I've been using for the better part of 3 years now. My favorite scent is the Shea and cocco butter one.

No love for Pears soap? They changed the formula last year and completely screwed it up, but the "old Pears" can still be found. Got some in a dollar store yesterday while looking for the recommended Yardley.

Be careful what you get if you wish to try it. This used to be a favorite but the new formula is not exactly an improvement IMO.

Old formula: Sodium Palmitate, Natural Rosin, Glycerine, Water, Sodium Cocoate, Rosemary Extract, Thyme Extract, Pears Fragrance Essence.

New formula: Sorbitol, Aqua, Sodium Palmate/stearate, Sodium Palmkernelate, Sodium Rosinate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG-4, Alcohol, Glycerin, Perfume, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Meta Bisulfite, Etidronic acid, Tetra Sodium EDTA, BHT, Cl 12490, Cl 47005, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamal, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool.

+1 on the Ogallala, Great creamy lather and nice scent.

Pears Soap is quite expensive here, 2.45-2.95 Euros or 3 for 5.00 (it's 69p in the UK) in the street markets for the Indian version. I found a local drugstore that had NOS English Pears on sale at 1.25 and bought 15 bars on my first visit and 30 on my second visit - the young girls behind the counter started laughing as I left with 30 soaps, I however had a smile as I had scored .

I tried the dr bronner's peppermint bar soap and did not care for it. Not very long lasting and lightly scented. I like the liquid peppermint much better.
I normally use Grandpa's pine tar bar soap but the pine tar gel is nice too.