need body soap help

[jrabbit]

I have chronic skin issues and sensitivities, so when I find a soap I like, I stick with it, and since I shower like twice a week, it lasts forEVER.

Well, I just found out that my new favorite (Shikai, cucumber melon) has parabens!!!!

So, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what to try next? I need something really mild smelling, non citrus, must be liquid. (I use a bath sponge, and a tiny drop works fabulous with it)

I suppose I could use California Baby ... but is there something else I should try? or would you recommend that?

And, while we're at it - does anyone know how I could get smoother skin? I am getting up there in years (42 - yikes my birthday is in 2 weeks ...), and the skin on my arms and legs is getting bumpy ... I don't really know how to explain it. It's hot & humid, and I don't use moisturizer ... I'm pretty clueless about body care stuff, but all of the sudden, I'm feeling like I'd like to pamper myself more.

thanks!
--janis

[sunnysandiegan]

For the bumps, I used to have them and I finally found a cure!!! I use a dry brush (wood handle, natural bristles; came in some random gift set) quickly before most showers. Long, fluid strokes on limbs towards the heart and clockwise on belly. It's amazing how well it works! And not just for the bumps, but also for blood circulation and general skin tone, etc. BTW, I'm your age.

[rhiasmum]

Have you tried Dr. Bronner's for soap?

[ian'smommaya]

i can totally understand your sensitivities. i have them too.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5225997 makes soaps and bath & beauty products. and she's a member here. i dont know if she makes liquid soap.

i make bath and beauty too but not liquid soap.

[brightonwoman]

I don't have particularly sensitive skin, but DH does, and we've been getting soap (and other goodies) from this etsy shop for a while now http://heathenshearth.etsy.com We really like their stuff. I can't recall if she does liquid soaps or not, but I've been able to just rub a little of a bar soap onto a bath sponge and it works as well as liquid for me She does some other skin/body care stuff too (and while I have not tried them myself, according to the feedback it's pretty good stuff).

(Official disclaimer, I'm not affiliated with the shop I mentioned, I just really love their stuff!)

[jrabbit]

we use Dr. Bronners for hand soap and love it. DH uses the bar soap. I guess I don't like that scent for my entire body. (and we just bought a refill gallon from the Frontier co-op, so we won't buying more of it any time soon!)

I haven't found a bar soap that is a tolerable scent. We got some gift ones that I had to give to the kids because they were overpowering, even though they were NOT that strong. I get an intense whiff when my kids get out of the bath with them!

but, in all honesty, I just really love my bath sponge, so I need liquid! (brightonwoman - I guess I should try that with the bar soap again, but I've never had any luck with that)


thanks
--janis

[tankgirl136]

Liquid Soap is a much different and more difficult process to making handmade soap or glycerin soap (what the second Etsy seller is working with). To find someone you need to contact someone who specialises as very few bar soap makers ever make Liquid since it is so much more labor intensive.

So much of what you find for sale is made from a base, which is pointless to buy from the seller as you can find it direct and some bases are really low quality (though some are good). I would find some one who creates liquid from scratch to make sure you got a high quality product with good ingredients.

I also want to say sometimes liquid soap causes bumps because of a reaction to SLS/SLES. I had issues with it when I used liquid soap and since switching to bar soap they are all gone. I had them all over my thighs now nothing literally nothing. These two ingredients are VERY common in liquid soaps and can cause breakouts and other skin issues.

I wish I could lead you to a specific seller, but hope you find what you are looking for.

[3bees~1flower]

i make liquid and bar soap....pm me if you are interested in some.