New Soap Genesis

[avox]

A new Whole Foods just opened up and, as I'm in the market for some higher quality (and organic) face and body soaps, I figured I'd do some shopping :biggrin:. Does anybody have any recommendations on what to get?

The only requirements are that they aren't too drying or expensive. I'd prefer a bar as I'm trying to cut down on unnecessary extras (e.g., poofs, loofahs, etc.), but if the advantages are in the favor of a liquid, I'd go for it. I'm thinking something olive oil based...? Thanks for any info you've got.

[ltlsuz]

I'm thinking olive oil based would be your best bet. But you may be able to find some with Shea Butter or Goat's Milk. Those would be nice also.
Susie

[jss]

Suzie ought to know her stuff. I'd follow her.

[jramire2]

They sell a really good olive oil and aloe vera based soap at CM called Neolia (or something really close to that). Don't know if they carry it at Whole paycheck or not, but it's about $2 or so a bar and has a great light scent and good moisturizing properties.

[Handy]

Have you tried any Dr. Bronners soaps before?

[OldSchoolYoungin]

The Kiss My Face olive oil stuff is always good, huge bars that last a long time.

[SilkySmooth]

South of France Shea Soap is very nice.


==Tom

[LukeInFlames]

Hey there - my two scents. (heh)

I concur with a switch to olive-oil soap - it's done my skin a whole lot of good, as far as i can tell, when i switched a few months ago.

However, I would pass on the neolia. it's stinky, filled with unnecessary stabilizers and fragrances.

my personal preference for branded commercial stuff is Papoustanis - comes in big rectangle blocks (300gms or so) and has nothing in it excp. saponified olive oil, a teeny bit of salt, and citric acid as a stabiliser. it's just a bar of soap - smells of soap, nothing else. (am i the only person around that likes soap to smell only of itself? is that weird?)

one bar lasts me 2+ months. hell, i've successfully used it as a shaving soap in a pinch a couple of times.

if you want to really go out on a limb, try to find Syrian Aleppo soap. it's been made with traditional methods in that country for 1000+ years. no additives, scents, colorants, etc. It's aged, thus very hard and long-lasting. Avail. at most good middle-eastern groceries.

cheers,

-L.

[Silb3r]

I buy my body soap at WF, it's "NutriBiotic Fresh Fruit Antibiotic Skin Cleanser body wash". It comes in a pump bottle (the only downside I can see), smells like fresh grapefruit, and is made primarily from grapefruit seed extract. Been using it for about a month now and I would never go back to "those other" soaps/cleansers. Cheers...

[Suzuki]

The KMF soaps are quite good and reasonably priced.

I'm a big fan of the olive oil soaps - I currently have a stash of Savon de Marseilles - but any good olive oil soap is good.

Most of the olive oil soaps like the S de M benefit from some time to dry if they're fresher (not usually as much of an issue if you buy stateside vs from Europe), as they'll last longer.

I've also used some good palm oil based soas - the S de M, and others.

I regularly use Mysore Sandalwood soap - commonly found in Indian groceries or available over the net for a buck or so per bar. It has a very strong sandalwood scent (natural, not synthetic) so this may not be for you.

Finally, I've used Honeybee Sue's goat milk bath soaps - very nice, but they don't last all that long.

Oh yeah, if you're using these sorts of soap, make sure you have a good soap rack/holder, as they last much longer if you allow them to dry between uses.

[Another Platonist]

+1 on the Kiss my Face olive oil soaps. They are extremely gentle, last a long time, and you get a BIG bar for pretty cheap. For me, the bar is actually a little too big at first. If you lived in Milwaukee, you could pick up a bar of "Milwaukee Beer Soap," made by a brewmaster at the Milwaukee Ale House. They make a bunch, but my favorites are "Hop in the Shower" (really hoppy, if you like pale ales and IPAs) and "Oatmeal Stout," with added oatmeal for exfolliation. Nice, good smelling stuff!

[OldSchoolYoungin]

The KMF soaps are quite good and reasonably priced.

I'm a big fan of the olive oil soaps - I currently have a stash of Savon de Marseilles - but any good olive oil soap is good.

Most of the olive oil soaps like the S de M benefit from some time to dry if they're fresher (not usually as much of an issue if you buy stateside vs from Europe), as they'll last longer.

I've also used some good palm oil based soas - the S de M, and others.

I regularly use Mysore Sandalwood soap - commonly found in Indian groceries or available over the net for a buck or so per bar. It has a very strong sandalwood scent (natural, not synthetic) so this may not be for you.

Finally, I've used Honeybee Sue's goat milk bath soaps - very nice, but they don't last all that long.

Oh yeah, if you're using these sorts of soap, make sure you have a good soap rack/holder, as they last much longer if you allow them to dry between uses.

+1 on Mysore Sandal. Fantastic soap and great scent! I also use the talc. We unfortunately have no Indian groceries around here, so I have to order mine.