 Yep, you read that correctly. As of this writing, it's been exactly six months since one drop of shampoo or soap has touched my body. Now before you start vomiting and send sympathy cards to my poor wife and co-workers, let's get something straight. I still bath every single day. I just don't use soap or shampoo to clean myself.
I'm sure this isn't the first time you've heard of somebody ditching shampoo. There's been a "no poo" movement out there for quite some time and everybody has their reasons for doing so. Some folks are convinced that deadly toxins are seeping into our bodies via our hair follicles and we're being poisoned by The Man and Big Poo. Some people want to save money or save the environment. I didn't really have any special reason for stopping, other than it interested me for some reason. I figured there were only two outcomes possible: my hair would get worse or get better. I have thick and coarse hair and I've never really been happy with it. I've also struggled with dandruff for as long as I could remember and never found a shampoo that got rid of it. As long as I was in an experimental mood, I decided to knock out soap as well and see what happened. I would still shower everyday, but instead of lathering myself up with products, I would stick with hot water, a wash cloth, and good ol friction. Until I decided to write this post, I generally don't yap too often about the fact I don't wash with soap and shampoo. When I do, most people make a face and say something along the lines of eww, gross, and get away from me, you freak. Then the inevitable first question: "Don't you stink?" The answer of course, is a big fat no. If I did stink, I would have went back to soap right away. Remember, I didn't stop bathing. I'm not a flea covered hobo and I can assure you that I'm quite clean when I step out of the shower. Here's the thing that I realized: mother nature knows what she's doing. Our bodies are designed to take care of themselves. Even though it sounds a little gross, our skin and hair discharge natural oils and....stuff, to naturally repel dirt and keep our hair and skin healthy and soft. After six months of no shampoo, my hair is completely soft, manageable, and the healthiest it's felt and looked. Ever. Same goes for my skin. It's the middle of January and while everybody around me is complaining about dry skin and slathering themselves with lotion, my face and arms are soft and smooth. No winter itch here. The only part on my body that's dry this winter? My hands, because I do dishes with dish soap and wash my hands with soap after I use the bathroom. Coincidence? I think not. That's what soap and shampoo do. Cleansers strip the moisture from your body and leave you feeling dry and itchy. To combat this, you load up on moisturizing this and conditioning that to replace what mother nature would provide if you just gave her a chance! And don't get me started on lip balm. I never touch the stuff. The Breaking in Period Thinking about ditching the suds and taking the plunge? Great! You'll never have to buy another bottle of shampoo, conditioner, or bar of soap. Your showers will take half the time, your face will clear up, and your dandruff will go the way of the dodo (shampoo is drying our your scalp, dummy!). Be forewarned, there is a transition period you should be prepared for. Immediately after you stop using shampoo and soap, your body will not be happy. Your hair and skin are used to getting stripped of their natural oils by chemicals, so they're going to complain when you stop. Your hair will feel oily and your skin will too. Not to mention, you'll probably have a little psychological effect of just feeling "gross" for a few days. Relax. This is normal and temporary. It will take a week or two for your hair to balance out and take care of itself. Initially feeling heavy and greasy, your hair turns more more soft and natural once it gets used to no shampoo. Your skin will adapt much faster. I've found once I stopped washing my face with soap I get fewer zits. Body odor in my pits has decreased instead of increased. My dandruff hasn't completely disappeared, but it's vastly improved once I knocked off the Head & Shoulders. So that's that. After six months I see no reason to ever go back to shampoo or soap. What about you? Have you kicked the poo? What about the soap? Share your experiences in the comments. Or call me a freak. I have thick skin. Incredibly soft and lovely thick skin. Update: 7/11/2016 A year and a half later, and I'm still shampoo and soap free. Judging by the amount of comments, it seems plenty of people out there are interested in joining me. My next experiment? Cold showers! I tried to get started in the middle of winter, but as you can imagine that's not the best time. There are many claims out there of the benefits of cold vs. hot showers including:
Robert Brumm is the author of several books and only acts like a flea covered hobo. Please subscribe to his blog.
131 Comments
Eve
5/30/2015 12:02:37 am
I use baking soda water as soap and shampoo. I'm thinking about using it as dish soap too.
Robert
7/10/2015 02:31:22 am
I've gotten into the habit of washing my hair with baking soda once per week. Leaves my hair feeling really soft and clean.
Deb
4/17/2018 05:35:10 pm
You added baking soda? Why? I started out by just stopping the shampoo and using baking soda and ACV. I thought it would help my head scalp psoriasis. It didn't. Then, I heard a nurse /doctor on npr talking about no soap showers. At that point I stopped bathing with soap and also stopped the ACV, baking soda shampoo. I LOVE IT!! I do feel like I'm betraying the whole idea in that I use a soap for my face, I wear make up, and also wash hands with soap. I would love to know the science on whether we need soap when we wash our hands. I know people who don't use it then, either. Thank you for sharing this. I don't tell a lot of people, I don't think they would get it. 12/9/2020 02:02:47 pm
I only use soap for hand washing. My hair sees shampoo 4 times a year at the hairdressers. It's been nearly two years now and I'm still in awe of the results. Beautiful soft clean hair with so much body whereas before it always seemed flat, thin and got oily quickly. My skin is great too and I don't smell although I still use as natural a deodorant as I can find. I also only shower once or twice a week now as I'm living quite a sedentary lifestyle, howeverI swim 3 times a week. When I do shower I just gently rub all over my body with a wash cloth to help slew off dead cells and hair washing is just with water and the same action with my fingers as if I was using shampoo. Like some of the other comments, I'm not usually brave enough to tell others unless they happen to say that they're t
Ha
7/19/2016 02:15:55 am
I have been on no soap for six month. My body never dries out again.
anna
3/23/2017 10:04:44 pm
i´m new at this practice, but i also having some difficulties, especially about the intimate parts and what to do when you have to clean bathroom. i would like to know what you do or suggets because I still use soap from time to time.
Allison
8/29/2017 12:05:00 pm
Today is my first day of no soap, I haven't used shampoo in about a week and today in was thinking in the shower...i really don't need soap either...because yes, it does strip all of the natural oils! I'll update in a month or so and see how it goes :)
Greg
3/1/2020 11:58:20 am
Stopped using soap too, no problems and skin isn't all dried out, go in the hot tub for a good cleanse with no chemicals in it and have a good rinse in the shower and no I don't stink. lol.
I went through a big life change and decided to shave my (4 years of growing) hair off. Mostly because I had just quit smoking and my psoriasis was getting pretty intolerable.
Robert
7/10/2015 02:30:28 am
Thanks for the comment. You gotta hand it to the companies that make all that crap - they've done a smashing job convincing everybody that we NEED it.
Eve
7/12/2015 06:31:40 am
My hair is long and thick too and you'd never guess that I don't use shampoo.
Ann Davis
6/27/2019 11:04:08 pm
I have a friend from France who has never used soap or any other product on her body she has beautiful skin
Zuma
8/2/2015 07:21:43 am
Well I am still in the initial stages as it's been only one week since I gave up soap and shampoo. My hair got quite oily as expected and I used some diluted lemon juice and rinsed it off after a couple of minutes. It really helped with the greasiness. I'm planning to use it every three days or so. I also use a slice of lemon on my armpits with great results. Almost as good as the strong antiperspirant I have been using for many years. Even in these damp and hot days.
Justin
8/18/2015 07:57:37 am
Very interesting! I've forgotten to apply deodorant many times. I can usually smell my armpits by 3pm, which means it's twice as pungent for everyone else around me. I wonder if my wife would become accustomed to it and become more sexually attracted to my stinky self if I stopped stripping away these pheromones every morning. :)
Mike
10/26/2015 04:04:29 am
It's been 2 months since ditched the soap and shampoo. A thorough scrubbing with good wash cloth is all I need (and a spritz of witch hazel-tea tree oil solution on the pits). So despite the hype from Johnson & Johnson, you don't have to smell like pine/lavendar/cedar potpourri to be clean. Be human.
John
10/27/2015 08:28:08 pm
Now 3 years of no soap (except hands) or shampoo, and nothing but positive outcomes. No surprise there. But as you pointed out, my daily showers are now only about half the length they were before. If more people would lay off the unnecessary soap. moisturizers & conditioners, think not only of the money they'd save, but also the amount of water that could be conserved and the reduced pollution of our wastewater. Big benefits and savings for the larger society.
Joseph
11/25/2015 02:28:17 pm
3 days without using soap or shampoo, I'm sweating a lot. I will post another comment on Xmas.
Tony
12/12/2015 02:31:05 am
Personally, I decided to ditch products because I'm tired of being surrounded by chemicals. It's been a week and a half since I've ditched all products. Still showering like normal just minus the soap/poo. My hair is oily and my skin is dry. Surprisingly my Pitts half zero smell, I rub a pinch of baking soda on them just in case. I can't really tell if the rest of me stinks. Nobody seems to be reacting to a smell. Crazy part of all this is my sense of smell has gotten a lot better. I can actually smell other people now, where as before I couldn't really. Going to keep at it till I feel like it's doesn't feel right anymore. I'm actually like 2 weeks in of not using soap and that's the best decision I have ever made in my life....Before I use to smell bad even after I showered and had used soap. I use to feel so depressed and was wondering what was going on with . Well me and a friend was having a convo about soaps and how it strips all the good bacteria from your skin ect ...So when I showered the next time I decided not to use soap on my body except my underarms , feet and behind and I promise you I haven't smelled since that day. I thank God was suffering from BO almost half my life. Now the problem is completely gone!!!!
John Hammond
12/28/2015 04:32:43 am
This doesn't work for me. Why do I say this? I haven't used shampoo or soap when I shower for about a year and family members keep telling me that I smell bad. I'm also getting a lot of dandruff.
MikeA
1/24/2016 02:55:56 pm
I'm a week in. My skin actually feels cleaner than when I used soap, itches less, and I have a overall better feeling of wellbeing. I still use a natural crystal antiperspirant/deodorant (as I always have) and do not smell at all. So, my skin seemed to adjust perfectly. My hair, however, is a different story. It is a little waxy, which I attribute to the breaking-in period. This morning, however, I discovered dandruff, which I never had in my life; so I'm going back to shampoo.
Robert
1/24/2016 03:29:50 pm
I wouldn't give up so quickly. Your hair/scalp needs time to adjust. If you've never had dandruff before, the lack of shampoo wouldn't cause it. I'm sure it'll go away soon.
Carol
1/8/2017 02:00:45 pm
Hi, if you are experiencing a waxy feel to skin or hair this is because of the chlorine in your water. If you invest in a filter you will notice a huge difference. The chlorine, on contact with sebum turns it waxy and prevents it from moving and flowing over skin and particularly hair. Water filters are quite cheap and fitted in seconds. Well worth it!
Jodi
5/11/2020 01:49:39 am
I am six weeks into not using soap or shampoo. I found there was no adjustment period for not using soap but my scalp still hasn’t fully adjusted yet. I found my hair was greasy and then went waxy (build up of grease etc.) I also got something that looked like dandruff but at a closer inspection I think was from the build up of grease as my scalp looked fine, I’d say week 5 was the turning point for me where I noticed the grease reducing and I think in a couple more weeks I will really see the benefits. I can already see that the lengths and ends of my hair are much more conditioned from where the oils are reaching them. I did invest in a bore bristle hair brush which helps distribute the natural oils more, this helped immensely.
Judith S
2/9/2016 08:45:49 pm
Stopped soap and shampoo about a year ago. Did not have any transition problems. I do notice that my hair and skin do have more natural oils and it shows on my pillow! Also, no deodorant, and I do not smell. If I work our hard and get smelly in the pits I just use a wash cloth with water to wipe down. Best decision ever.
Jane
3/4/2016 08:59:46 pm
It is easy to type something, but where are the photos of what you look like. I know people that don't clean themselves and think they are completely okay. Guess what?! They are not. People can't smell themselves as much as other people can for instance.
Robert
3/4/2016 10:20:57 pm
Guess what?! I clean myself every single day. I never said I stopped showering, did I?
Eve
3/25/2016 07:38:19 am
[IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/2dl589y.jpg[/IMG] Do I look dirty?
Jorge Jansen Abreu
11/18/2016 11:24:39 pm
You look gorgeous!
Paul
6/20/2020 04:22:49 pm
yeah and of course you get attacked for giving your opinion.
jock
7/28/2020 03:39:32 pm
I actually thought Jane was quite rude, but that's just my opinion
Blue
3/8/2016 08:39:27 am
I have had Bacteria Vaginosis (BV) on and off for over 30 years. Confirmed by my OBGYN on several occasions via lab testing. Women with this condition are often mis-diagnosed for a yeast infection. Even my own OBGYN never figured it out. I researched my symptoms and asked to be tested for BV.
Robert
3/8/2016 10:31:12 am
Thanks for sharing, Blue. More stories like this are needed so maybe rude and ignorant people like Jane above think twice before assuming anybody that doesn't use soap is a smelly pig. Hot water and a little friction every day is all you need.
Paul
6/20/2020 04:19:24 pm
She was not rude, Jane was just giving her opinion. And how can you claim she was ignorant? Its PEOPLE LIKE YOU who are ARROGANT and turn into CRYBABIES when someone expresses a different opinion that the problem here. F YOU 3/13/2016 01:45:39 pm
Really enjoyed reading, very interesting as I too, have been wondering about all rthe chemicals we put in and on our bodies! My husband and I are making big changes in regards to our health trying alternatives (such as this) so thankyou, much appreciated 3/21/2016 08:34:46 am
Use a body cloth from Norwex it is all natural and leaves you feeling cleaner than ever. Read up on it I use it also the make up remover cloths take ALL my makeup off the most impressive being the mascara, even waterproof. I feel so clean and the cloths do not stink you can wash weekly. Be sure to read all the information as they need special care (washing) to keep the cloth effective.
Jerri Eckart
3/21/2016 08:36:16 am
Here's the website
Anil
3/25/2016 07:13:39 am
I stopped using soap & shampoo exactly 6 months & 9 days ago & have felt better because of reduced body odour. My skin & hair are much better & younger now.
Nicky
4/6/2016 03:29:07 am
Hi there, I've been researching how to train my hair to need washing less frequently as my skin doesn't seem to enjoy shampoo and soaps. Within minutes of researching, I'm now considering completely ditching the lot. A question though... What about laundry detergents? Comments here mention wash cloths and how to clean them and it's got me wondering about detergents from your clothing against your skin (especially if working out). Any advice or experience on that from anyone here?
Robert
7/11/2016 09:02:01 am
I never gave detergent much thought but I'm sure there are plenty of alternatives out there. For every product created in a lab, somebody has found a natural alternative.
Aeris
3/15/2020 12:30:34 pm
Funny. I was thinking that for every product out there, someone has figured out a way to make it in a lab.
BT
6/18/2016 08:33:06 am
Thinking about doing this, but a couple of remaining questions.
Robert
6/18/2016 12:58:32 pm
I use Cremo to shave. It's awesome and lasts forever. Way better than the crappy foam in a can. I don't use deodorant but I've never had a BO problem and Im not a big sweater.
BT
6/27/2016 11:28:39 pm
Update: I've been able to go the last week without soap for shaving in the shower. I've also been able to go without deodorant, though I'm still monitoring whether I will need it more when eating certain foods or when sweating more.
Sue Price
1/25/2019 01:09:51 pm
Oh no, don't use soap to shave in the shower. I read that conditioner is a good shaving lubricant. I tried it, and it works much better than soap.
Meraf
6/27/2016 09:34:31 pm
Hello all. I was wanting to ditch soap but I dye my hair frequently. I use conditioner to keep my hair soft after these treatments. Should I stop using conditioner as well?
Meraf, as I understand it, using this method the natural oils from your scalp should coat your hair making conditioner unnecessary. But right after a dye treatment you might want to use something to replace the natural oils that get stripped so your hair is protected. Shea butter, coconut oil, etc. It's dye + shampoo that makes stripped hair more dry and vulnerable. If you do find you need something more on occasion or on the tips of your hair, try shea butter or coconut oil, just a little in your palms and rubbed on your hair -- not a lot.
Erin
7/9/2016 09:56:45 am
I have "shampooed" with baking soda and water for about a year and a half, followed with a rinse of apple cider water. About 2 Tbsp. of each, in about 2 c. of shower water. I do color my hair, and this leaves it very soft, and I can go longer without shampooing since I started using this method. I also use the crystal deodorant, as mentioned above in one of the comments. Natural is better, and less costly.
Robert
7/11/2016 08:59:59 am
Baking soda is good, I use that myself once and a while, but I never understood the vinegar rinse. I've seen that suggestion many times. Doesn't it leave you stinking like vinegar or is that not enough?
Erin
7/11/2016 02:06:42 pm
No stink, I rinse the vinegar out just as you would with regular conditioner.
Chris N
7/25/2016 03:11:01 pm
I've been no soap no poo since 11/12/2013 and I couldn't be happier. My hair and skin are naturally soft again! I didnt even go through the strange intermittent gross feeling, my body knew immediately that this was a good thing. At this point, it's become second nature and I stopped thinking about it until i read this article. People have the hardest time believing me that it actually works, and I still get eew gross looks when I tell them. I guess there's a psychological addiction to smelling like pine trees or lavender when you step out of the shower. I implore everyone to simply try it, and stick to it better than a new years resolution. If it's not for you, go ahead and poo/soap it up.
Robert
7/25/2016 03:50:02 pm
Yup. Couldn't agree more. People always assume no soap/shampoo = not cleaning! Scrubbing with hot water does 99% of the job. Soap just strips away what you need and leaves you smelling pretty. If that's what you're after, a quick spritz of Drakkar Noir will do the job. People still wear that, right? ;) 7/29/2016 10:48:20 am
hi,
Vikram
7/30/2016 06:38:56 am
I have stopped using soap and shampoo for now almost year and half. Just after bathroom i do wash with soap my hands.
Renè
8/5/2016 01:43:11 pm
Hi there!!
Robert
8/5/2016 02:25:45 pm
Well, for me the transition was short because I had very short hair at the time so it was less noticable. If I had long rock star hair I probably would have struggled for a few weeks. Ive read its about two weeks, so hang in there
Anne
8/14/2016 03:51:13 pm
Thanks for writing this. I suddenly decided to quit soap and shampoo too. It's been a month. Got tired of being concerned with what my skin might be absorbing. I use only about 3 gallons of RO water to bath every few days. I do it Japanese style with a scrub wash cloth they use there. I do use water under my armpits after working out which works good. My aging skin really looks nice even without makeup. My hair is very thick and long but when I used shampoo it was frizzy and dry. Now it looks fantastic pulled back or in a braid but it's still transitioning so it's a bit oily. Doesn't smell bad at all. Thanks again for your bravery on this subject. Please keep us posted.
Jon
8/16/2016 11:08:30 pm
I am a 52 year old 6'5" 212 lb Caucasian man. I haven't showered with soap for 2 weeks. Because I shave my head, I use no shampoo. For years, decades actually, I had shaved my head and face with noxzema but I have switched to a natural shave cream by Burts Bees for last two weeks. I haven't told anybody about my new regime yet because I am pretty sure many would suddenly convince themselves that I smell different simply because I told them of my soap,ess showers. Trust me, if I stink, my partner would tell me. But I am not going to get his imagination thinking I smell different...I am waiting to hear it without my sharing. So far--nothing has been said. I have used coconut oil on my body a few times...but that's not the focus of this blog. I do use a natural deodorant now too. For years, I have used soaps and moisturizers all the time. I mean, my bathroom looked liked I was the poster child for soap and moisturizers. When I travel, I'd always pack my own soap, noxzema, etc. as I was always shocked that people would actually use the hotel soap. (Don't slay me on my arrogance as I am only being honest, the point being is that I spared nothing to make sure I loaded up on soap and moisturizers.) For years, I had little red "sweat" dots randomly covering my chest. Not hundreds but like always about a dozen or so spots always visible. After sweating from running or from working seemed to make the dots more prevalent. Today, with my soap less showers, I only see one or two dots and I think they may actually be permanent/scars that may never completely disappear. My skiin doesn't seem to be worse off, it seems to be better off. I feel very good about how this is impacting me and plan on continuing. And sex is awesome. Please let me explain. For years, I had to sort of not get too touchy freely or my red dot issue would end up covering my upper body like I was braking out in hives. Amazingly (and perhaps it is the coconut oil use) my body looks hives free even after plenty of " bumping and grinding". Now, perhaps this no soap showering won't work for everyone. I don't know about others but, if it matters (and I think it might), I don't drink any alcohol ever and I don't smoke anything...I eat very clean food (yes, even chicken and tuna) but eat extremely healthy...I run often (3 miles a couple times a week) and I lift weights 2 to 3 times a week. My thought is that many folks who have considered reducing soap usage are already a bit health conscious and if you are chain smoking and eating 5 hamburgers a day, well, you might stink without soap--but I don't know that for sure. Good luck to all, thank you for the blog.
Abbi
8/23/2016 05:59:09 pm
Hello, I've been no soap for a while and love it. I have been trying to cut shampoo. Did go five days without it at most, and since have used some products that cut the major chemicals in most commercial shampoos.. Was wondering if you're hair every gets oily now and if so, how you deal with it
Robert
8/23/2016 07:48:49 pm
I recommend plain 'ol baking soda. It's dirt cheap and does well. Just leave a box in the shower and use it on your hair once a week. A handful will do and it does a good job of cleaning your hair.
Lubo
8/30/2016 06:30:59 pm
I sont use shampoo or soap - i do get worried at times that i will attract some skin festering bug...though not happened yet i dont think. I have not used shampoo (apart from occasions when id dyed my hair) for about 5 years and never woudl go back. much better condition and can do a lot of stuff with it e.g. brush to have nice and let go rough can tie it up without the need of a hair tie! No soap also, though be about on and off a year - i find now that when i use soap it make my skin dry and my armpits smell more...hot shower though i think helps to maintain bacteria and dirt therefore the smell
Mike
10/5/2016 01:26:06 pm
Day 3 of no soap in the shower and no issues.
PAEA
11/28/2020 01:38:41 pm
I haven’t used shampoo on my hair for several years. Just a shower, every day. My hair is thicker and more easily styled than it ever was. The only time this changes is when I have a hair cut, and the barber wets my hair with some kind of product and combs my hair relentlessly, and for a week or two after, my hair seems thin and flat. And then, slowly, it gets back to its normal shiny animal-perfect self! Shampoo destroys your hair’s condition. It’s a gigantic con. 10/18/2016 04:53:08 am
I, too, am one of the oddballs out there who do these types of experiments on myself. I googled "I stopped using soap" and found you.
shivani
10/28/2016 12:57:57 am
Will it be ok to use soap n shampoo like once a week ..?
Rex
11/21/2016 08:56:46 pm
Stopped using shampoo about a year ago. My hair was rapidly thinning on the top, since I've stopped using shampoo my hair has started to become thicker where it had been thinning, also no dandruff and doesn't get greasy like when I used shampoo. 3 months ago I stopped using soap when I bath. Just warm/hot water to rinse and clean, then cool/cold water to close the pores before I get out. Skin doesn't get as dry and not oily either. I also, to my surprise, don't get as smelly and I can go longer without starting to stink. The body odors if any are more musky and natural, rather than bitter and pungent. One of the best things I've changed in my everyday life.
Dylan
12/7/2016 09:26:01 pm
Interesting stuff. Especially the part about letting mother nature doing her job, I was always the type that thought anyone who talked like that was just nutty but recently I've really been thinking about stuff like this. If we really needed this stuff, why is it something that has to be artificially made rather than produced naturally?
Xine
12/28/2016 10:39:44 pm
I stopped using soap and shampoo for about six months while living out of the country. When I moved back to the states, I stayed at a friends house and was "repopulated" with some bad bacteria and couldn't seem to shake the underarm odor. A month ago, it occurred to me to use apple cider vinegar to clean up (I ferment the stuff). Two days later the body odor was gone. Permanently. I think stuff like home-fermented apple cider vinegar can be a helpful boost for the skin microbiome.
vroen
12/30/2016 05:35:13 pm
What happens after you go swimming? Can you wash off the chlorine with just water?
Mr.Higgs
1/5/2017 08:00:14 pm
So after reading all the awesome posts here, I'm going to give the no soap no poo a try. I think I'll set a goal of 6 months and see how it goes.
Robert
1/5/2017 08:18:23 pm
Thanks for sharing, Higgs. Good luck!
Marc
1/8/2017 03:01:33 pm
Thanks Robert! 3/6/2017 12:46:31 am
I generally use shampoo twice a week. It was prescribed by my doctor. I had a problem with my hair when did I used to shampoo everyday but now my hair got the strength back.
Dwen
3/10/2017 01:39:34 pm
I'm a 66 year old woman and have not used soap since I turned 13 (though I still use small amounts of shampoo once a week on my hair, but am considering ramping that back). I take a thorough warm water shower most days and after any hot or strenuous activity. I sometimes use a rough washcloth or brush, but usually not, mostly just rub the water over my skin with my hands and dry vigorously with rough towels aftewards. For shaving my legs and pits, I just use water for razor lubrication. I only use soap (non bactericidal) on my hands, and only after handling grubby stuff or using the bathroom. The few times I have ever used soap, I could not stand the itchiness and did not feel any "cleaner".
Dwen
3/10/2017 01:49:03 pm
Also would add that I have never had the UTI's and "yeast" infections that seem to constantly plague women of all ages. My only experience of those was when the need to take antibiotics screwed up my "personal flora" and in those instances I've always worked afterwards to boost and restore it until I got the balance back.
Marky
3/11/2017 02:09:56 pm
What a great blog and now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense to 'go natural' and let the human body do it's thing. I'm definitely going to try this!"
Anna
3/23/2017 10:11:26 pm
i´m new at this practice, but i also having some difficulties, especially about the intimate parts and what to do when you have to clean bathroom. i would like to know what you do or suggets because I still use soap
TB
4/3/2017 12:59:10 pm
I'm a week in with no soap and no poo. So far so good. My wife hasn't even noticed. It is amazing the things we humans have come up with to "improve" on taking care of our bodies.
stephen
4/10/2017 09:35:05 pm
I've been soap free for about 7-8 years. I support all the things that Robert has said in his post. I feel cleaner, my hair is softer and my partner does not say I stink. In addition, I rarely use sunscreen since my body produces natural oils that protect my skin from the harsh sun and I don't wash them off with soap. I would only use sunscreen if I were to spend more than 2 hours in the sun (or perhaps an hour in the middle of the day). I can't find a downside to a no-soap lifestyle. 4/20/2017 06:37:01 am
hello sir,
Charlie huff
5/9/2017 02:12:07 pm
I'm soap and shampoo free also, just wondering if anyone ever uses moisturizers or lotions on their skin
Robert
5/9/2017 02:39:09 pm
Never! I only get tempted during the winter with my dry hands. Guess what? I wash my hands with soap. Hmmm.....
Veronica
5/21/2017 11:34:57 pm
I'm intrigued, but only hesitate because I tend to sweat excessively despite the temperature 😕
Charlie huff
5/25/2017 08:46:56 am
I do still use a natural deodorant, I use one of the salt rocks. You could try that but everyone is different, maybe it would work.
Robert
8/29/2017 12:40:06 pm
My personal opinion is that BO is largely in the genes. Either you have a strong odor when you sweat or you don't. If you're light on the funk like me, why not cut out the deodorant completely? Unlike bad breath, you can smell your own BO so do some testing.
Kamila
10/21/2017 11:00:15 am
That's not exactly true. Smell can vary depending on state of your body. My body for example didn't smell for many years. Than I have some gut problems and started to stink. Cleansing my gut took me back to not smelling at all.
imad
7/5/2017 08:19:06 am
I have been doing this for about a month, and i get the same effect of having less pit odor.
Randy
7/20/2017 01:14:50 am
I believe 1 part baking soda 2 parts triple distilled vodka makes a paste that is extremely useful in cleansing the body. I may have the mixture ratio off but you want to use some good baking soda and triple distilled vodka and mix into a sealable container. You will want the consistency to be that of like a cream or paste, you don't want it to clump on your skin but you don't want it so runny that it runs right off.
Jim
8/2/2017 04:57:52 am
Hi Robert,
Robert
8/2/2017 07:09:00 am
Still going. I see no reason to ever go back.
Jim
8/2/2017 08:22:14 am
Thanks for the assurance. I've been skin-product-free for 11 days now, and my skin is exfoliating like crazy. I use to clean rather vigorously using soap and shampoo (Head and Shoulders) and I used pimple cream with Salicylic acid... it's been tough walking around with skin dripping off my face, but I hope this is all worth it. Short-term pain for long-term gain.
Jasmine
8/15/2017 09:31:26 pm
I am currently 4-6 weeks in (lost track but most likely the 5th week in).. I used to have little to no dandruff but now it seems as if I made it worse! My crown is always somewhat oily and flattened down due to the grease as well.. If you part my hair, there is noticible dandruff that is highly embarrassing. I'm considering about going back to heads and shoulders but the way my skin and odour is now is great. I know I won't have AS good skin with soap. Am I doing something wrong with the way I scrub my head? Do you recommend any solutions? Please help! Thanks.
Jim
8/16/2017 03:24:07 am
Hi Jasmine,
KLL
2/6/2018 04:59:40 pm
Try a boar bristle brush. Morrocco Method has some videos on how to do it to maximize hair and scalp benefits
I am about a week or so now no-soap, and I started to wonder if I'm crazy for doing this. Apparently on to something though. I stopped using shampoo and conditioner months ago because I just hated having to wash my hair. After nothing bad happened and my hair actually is more healthy I started questioning soap too.
bob
12/20/2017 06:31:18 pm
i stopped using soap or shampoo in july of 2015 and just take hot showers and scrub. i don't ever smell bad. Hi, I just started selling norwex and thought I would give the body cloths a go with my hair. I normally have frizzy ends but with these body cloths my hair is so soft and my comb goes right through my tangled hair with no problem at all and the friz is gone! So I now shower with my towel and water from head to toes , if I think I start to sweat at work I’ll get my towel and just wash the sweat off!! They are the best because if you’re camping or don’t have time for a shower just wet the towel and clean yourself and your hair. If you’re thinking oh gross with the the same cloths? Yes they are self purifying and don’t cross contaminate I use one side for body and other for hair if I only have 1 towel with me. So I agree with you Robert all you need is a towel and water!! 4/12/2018 07:00:13 am
I forgot the last day I used shampoo and you just can't believe my hair got back the natural strength gradually. For the first few months, it was so much frustrating and I thought I needed to avoid my routine. But the magic was started after 3 months after stopping any chemicals into my hair. But you should use any kind of natural ingredients like coconut oil.
Rosie waddell
4/25/2018 05:00:21 pm
I have been doing this a week now and I have found I smell way way less after the gym and I feel great .my skin isn't dry anymore. I have noticed I am getting a few breakouts on my chest. Is this normal will it clear?? 5/12/2018 02:43:02 pm
This is a really helpful tip. I everyday use shampoo but now i don't use shampoo. But i want to use coconut oil. It's not bad for any hair. Thank you for share a helpful tip.
Cheryl Painter
5/23/2018 07:28:09 am
I'm also soap free since February and my skin has cleared. Psoriasis for the past 15 years on my elbows... Gone! I still wash my hear with Bronnner's fair trade sulfate free. Thanks for this post.
JR
5/31/2018 04:33:14 pm
I went without soap/shampoo for 2 months now. I told nobody because I'm afriad some people might look at me differently. I told my grilfriend just last week, she was really surprised how I did not smell even when temps regulary hit near 30°C with high humidity. I do use deodorant. 7/2/2018 02:28:53 pm
Firstly, i want to offer you thanks for this specific informative articles. My personal perspective - Ceased soap along with shampoo with regards to a year before. Did not have got any change problems. I really do notice that our hair in addition to skin have more herbal oils and it exhibits on my pillow wedge! Also, simply no deodorant, and that i do not scent. If I perform our tough and get bad in the holes I just utilize a wash fabric with water to wiping. Best selection ever.
Jennifer Warkentin
8/9/2018 12:30:39 am
Hi Robert. I’ve been shampoo free for a couple years and recently (2 weeks) stopped using soap. My only thing is HOW DO I SHAVE MY LEGS AND PITS??? I saw this question asked earlier but no one replied. I’m hoping you (or someone else) has some advice.......perhaps I scrolled too quickly... ok, so this may be crazy but I was told that Norwex body cloths can replace shaving cream. NO, I do NOT sell the stuff. But I did just buy one and try it today. I scrubbed one area of my leg with the cloth, shaved, and moved on to another spot. No razor burn so far and my legs actually feel smoother than normal. It's kinda weird but I think I'm sold on it.
Blue
8/18/2018 09:15:37 pm
I'm so happy to find this blog! I stopped using soap a few years ago. Instead I put a small squeeze of fractionated coconut oil (liquid at room temp) on a hot washcloth and wipe down. Cleans and moisturizes at the same time! 9/5/2018 12:05:03 pm
Great post...! I get some informative information here. Really this is very helpful post for me. You have shared a new lesson. Thanks for sharing your post with us. I ditched shampoo 18 months ago. I still use conditioner because I have extremely dry, curly hair and it turns into a big knot without it. But I learned about what ingredients in conditioner are good and which ones are actually drying it out and making it more dependent on products and discovered that good old $2/bottle Suave conditioner was far better for my hair than my $50/bottle salon products. Today I ditched soap. It's a little scary but I just showered and I have to say that I feel cleaner than I typically do after a shower.There's not icky film of soap on my skin. I think I'm going to like this...
Andrew Lin
9/16/2018 11:00:32 pm
I work with chemicals regularly, mostly oil based, and often have to wash them off. Do you have any alternatives to soap in that case?
Vd
2/3/2019 11:46:39 am
Baking soda. 9/26/2018 01:40:47 am
You have shared the right thing any types of soap contains harmful toxic chemical but some soaps are natural so you can use natural or herbal soap. on the other hand if you want to wash your clothes you can use natural or DIY detergent powder because natural detergent is better than any types of toxic detergent.
LOANI ERNESTINA CASTILLO PIMENTEL
11/1/2018 07:26:34 am
I stop soap about two years now. I tried leaving shampoo but I did not like the results... I was getting some sort of pimples in my chest and back, which stopped when I started robbing my skin with a bath sponge (one of plastic for I had not a luffa at hand). I dislike soap, wherever I happen to use it leaves my hands dry.
ASHTON
4/5/2019 02:23:49 pm
Hi! Thank you for writing this! I have been soap free only for a few days now and I feel like my skin and hair responded really well to it! My question is I train for triathlons in the summer. What should I do about cleansing my skin and hair after being in the swimming pool? Baking soda? Apple cider vinegar? Or should I just say goodbye to the pool life?
Deb C
4/26/2019 08:15:01 am
I started water only because of my allergies. I am very allergic to fragrances and cannot use/have anything scented on my hair or skin. I am also very allergic to flying stinging things and water only has definitely cut down my attraction to these things. I use Sappo Hill Fragrance Free bar soap for dish and hand washing or just plain baking soda if I’m out. For laundry I use SmartKlean laundry balls and I use a couple of cotton cloths with safety pins stuck in them as dryer sheets. They eliminate static and are much quieter than tennis or dryer balls. So no soap or detergent for anything except hands and dishes.
What a great post. I enjoyed the humour and content.
TJ
7/29/2019 06:43:33 am
Only a couple days ago I just stopped using soap/shampoo. I just use lukewarm to very cold water. So far it's been amazing. My skin feels so soft and not stressed. My complexion feels much lively. I smell nice without having to douse myself in some skin stripping product.
N
8/9/2019 12:55:01 pm
How's the cold showers experiment going?
Chax
1/18/2020 02:46:46 pm
Been getting a few chest/back spots so thought I'd stop using shower gel on my body since my hair and face are so much better condition and I don't use anything on them. Just started cold baths/showers this week and they really toughen up my hair and skin pretty much instantly, noticed less inflammation on my chest/back spots so too so gonna keep up the routine.
Nathaniel
4/13/2020 11:55:28 pm
When you shave Robert, what do you use for the foam, and do you use an aftershave? If I didn’t use one I know my face would feel like the desert.
Hyper Crypton
7/25/2020 03:10:17 am
I am soap and shampoo free for the last 2 months. Feels amazing. No perfumes or deodorants either. Want to give up on toothpaste too. Was thinking of chewing fennel seeds and cloves.. Something we in India have been doing for a long time anyway. Its supposed to be a natural mouth freshener. Will try to chew mint leaves too. Anyone given up toothpaste .. ?
KIM
7/31/2020 12:56:37 pm
Personally, I brush my teeth with toothpaste only before going to bed. During the day I don't use toothpaste anymore. But if there is an alternative to toothpaste I'd like to hear about it.
Hyper Crypton
7/31/2020 02:25:21 pm
Chewing on cloves and fennel seed works amazing. Feel free to email me directly on hypercrypton at gmail Cheers
Magwito
8/4/2020 01:16:31 am
I'm intrigued to say the least after reading about Dr Hamblin's book "Clean" on going totally soap free. I'm a cosmetologist and I have been weaning myself off of the dependence on cosmetics industry to dictate what's best for my clients and my own hair/skin health.
shemaba
11/13/2020 05:10:06 pm
I haven't used soap or deodorant for over 15 years. No one but my immediate family know and no one has ever mentioned me smelling, ever.
sheleigh bant
11/13/2020 05:14:17 pm
A big plus for me not using soap or deodorant means my beautiful perfume stands alone .... it doesn't have to compete with all the different scents from soap, moisturiser etc.
Nitin Negi
12/19/2020 02:37:38 am
Not sure how, but I got this same idea and I though to check if it's really worth a shot...to my surprise lot of people already trying it. That's so hella nice to see we started embracing normal design of our body.
Mike
2/11/2021 09:08:05 pm
I haven’t used shampoo or deodorant in 15 years +. I use soap on occasion to wash my hands but that’s mostly just if I have grease or something on them or otherwise feel the need. I also use soap to clean my rear after using the bathroom especially if I anticipate being in intimate contact with a woman. Other than that I do not scrub my body all over with soap at all, none. And I haven’t gone through that ritual in over 15 years. The soap and shampoo thing is just dumb, and especially deodorant. The public is very gullible. Yes, I do bathe, with water. Leave a Reply. |
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