The forgotten joy of soap • Hacker News Board

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#211

Post by ses1984 » Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 4:33 AM UTC

Retra wrote: post #122

fatnoah wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have no comment on the original comment's correlation of cessation of soap usage with lack of body odor, but as someone who rides a crowded subway every day in the summer, I'm not sure I want people to experiment with this.

People are also unreasonably squeamish toward unpleasant smells. Some things just don't smell great, and that's not actually a problem. It's life, move on.

No I think most people are the right amount of squeamish around unpleasant smells. It's possible to have good hygiene without using products that are overly irritating or with a large environmental impact.

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#212

Post by sfmike » Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 7:40 AM UTC

Surprised no one's mentioned Mother dirt.

https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Dirt-Microbiome-Plant-Based-Pr...

Soap that doesn't kill the skin biome. Unlike antibacterial which just mercs everything.

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#213

Post by jaclaz » Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 12:48 PM UTC

FreeFull wrote: post #64

tempguy9999 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree and have to wonder whether toothpaste really does anything significant, or perhaps it's just a moneymaking consumable.

Brushing with an abrasive does make a significant difference. The fluoride also has a significant effect on reducing tooth decay. The other parts aren't too important (flavour and mouthfeel). You can definitely get away with using other abrasives, but it won't be as pleasant.

Old toothpastes (and some of the new ones) used sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in the ingredients, it is slighly abrasive, it is whitening, not at all bad tasting and non-toxic if ingested/swallowed accidentally.

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#214

Post by KozmoNau7 » Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 4:26 PM UTC

jazoom wrote: post #12

amelius wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good point, but what does that mean for the war against plastic gel bottles? From the article: > Given the war against plastic, maybe there will be a reaction to all these bottles of handwash. The bar of soap might yet stage a resurgence.

My wife (also a doctor) actually started buying some bars for exactly that reason. Unfortunately they were too harsh. It's an unsolved problem, as far as I know. Once there's enough demand, I'm sure manufacturers will follow the dollars.

I've been very happy with super-fatted soaps and soaps with added shea butter. My favorite so far has been Dudu Osun.

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#215

Post by KozmoNau7 » Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 4:38 PM UTC

SolaceQuantum wrote: post #95

I'd recommend anyone who has chronic skin issues to give african black soap a try. I'm not sure what exactly is in it that makes it work so well, but it works wonders for a variety of chronic skin irritation resulting symptoms like eczema.

I've used Dudu Osun for a while now, and I think the key points are that it's super-fatted and has shea butter mixed in.

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#216

Post by KozmoNau7 » Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 4:39 PM UTC

parentheses wrote: post #98

Squirty soaps are more presentable and I'm told don't dry out your skin (I have no proof of this). I recommend watering the soap down. The amount of soap needed is usually a fraction of the travel of the pump. Additionally when you add water, you needn't rinse before soaping - the soap mixed into the water enables lathering (thus saving water and soap).

I bought a foam dispenser, which I fill with very dilute Dr. Bronner's. It works amazingly well.

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#217

Post by rleigh » Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 6:36 PM UTC

Retra wrote: post #122

fatnoah wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have no comment on the original comment's correlation of cessation of soap usage with lack of body odor, but as someone who rides a crowded subway every day in the summer, I'm not sure I want people to experiment with this.

People are also unreasonably squeamish toward unpleasant smells. Some things just don't smell great, and that's not actually a problem. It's life, move on.

I think that when your co-workers have such severe BO that it makes your eyes water, that it might be a bit much.

Re: The forgotten joy of soap

#218

Post by 11235813213455 » Thu, Jul 11, 2019, 10:37 AM UTC

mathnode wrote: post #188

11235813213455 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same here, the joy of a good Marseille soap (I'm in France). It lasts at least 3 months for showers, washing hands, and everything (hair as well) I heard some people wash their teeth with soap, I'm not there yet :))

I have never heard of this (UK), a bar of soap you can wash hair with?

You can wash your hair with any soap bar, simple, efficient