Lather up with lovely soaps

Lather up! There’s nothing quite like a wash with a bar of soap that smells and feels heavenly

IT’S been around for more than 5 000 years so soap must be doing something right! We use it to wash our hands, for bathing and sometimes, using gentler versions, to cleanse our face. Because it’s given so many names – cleansing bar, moisture bar, medicated soap, antibacterial soap – it can become confusing picking out the right one for your needs. Here’s what to look out for.

WHICH SOAP?

Soap was traditionally made using glycerine, a natural moisturising ingredient that gives skin just the right amount of oil. But many commercial soap manufacturers have replaced this luxurious natural ingredient with chemicals, colourants and preservatives, many of which can irritate your skin.

Synthetic fragrances are also used to mask the odour of the harsh additives. The result? A bar of soap that can do more harm than good to your skin.

The first thing to consider when choosing soap is your skin type. Using too harsh a product on dry skin will leave you with flakes and itchiness due to the tightness caused by the soap. If your skin is prone to breakouts, stay away from moisture-rich soap. Avoid using harsh soaps on your face, especially if they have antibacterial properties as these contain ingredients too strong for delicate facial skin. Use them instead on your hands to help remove bacteria and germs.

Look for face soaps made from a blend of vegetable oils such as olive, coconut, palm, soya bean or sunflower oil. These are the most gentle on your skin.

Added ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera and vitamin E make your bar of soap more moisturising.

Also, pick a scent you enjoy to make lathering up a complete sensual experience. There’s plenty to choose from and many soaps use essential oils so you can be sure of a natural fragrance.

Always keep your bar on a soap dish or a soap saver to prevent it becoming soggy. This way, the soap will dry and the excess water will run off so you don’t end up with a mushy mess.

And finally, make sure you read the labels to find out exactly what went into the bar of soap.

If you find a soap you love, stock up on it so you’ll always have your favourite bar nearby!