Going without soap, shampoo, anti-perspirant, and lotion

For the last month I haven't used any soap or shampoo in the shower. I've also stopped using anti-perspirant and skin lotions. (I have continued to wash my hands with soap as needed, though.) This started as an experiment, but I think I'm going to stick with it. My scalp used to be terribly itchy, and now it feels fine. I used to get dandruff and oiliness, but those conditions are gone too. Years of keeping my head shaved, using medicated shampoos, and trying different conditioners did nothing to help. The skin on my face, which I used to scrub with anti-acne soaps and moisturize with lotion has become less troublesome as well. I used to find myself unconsciously scratching at my face and picking at zits, but after a month without soap and lotion this behavior has become very rare. I have fewer breakouts and much less oil on my face now. Without anti-perspirant, I sweat a little more but it's been independently verified that I smell the same. Only after rigorous activity like playing tennis or moving furniture do I start to stink, and more than ever! So I have to be careful to wipe my armpits down with a clean hot washcloth or take another shower afterwards. My nether regions are doing just fine without soap, too--no stinkiness or unusual activity down there.

My experiment started when I read a post on someone's blog about how she'd stopped using shampoo and how her hair looked better than ever. I figured I'd stop using all of my shower products, though, not just shampoo. All I use now is a fresh washcloth and hot water. It's much more invigorating and relaxing than soap, and it takes the same amount of time. Follow a careful scrubbing order, (ass last!) be thorough, don't reuse washcloths without laundering them, and you should be fine. I've also been supplementing my showers with weekly soaks in the tub. I include a little baking soda, epsom salts, and sea salt. This last time I threw in a few drops of my homemade massage oil base, which contains grapeseed oil, apricot kernal oil, and sunflower seed oil. (It's supposed to contain wheat germ oil as well, but I don't have any of that around at the moment. Add a little essential oil to this base for a nice-smelling massage!) With the scrubbing and the soaking, I'm cleaner than ever. I just checked my bellybutton, (which I have a habit of neglecting) and it's free of lint and dirt, which wasn't usually the case when I used soap.

The only other thing I have been doing is putting a little Gold Bond powder in my shoes once a week. It feels pretty good, but I'll have to check the label to see if there's anything bad in it. My can of shaving cream is going to be replaced with cold-pressed aloe vera soon, too. Once that happens, my skin will pretty much be touched by nothing but natural stuff. No more industrial foaming agents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and no more artificial dyes and perfumes. I've switched to a natural toothpaste and mouthwash combo as well, which isn't perfect but doesn't contain flouride and alcohol. So, if anybody is thinking about going on a bathroom products strike, I encourage you to try it out. It may require a little time for your skin and hair to find its natural state of equilibrium, but you'll save money and be healthier if you cut out as much of the unnecessary stuff as possible.