I’m one of those people who has semi-sensitive skin. This means that on certain areas of my body, I tend to collect what African American people affectionately call “ash.” This “ashy” state of being is incredibly unattractive when attempting to be cute in a mini-dress or pair of shorts. Furthermore, who wants to shake hands with someone whose knuckles appear to have been dragged through flour? Not I; and certainly not anyone else I can think of.
The problem with my skin, is that most bar soaps from the drug store or supermarket are incredibly drying. I suspect that many of the wonderful ingredients which make up lumps of fats and oils smell like “Ocean Breezes,” are the same chemicals that tend to dry the skin out mercilessly. I’ve gone on something of a quest to determine which of the bar soaps out there is the best at retaining moisture after a long hot bubble bath. Here are my findings…
DOVE : Without a doubt, I have to admit that Dove is my absolute favorite soap for bathtime. I became hooked on the soap after my cousin stayed overnight. After her shower, she emerged from the bathroom looking refreshed. But what I recall the most, was the sweet and gentle aroma wafting from the steamy bathroom. I was advised that the soap she used was Dove. Dove has been toted as a sensitive skin soap for many years. It truly is one of the more gentler soaps. I started buying it years ago, and was thrilled at how silky it felt on my skin during the bath. Dove is a bit pricier than most other soaps-but not terribly so. I credit the Coconut Acid, and sweet Almond oil as ingredients for the smooth veneer that coats my skin after using this product. One caveat: it melts very quickly. I suppose all those skin-enriching oils have something to do with that. At any rate, this is a great soap for those who do not like a sickly over-perfumed scent when they emerge from the bathtub.
PEAR’S NATURAL GLYCERIN TRANSPARENT SOAP: It’s weird to scrub down with a soap that you can see through. I didn’t realize until I did a little research, that each bar of this soap is aged for approximately three months until it is completely transparent. I must confess that the color looks rather medicinal. But if you’re looking for a soap that is good for the skin, this is the bar to choose. Don’t be surprised if the fragrance is slight. This isn’t a glamourous soap at all. The soap contains glycerin and other natural oils, and will not clog pores. If you’re accustomed to getting that after bathtub “itch”, you can forget that experience with Pear’s soap.
ZEST AQUA PURE : The scent of this soap is a bit difficult to explain. It’s extremely pungent, but in a pleasant way. Though not pegged specifically for dry or sensitive skin, I have found that this soap also does not leave that itchy feeling after a bath. If the city or town you live in happens to have hard water, this is the soap that you’ll want to buy. Hard water tends to exacerbate the drying out process. This particular brand also leaves no after-bath “residue”. I have found that the residues left behind after bathing with most deoderant soaps only makes the “itchy” feeling worse.
CAMAY: This is perhaps the first “sensitive skin” soap I have ever used. This soap was in constant supply at my grandmother’s house. And though it smells subtly of flowers in bloom, I found the scent rather nauseating. On the one hand, it creates a really nice lather, and does not leave that sheath of “Itch” after bathing. Due to the surplus of bathing accoutrements, this soap has been discontinued in many stores. However, it may be purchased online at sites like Drugstore.com. What I do recall about using this soap, is that unlike other bars, it does not become excessively gooey after several uses. If you happen to luck up and find this brand of cleanser, it’s definitely worth checking out. But there are much better substitutes on the market nowadays.
AVEENO : If your skin happens to feel like sandpaper after your daily shower, then you are a prime candidate for the purchase of Aveeno. I can call to mind the commercials for Aveeno which once aired on television. The ads always made me think of a bathtub full of medicated water. Not really a visual that incites one to rush into bathtime. But upon closer examination of Aveeno’s ingredients, I realized that this was a soap that should be tried out. Costing a tad more than traditional soaps like Dove and Zest, Aveeno actually contains oatmeal. According to the package, the natural oatmeal and moisturizers in the soap work in two ways: 1) the oatmeal absorbs the dirt and 2) the oils (castor oil, in particular) rinse the dirt away, while keeping the skin soft. Previously, I’d never thought to take a breakfast food to my skin. But the odd texture of the soap left me intrigued. The result? A smooth and refreshed bodily sensation is to be had with this product. But even though I do not like terribly pungent flowery smells, I missed experiencing the refreshing aroma that other soaps tend to provide-as Aveeno is completely fragrance free.
