Bodywash - how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways

I am a bar soap guy.
For Christmas I was given a 3 in 1 Old Spice body wash.
I hate it. Maybe ALL body washes.

It doesn't lather well in a wash cloth. I have to use a "scrungy"??? This is plastic mesh like an onion bag gathered into a ball. Feels about as good as it sounds.

I can't wash my face cause the scrungy forces lather up my nose.
Can't wash my ears- can't get soap in the nooks and crannies with the scrungy.
Can't get soap between my toes either.

The body wash needs to be used in obscenely large quantities to make it through the whole shower.

My shower time doubles as I try to manipulate the scrungy.

Finally when all is finished I feel slick and slimey - not clean since they put conditioners or emollients in there.

So I guess that is 7 ways I hate thee.

Need to add one more. Dang stuff doesn't smell like Old Spice.

Body Wash - Bah.

I hear you man, I picked up some Tabac body wash a while back thinking that if its Tabac its got to be good right? Wrong. Body wash, I hate you too.

I hate to play Devil's advocate here but as a avid supporter of the benefits of body wash and and a loofah I cannot remain silent.  Hehe.
Now, to use a metaphore we are all too familiar with, switching from the bar and cloth to the gel and scrungy is in a lot of ways like switching from the modern multiblade razor and canned shave goo to a double edge razor and soap/creme.  

I, probably like most of us, get looks of horror, flat out laughed at, and the occasion blank stares when I tell them my shave routine. Preshave, bowl, brush, soap, blade, 3 passes with a razor, aftershave and sometimes there's more steps. They say, "That's insane!" And go on to tell me how easy their shaves are.

That being said, using a body wash seems difficult, time consuming and uncomfortable. But, there are a lot of benefits to not only taking great care of your face but your whole body as well.

First the body washes usually will moisturize your skin better and wrinse off better. I noticed this when I found I don't have to clean soap scum off my shower as often when I made the switch. The scents in body washes seem to last longer as well, they typically boast 8hrs plus and I can take a shower first thing in the morning and catch subtle whiffs of myself all day long. And the scrungy or loofah feels very abrasive because it is. It exfoliates your whole body just like the scritch of a boar brush on your face. Pretty soon you will be very surprised to find out how smooth your skin feels because of the moisturizers and "sanding down" of dead skin from your loofah.

Now to address your concerns with the face and nooks and crannies. I had the same problem. But there is a solution. Actually there are a few options. Simply apply some body wash to your hands and wash your face, behind your ears and between your toes with your hands. Or you can take it to the next level and buy a face wash and use it. I mean we don't have to exfoliate our faces with a scrungy, we do it almost daily by scraping it off with a sharp razor blade for three passes. So I prefer a more nourishing face wash vs one of those volcano rock infused, apricot acid scrubs. Your face will thank you later.

So in closing, I completely agree with you. Switching from to the bar to the gel is a jarring experience. But, it's well worth putting in the effort. And of course Old Spice body wash doesn't smell like Old Spice. Everyone has been telling me ever since I started wetshaving a few years ago that nothing made by Old Spice actually smells like Old Spice hahahaha. But go to the store and check out the scents you might find one you like or even end up like I did and go with something completely unscented just to get the skin enriching experience. Hope this helps. It might not change your mind but it might explain why there is such a product on the market.

I hate to play Devil's advocate here but as a avid supporter of the benefits of body wash and and a loofah I cannot remain silent.  Hehe.  
Now, to use a metaphore we are all too familiar with, switching from the bar and cloth to the gel and scrungy is in a lot of ways like switching from the modern multiblade razor and canned shave goo to a double edge razor and soap/creme.  

I, probably like most of us, get looks of horror, flat out laughed at, and the occasion blank stares when I tell them my shave routine.  Preshave, bowl, brush, soap, blade, 3 passes with a razor, aftershave and sometimes there's more steps.  They say, "That's insane!" And go on to tell me how easy their shaves are.  

That being said, using a body wash seems difficult, time consuming and uncomfortable.  But, there are a lot of benefits to not only taking great care of your face but your whole body as well.

First the body washes usually will moisturize your skin better and wrinse off better.  I noticed this when I found I don't have to clean soap scum off my shower as often when I made the switch.  The scents in body washes seem to last longer as well, they typically boast 8hrs plus and I can take a shower first thing in the morning and catch subtle whiffs of myself all day long.  And the scrungy or loofah feels very abrasive because it is.  It exfoliates your whole body just like the scritch of a boar brush on your face.  Pretty soon you will be very surprised to find out how smooth your skin feels because of the moisturizers and "sanding down" of dead skin from your loofah.  

Now to address your concerns with the face and nooks and crannies.  I had the same problem.  But there is a solution.  Actually there are a few options.  Simply apply some body wash to your hands and wash your face, behind your ears and between your toes with your hands.  Or you can take it to the next level and buy a face wash and use it.  I mean we don't have to exfoliate our faces with a scrungy, we do it almost daily by scraping it off with a sharp razor blade for three passes.  So I prefer a more nourishing face wash vs one of those volcano rock infused, apricot acid scrubs.   Your face will thank you later.
s
So in closing, I completely agree with you.  Switching from to the bar to the gel is a jarring experience.  But, it's well worth putting in the effort.  And of course Old Spice body wash doesn't smell like Old Spice.  Everyone has been telling me ever since I started wetshaving a few years ago that nothing made by Old Spice actually smells like Old Spice hahahaha.  But go to the store and check out the scents you might find one you like or even end up like I did and go with something completely unscented just to get the skin enriching experience. Hope this helps.  It might not change your mind but it might explain why there is such a product on the market.

Sorry, Jeff, but I absolutely agree with PhilNH5 on this.  Body Wash is truly some nasty stuff.  It never washes off cleanly, many of the scents are beyond awful, and I don't find it particularly gentle on the skin.  Those plastic mesh things or loofas used in conjunction with body washes are not pleasant, nor are they gentle on the skin.  As for not having to clean down the shower tiles as often, when it comes to my body or inanimate tiles in a bathroom, my skin will win every time.  Have you tried a really excellent bar soap, not the contrived stuff in the supermarket?  I am a huge fan of Stirling Soap Co.'s bar soaps.  Gentle on the skin, they wash off cleanly and easily (unlike body washes) and the choice of scents is way more interesting than most chemical laden body washes.

While everything I have stated represents, ultimately, just my thoughts, there is one other thing to consider.  A bar of soap is used completely, with nothing to go into the trash; that is not true of body wash containers.  If you are happy with body washes then that's fine but I just think traditional bar soap is a better way to go.  

To each his own but I certainly would be interested in other members' thoughts.

One last note.  Again, thanks for joining DFS.  Your thoughts bring up interesting ideas and help to keep our site lively.  Well thought out discussion is always welcome.

Whaaaa.... Body wash for the win. I agree some of the scents are Meh, but the main winner is MINIMAL SOAP SCUM.

I found a decent scented one in target (also has a bar form if you guys like the scum): https://www.target.com/bp/olivina

I don't even bother with the loofah at times, just apply with bare hands.

I hate to play Devil's advocate here but as a avid supporter of the benefits of body wash and and a loofah I cannot remain silent.  Hehe.  
Now, to use a metaphore we are all too familiar with, switching from the bar and cloth to the gel and scrungy is in a lot of ways like switching from the modern multiblade razor and canned shave goo to a double edge razor and soap/creme.  

I, probably like most of us, get looks of horror, flat out laughed at, and the occasion blank stares when I tell them my shave routine.  Preshave, bowl, brush, soap, blade, 3 passes with a razor, aftershave and sometimes there's more steps.  They say, "That's insane!" And go on to tell me how easy their shaves are.  

That being said, using a body wash seems difficult, time consuming and uncomfortable.  But, there are a lot of benefits to not only taking great care of your face but your whole body as well.

First the body washes usually will moisturize your skin better and wrinse off better.  I noticed this when I found I don't have to clean soap scum off my shower as often when I made the switch.  The scents in body washes seem to last longer as well, they typically boast 8hrs plus and I can take a shower first thing in the morning and catch subtle whiffs of myself all day long.  And the scrungy or loofah feels very abrasive because it is.  It exfoliates your whole body just like the scritch of a boar brush on your face.  Pretty soon you will be very surprised to find out how smooth your skin feels because of the moisturizers and "sanding down" of dead skin from your loofah.  

Now to address your concerns with the face and nooks and crannies.  I had the same problem.  But there is a solution.  Actually there are a few options.  Simply apply some body wash to your hands and wash your face, behind your ears and between your toes with your hands.  Or you can take it to the next level and buy a face wash and use it.  I mean we don't have to exfoliate our faces with a scrungy, we do it almost daily by scraping it off with a sharp razor blade for three passes.  So I prefer a more nourishing face wash vs one of those volcano rock infused, apricot acid scrubs.   Your face will thank you later.

So in closing, I completely agree with you.  Switching from to the bar to the gel is a jarring experience.  But, it's well worth putting in the effort.  And of course Old Spice body wash doesn't smell like Old Spice.  Everyone has been telling me ever since I started wetshaving a few years ago that nothing made by Old Spice actually smells like Old Spice hahahaha.  But go to the store and check out the scents you might find one you like or even end up like I did and go with something completely unscented just to get the skin enriching experience. Hope this helps.  It might not change your mind but it might explain why there is such a product on the market.

Thanks for taking the time to share lockbutcher. I used to use body wash but gave up my search for one I liked and went back to bar soaps from many of our vendors here on DFS. I still use the scrungy (didn't even know it's name) though. Yes I have to wash soap scum out of the shower but I'm kind of a clean freak and do it a couple times per week anyway. I like the scents and feel of the bar soaps better than the body washes I used. That said, my sons mostly are body wash guys so maybe it's an old dog, new tricks thing. Thanks for joining DFS (even if your wrong hahahaha). Great post.

I hate to play Devil's advocate here but as a avid supporter of the benefits of body wash and and a loofah I cannot remain silent.  Hehe.  
Now, to use a metaphore we are all too familiar with, switching from the bar and cloth to the gel and scrungy is in a lot of ways like switching from the modern multiblade razor and canned shave goo to a double edge razor and soap/creme.  

I, probably like most of us, get looks of horror, flat out laughed at, and the occasion blank stares when I tell them my shave routine.  Preshave, bowl, brush, soap, blade, 3 passes with a razor, aftershave and sometimes there's more steps.  They say, "That's insane!" And go on to tell me how easy their shaves are.  

That being said, using a body wash seems difficult, time consuming and uncomfortable.  But, there are a lot of benefits to not only taking great care of your face but your whole body as well.

First the body washes usually will moisturize your skin better and wrinse off better.  I noticed this when I found I don't have to clean soap scum off my shower as often when I made the switch.  The scents in body washes seem to last longer as well, they typically boast 8hrs plus and I can take a shower first thing in the morning and catch subtle whiffs of myself all day long.  And the scrungy or loofah feels very abrasive because it is.  It exfoliates your whole body just like the scritch of a boar brush on your face.  Pretty soon you will be very surprised to find out how smooth your skin feels because of the moisturizers and "sanding down" of dead skin from your loofah.  

Now to address your concerns with the face and nooks and crannies.  I had the same problem.  But there is a solution.  Actually there are a few options.  Simply apply some body wash to your hands and wash your face, behind your ears and between your toes with your hands.  Or you can take it to the next level and buy a face wash and use it.  I mean we don't have to exfoliate our faces with a scrungy, we do it almost daily by scraping it off with a sharp razor blade for three passes.  So I prefer a more nourishing face wash vs one of those volcano rock infused, apricot acid scrubs.   Your face will thank you later.

So in closing, I completely agree with you.  Switching from to the bar to the gel is a jarring experience.  But, it's well worth putting in the effort.  And of course Old Spice body wash doesn't smell like Old Spice.  Everyone has been telling me ever since I started wetshaving a few years ago that nothing made by Old Spice actually smells like Old Spice hahahaha.  But go to the store and check out the scents you might find one you like or even end up like I did and go with something completely unscented just to get the skin enriching experience. Hope this helps.  It might not change your mind but it might explain why there is such a product on the market.

Wow. Thanks for that well thought out and expressed insight on body wash.
I can't disagree with anything you said except the moisturizing. I think that is my biggest complaint. I feel like I can't rinse the bodywash off. And I don't like the feel of my skin after finishing my shower.

I am cheap. I will use this bottle up. But I do not foresee purchasing anymore.

I did love your little "rant" on Old Spice. I love Old Spice new and vintage. The Walmart has a dozen Old Spice body washes. With manly names but scents that are not Old Spice. This was labeled as Old Spice not one of the other scents. So I was disappointed that it does not smell like Old Spice. A pity that.

Thanks again for the well done reply.

Loofa for life!!  (insert gang hand sign here)  

I'm with Lockbutcher and Lipripper660 on the plastic mesh "loofah" things. I love the scratchy exfoliating feeling they have as opposed to a wash cloth. However, I also hate body wash. Give me real bar soap all day everyday. And by real, I mean artisan made with fats, oils and lye, not Dove or Zest or Irish Spring. You can't go wrong with Stirling, Mystic Water, Shannon's, any of them really. Stirling has the best value and selection of scents though. Body wash is just chemical crap that dries out my skin even more than it already is. The scents remind me of something like Axe body spray too. Not a preference of mine.

...I love Old Spice new and vintage. The Walmart has a dozen Old  Spice body washes. With manly names but scents that are not Old Spice. This was labeled as Old Spice not one of the other scents. So I was disappointed that it does not smell like Old Spice. A pity that...

Kmart carries the classic scent:


http://www.kmart.com/old-spice-body-wash...ockType=G1