What type of soap do you use?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I realize this does not seem like a nursing-related question, but our personal hygiene routines before and after work/school can have repercussions for us professionally.

My skin has the tendency to be dry and itchy due to longstanding hypothyroidism, and the problem is heightened in the winter. So, I strictly use liquid body wash four months out of the year from early November until early March. St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter body wash soothes and moisturizes my itchy, dry skin.

From March through late October I switch mostly to bar soaps because my skin is not as dry and itchy during warmer weather. However, I still use liquid body wash on occasion. I use Tone Bath Bars with cocoa butter for the moisturizing properties. I also like Caress Daily Silkening body wash (white peach & silky orange blossom scent).

I absolutely DO NOT use antibacterial soaps when at home. I strictly use plain bar soaps and body washes to minimize the potential of resistance to microbes.

So, what kind of soap do you use to bathe/shower?

[brownbook]

Ivory, because it floats.....seriously, just plain old Ivory in the shower. For the sink I buy whatever large size liquid soap is available, generic, store brand, is fine with me.

[CountryMomma, ASN, RN]

Non-eczema flare: Bath and Body Cherry Blossom or Thousand Wishes.

Eczema flare: aveeno soothing with lavender.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

I'm with you, no antibacterial stuff for me! Otherwise, I get whatever hand soap is one sale and I have a coupon for. Bonus if it moisturizes.

In the shower, I change it up every time because I love all the different scents. I don't like anything excessively food-y or flowery. Right now I'm loving SoftSoap's Avocado Extract and Iris; smells so pretty, but isn't so overwhelming that it gets to my patients.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Ivory, because it floats.....seriously, just plain old Ivory in the shower.

I used Ivory soap many years ago as an unemployed student in an LVN program. Back then it was the most affordable choice: a 12-bar pack was about $3.00 in 2004.

Nonetheless, I cannot use it today. Hypothyroidism causes my skin to be drier than average, and the Ivory exacerbates the dryness.

[peacockblue]

Zest soap. Used it for years since the 80's when they advertised it keep your bathtub clean. (I hate to clean) now I'm just used to it. The soap by the sink is some good smelling stuff. Usually from bath and body works. Never antibacterial soap.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Tom's of Maine has a couple of nice soaps I use in the summer. The lavender and the unscented sensitive skin bars are my favorite.

In winter I switch to Dove or Cerave bars and swap the lotion for some heavier cream.

I always wash my face with liquid cleanser, Cerave or Cetaphil.

[NurseQT]

I'm a Bath & Body Works gal! I always stock up during the semi-annual sale, $30 buys enough bottles of body wash to last 6 months, and that's for my three daughters and me!

I also make my own sugar scrubs that I'll use in place of the body wash in order to keep my skin soft and hydrated.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Well...... I personally use bath and body works year round. I apply baby oil as soon as I get out every day.

In summer months (and whenever it's not winter) I use copper tone SPF on my exposed areas.

I use SPF face lotion every day year round.

I have 1 child with super dry itchy skin. (When he was a baby, he had eczema) I have him moisturize while his skin is still damp with unscented lotion. He can not use scented soaps, either. It's Dove or Ivory for him.

My other children use old school Jergens after they bathe.

I don't use antibacterial soap in my home, either! No Bueno for our immune systems!

I also can get itchy if I get lax on moisturizing properly. It happens in the winter sometimes.

For severe dry/itchy/eczema prone skin, for my kids, myself and the children I used to care for in my childcare business, I like: petroleum jelly, Shea butter and Burt's Bees.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Caveat to my above post: when finishing up nursing school, I had very little money and was almost out of liquid body wash. So I went to Pinterest and found recipes to make moisturizing liquid body wash. It was 1 bar of Dove soap, plus water plus a spoon full of coconut oil.

That's actually what I'm using now. [emoji6]

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I use Olay moisturizing body wash, and then moisturize with something amazing smelling from The Body Shop. Currently using "Fijian Water Lotus." Smells so good!

[HeySis, BSN, RN]

I use body wash in the shower, usually something that smells like coconut because it reminds me of the beach. :)

Just generic liquid by the sinks.

I stay away from antibacterial soap, I don't believe it's good to have all that antibacterial products being washed down the sink and into the treatment plants and back to water sources.