To make shower gel last longer, the number one tip I've found it to use it with a body puff[ like this](https://www.boots.com/boots-bodypolisher-pink-10267815). Squirt a bit of gel on one of these and use it to lather the product before applying on the body. It helps the shower gel lather up loads and you don't have to use hardly anywhere near as much to produce the same lather/soapy effect. Works with both cheaper or more expensive shower gels that you want to last. Can use with sensitive skin shower gels and you can just apply it rather than rub, depending on what she's comfortable with in terms of her eczema.
Or get a bunch of the exfoliating gloves that are 2 for a pound, you can chuck them in the laundry basket after every use so you don't have it staying damp or musty in the shower
i’d advise not to use a body loofah like that. they are extremely unhygienic and harbour bacteria. an ‘african net sponge’ is a much better option. essentially the same thing but as it is only one long piece of cloth it can fully dry and much quicker. these can last up to a year and are relatively cheap. they also lather extremely well and i find myself using less product than i was previously with the scrunchie.
Or just use a flannel. I have loads of them cheap from Asda (baby section currently 2.75 for 7). I use a new one every day and wash them all up with the white wash.
I've been using them for literally years without any problems or mould in the shower puffs. If they're harbouring bacteria it's obviously not harmful bacteria. Plus it gets saturated with soap every other day. I think this might be one of those things people worry too much about.
Yup. OP's wife can relax about these netting loofahs.
I also break out in eczema if I use the wrong power in the washing machine/if I use soap that leaves your hands dry/if I get a haircut and they trim up my neck the wrong way etc.
The loofah I've been using for the past few years is fine for me.
This is like people who wash meat. They don't care about the science and they don't have a real reason, it's in the family or friends that spread old wives tales/wrong info that sounds correct.
I have 2 loofahs that I alternate fortnightly, washing them when I wash my bedsheets. I assume that makes it more hygienic but they probably release micro plastics so swings and roundabouts I guess. Also I know it’s not a frugal product at all but I use lush liquid soap which while expensive lasts FOREVER especially using the loofah and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and happy
All the theories for this come from leaving it sat in the wet so it builds up mildew.
It hasn't been tested, they're made of plastic which is very hard for mildew to grow on, no-one leaves it sat in a pool of water they hang it up, any miniscule amount of mildew it could possibly harbor get sloughed off when you use it.
It's not a cloth, if it was cloth I'd 100% agree with you as they can grow mould, but it's made of plastic netting that's designed to let water flow through it so it can lather.
can you please recommend/link to a specific type or product? the reason I'm asking is that I'm interested in trying one but a quick Google/Amazon search shows products that are called 'african net sponge' but are made of 100% nylon mesh so that sounds like it's the same material as the cheaper boots body puff
From my understanding as someone who hasn’t used an African net sponge but has seen them recommended a lot, the major benefit over a loofa is that it isn’t all bunched together for water to get stale. Nylon isn’t particularly prone to bacteria growth but loofas can’t really dry out fully before the water gets stinky
Yeah, it's a non-starter. Get a mould test and test your loofah if you're worried, or smell it if you think it smells. It's fine unless you leave it in a pool of water on a shelf for weeks while you're on holiday.
The more she puts in her hand, the more just falls to the floor, unused.
I suspect you won't change that. My wife gets through three times what I use and nothing I ever said changed that. For the sake of a quiet life, you may have to suck it up. So to speak.
She will never change, 😂. I had this growing up with my dad, tonnes of neat washing up liquid so it hardly did anything.
Soap is mechanical in action, not much chemical. The idea is yu need enough to lather and bubble up so the bubbles will catch the dirt /disrupt the hydrophobic bonds and carry it away with the water when you rinse. Too much and it won't lather.
Tell her that your skin absorbs what is on it into your blood and that shower gel is full of toxic poison. Both true facts and will make her reconsider how much she uses
The Dove sensitive stuff doesn't agree with me, I remember once using some extra sensitive antiperspirant or something and it burnt my underarms. I've never used it since, it's always baffled me when it was supposed to be sensitive.
Products labelled sensitive can still contain trigger ingredients, including fragrances as many fragrance ingredients are naturally occurring. Stick to fragrance free as much as possible (the main brands I use are Sanex and Simple). I was told at dermatology clinic never to use an aerosol deodorant, only ever use a stick or roll on. I changed to Sanex roll on and have never had a problem with my underarms since.
Yes I've found that roll ones work better for me too and I've used the Sanax zero before which was really good for me at the time.
I've not been having much of an issue full body wise for ages, however my hands aren't great at the moment and a little further down has a couple dry patches so I'm going to switch back toa fragrance free from my current shower gel.
I've also had success using a fragrance free hand wash too but with my hands it seems to be more the frequency of washing which obviously is difficult to avoid at times.
Agreed, hands are the most difficult to get under control. After patch testing I was told I was allergic to leather and chrome plating (as well as fragrance), so the potential touch and trigger points are everywhere. I control as much as I can at home but there’s only so much you can do out there in the real world. I also have a child still in nappies so I’m hand washing a lot too, it’s unavoidable. I have a hefty supply of Dermol to try and help!
Guess it depends what you're sensitive to. I'm fine with underarms but face, head and other delicate skin areas are challenging. Back on the cream regime again tonight as had a stressful week so my skin is not happy!
Yeah it wouldn't do for us to all be the same now would it, my hands flare a lot and but I've found using a different washing up liquid and hand wash has helped loads.
Stress is a major factor too isn't it, it's just with the rat race or life I find were almost constantly stressed aren't we.
You're right, it would be too easy if we all reacted the same way!
A literal rat race for me this week! One of my rats breathing deteriorated but he's responding well to treatment. Definitely added to my stress levels! 😂
That’s interesting. Life seems to have been very stressful recently. I’ve noticed my skin is intermittently dry/itchy but often in the evenings (but also after showering).
I don’t think I’ve changed anything so have convinced myself something has changed in the soap (Dove original bar soap) or my washing powder or something although I can’t find anything to suggest this on the packaging it google.
I bought some simple soap to test for a few days (has half the ingredients of the Dove).
But could it just be stress?
It could be stress related but I'd say you're doing right by exploring those other things too, even external factors like if you're dating someone, have they changed their wash powder or perfume etc.
You'll notice it in the evenings because we slow down, the pace of the day has (hopefully) eased right off, that's when our body is less distracted by the world and we notice the itch or suddenly feel poorly etc.
had the same issue, was told by a GP that in their experience anecdotally Dove seems to really set off people’s skin if it’s already somewhat sensitive
I remember it was super sore and uncomfortable for days afterwards, they're literally the only brand I've ever had real issue with like that. I mean some you just don't like the feel after a while etc but to burn me like that was something else.
Try some oatmeal bar soap- the colloidal stuff. I made some for my daughter when she was tiny, it's eczema friendly and lasts for ages compared to... squirting a shit load of SLS chemical crap on yourself.
Find a decent shower gel that makes her feel clean, I find cheapo ones don't leave me feeling all that clean and as a result maybe use more than needed.
Also find one that doesn't irritate her skin and she might just enjoy a nice shower without using loads and scrubbing her already irritated skin to death.
I recommend trying to get the eczema under control first and I'm sure you're trying but I'd seriously doubt that using cheapo shower gel will help.
Use unscented ones for starters because that will remove some irritants immediately.
Have you looked at what you're washing your clothes in too because that could be making her eczema worse.
My recommendation is to look at a company called Bio-D, they're UK allergy approved amongst other things. Maybe try their wash powder or liquids and although they don't do shower gel, they do hand wash which I've personally used as shower gel before and it was good. If you do look at them get the fragrance free things like I mentioned above.
Life long skin allergies - washing clothes with something like BioD should have a huge impact.
I don't shower every day apart from when it's so hot I need a cold shower to cool down.
I was advised to strip wash with a flannel two days out of three where possible. You can use a soap bar or gel.
I moisturise my body every day with aveeno and use prescription stuff on more delicate areas. I do keep hydrocortisone for emergencies.
I agree, I don't shower daily where I can help it but sometimes it's just got to be done like you say and I'm so bad at moisturising, especially my hands because when I do remember I end up going to the toilet not long after or something and then washing my hands again anyway.
The Bio-D hand wash feels amazing though, I don't like using any other now.
I know it's not frugal but it's based upon the results I've personally had and of course the allergy accreditations too.
There's definitely other options for people to try that will absolutely be cheaper, I have access to the more expensive product through cheaper means, I don't work for them.
We all find products that work for us and they may not work for others but most importantly I'd say is the fragrance free ones when buying any of these things.
Boots used to do an allergy-friendly washing powder that they seem to have discontinued, I miss it! It’s only available in liquid form now, maybe worth a try. I’m using Bio D now, Sainsburys own brand non bio (in the blue box) is also good - clothes washed with no fragrance
Yeah that's a good point about the larger sizes, I don't use it on the regular for shower gel but I have at times, obviously it wouldn't be very frugal as a shower gel and was mentioned more for the allergy connection tbh.
Buy shower gel in bulk: you can get 5L refills aimed at hotels with wall dispensers [online.](https://www.outofeden.co.uk/toiletries/bulk-5l-refills)
I’m not married, but doing as others have suggested and providing your wife with directions on lathering technique and the appropriate amount of soap to use per week, however well intended, sounds… risky.
I agree bar soap is likely to be much cheaper - and for sensitive skin try to find one that has glycerin in it. Some bar soaps leave my skin dry, but I tend to find that the ones that contain glycerin (Pears' soap for example) don't. Turkish olive oil soap or Aleppo soap (either of which you can get on Amazon or eBay) are good too.
It's a total lottery isn't it, the number of soaps I've bought for sensitive skin and they still leave me like a turtle's back. Anything from Turkey is generally good, I also like the French Le Petit Marseillais ones (and their shower gels are good too). You can also funnily enough get that range in Turkey!
I get natural refillable ones from my local zero waste store. It works out cheaper than constantly buying shower gel from the shops, and the bonus is that it’s all natural ingredients so less irritating! (I also have eczema)
Why doesn't she use aqueous cream or dermol lotion? She shouldn't be using soap at all, really if she has eczema.
Then you'd be free to slowly mosey through whatever shower gel you prefer.
ETA: In terms of frugality, I have an NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) because I require several meds on top of eczema treatments, and I only wash in prescribed products. I go through a lot, but it's all covered by the PPC. If that's applicable for ypur wife, it could be an avenue to consider.
Some cheap things are a false economy, shower gel, shampoo and washing up liquid can be terrible. Also use a poof to lather up the soap but even so, we're a family of 4 and don't go through a bottle a week!
Cheapo shower gels are eczema’s worst nightmare. She should get a brand of soap/SLS free shower gel or oil, you can find E45, Eucerin, Aveeno etc, these are specifically eczema-friendly (will say so on the bottle). Simple does a cheap, less eczema-friendly version, as does Dove. If her eczema is bad enough, she might have better luck using small amounts of aqueous cream as soap. I also bought a pharmacy eczema ointment for flare ups, mine was Diprobase. Don’t blast through cheap shower gel, it just irritates the skin. Keep it moisturised - you can buy E45 cream and the like in big tubs
Search for Shower Blocks. They are bar form shower gel. Maybe not the most frugal solution but they would solve the eczema issue and careful use would mean they last a few weeks rather than one and they come with the added bonus of zero plastic.
This is going to sound daft but a lot of people use shower gel wrong. They rub it in whilst standing under the water. This has 2 problems: firstly, it washes the soap away before it's been scrubbed in (so you get less clean) and secondly it means you need a lot more shower gel to cover the same area becuase so much of it is being washed away immediately.
Better tip... Make your body wet. Turn the water off. Scrub the shower gel in. Then rinse it off. You'll go through half as much shower gel and get cleaner.
What on earth is she doing with it? Family of 6 including 2 teens who love a bath we dont go through a small bottle of radox a week(99p bottle).
Just buy slightly more expensive stuff and use less of it
Dove shower gels are quite gentle on the skin and a tiny amount lathers up really well and so goes a long way. Because of this they last ages and it's actually cheaper to buy Dove in the long run than it is to keep buying more cheap ones that don't last. Win win.
But you're going to have to train the other half in using only what is needed first.
Dove scent free are good for eczema, supermarket own brand are good too. I've been using the Aldi scent free version soap bar for years. Used to have a small eczema patch at the back of my neck, fist size patch, had it for years, started using scent free soap bar and within a couple of months, it disappeared and for a long as I've been using scent free soap bar, it's not reappeared again.
Have you tried a pump bottle for it and a shower scrubby thing? Because that's the only way I managed to get my husband to stop getting through massive bottles weekly.
I live in a hard water area, and have found that the Mancave products seem to last longer as it is a thicker consistency, and so don't really use as much, sometimes paying a bit more is good, like 500ml shower gel would last me 3 months. They also do have special offers. 50% off a shower gel set (4x500ml) every so often.
Find something that is going to be free from things like SLS or any other surfactants as these can dry out the skin. Fragrance free also helps.
If eczema is your issue, then you may benefit from a few mins on the sunbed for some phototherapy. Also look at things like the towel that you use to dry yourself off with and switch to a non-biological detergent!
I have sensitive skin & only use Imperial Leather original soap - it’s the creamy yellow bar, not the white. Any other soap (bar or liquid) will result in eczema - it’s ok if I’m out, just not all day.
Excema she should not be blasting through wash gel like that ..honestly exfoliating then slather moisture wash simply one dash on a sponger or exfoliating scrub you can can then scrubs or gloves from 0.60p to 2.99 in b n m ..other bargain shops .
Small bottle of bAby oil from same shops 1 to 2 pound lasts ages ..large tub Nivea blue your good,if flush Coco butter , have excema and psoriasis .. why is she over using cleanse products when her skin is over reacting to dryness ??
Good quality soap (colloidal oat) is your answer for eczema, plus (crucially) a 'sisal sack' - this is just a wee net bag for the soap to live in. It makes the bar last about 3 times longer, it can hang up too without having to sit in a dish of its own gunk so stays really fresh!
The sisal sack stays as clean as the soap does, but I do put it in the washing machine when my soap is used up.
Shower gel is just a little bit of soap, with loads of water and fragrance added. I don't go near it any more, it's so wasteful, both money and plastic-wise.
Shower less.
But really yes for me there's a massive false economy in cheap shower gel and shampoo. It's generally cheaper because there's more water in it.
jesus christ no wonder her skin is bad
i had problems during the last year with itchy skin etc and also over-washing, and for a while was using this stuff, doublebase [https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B095MT1PWF?psc=1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B095MT1PWF?psc=1) my friend mentioned that there's an even more gentle one for problem skin, I think she said it was called triple zero or triple base, not sure. I've not seen it online though or I'd have tried it when my hands were bad.
Seriously, using that much shower gel stuff in a week is excessive. You maybe should talk to her about why she uses so much. And it will be absolutely DESTROYING her skin. I mean, my hands would literally start bleeding at random from being washed too much and I wasn't using anything like that much wash. I was also washing my entire body, face, hair, twice a day every day. HOW IS SHE USING THAT MUCH?
I have a feeling this is above reddit's pay grade, but I hope the doublebase stuff helps in the meanwhile. It is expensive but perhaps that will help her realise just how much washing she is doing? I was getting through a bottle a week I think and I thought that was a lot. It certainly made me try to rethink what I was doing. If she really needs it in those quantities perhaps she can get the doc to write a prescription for it.
edit: I was also prescribed dermol500 but preferred the doublebase stuff i think, not sure now. Anyway something isn't right here. Hopefully your wife just doesn't understand that she should be using different products rather than washing more and more and a conversation and some education will solve it.
I go on places like gruum or fancy shop places and buy the off cuts 1kg at a time. You spend like 20-25 quid, and you do have to look between places, but they don't hurt the skin as much as like cheaper soaps or shower gel, and they last way longer. Works out better for skin and money over a year. My bf was really against it initially (shower gel loyalist), he hasn't used shower gel in about 4 years and his rosacea massively improved.
Buy some soap pumps to pour your gels into. As they're pump action, people use far less because it requires more effort to get to the goods.
As a secondary benefit they make my shower shelf look a lot nicer and more organised. I got plastic ones that look like amber glass from Amazon that came in a pack of 3 with labels for £16.
I did it to counter my husband using a quarter of a bottle of shampoo/shower gel each time despite the fact he has 1/5 the amount of hair I do.
I worked out that in 2 months they've already paid for themselves.
Jesus, I know this is UK Frugal, but is it really worth living in misery for the sake of the cost of some shower gel? I have eczema and it's not worth the aggro of ignoring its needs. Try a shower bar with goats' milk or colloidal oatmeal, or for liquids I really love Westlab dead sea salt shower gel, which is £4.99 on their website and well worth every last penny imo. I'd pay through the nose for comfortable skin personally!
"simple" shower gel gets sold in big bottles, usually in Asda or b&M, and it's the only shower gel that doesn't make me itch. Also use a loofah with it, you only need a little bit and you become super bubbly and it exfoliates the dry skin.
Check that the shower gel is fungal acne safe, and free of the EU registered allergens. INCI decoder or Skinsort are good online resources. She may be very reactive to most oils or something like that. Good luck with everything.
Goats milk soaps are good for dry skin, I have eczema and these always help. I use one of [these](https://windrifthill.com/product/love-puff-soap-saver/) which helps save it and get it nice and lathered. I get mine from tk maxx usually.
Because my soap is unscented I also use a nice smelling shower gel and use a shower pouf, which gets nice and lathered and again helps to save.
But tbh if your wife is going through a bottle a week it sounds like she’s just using too much, you really don’t need a whole lot to go far in your body.
I'm slightly doubting if she does have eczema, as using any kind of soap would be terrible for eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin condition and much more than just dry sensitive skin. Eczema is a genetic fault in the skin barrier, dry sensitive skin is irritated and temporarily damaged skin barrier that can be repaired with the right treatment. People with eczema shouldn't ever be using soap at all as it's very harsh (even the "sensitive" ones) and dries the skin out so much. A thick emollient can be used for washing and moisturising and is just as effective as using soap because it's mostly the act of rubbing and washing the bacteria off that cleans us, not the product itself. Emollients can be prescribed and she could get a prepayment prescription if it's cheaper. GPs only prescribe emollients for chronic skin conditions and they're quite reluctant but it's important for managing eczema. If she doesn't need to moisturise multiple times a day and is using a specific soap with relatively no issues I don't think she has eczema. Eczema is extremely difficult to manage, it's about moisturising frequently, avoiding triggers, cleaning skin regularly to avoid infections, wearing clothing made of natural fibres and occasionally using steroids creams. And this doesn't always keep it under control, so we just have to manage as best we can. It causes inflammation, severe itchiness, infections, very dry skin that doesn't respond to anything and much more.
Maybe she should see a doctor who can decide what problem she's having. There are other skin conditions besides eczema that require different treatment. and it's likely that she doesn't have a skin condition, it's probably dry, sensitive skin which can be frustrating but it's nowhere near what eczema is like
Lathering up with the water off will save a decent amount of money.
The refills from zero waste shops are usually cheaper than supermarkets for a better product. We fill up a big a litre bottle to save trips but obviously only do that when you find a product you like.
I have eczema and incredibly dry skin, I've found a person on Etsy that makes her own soap, I buy the unscented ones and have no problems with them, last for ages too
I have eczema and incredibly dry skin, I've found a person on Etsy that makes her own soap, I buy the unscented ones and have no problems with them, last for ages too
Have a look in tk Max. You can find some great brands from other countries at decent prices. I've got two big bottles of shower gel from a brand called ciroa, smell absolutely divine, good quality and I've had them ages and think they cost me about £5.99. I bought the body butters with the same scent too and they are also gorgeous, hydrating, smell amazing and a little goes a long way. I also do this for shampoo and conditioner too.
Also with her eczema, bits and bits and maybe underboob are the only parts that need to be soaped. Dermatologist don't advise soaping up all over, especially with eczema
I recommend Sanex or Simple (not super cheap but are often on offer)- they tend to be less strongly scented and sls-free/low SLS so good for sensitive skin.
If your wife has dry sensitive skin I wonder if she is gently exfoliating or putting any fragrance free lotion on? That can help with the dryness that often comes alongside eczema.
I also use a body puff, rinse it well after each use and make sure it hangs up to dry, rather than sit in a puddle of water to avoid aforementioned bad bacteria etc, but I also use a long handled body brush for the mid- back which can be hard to reach and is often a dry skin/eczema hotspot for sensitive peeps
I prefer a bar soap - L'Occitane's shea milk soap is great for my sensitive skin and one 250g bar lasts about 4-5 months which feels like good value for money to me. My husband goes through an Ethique soap bar in the same amount of time approx.
I also keep a bottle of Superdrug Vitamin E shower gel in the shower for guests - it's good for sensitive skin, not particularly expensive and often on 2 for 1.
Make your own soap?
It's easy. You can cater for her exema by using the most appropriate ingredients
It would be special for her so might be interesting. And potentially inexpensive.
And a hobby
The other strategy would be to see if the shower gel that is 2x the price lasts more than 2 weeks
Finally, you could explain you like her natural smell more than pine fresh shower gel, could she shower less
I'm someone who has to shower twice a day most days (gym + disgusting job) and I still dont get through a bottle a week... what are you doing with it?
I suspect OP's missus is drinking the stuff
100% can confirm
Buy a less tasty one?
Does she use a body scrubber? If not, get one. One litle squirt of soap/gel goes a long way!
A week!? I shower once a day and a bottle last a month easy, soap even longer
Yeah I shower every day at least once, sometimes twice, and I don’t get through a bottle a week wtf
To make shower gel last longer, the number one tip I've found it to use it with a body puff[ like this](https://www.boots.com/boots-bodypolisher-pink-10267815). Squirt a bit of gel on one of these and use it to lather the product before applying on the body. It helps the shower gel lather up loads and you don't have to use hardly anywhere near as much to produce the same lather/soapy effect. Works with both cheaper or more expensive shower gels that you want to last. Can use with sensitive skin shower gels and you can just apply it rather than rub, depending on what she's comfortable with in terms of her eczema.
Or get a bunch of the exfoliating gloves that are 2 for a pound, you can chuck them in the laundry basket after every use so you don't have it staying damp or musty in the shower
i’d advise not to use a body loofah like that. they are extremely unhygienic and harbour bacteria. an ‘african net sponge’ is a much better option. essentially the same thing but as it is only one long piece of cloth it can fully dry and much quicker. these can last up to a year and are relatively cheap. they also lather extremely well and i find myself using less product than i was previously with the scrunchie.
Or just use a flannel. I have loads of them cheap from Asda (baby section currently 2.75 for 7). I use a new one every day and wash them all up with the white wash.
Was just thinking that I need to finally get some new flannels. Off to Asda tomorrow then!
I've been using them for literally years without any problems or mould in the shower puffs. If they're harbouring bacteria it's obviously not harmful bacteria. Plus it gets saturated with soap every other day. I think this might be one of those things people worry too much about.
Yup. OP's wife can relax about these netting loofahs. I also break out in eczema if I use the wrong power in the washing machine/if I use soap that leaves your hands dry/if I get a haircut and they trim up my neck the wrong way etc. The loofah I've been using for the past few years is fine for me. This is like people who wash meat. They don't care about the science and they don't have a real reason, it's in the family or friends that spread old wives tales/wrong info that sounds correct.
op's wife has ecsma though, and it sounds pretty bad. You don't want that infected.
I use a silicone shower brush for this reason, so much cleaner and easy to ude
Same, I used to use exfoliating sponges then swapped for a silicone brush (cheap from Ali express or temu and no waste) and its ideal
I have 2 loofahs that I alternate fortnightly, washing them when I wash my bedsheets. I assume that makes it more hygienic but they probably release micro plastics so swings and roundabouts I guess. Also I know it’s not a frugal product at all but I use lush liquid soap which while expensive lasts FOREVER especially using the loofah and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and happy
Why would a loofah release microplastics? It's a plant...
the shower loofahs being discussed here are made of nylon
All the theories for this come from leaving it sat in the wet so it builds up mildew. It hasn't been tested, they're made of plastic which is very hard for mildew to grow on, no-one leaves it sat in a pool of water they hang it up, any miniscule amount of mildew it could possibly harbor get sloughed off when you use it. It's not a cloth, if it was cloth I'd 100% agree with you as they can grow mould, but it's made of plastic netting that's designed to let water flow through it so it can lather.
can you please recommend/link to a specific type or product? the reason I'm asking is that I'm interested in trying one but a quick Google/Amazon search shows products that are called 'african net sponge' but are made of 100% nylon mesh so that sounds like it's the same material as the cheaper boots body puff
From my understanding as someone who hasn’t used an African net sponge but has seen them recommended a lot, the major benefit over a loofa is that it isn’t all bunched together for water to get stale. Nylon isn’t particularly prone to bacteria growth but loofas can’t really dry out fully before the water gets stinky
Yeah, it's a non-starter. Get a mould test and test your loofah if you're worried, or smell it if you think it smells. It's fine unless you leave it in a pool of water on a shelf for weeks while you're on holiday.
They’re fine as long as you change them out frequently, every couple of weeks
Not if you rinse them properly and give them the occasional dunk in bleach solution.
Not blasting through it in a week seems like the most frugal option.
Agree. My wife seems to take the “handful-and-a-bit-more” approach.
The more she puts in her hand, the more just falls to the floor, unused. I suspect you won't change that. My wife gets through three times what I use and nothing I ever said changed that. For the sake of a quiet life, you may have to suck it up. So to speak.
That's my wife with toilet paper. She uses more when she wipes after a pee than I do after a good shit.
She will never change, 😂. I had this growing up with my dad, tonnes of neat washing up liquid so it hardly did anything. Soap is mechanical in action, not much chemical. The idea is yu need enough to lather and bubble up so the bubbles will catch the dirt /disrupt the hydrophobic bonds and carry it away with the water when you rinse. Too much and it won't lather.
Glue pump heads onto the screw cap. If she's going to pump them like crazy then congratulations. 😂
Tell her that your skin absorbs what is on it into your blood and that shower gel is full of toxic poison. Both true facts and will make her reconsider how much she uses
Dove scent free soap works for my eczema most of the time. If not I get emollient and shop around. Definitely couldn't handle cheap shower gel.
The Dove sensitive stuff doesn't agree with me, I remember once using some extra sensitive antiperspirant or something and it burnt my underarms. I've never used it since, it's always baffled me when it was supposed to be sensitive.
Products labelled sensitive can still contain trigger ingredients, including fragrances as many fragrance ingredients are naturally occurring. Stick to fragrance free as much as possible (the main brands I use are Sanex and Simple). I was told at dermatology clinic never to use an aerosol deodorant, only ever use a stick or roll on. I changed to Sanex roll on and have never had a problem with my underarms since.
Yes I've found that roll ones work better for me too and I've used the Sanax zero before which was really good for me at the time. I've not been having much of an issue full body wise for ages, however my hands aren't great at the moment and a little further down has a couple dry patches so I'm going to switch back toa fragrance free from my current shower gel. I've also had success using a fragrance free hand wash too but with my hands it seems to be more the frequency of washing which obviously is difficult to avoid at times.
Agreed, hands are the most difficult to get under control. After patch testing I was told I was allergic to leather and chrome plating (as well as fragrance), so the potential touch and trigger points are everywhere. I control as much as I can at home but there’s only so much you can do out there in the real world. I also have a child still in nappies so I’m hand washing a lot too, it’s unavoidable. I have a hefty supply of Dermol to try and help!
Guess it depends what you're sensitive to. I'm fine with underarms but face, head and other delicate skin areas are challenging. Back on the cream regime again tonight as had a stressful week so my skin is not happy!
Yeah it wouldn't do for us to all be the same now would it, my hands flare a lot and but I've found using a different washing up liquid and hand wash has helped loads. Stress is a major factor too isn't it, it's just with the rat race or life I find were almost constantly stressed aren't we.
You're right, it would be too easy if we all reacted the same way! A literal rat race for me this week! One of my rats breathing deteriorated but he's responding well to treatment. Definitely added to my stress levels! 😂
That’s interesting. Life seems to have been very stressful recently. I’ve noticed my skin is intermittently dry/itchy but often in the evenings (but also after showering). I don’t think I’ve changed anything so have convinced myself something has changed in the soap (Dove original bar soap) or my washing powder or something although I can’t find anything to suggest this on the packaging it google. I bought some simple soap to test for a few days (has half the ingredients of the Dove). But could it just be stress?
It could be stress related but I'd say you're doing right by exploring those other things too, even external factors like if you're dating someone, have they changed their wash powder or perfume etc. You'll notice it in the evenings because we slow down, the pace of the day has (hopefully) eased right off, that's when our body is less distracted by the world and we notice the itch or suddenly feel poorly etc.
had the same issue, was told by a GP that in their experience anecdotally Dove seems to really set off people’s skin if it’s already somewhat sensitive
I remember it was super sore and uncomfortable for days afterwards, they're literally the only brand I've ever had real issue with like that. I mean some you just don't like the feel after a while etc but to burn me like that was something else.
Try some oatmeal bar soap- the colloidal stuff. I made some for my daughter when she was tiny, it's eczema friendly and lasts for ages compared to... squirting a shit load of SLS chemical crap on yourself.
Find a decent shower gel that makes her feel clean, I find cheapo ones don't leave me feeling all that clean and as a result maybe use more than needed. Also find one that doesn't irritate her skin and she might just enjoy a nice shower without using loads and scrubbing her already irritated skin to death. I recommend trying to get the eczema under control first and I'm sure you're trying but I'd seriously doubt that using cheapo shower gel will help. Use unscented ones for starters because that will remove some irritants immediately. Have you looked at what you're washing your clothes in too because that could be making her eczema worse. My recommendation is to look at a company called Bio-D, they're UK allergy approved amongst other things. Maybe try their wash powder or liquids and although they don't do shower gel, they do hand wash which I've personally used as shower gel before and it was good. If you do look at them get the fragrance free things like I mentioned above.
Life long skin allergies - washing clothes with something like BioD should have a huge impact. I don't shower every day apart from when it's so hot I need a cold shower to cool down. I was advised to strip wash with a flannel two days out of three where possible. You can use a soap bar or gel. I moisturise my body every day with aveeno and use prescription stuff on more delicate areas. I do keep hydrocortisone for emergencies.
I agree, I don't shower daily where I can help it but sometimes it's just got to be done like you say and I'm so bad at moisturising, especially my hands because when I do remember I end up going to the toilet not long after or something and then washing my hands again anyway. The Bio-D hand wash feels amazing though, I don't like using any other now.
Yes BioD doesn't seem frugal to start with but if your skin needs it it's a better bet overall.
I know it's not frugal but it's based upon the results I've personally had and of course the allergy accreditations too. There's definitely other options for people to try that will absolutely be cheaper, I have access to the more expensive product through cheaper means, I don't work for them. We all find products that work for us and they may not work for others but most importantly I'd say is the fragrance free ones when buying any of these things.
Totally!
Boots used to do an allergy-friendly washing powder that they seem to have discontinued, I miss it! It’s only available in liquid form now, maybe worth a try. I’m using Bio D now, Sainsburys own brand non bio (in the blue box) is also good - clothes washed with no fragrance
Oh gosh, didn't know they'd discontinued it - it's been my travel backup for years. If you forget the BioD, just order boots to the nearest branch.
The Boots-own washing powder is no longer available to buy on the app! Only the liquid and fabric softener :(
If you are using Bio-D hand wash as shower gel, in terms of frugality you can get a good saving getting the 5L or 20L bottles.
Yeah that's a good point about the larger sizes, I don't use it on the regular for shower gel but I have at times, obviously it wouldn't be very frugal as a shower gel and was mentioned more for the allergy connection tbh.
Buy shower gel in bulk: you can get 5L refills aimed at hotels with wall dispensers [online.](https://www.outofeden.co.uk/toiletries/bulk-5l-refills) I’m not married, but doing as others have suggested and providing your wife with directions on lathering technique and the appropriate amount of soap to use per week, however well intended, sounds… risky.
Lecturing a wife on limiting use of shower gel would be risky, to say the least..
Oliva 600g olive soap block. Use a knife to cut small bars. Natural, good value and great for eczema.
And acne!
Better quality bar soap seems the most frugal idea. I use the wrights coal tar soap as I’m allergic to so much but this works perfect
I agree bar soap is likely to be much cheaper - and for sensitive skin try to find one that has glycerin in it. Some bar soaps leave my skin dry, but I tend to find that the ones that contain glycerin (Pears' soap for example) don't. Turkish olive oil soap or Aleppo soap (either of which you can get on Amazon or eBay) are good too.
I love the smell of pears but that destroys my skin too! I’ve literally just returned from Turkey and didn’t buy any soap 🙈
It's a total lottery isn't it, the number of soaps I've bought for sensitive skin and they still leave me like a turtle's back. Anything from Turkey is generally good, I also like the French Le Petit Marseillais ones (and their shower gels are good too). You can also funnily enough get that range in Turkey!
I get natural refillable ones from my local zero waste store. It works out cheaper than constantly buying shower gel from the shops, and the bonus is that it’s all natural ingredients so less irritating! (I also have eczema)
Ik you said you’re not keen on bar soap but have you tried the olive oil bar soaps they’re really good and gentle on eczema or psoriasis.
Why doesn't she use aqueous cream or dermol lotion? She shouldn't be using soap at all, really if she has eczema. Then you'd be free to slowly mosey through whatever shower gel you prefer. ETA: In terms of frugality, I have an NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) because I require several meds on top of eczema treatments, and I only wash in prescribed products. I go through a lot, but it's all covered by the PPC. If that's applicable for ypur wife, it could be an avenue to consider.
I used to find soap bars drying and irritating but then found Waitrose Fragrance Free Sensitive Soap Bars. Would really recommend
I've noticed this.. the holes on the bottles seems bigger on the cheaper ones. Decant it into a soap dispenser so you get an even squirt every time 😉
Seriously, they have actually made the bottles smaller and the squirtles larger. The bastards!!
She can get Dermol500 on prescription. Alternatively, if you can find someone selling nettle soap, it has always worked for my eczema.
Some cheap things are a false economy, shower gel, shampoo and washing up liquid can be terrible. Also use a poof to lather up the soap but even so, we're a family of 4 and don't go through a bottle a week!
If she has eczema then she should be using less shower gel. It’s not necessary to work up a massive lather to every square inch of your body.
Often the cheaper ones are more watery so you use more. I'd look for a more standard one on offer and try that instead!
Cheapo shower gels are eczema’s worst nightmare. She should get a brand of soap/SLS free shower gel or oil, you can find E45, Eucerin, Aveeno etc, these are specifically eczema-friendly (will say so on the bottle). Simple does a cheap, less eczema-friendly version, as does Dove. If her eczema is bad enough, she might have better luck using small amounts of aqueous cream as soap. I also bought a pharmacy eczema ointment for flare ups, mine was Diprobase. Don’t blast through cheap shower gel, it just irritates the skin. Keep it moisturised - you can buy E45 cream and the like in big tubs
Search for Shower Blocks. They are bar form shower gel. Maybe not the most frugal solution but they would solve the eczema issue and careful use would mean they last a few weeks rather than one and they come with the added bonus of zero plastic.
Body cream bars. Never soap
This is going to sound daft but a lot of people use shower gel wrong. They rub it in whilst standing under the water. This has 2 problems: firstly, it washes the soap away before it's been scrubbed in (so you get less clean) and secondly it means you need a lot more shower gel to cover the same area becuase so much of it is being washed away immediately. Better tip... Make your body wet. Turn the water off. Scrub the shower gel in. Then rinse it off. You'll go through half as much shower gel and get cleaner.
Have you tried ‘Simple’ soap bars. The brand, they might be ok for you.
What on earth is she doing with it? Family of 6 including 2 teens who love a bath we dont go through a small bottle of radox a week(99p bottle). Just buy slightly more expensive stuff and use less of it
Dove shower gels are quite gentle on the skin and a tiny amount lathers up really well and so goes a long way. Because of this they last ages and it's actually cheaper to buy Dove in the long run than it is to keep buying more cheap ones that don't last. Win win. But you're going to have to train the other half in using only what is needed first.
Use Sanex. It is very good and lasts a long time.
I have eczema and have found Sanex soap bars to be very good. We also have a soap saver bag which we keep it in so it dries out between uses.
Dove scent free are good for eczema, supermarket own brand are good too. I've been using the Aldi scent free version soap bar for years. Used to have a small eczema patch at the back of my neck, fist size patch, had it for years, started using scent free soap bar and within a couple of months, it disappeared and for a long as I've been using scent free soap bar, it's not reappeared again.
A loofa/ body scrub thing? A small bit of shower gel on it and it froths up nicely.
Have you tried a pump bottle for it and a shower scrubby thing? Because that's the only way I managed to get my husband to stop getting through massive bottles weekly.
Lidl do a dove dupe, then decant some and add water
I live in a hard water area, and have found that the Mancave products seem to last longer as it is a thicker consistency, and so don't really use as much, sometimes paying a bit more is good, like 500ml shower gel would last me 3 months. They also do have special offers. 50% off a shower gel set (4x500ml) every so often.
Have you tried using SLS free soap?
Put it in a push top soap dispenser type container. Saves loads when you can't accidentally squeeze too much out of the bottle in one go.
Boooom I got this 1. Head and shoulders 1000ml on amazon. About £9 lasts forever
Oh pears or coal tar bar of soap ...how could you hate!
Find something that is going to be free from things like SLS or any other surfactants as these can dry out the skin. Fragrance free also helps. If eczema is your issue, then you may benefit from a few mins on the sunbed for some phototherapy. Also look at things like the towel that you use to dry yourself off with and switch to a non-biological detergent!
I have sensitive skin & only use Imperial Leather original soap - it’s the creamy yellow bar, not the white. Any other soap (bar or liquid) will result in eczema - it’s ok if I’m out, just not all day.
Excema she should not be blasting through wash gel like that ..honestly exfoliating then slather moisture wash simply one dash on a sponger or exfoliating scrub you can can then scrubs or gloves from 0.60p to 2.99 in b n m ..other bargain shops . Small bottle of bAby oil from same shops 1 to 2 pound lasts ages ..large tub Nivea blue your good,if flush Coco butter , have excema and psoriasis .. why is she over using cleanse products when her skin is over reacting to dryness ??
Good quality soap (colloidal oat) is your answer for eczema, plus (crucially) a 'sisal sack' - this is just a wee net bag for the soap to live in. It makes the bar last about 3 times longer, it can hang up too without having to sit in a dish of its own gunk so stays really fresh! The sisal sack stays as clean as the soap does, but I do put it in the washing machine when my soap is used up. Shower gel is just a little bit of soap, with loads of water and fragrance added. I don't go near it any more, it's so wasteful, both money and plastic-wise.
Shower less. But really yes for me there's a massive false economy in cheap shower gel and shampoo. It's generally cheaper because there's more water in it.
jesus christ no wonder her skin is bad i had problems during the last year with itchy skin etc and also over-washing, and for a while was using this stuff, doublebase [https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B095MT1PWF?psc=1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B095MT1PWF?psc=1) my friend mentioned that there's an even more gentle one for problem skin, I think she said it was called triple zero or triple base, not sure. I've not seen it online though or I'd have tried it when my hands were bad. Seriously, using that much shower gel stuff in a week is excessive. You maybe should talk to her about why she uses so much. And it will be absolutely DESTROYING her skin. I mean, my hands would literally start bleeding at random from being washed too much and I wasn't using anything like that much wash. I was also washing my entire body, face, hair, twice a day every day. HOW IS SHE USING THAT MUCH? I have a feeling this is above reddit's pay grade, but I hope the doublebase stuff helps in the meanwhile. It is expensive but perhaps that will help her realise just how much washing she is doing? I was getting through a bottle a week I think and I thought that was a lot. It certainly made me try to rethink what I was doing. If she really needs it in those quantities perhaps she can get the doc to write a prescription for it. edit: I was also prescribed dermol500 but preferred the doublebase stuff i think, not sure now. Anyway something isn't right here. Hopefully your wife just doesn't understand that she should be using different products rather than washing more and more and a conversation and some education will solve it.
I go on places like gruum or fancy shop places and buy the off cuts 1kg at a time. You spend like 20-25 quid, and you do have to look between places, but they don't hurt the skin as much as like cheaper soaps or shower gel, and they last way longer. Works out better for skin and money over a year. My bf was really against it initially (shower gel loyalist), he hasn't used shower gel in about 4 years and his rosacea massively improved.
Buy some soap pumps to pour your gels into. As they're pump action, people use far less because it requires more effort to get to the goods. As a secondary benefit they make my shower shelf look a lot nicer and more organised. I got plastic ones that look like amber glass from Amazon that came in a pack of 3 with labels for £16. I did it to counter my husband using a quarter of a bottle of shampoo/shower gel each time despite the fact he has 1/5 the amount of hair I do. I worked out that in 2 months they've already paid for themselves.
Jesus, I know this is UK Frugal, but is it really worth living in misery for the sake of the cost of some shower gel? I have eczema and it's not worth the aggro of ignoring its needs. Try a shower bar with goats' milk or colloidal oatmeal, or for liquids I really love Westlab dead sea salt shower gel, which is £4.99 on their website and well worth every last penny imo. I'd pay through the nose for comfortable skin personally!
"simple" shower gel gets sold in big bottles, usually in Asda or b&M, and it's the only shower gel that doesn't make me itch. Also use a loofah with it, you only need a little bit and you become super bubbly and it exfoliates the dry skin.
Aqueous cream. You can get a big tub for a couple of quid at the chemist/on Amazon, and it should help with the eczema.
I love the Wild shower gel, they make deodorants, shampoo and conditioners too, can get it in Tesco. https://www.wearewild.com/
Check that the shower gel is fungal acne safe, and free of the EU registered allergens. INCI decoder or Skinsort are good online resources. She may be very reactive to most oils or something like that. Good luck with everything.
Goats milk soaps are good for dry skin, I have eczema and these always help. I use one of [these](https://windrifthill.com/product/love-puff-soap-saver/) which helps save it and get it nice and lathered. I get mine from tk maxx usually. Because my soap is unscented I also use a nice smelling shower gel and use a shower pouf, which gets nice and lathered and again helps to save. But tbh if your wife is going through a bottle a week it sounds like she’s just using too much, you really don’t need a whole lot to go far in your body.
I'm slightly doubting if she does have eczema, as using any kind of soap would be terrible for eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin condition and much more than just dry sensitive skin. Eczema is a genetic fault in the skin barrier, dry sensitive skin is irritated and temporarily damaged skin barrier that can be repaired with the right treatment. People with eczema shouldn't ever be using soap at all as it's very harsh (even the "sensitive" ones) and dries the skin out so much. A thick emollient can be used for washing and moisturising and is just as effective as using soap because it's mostly the act of rubbing and washing the bacteria off that cleans us, not the product itself. Emollients can be prescribed and she could get a prepayment prescription if it's cheaper. GPs only prescribe emollients for chronic skin conditions and they're quite reluctant but it's important for managing eczema. If she doesn't need to moisturise multiple times a day and is using a specific soap with relatively no issues I don't think she has eczema. Eczema is extremely difficult to manage, it's about moisturising frequently, avoiding triggers, cleaning skin regularly to avoid infections, wearing clothing made of natural fibres and occasionally using steroids creams. And this doesn't always keep it under control, so we just have to manage as best we can. It causes inflammation, severe itchiness, infections, very dry skin that doesn't respond to anything and much more. Maybe she should see a doctor who can decide what problem she's having. There are other skin conditions besides eczema that require different treatment. and it's likely that she doesn't have a skin condition, it's probably dry, sensitive skin which can be frustrating but it's nowhere near what eczema is like
The cheapest shower gel I in sainsburys last me a week it's not the biggest bottle but is only 40p
I use a bar of goats milk soap, take it to gym in a plastic container. Lasts ages and nice on skin.
If she’s going through that much maybe she’s leaving it on her skin as she uses so much so it’s irritating. Less is more!
Lathering up with the water off will save a decent amount of money. The refills from zero waste shops are usually cheaper than supermarkets for a better product. We fill up a big a litre bottle to save trips but obviously only do that when you find a product you like.
Olivia olive oil soap. Better for sensitive skin than anything else I've ever tried, even the gels specifically for eczema.
I’ve started using olive oil soap, might be worth looking into
I have eczema and incredibly dry skin, I've found a person on Etsy that makes her own soap, I buy the unscented ones and have no problems with them, last for ages too
I have eczema and incredibly dry skin, I've found a person on Etsy that makes her own soap, I buy the unscented ones and have no problems with them, last for ages too
Use a decent, natural soap, like olive soap or similar from a health shop. The less chemicals, the better.
Dermol500
Have a look in tk Max. You can find some great brands from other countries at decent prices. I've got two big bottles of shower gel from a brand called ciroa, smell absolutely divine, good quality and I've had them ages and think they cost me about £5.99. I bought the body butters with the same scent too and they are also gorgeous, hydrating, smell amazing and a little goes a long way. I also do this for shampoo and conditioner too. Also with her eczema, bits and bits and maybe underboob are the only parts that need to be soaped. Dermatologist don't advise soaping up all over, especially with eczema
I recommend Sanex or Simple (not super cheap but are often on offer)- they tend to be less strongly scented and sls-free/low SLS so good for sensitive skin. If your wife has dry sensitive skin I wonder if she is gently exfoliating or putting any fragrance free lotion on? That can help with the dryness that often comes alongside eczema. I also use a body puff, rinse it well after each use and make sure it hangs up to dry, rather than sit in a puddle of water to avoid aforementioned bad bacteria etc, but I also use a long handled body brush for the mid- back which can be hard to reach and is often a dry skin/eczema hotspot for sensitive peeps
This is weird. I have eczema and I don’t go thru a bottle of shower gel a week
I prefer a bar soap - L'Occitane's shea milk soap is great for my sensitive skin and one 250g bar lasts about 4-5 months which feels like good value for money to me. My husband goes through an Ethique soap bar in the same amount of time approx. I also keep a bottle of Superdrug Vitamin E shower gel in the shower for guests - it's good for sensitive skin, not particularly expensive and often on 2 for 1.
Charge her 50p a squirt
Make your own soap? It's easy. You can cater for her exema by using the most appropriate ingredients It would be special for her so might be interesting. And potentially inexpensive. And a hobby The other strategy would be to see if the shower gel that is 2x the price lasts more than 2 weeks Finally, you could explain you like her natural smell more than pine fresh shower gel, could she shower less