Fancy shower gels with pumps and pretty plastic packaging are all well and good, but there's no denying that while they look good in the shower, they aren't doing the environment any favours.
Which is why there's been an increase in launches of trendy new bars of soap that promise to do the same thing as the gels but with much more eco-friendly wrapping.
Don't scrunch your nose up at them yet because gone are the days where soaps left your skin with that horrible squeaky feeling - now, they're packed with moisturising ingredients to leave you feeling soft and smelling lovely.
To prove it, we've put five new ones to the test to see if they do live up to their new hype...
Ashley & Co Mini Bars, £9
Beauty ed Octavia says: ‘Addictive little bars in six scents (the pink, with heady jasmine,
is my fave). They’re actually not that mini, but smaller than a regular bar, so the price is pretty high. Lathers nicely, quite impressive.’
Ethique Superstar Cleansing Facial Bars, £14.99
Octavia says: ‘This brand is all about being plastic-free, with bars of face, body and hair products – it could be the eco-future. The Superstar got rid of my make-up and left my skin feeling less dry than my last foaming cleanser.’
Aveda Rosemary Mint Bath Bar, £13.68
Beauty director Lynne says: ‘Expensive, but this is a whopper of a bar and would outlast a couple of bottles of shower gel. I loved the creamy lather, which left my skin soft and moisturised, and how well the rosemary and mint scent lingered.’
Lush Goddess Bar, £7.95
Octavia says: ‘Probably as divisive as a Lush shop itself. My husband wasn’t keen, but I loved the golden flecks and deep, sandalwoody scent, which smells amazing as you use it (less good when dry).’
John Masters Organics Face & Body Bar, £9
Octavia says: ‘Incredible lather. Once you have the suds it feels more like foaming shower gel than soap, and smells gorgeous – lavender with ylang ylang. Leaves skin very clean, not dry. I’m
ditching shower gel for this.’
Why not also give one of these gorgeous smelling shower gels that will have you looking forward to shower time?
