How to Keep Groin and Armpits Clean without Soap

The Doctors and general practitioner Dr. George Moncrieff, who has not used soap in 20 years, discuss what alternatives to soap someone could use to wash body areas like their groin and armpits.

About The Doctors:

The Doctors is an Emmy award-winning daytime talk show hosted by ER physician Dr. Travis Stork, plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon and OB-GYN Dr. Nita Landry.

The Doctors helps you understand the latest health headlines, such as the ice bucket challenge for ALS and the Ebola outbreak; delivers exclusive interviews with celebrities dealing with health issues, such as Lamar Odom, Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham, reality stars Honey Boo Boo and Mama June, and activist Chaz Bono; brings you debates about health and safety claims from agricultural company Monsanto and celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy; and shows you the latest gross viral videos and explains how you can avoid an emergency situation. The Doctors also features the News in 2:00 digest of the latest celebrity health news and The Doctors’ Prescription for simple steps to get active, combat stress, eat better and live healthier.

Now in its eighth season, The Doctors celebrity guests have included Academy Award Winners Sally Field, Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda, Marcia Gay Harden, Kathy Bates and Marisa Tomei; reality stars from Teen Mom and The Real Housewives, as well as Kris Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner, Melissa Rivers, Sharon Osbourne, Tim Gunn and Amber Rose; actors Jessica Alba, Christina Applegate, Julie Bowen, Patricia Heaton, Chevy Chase, Kristin Davis, Lou Ferrigno, Harrison Ford, Grace Gealey, Cedric the Entertainer, Valerie Harper, Debra Messing, Chris O’Donnell, Betty White, Linda Gray, Fran Drescher, Emmy Rossum, Roseanne Barr, Valerie Bertinelli, Suzanne Somers; athletes Magic Johnson, Apolo Ohno and Danica Patrick; musicians Tim McGraw, Justin Bieber, Clint Black, LL Cool J, Nick Carter, Kristin Chenoweth, Paula Abdul, Gloria Gaynor, La Toya Jackson, Barry Manilow, Bret Michaels, Gene Simmons and Jordin Sparks; and celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Guy Fieri and Curtis Stone.

[WereAllThatBored]

My skin was itching out of control this winter. Never experienced it like this in my life. I took this guys advice and have had zero issues since.

[hardfartn]

I quit soap 6 months ago. I've never smelled better. I think soap might kill healthy organisms that keep you from smelling. Soap is good for dirty hands but the rest of my body doesn't get dirty. The soap manufacturers really did a great job in selling the public something they don't need.

[See_Sharp]

I also stopped using soap and shampoo. We need to treat our skin like our stomach where there are good bacteria that helps protect it. Our skin already produces protective oils that keeps good bacteria and bad bacteria out. And we were told to wash it away with soap just to smell like flowers. Almost all skin problems are caused by soap and we were told lies.

[RoundSeal]

Emollient — a lotion, cream, wash, oil, etc. for the purpose of softening and moisturising the skin.

Also, for my experiences washing with almost only water — my problem skin is the best it's ever been. It's very soft and feels hydrated even when I don't moisturise. I scrub my feet thoroughly with water and I no longer have problems with the skin on them cracking and splitting. For the most part, your groin area is easier than you'd expect to clean with just water: be thorough, and just wash your hands before leaving the shower to be hygienic. Your armpits will be easier to clean if you're using a light or natural deodorant, one that doesn't cake up. I didn't have too much BO before, but I get almost none at all now, and can use even less deodorant than before.

My hair's still tricky, but I get around this by just reducing the amount of shampoo I use and thoroughly scrubbing my scalp with warm water every other day or two. The biggest thing to get around is actually mental: you have to retrain your brain into understanding that the oils your body makes aren't dirty at all, and are good for you. Aim to rinse away excess oils, but not all of it. Your skin and scalp might feel 'greasy' at first, until your body settles and stops overproducing sebum. Afterwards, the oil your skin produces will be much lighter and less 'sticky'. If you have long hair especially, invest in a good quality comb or brush made from natural materials; combing out your hair will sort of take the place of washing it, for the most part.

It's definitely worth getting accustomed to less or no soap for washing your body. It will be better for your skin's health, easier for you to travel, and much less wasteful while showering. You'll also save money on soap, shampoo, and deodorant.

[myrihlah]

I stopped using deodorant for more than 1 year, and as a substitute I use “Alum” stone. It’s a natural deodorant in south east Asia and it’s so effective to prevent the bad smell and greasy ampits

[WhatsThePoint]

I’ve suffered with an unknown skin issue for 5 years. Dermatologist cut me and took samples, did testing. They could not figure it out. After two weeks of no soap, the burning, itching, skin rash is going away. What?

[Bhiladpy-upuy]

Man the black lady is so beautiful. She has such a harmonized face. She is so beautiful

[Shelleybean]

Dr. Stork: "Thank you....for not answering my actual question, Doc." 🤔

[talksick]

I mean I get sensitive dry skin and mainly my face is the issue
But I believe a healthy hydrating bar of soap without fragrance
Cool shower not hot
5 mins tops
Wash important parts and do this everyday before bed
If you’re active
If you’re not a sweaty person or oily
Wash every other day or so

Not sure what to do with the face but this is how I wash my body

[JRLB]

I especially agree with his point about us over washing babies. Babies are not rolling around in anything so gross that clean water can't take care of it.

[onecrazywheel]

I think body smells all happen with the foods we eat. When I was on Carnivore I had zero armpit smells and body odor. I am going back on Carnivore for sure.

[jessicaa.]

My skin would break out in a rash from soap as a kid, so my dermatologist recommended milk. I washed with a tiny bit of milk and water for months, and after that I was fine, no more rashes from soap

[Pumkin]

After watching Toxic Beauty and I am on day 2 for showering, washing my hair and face without any soap and shampoo, no deodorant as well. My skin is fine and not drying up. Basically lots of chemicals in those personal care product do more harm than good. I will do this experiment for 1 month and see how my skin looks like.

[felicialally]

Romans cleaned skin with natural "emollient" - olive oil.

[robertknotoff]

Natural things you can use in place of soap better for you and the environment

[BukkaLevy]

I would wager this guy also hasn’t got himself dirty in 20 years.

[rsmabali]

The best way to drive out bad smell in armpit and Groin is applying "ALUM". Apply "ALUM" after a bath, I don't know the reason for the bad smell, but the solution, which I found to be good for me for the past 15 Years. "Apply ALUM (படிகாரம்)after bath"(அக்குள், இடுப்பு மற்றும் அந்தரங்க பகுதி ஆகியவற்றில்) an antiseptic used in Barber shop some 60, 70 years back. The blackening of the skin in the armpit is also controlled.

[RavenVonK]

I have washed without soap or anything but water before. My hair was shinier, less painful and over time less greesier. As to soap on your body... Naturally, water does all of that work for you. The trick is to scrub. Like flossing... Just brushing won't do the trick alone, not even with the best toothpaste. I use light soap mainly because I like the scent and other is because I shave with it. As to the groins and pubics well... Ladies... Do you want soap scum on your vagina? No, just plain water. As to your anus, yeah... I would use soap... Anything that comes in contact with feces soap sould be used. Unless you are 100% out of soap then you better scrub good.

[LadyKataNova]

I bought a bar of soap recently and got a terrible allergic reaction. sore throat, face and chest red as a tomato, non stop sneezing and coughing. I usually get the sniffles after washing my face but this was bad. No idea what they put in soap but that brand nearly sent me to the E.R.

[davidscherer]

What is the emollient they are talking about?