by
Geniece
During my freshman year of college, the boyfriend of one of my friends declared that bathing was overrated. Well, based on the way our living area smelled after he departed, I was sure that bathing was in fact a necessity. Last week, I thought of that young man when I came across an article in the New York Times entitled: “My No-Soap, No-Shampoo, Bacteria-Rich Hygiene Experiment” by Julia Scott. In the article, the author discusses a shampoo-free, soap free regimen and examines the scientific reasons for experimenting with an unconventional regimen.
Okay, so before you turn up your nose at the thought of throwing out your soap and shampoo here is some background on the author’s regimen::
Ms. Scott used a product called AO Biome developed by a company that promoted the use of “good” bacteria to help maintain a “clean dirty” lifestyle. She then covered her skin in the solution comprised of bacteria. She rinsed 3 minutes each morning but did not use any hygiene products, such as soap or shampoo.
So, what did she discover?
I admit that I was a bit turned off by the idea of giving up my hygiene routine. Some of the commenters raised questions regarding the possible spread of germs if soap was no longer used to wash hands. Questions were also raised as to how the author maintained her freshness down “there”. Yet, once her body adapted to the bacteria she sprayed on her skin the odor diminished.
While the AO Biome regimen is still in the experimental stage, researchers say it shows promising signs. Personally, I enjoy a shower, not only for the hygienic aspect but also the relaxation it provides.
So, would you join the bacteria rich regimen bandwagon if it helped to improve your skin and hair?
21 Responses
Go vegan for a couple of months and you might notice a decrease in body odor.
NO. in fact I’ve been trying to figure out if its safe to use a strong ANTI bacterial on my hair like hibisclens, LOL
Woman replaces one product with another, lol! Really respect the idea though.
There’s a sizable community abandoning ‘bacteria and oil-stripping’ cleansers, and opting for water and sebum to cleanse and condition the hair, and water and exfoliation (brushing or salt or sugar or citrus fruits) for the body. Many caution against cleansers for your genitals citing harsh ingredients, hidden fragrances and high pH. And pointing, as April did, to a cleaner diet to neutralize skin, scalp and genital odor. Great article, a lot of thoughtful comments.
I am itching at the mere thought of it.
Sounds nice ! Soap and shampoo have never did me any good all of these years anyway. i wonder how effective it would be.
Thanks…but no thanks 🙂
I stopped wear deorderant or anything under my arms and i stopped sweating and dont have any oder. Ive also know people who only shower 1x per week except for hands and genitals and they dont smell bad.
kind of cool! Not sure if I would do it. In regards to down there, your lady space is fairly self sufficient. You really shouldn’t be using soap in that area as it can cause inflammation and irritation. Also, not sure I would want to smell like onions and marijuana lol.
https://www.youtube.com/user/myfashionforreal
I’d try it as an experiment, if I were being paid. Well paid.
🙂
Otherwise, I would not want to offend my classmates, coworkers and other people I work around with the stench mentioned in the beginning portion of the experiment.
I’m also a bit eco-conscious and a pet owner, so I also wonder if this bacteria, when washed down the drain or in soil, is eco-friendly AND if it’s safe for non human critters (pets).
Speaking of which, I also wonder if this is safe for use around pregnant women or infants.
=/
True that. Who isn’t this safe for??? It does sound interesting but I don’t want to go through that you smell like something unpleasant phase at all. What we eat comes out through our pores, our waste and we smell the way we do because of what we consume and put on our bodies too. I’ve heard of some women just rinsing their vaginas with water but I have a hard time believing water alone can clean away certain types of waste effectively.
Still, I would consider this if my diet was a lot better than it is now, which it could be with hard work, and definitely consider it if there were an effective way to clean the behind with this bacteria regimen. From what I’ve read here at least I gather that my booty would get no soap love either and that’s very hard to think about. Rinsing ain’t gone cut it!
FIY, you don’t need soap or whatever so called “feminine soaps” to clean your vjj simply because the vjj cleanses itself from the inside out with the good bacteria living down there. Using soap to clean the vjj can disturb those bacteria and the vjj ph and transform those good bacteria into bad ones thus leading to funky smell, yeast and other infections. Anything that can disturb the balance of the bacteria (douching, medication, sickness, hormonal therapy, wiping yourself from back to front,…) naturally present in a healthy vjj can lead to infections. Mild unscented soap such as pure African black soap (the real deal not those hard fake ones), pure glycerin soap, goat milk soap (the one made with raw goat milk and no added water seldom creates allergies),…are used to clean the vjj area and the rest of the outside part.
This experiment is interesting but frankly the human skin already has its own bacteria therefore I don’t see the necessity to add a bacteria solution as a shampoo or body wash when a “water only” or water + clay only” regimen twice a day as a bath or shower can do the trick. The human body itself has no smell, it’s the reaction between the natural bacteria on our skin with sweat and scented, dyed products we use on a regular and what we consume that comes out through our pores that creates the smell. Experiment by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoid anything processed and refined, drink plenty of water and no meat, stop using artificial soaps and deodorant and wash yourself with water + clay only. you will notice that the first week you will have a strong body odour and will sweat a lot due to the cleanse the body is going thru. By the 2nd -3rd week, your body will stop sweating profusely and it won’t smell and you will not need the clay anymore and will be able to switch to a water only regimen to wash your body. you will simply need to scrub your skin with a loofah under warm running water and you’ll be good to go. Of course with this regimen, no chemical laden lotion is allowed; EVCO, raw shea, sesame seed oil or any extra virgin oil will do the trick. Best of all, you can add your favorite essential oils and have a personalized deodorant or perfume…But unfortunately we are all brainwashed to think that it’s clean only with a good lather. Let us remember that our own hair has proven this wrong and that it’s always best to experiment yourself and see how YOUR body reacts. Also, some experiment are hard to follow because we live in a heavily polluted environment but clay and activated charcoal have been proven as toxines and odor absorbent so don’t forget to use wisely!
U lost me at onions… Hell freaking no!!!!
HAAAAA!!!!
LOL. Your comment literally made me LOL! ..Oh dear!
Interesting, but no.
Just. . . no.
Probiotics are awesome, inside the body and on the skin
Good article. Unfortunately social norms somewhat dictate how much hygiene or less a person can get by with. The Today show had a dermatologist on the show many years ago telling people not to take daily showers and to instead “wash up” focusing on the body parts that omit the most odor and bacteria( neither regions and under arms) while leaving he rest of your skin alone allowing time for your natural oils to return. I think that would be more sound advice for most people than skipping bathing all together. I don’t think its harmful or weird to do so per say just not a very nice thing to do if you work or live around others.
agree with ya, its the same of idea of skipping shampoo and just cowashing with conditionar. But yes, the social norms would never allow otherwise….
No…
I am fully aware of good bacteria and bad bacteria, but my answer is still NO…
It stinks just reading this article. Lol
That is quite an interesting experiment. It’s always neat to learn that things like this are possible. Surely, out of the ordinary. I think I’m with you, though. I enjoy showers for their refreshing sensation, too.