Intro
When I reached out to my fellow BJJ players at Gi Soap, looking to write a review on some of their products, I was more interested in just getting some free stuff and maybe a cool patch. To be honest, my plan succeeded. I got them to send me some free product to review and a cool patch. I didn’t necessarily expect to be impressed. I figured, “soap is soap”. You don’t really think that any one soap or body wash will be different from any other. Sure, some smell nicer than others. Maybe you notice one lathers a little bit more, or maybe, one rinses a little easier. But rarely, do you say, “Wow! That’s some GOOD soap!”
Well, today was that day, my friend. I got me some DAMN GOOD SOAP! Gi Soap has recently released a new body wash line to complement their bar soap production. It’s all quality stuff.
Oddly enough, I suddenly found myself reliving scene from Fight Club. Instead of selling soap to glamorized, size 0, twenty-something’s who just had liposuction I was trying to pawn off this great product on meat-heads with cauliflower ear. Hollywood ALMOST got it right…
The Science:
There’s a little bit of education involved here. You have to have some personal revelations about yourself and your body before you become willing to drop $9.00 on a bottle of soap. If you think about it you’ll probably come to the same realizations that I had.
First, traditional body wash that is chemically made is not good for you. It “cleans” you by stripping away the natural oils of your body. Sure, it also strips away all that nasty dirt, sweat and grime but you’re not cleaning your body the way nature intended. We, as animals, produce and secrete our own natural oil as natural barrier and protection for our skin. We are programed to defend ourselves against bacteria, dirt, sweat, grime and anything else we can try to find to roll around in.
By stripping our own natural oils we’re no longer protecting ourselves. Conversely, we’re making ourselves more susceptible and vulnerable to infection and disease. In fact, we’re more likely increasing our chances of catching ring worm, athlete’s foot, or some other god forsaken bacteria that will keep us off the mats and away from the gym. This is also why you should never shower BEFORE going to the dojo.
That’s where Gi Soap steps in. The oil’s they use in their body wash and soap bars protects us, naturally, in conjunction with our body’s own oil secretion. Tea Tree Oil, for example, has been shown to treat and cure athlete’s foot, has the ability to cure fungus infections of the nails, and helps clear up mild and moderate acne. Regular body wash doesn’t do that. And that’s only one of their ingredients!’
Packaging:
It’s not the prettiest bottle of body wash but who cares? It has the Gi Soap logo, the list of ingredients and a cap. What else do you really need?
Smell / Feel:
It doesn’t smell musky, or male, or like a man without his shirt on riding backwards on a horse on the beach. It smells natural. It smells like a peppermint plant. Not the peppermint candy that you get from grandma’s candy bowl in the secretary’s office, but the real plant.
Its texture is an oil base. I feel very Roman when I shower with it. Like I’m pouring perfumed oil over my head. It’s a little different from what you might be used to because it doesn’t lather excessively. Rather, it coats the skin. You may have to use a little bit more than your normal body wash to coat your entire body.
Post Wash:
After washing with Gi Soap you’ll feel a little bit oilier than what you may be used to. I know I did. However, it’s not a greasy feeling. It’s a smoothing feel. Almost like you’ve treated your body to a massage and it has that post-oil feel. It’s nice. After using it for a week I can definitely tell my skin is healthier and happier.
Pros:
At the end of the day my skin doesn’t feel dry. I don’t feel the need to put lotion on because of cheap soap. I’ve noticed my skin has a healthier appearance and feel. It kills bacteria. It works WITH your body, naturally. You’re supporting a small business, for a community you love.
Cons:
It’s a little bit expensive. You have to use more than expected so it doesn’t last as long as your normal bottle of soap. Your wife or girlfriend will steal it because IT’S THAT GOOD!
Conclusion:
Gi soap works with your body, not against it. You’ll feel healthier. Your skin will look better after a week. It’s a great preventative measure to make sure you don’t get any kind of skin infection to begin with.
Is Gi Soap worth the cost? Yes! Absolutely. After doing a little bit of research and finding out more about the soaps that I’ve been using and what they’re doing to my body, I almost have no choice. Once you see the sin you’re committing, you have to confess and you have to mitigate it. I’m no longer using lotion, either, which helps to offset the cost of Gi Soap as well.
After learning what Gi Soap is doing for my body and the positive results that I’ve personally seen, I don’t think I can ever stop using it.
4/5 stars. Go pick up a bottle (or bar) and try it out. It’s worth it and you won’t regret it.
See you on the mats!