This article is based on my personal experience. Skin types and conditions vary from person to person, so the approach described here may not work for everyone. I hope you’ll find it useful as one perspective to consider when deciding how to care for your skin.

Today, I’d like to talk about skincare!

Since my twenties, I’ve spent about 15 years rethinking many aspects of my lifestyle, prompted by allergies, pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP), and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).

As part of that process, I’ve experimented with different skincare methods to find ways to minimize irritation.

I used to think that I needed to use facial cleanser, toner, emulsion, moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, hair cream, and all sorts of other products every day.

But as my skin became increasingly irritated, even these products started to feel like a burden.

I tried all kinds of products marketed for sensitive skin, fragrance-free or additive-free products, and natural skincare products, but I couldn’t find anything that worked well for me.

Discovering No-Wash Skincare

Around that time, the acupuncturist I was seeing introduced me to Utsugi-style skincare, a minimalist approach that emphasizes using fewer products, avoiding friction, and not overwashing the skin.

I was given three books about it, and as soon as I read them, I decided to give it a try.

And wow, what a difference!

I simply rinse my face, body, and hair with lukewarm water to remove dirt and sweat.

For moisturizing, I use only a small amount of petroleum jelly.

“So I didn’t need to wash everything with soap and shampoo after all…!”

I was amazed.

At the same time, I felt a huge sense of relief.

Before that, whenever soap or shampoo touched my irritated skin in the bath, it stung, making bathing something I dreaded.

Once I stopped using soap and shampoo, my daily routine became so much easier.

I started living this way around 2018, and it’s been about eight years now. My skin and hair have been doing well.

As far as my face and body are concerned, I really haven’t missed using those products.

My hair, however, took a little longer to adjust.

When I first stopped using shampoo, my hair became very greasy, and I gave up several times because it seemed like my scalp was producing too much oil.

But after sticking with it for a while, I noticed that my hair seemed to become less oily.

I was also changing my diet around the same time, and I noticed that my hair tended to get greasier when I ate more animal-based foods and oils.

As for combs, I find that a wide-toothed comb that can be washed with water works best. My favorite is the BESS Mineral Ion Comb (Product of Japan).

I bring it into the bath and comb my hair while rinsing it with warm water.

Very occasionally, when I feel like using shampoo, I use a product called Shizenha Shampoo (Product of Japan), an amino-acid-based shampoo made with 100% naturally derived ingredients. But most of the time, I simply rinse my hair with water. This method is often called yu-shan, or “washing your hair with water only,” in Japan.

Reducing Skin Irritation Even Further by Removing Chlorine

At one point, I noticed that my skin tended to get worse during the summer.

Sun exposure and sweat could have been contributing factors, but I also learned that chlorine levels in tap water can vary seasonally and may be higher during summer in some areas.

So I switched to a showerhead designed to reduce chlorine, and I started adding vitamin C to my bathwater to neutralize the chlorine.

After making these changes, I felt that my skin improved another step!

At home, we use a chlorine-reducing showerhead made by Duskin (Japanese service company best known for its home and commercial cleaning products, dust control services, and franchise operations).

For the bathwater, I add one scoop (1 gram) of vitamin C powder—pure ascorbic acid made by Iwaki Pharmaceutical (Japanese pharmaceutical company)—per bath.

I checked the water with a chlorine test kit and confirmed that the chlorine level had been reduced in both cases.

These may seem like small changes, but I feel that little things can add up when they become part of our daily routine.

What Changed When I Stopped Using Soap and Shampoo

First of all, my skin and hair started doing better.

I feel as though the natural oils on my skin and scalp provide just the right amount of protection.

Maybe our own sebum is the best beauty cream of all! 😊

Bathing has also become much quicker and easier because I no longer wash my body and hair with soap and shampoo.

I’ve stopped keeping products in the bathroom, which makes cleaning so much easier, too!

After bathing, I simply rinse the bathroom floor and surfaces with the shower and wipe them down with a sponge.

The drain gets less dirty than it used to, so I only need to clean it once a month by rinsing it with the shower and using a sponge.

And since I no longer keep skincare products around the sink, the washroom looks much tidier!

Traveling is easier, too. All I need is a small container of petroleum jelly.

I use Baby Vaseline made by Kenei Pharmaceutical (Japanese pharmaceutical company), and the little lip-care version is especially convenient for carrying around.

I wear much less makeup than I used to, although I sometimes use an eyebrow pencil or tinted lip balm.

These come off easily with warm water.

This “no-wash skincare” approach has made my life feel so much lighter.

I can’t imagine going back to my old routine!

Summary

My no-wash skincare routine

Gently rinse my face, body, and hair with lukewarm water.
Use only a small amount of petroleum jelly for moisturizing.

A few things to keep in mind

Hair may take some time to adjust when you first stop using shampoo.
In my experience, eating fewer animal-based foods and less oil seemed to help reduce greasiness.

A word of caution

This approach may not suit everyone. If your skin or scalp becomes irritated or your condition worsens, stop and seek advice from a healthcare professional if needed.

Thank you so much for reading! 😊

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to use the form below. 🍀

Thank you, as always, for your lovely messages. ✨