I got my tapers in the mail yesterday and stretched pretty easily to a whoping 16g. [I even managed to get the balls in the CBRs! Wh00t!]

After looking at work, and at Walmart, I couldn't find any fragrance free antibacterial soap... so I settled with a plain antibacterial Softsoap. It doesn't seem too perfumy at all... but I was wondering if that was a decent choice for washing my lobes. I plan on washing them in the shower in the morning, then doing a good SSS on them at night. If I have to break down and find Satin or Provon online, I will... I wanna do this stretching right and baby my lobes as much as possible, just looking for some input.

It's not terrible, but it may dry out your lobes...especially mixed with the soaks.

I know my piercer sells piercing soap (not sure which brand).  You could call your piercer (or any others in the area) and see if they have some.

 well, I was looking at some fragrance free Aveeno baby lotion, too... thought maybe using that after SSS and washing it might keep them from drying out....

 Antibacterial soaps aren't my favorite...I find them unnecessary, especially for use on lobes. I like Dr. Bronner's soap, it's castile soap and the scents come from essential oils, not chemicals (they also make a baby version that is unscented). I buy it at Whole Foods but I've also seen it at Target...

 I use Dr. Bonner's too and it's been perfectly fine.

I've been tempted to use SoftSoap (and actually may have.. don't recall) but have found that Ivory's Liquid soap is very mild and nondrying.  However, the Dr. B's is better.

I think I've seen Dr. Bronner's at work before, [gotta love having a Natural/Organic section in a grocery store.] so maybe I'll try that... any experience with Aveeno lotion to keep lobes hydrated? My piercer had told me to use Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion around my labret piercing to keep the skin from drying out after a SSS and that seemed to work pretty well, not to mention it's easy to find and really cheap.

 I only use emu oil on my ears because I like it so much, but I don't see any issue with using aveeno as long as you don't have issues with it.

I use the walmart brand softsoap clear, and it works fine. It does dry out my skin, but I always do a jojoba massage afterwards so it counters the dryness.

Jade:

I think I've seen Dr. Bronner's at work before, [gotta love having a Natural/Organic section in a grocery store.] so maybe I'll try that... any experience with Aveeno lotion to keep lobes hydrated? My piercer had told me to use Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion around my labret piercing to keep the skin from drying out after a SSS and that seemed to work pretty well, not to mention it's easy to find and really cheap.

I used Palmer's on my tattoo, and it healed really well...minimal scabbing.  I, too prefer jojoba on healed piercings.  I've experienced no dryness.

 I use Aveeno on my ears all the time... Its quick and easy to throw on, and I love it! As far as a stretch goes I almost see soaks as pointless if all went well... I usually only kinda wash my lobes in the shower and then lotion them up, and use oil depending on the jewely Im wearing that day... 

bluebananaeater:

As far as a stretch goes I almost see soaks as pointless if all went well... I usually only kinda wash my lobes in the shower and then lotion them up, and use oil depending on the jewely Im wearing that day... 

I agree. SSS are great for unhealed lobes or if you have a tear, but stretching shouldn't cause enough tearing (yes, there are miniscule microtears that occur) to cause pain or any visible tearing/blood/etc. I too find that soaks on "healed" lobes are unnecessary and prefer to just wash them in the shower.