How to Use Defense Soap Products
Defense Soap products are designed to be part of a consistent hygiene routine for athletes, families, active individuals, and anyone who wants to take skin hygiene seriously. While our products were built with wrestlers, grapplers, and combat sports athletes in mind, the same basic routine applies to anyone who trains, sweats, works out, travels, or spends time in shared environments.
The most important habit is simple: shower as soon as possible after training or heavy sweating. Defense Soap products are here to support that routine before, during, and after training, from showering and quick cleanups to laundry, gear care, and facility hygiene.
Daily Shower Routine: Bar Soaps and Shower Gels
Defense Bar Soaps and Shower Gels are the foundation of a good post-training hygiene routine. After practice, rolling, lifting, competing, or sweating heavily, showering should be treated as a must whenever possible.
For best results, build the habit of showering immediately after training. Start at the head and work your way down. Hair, skin, and high-contact areas can pick up sweat, grime, and contaminants during training, so washing thoroughly matters.
When using Defense Bar Soap or Shower Gel, step out of the direct water stream, work the product into a full lather, and apply it thoroughly to the skin. Let the lather sit for about 30-45 seconds before rinsing. If you soap up directly under the showerhead and rinse immediately, the product does not have as much time to spread, capture what is on the skin, and do its job.
You can use the bar directly on the skin, but many people get better coverage with a washcloth, mesh sponge, or silicone scrubber. These tools can help build a richer lather and make it easier to wash thoroughly.
A simple towel-saving tip: after showering, wring out your washcloth and use it to remove excess water from your body before stepping out of the shower. Wring it out a few times as you go, then dry off with your bath towel. This can help keep towels from becoming overly saturated and musty.
Bar Soap and Shower Gel serve the same basic purpose, so the choice comes down to preference. Some people prefer the traditional bar, while others like the feel and convenience of Shower Gel. Because our Shower Gel is coconut-oil based, some users may find it feels more moisturizing on the skin.
Defense Bar Soaps and Shower Gels are available in different scent options, so you can choose the one that fits your preference and routine.
Medicated Products: Antifungal Bar Soap and Acne Care Bar Soap
Medicated products should be used differently than regular daily-use soaps because they are made for specific skin concerns. Always follow the Drug Facts panel on the product label for complete directions, warnings, and use information.
Antifungal Medicated Bar Soap
Defense Antifungal Medicated Bar Soap contains tolnaftate 1%, an OTC antifungal active ingredient used for athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch. Wash the affected area thoroughly, allow the lather to remain on the skin briefly, then rinse and dry the area completely.
Use as directed on the Drug Facts panel. For specific directions, treatment length, limitations, and when to ask a doctor, refer to the product label.
Acne Care Medicated Bar Soap
Defense Acne Care Medicated Bar Soap is made for both face and body acne. Use daily as needed and as directed on the product label. As with any medicated product, follow the Drug Facts panel and adjust use if your skin becomes overly dry or irritated.
Body Wipes: When You Cannot Shower Right Away
Defense Body Wipes are a convenient option when you need a quick freshen-up but cannot get to a shower right away. They are not meant to replace a full shower after training, but they can help bridge the gap until you can properly wash.
Use Body Wipes after practice, tournaments, lifting, travel, camping, work, kids’ sports, hot weather, or anytime you need a quick cleanse. They are also useful throughout the day when you are active, sweaty, or on the go.
After training, Body Wipes can be used all over, but it is especially helpful to focus on high-contact areas such as the face, neck, arms, legs, hands, feet, and any areas exposed to mats, equipment, or close contact.
Defense Body Wipes are available in different formats, including canisters and flatpacks. Flatpacks are an easy alternative for gym bags, backpacks, tournaments, travel, and situations where portability matters.
Hands, Face, and Sensitive Skin
Foaming Face & Hand Soap
Defense Foaming Face & Hand Soap is an everyday sink soap that can be used at home, work, the gym, locker rooms, offices, facility bathrooms, and anywhere regular handwashing is part of the routine. We use it at all of our sinks at work because it is simple, convenient, and easy to keep available.
It is available in different options, including Original and Peppermint.
Hypochlorous Skin Cleanser
Defense Hypochlorous Skin Cleanser is a gentle, easy-to-use option for face and body. It can be used as a daily skin cleanser, a quick skin refresh, after training, after sweating, after shaving, after wearing headgear or hats, or anytime you want something light and simple for the skin.
Spray directly onto the skin and allow it to air dry. It can be used after cleansing, after training, after shaving, or as needed throughout the day.
Targeted Skin Support
Defense Essential Oil
Defense Essential Oil is intended for targeted use. Apply directly as needed, up to three times daily.
Defense Salve
Defense Salve can be used for scratches, scrapes, mat burns, and skin that needs extra support after training. For a targeted routine, apply Defense Essential Oil first, then apply Defense Salve about 30 minutes later.
Defense Antifungal Cream
Defense Antifungal Cream is an OTC antifungal leave-on treatment. It can be used in conjunction with Defense Antifungal Medicated Bar Soap as part of an antifungal routine. Use as directed on the Drug Facts panel.
Gear, Laundry, Facility, and Foot Cleaning Products
Skin hygiene is only one part of a complete training routine. Clean gear, clean laundry, and cleaner training spaces also matter.
Defense Equipment Spray can be used on items such as headgear, gloves, shoes, gym bags, and protective equipment. Because it is oil-based, it should not be used on the soles of shoes or on training mats.
Defense Laundry Booster is designed for training laundry such as uniforms, rash guards, gis, towels, gym clothes, and other heavily used athletic clothing.
For coaches, gym owners, schools, wrestling rooms, BJJ academies, MMA gyms, and athletic facilities, mat cleaners, disinfectants, and surface cleaning products should be used consistently according to label directions. Use the correct product for the correct surface and follow the instructions carefully.
Defense Foot Cleaning Stations and Foot Cleaning Solution are made for barefoot training environments. They are best placed at the entrance to training mats for BJJ, grappling, and barefoot martial arts. They are not intended for general locker room use and are not typically used for wrestling unless the athletes are also entering a barefoot training area.
A Simple Training Hygiene Routine
A strong routine does not need to be complicated. After training, shower as soon as possible with Defense Bar Soap or Shower Gel. If a shower is delayed, use Body Wipes as a temporary freshen-up until you can shower properly.
Wash training clothes, rash guards, gis, towels, and uniforms after use. Clean your gear after every session. Gear cleaning is not optional. It should be treated as part of the training routine, just like showering.
On tournament days, Body Wipes can be useful between matches or after matches until a full shower is available. Once the day is over, shower thoroughly as soon as possible.
Coaches and facility owners can support better hygiene habits by keeping cleaning products available where practical, maintaining consistent mat and equipment cleaning routines, and reinforcing the importance of hygiene with athletes.
Final Thoughts
The best hygiene routine is the one you follow consistently. Whether you are training in wrestling, BJJ, MMA, fitness, or another active environment, hygiene should be treated as a mandatory part of training and taken seriously.
For medicated products, always follow the Drug Facts panel on the product label. Ask a doctor if symptoms persist or if you have questions about whether a medicated product is right for you.
The information presented by Defense Soap, LLC is intended for educational purposes only. Statements about non-medicated products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. Individual results may vary. See our full disclaimer.