I stopped soaping "all over" about 15 years ago. Now I use an organic olive oil based soap only under my arms; I've tried skipping even that part for months at a time, but it just doesn't work for me -- everywhere else is fine. Otherwise, I find warm water and some gentle washing action to be all I need. No bad side effects, people haven't shunned me due to bad odors, etc. Actually, to the contrary, I've had complements on how I smell ("what are you using?"), and my skin looks and feels fine; not too dry or oily.
[[MORE]]I've also used baking soda as a soap for extended periods. It cleans fine; I just don't particularly care for how it makes my skin feel afterwards.
Almost anything you put on your skin will get absorbed to some degree into your body (that's how nicotine and hormone patches work). Unfortunately, most commercial soaps and cosmetic products are full of artificial chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens. Perfume doesn't come from some beautiful crushed flower; it's an artificially created chemical.
Basically, if you wouldn't eat it, you shouldn't put it on your skin or in your mouth.
FWIW, the same idea holds true for clothes, many of which are coated with toxic formaldehyde sizing to help discourage wrinkles and prevent mildew. Some kids clothes are even worse, being coated with fire retardants. You can minimize potential health issues related to fabric treatments by washing them thoroughly before you first wear them. For kid's clothes, I would was them more than once. Of course, this assumes that you're using a good, non-toxic, perfume-free laundry detergent!
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