I use pumace once in a while to get rid of ground in dirt on my feet and it works OK for other kinds of dirt. I sometimes used it to get splattered dried latex paint off of my skin and for that, it is better than soap. But then I figured out that a scouring pad, one of those ones with green rough on one side and sponge on the other used for washing dishes, was much better. I use the green rough side for dirt on my body and the sponge side for dirt on my face. The scouring pad is better because it curves and goes between fingers better. In my shower, I keep an arsenal of scouring pad, pumice stone, and also some all natural saponified oil soap that I still use once in a while if I get really grundgy. The soap I use does not have any weird chemicals, just saponified oils and the soap is the gentlest way to get dirt off the softest areas of skin. I am not afraid of using all natural soap once in a while. I don't think there is any data against all natural saponified oils other than it might strip your natural skin oils but even for that, it is much more gentle than the artificial chemical soap. Also, I only use soap when I am significantly dirty and I rarely use it on my face because face oils usually prevent dirt from sticking too hard there, such that a wet sponge or towel is usually plenty.