Often used interchangeably, shower gels and body washes serve the same purpose but are distinct formulations – concerning structure and texture. While shower gels boast a gel-like consistency owing to the presence of a thickening agent, body washes are more lightweight and runny. Plus, shower gels have a higher concentration of fragrance. In contrast, body washes are mildly fragranced and don’t necessarily intend to soothe your senses.
1. Shower Gel vs. Body Wash: How to Find the Best Cleanser For Your Skin Type?
If you possess oily skin, a shower gel would be ideal for you as it lends clarifying properties that can instantly slough off dead skin cells, dirt, and excess sebum. If you spend much time outdoors and engage in activities that make you sweat excessively, consider reaching out for a suitable shower gel instead of a body wash.
Alternatively, dry and sensitive skin types should pick a body wash, given its creamy texture and moisturizing properties. Your body wash may also contain fatty acids, emollients, and vitamin B5 that can soothe and intensely hydrate your skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
And since body washes are mildly scented, in contrast to shower gels, they tend to be more suitable for sensitive skin types that could get easily irritated with fragrances. That said, shower gels often contain exfoliating agents such as oatmeal, microbeads, and sea salt, which help get rid of dirt and grime, unclogging your pores for radiant, glowing skin.
2. Shower Gel vs. Body Wash: The Difference in Composition
Shower gels primarily contain five ingredients: water, emulsifiers, detergents, preservatives, and fragrances. A harmonious combination of these ingredients helps generate lather and cleanses your skin while exuding a heavenly scent. The preservatives increase the shelf life of the product, helping prevent the possibility of microbial contamination.
On the other hand, body washes are composed of humectants, emulsifiers, surfactants, vitamin E, essential oils, and other natural extracts. They may also include ceramides, plant oils, and antibacterial agents.
3. The Ingredients to Look For in Liquid Cleansers
While shopping for a body care formulation, look for soothing and moisturizing ingredients, including amino acids, glycerine, and vitamin B5, which help your skin retain moisture while appropriately cleansing it. Mildly scented products can offer a calming experience, helping you relax and rejuvenate.
4. The Ingredients to Avoid in Liquid Cleansers
Irrespective of whether you have oily, dry, or sensitive skin, you should look out for certain ingredients that can cause irritation, inflammation, and a potential allergic reaction. Avoid parabens, phthalates and dyes, as well as heavily fragranced products. Meanwhile, if you’re environmentally conscious, steer clear of formulations that boast microbeads, as they often escape wastewater treatment systems and end up in natural water bodies, harming marine life and human health.
- How to Use a Liquid Cleanser
- After dampening your body with lukewarm water, take a dollop or two of the product onto your palm and lather it on your skin.
- Alternatively, you can add a generous amount of the formulation on a loofah and scrub it on your body for added exfoliation.
- Rub the product on your skin in gentle circular motions for a few minutes.
- Once your skin is clean, wash it off with lukewarm water to remove dirt and grime.
- Remember to moisturize your skin after a shower to restore its hydration.
FAQs
1. Can a shower gel dry out your skin?
Ideal for oily skin types, a shower gel isn’t recommended for those with dry or sensitive skin, as it runs the risk of causing more severe dryness and flaky skin. A body wash online is preferable for those with normal to dry skin.
2. Can shower gels and body washes be used on the face?
Make sure you never apply a body care product to your face, as the skin on your face is more delicate. Besides, body washes and shower gels contain harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin, causing rashes, redness, and inflammation. Use a suitable face wash or cleanser for your skin type.
2. What is better: shower gels or body washes?
It depends on your skin type. Oilier skin types should opt for shower gels, while dry and sensitive skin types should reach for body washes that boost moisturizing agents to soothe and cleanse your skin.
Conclusion
While shower gels and body washes aren’t too distinct from each other, their composition and texture make them ideal for specific skin types. They are also safer to use when compared to bathing soap bars that house germs and harsher chemicals.
Shower gels are water-based, boast a thicker consistency, and are recommended for those with oily skin, while body washes are more runny and are perfect for those with dry and sensitive skin. Body washes also tend to be more moisturizing and gentle on your skin, minus too much fragrance.
