Although shower gel and body wash generally accomplish the same task of cleansing skin from dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells, shower gels tend to be more aggressive products, which can overly dry out skin. Body washes, on the other hand, are typically more gentle, leading to increased moisturization results.
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The main difference is in their consistencies and concentration of ingredients. "Shower gel has a firmer, gel-like consistency, and typically has a higher concentration of fragrance," Dr. Lefkowicz says. "Body washes tend to be more hydrating and moisturizing, which makes it more useful in harsher, colder weather.
Dr. Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, suggests products labeled as “cleanser,” such as a moisturizing body wash. “Cleansers can add the moisture back into your skin,” she says. If you haven't had trouble with dry or irritated skin, though, traditional soap is fine.
If you sweat a lot or are exposed to dirt and dust often, soaps could be better for your skin, considering that you need more than just lather to cleanse the collected dirt and grime. However, for a normal lifestyle, a shower gel or body wash is usually mild enough to wash off the accumulated dirt.
Basically, if you don't rinse away the soap, it does more harm than good to your complexion. And over time, you may even wind up with contact dermatitis: a red, itchy rash caused by common irritants like perfumes, disinfectants, and—yes—even soap.
Conventional shower gels have chemicals such as sulphates, which make them lather really well. However, these have lasting side effects on your skin such as eczema flare ups, dry, irritated skin and more. Using a gentle shower gel made with natural ingredients is the best way to treat your skin with care.
A shower gel is a type of liquid body cleanser that may or may not contain soap. They tend to be a bit gentler on the skin than traditional soaps and are often made with emollient ingredients to help moisturize the skin as they clean.
Shower gels are mostly water with small quantities of active ingredients and additives (humectants, pH adjusters, preservatives, etc…) so are suitable for all skin types. Plus, shower gel is less drying for your skin than traditional soap, thanks to its neutral pH, which is weaker than that of soap.
As you rub shower gel on your body, it lathers up once water is added to help cleanse away built-up dirt, excess oil and bacteria from your skin. For a spa-like experience at home, most shower gels are fragranced with a scent that's enjoyable in the shower and also lingers on your skin afterward.
If you don't have any specific skin concerns, then you really just need water and your favorite soap or body wash. “Water is excellent at washing off sweat and dust and the normal lint that we pick up around us every day, [while] soap is really good at pulling oils out of the skin,” Dr. Greiling says.
Let's take the pressure off first: There is no right or wrong selection in using a bar soap, shower gel, or body wash. It comes down to personal preference and understanding which form is suitable for your skin type, says Sabrina Henry, principal scientist at Aveeno, which makes skin care products.
You may be surprised to hear: You don't have to wash your entire body with soap every day. The important part is to wash anywhere that produces excess sweat and odor (think underarms, feet, etc.). Your arms and legs don't need to be fully lathered (unless they're actually dirty, of course).
No, you shouldn't use shower gel on your face. Shower gel or body wash is formulated according to the skin on your body and not for your face. The skin on your face is different and more delicate than the skin on your overall body.
In general, showering every other day or every few days is enough for most people.
Use a washcloth, some warm water, and a little bit of bodywash. Mix a tiny amount of body wash in warm water and soak the washcloth / towel in that. Squeeze the water out, and use it to clean your armpits and privates. Wipe your body all over in the same way.
The verdict: Using your hands is perfectly fine as long as you wash them first to avoid spreading bacteria.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
It comes with hydration and moisturization properties. You can use shower gel on your face as they are safe for it and don't cause you to spend extra money on getting another product for your face. Using shower gel on your body helps remove all dead skin, dirt, and other impurities from the skin.
Most dermatologists say that your shower should last between five and 10 minutes to cleanse and hydrate your skin, but no longer than 15 minutes to avoid drying it out. You can still benefit from the shower length you prefer, whether long and luxurious, quick and efficient or somewhere in the middle.