In a country as humid and hot as India, taking shower more than once a day kind off becomes a mandate. And so it is very important to find the most trusted cleanser for your body. With various options available in categories of soap to body washes and shower gels, each of these possess benefits of its own. Often in times, it’s a catch to figure out the best option for your skin. So how do you pick
What is what?
Let’s streamline your options by discussing some major differences between soaps, body washes, and shower gels Shower Gel Composed of synthetic detergents derived from either petroleum or plant sources, shower gels are liquid body cleansers that have been quite a rage among a larger populace. With a smooth silky feel to your skin, shower gels may often feel tight and harsh on dry skin. To curb that dryness use shower creams as they have slick, lotion-like texture and better penetration. Body Wash With a pH between 6 and 7 and formulated to be rather gentle and hydrating than shower gels, body washes are often preferred to cleanse dirt, excess oil, and sweat off your skin. They often contain a mixture of various ingredients to help treat common skin conditions. Especially for individuals with dry or sensitive skin, body washes are often suggested to overcome skin conditions such as clogged pores and flaking. Bar Soap Bar soaps are solid cleansing agents curated from salts of vegetable or animal fats. They provide aid in removing dirt, sweat, sebum, and oil from your skin by means of surfactants which are chemical agents surrounding oil and dirt. It dissolves them and makes it easier for water to wash them away. Excess deposition of sweat and dirt can trigger bacterial growth resulting in skin infections. Bar soaps remove this layer of excessive oils and lift pathogens away from your skin. Having said that certain bars end by wrecking our skin’s texture and tampering with its pH which results in stripping away all kinds of vital oils. Make sure to indulge in soaps that are less harsh and provide enough hydration to your skin.
Decoding the difference Texture: A very important aspect while discussing various differences between cleansers is the texture. Shower gels possess more viscosity and have thicker jelly-like consistency which is a result of the thickening polymer in their composition. Body washes possess a lotion-like texture with a creamy consistency and are relatively less viscous. Bar soaps on the other hand are block-shaped cleansers available in different varieties and varying soap lather depending on your skin type. Fragrance: When it comes to shower gels they possess high ingredient concentration and have long-lasting pleasing fragrances. As opposed to shower gels, body washes are quite mild and have a decent scent, which stays for a limited time period. Bar soaps on the other hand are marketed tremendously on grounds of their ever-lasting fragrance from various essential oils they contain. Some are unscented as well depending upon the choice of consumers. Ingredient: Another most important facet of body cleansers is their ingredient listing. Shower gels are mostly formulated using surfactants, preservatives, water, emulsifiers, and detergents. Water helps in developing consistency, surfactants are responsible for lather formation, and humectants take care of the moisturizing properties of shower gels. Further preservatives are added to shower gels to cater to their shelf life aspect. Body washes majorly comprise surfactants, emulsifiers, humectants, vitamin E, essential oil, and natural extracts. As opposed to shower gels and body washes, bar soaps are made of oils, fats, and alkaline solutions via a process called saponification. Purpose: All the three aforementioned products are meant to cleanse your body and provide the required nourishment. But it is imperative to find the right product for your skin. A mindful approach wherein you consider all the facets like your skin type and weather conditions of the place you are residing in is very crucial. Shower gels are curated to maintain your skin’s pH and contain gentle and calming properties. Their ability to provide exfoliation takes care of dead cells of our skin. Body washes on the other hand work best towards soothing our skin along with their various moisturizing properties. Motivated towards healing perpetual skin dryness, body washes are now being manufactured with a common skin ointment called emulsified petroleum which provides cleansing as well as proper hydration to your skin. Bar soaps often come out harsh on sensitive skin types. Unless medicated or infused with ingredients that provide moisturization, they can dry out your skin. Specially formulated soaps with mild ingredients may actually work in your favour if used consciously keeping in mind your skin’s requirements. Apart from these various antibacterial soaps can be used to remove body odour or any bacterial infection. Hygiene: Body washes and Shower gels don’t have bacterial build-up as they stay protected from air and physical contact in their containers. Bar soaps on the other hand may not be a good choice for hygienic use. Bacteria build-up on used bar soaps is much more than ones on the unused soaps as germs breed more on wet surfaces. As a result, it is highly plausible that bacterial transmission may occur. In case you decide on using a bar soap make sure it is used by you only and no one else.
To Conclude…
Your body care routine kick starts as soon as you step into the shower. Therefore it is very important to decide on a cleanser that is a boon to your skin. Each of the above-mentioned cleansers has its own pros and cons. So be mindful and make a choice that is suitable for your skin and fetches actual results in long run.
