Shower Gel vs Bar Soaps vs Body Wash

Q: Is a body wash better than a shower gel?

Both work and one can’t be a preferable option over the other as both are designed for different skin types. The body wash has a thicker texture as compared to a shower gel and provides deep moisturisation.

August 30, 2023 by Arjun Singh

Table of Contents

After a long, tiring day, you come home to finally unwind with a warm, refreshing bath. Perfect, isn’t it? The only time in solitude that you actually get to relax and freshen up. This perfect bathing experience is something that everyone loves and it all begins with finding the right cleansers to use.

Being the first and most important step in your bath routine, the options for cleansers are plenty. So how can you choose the most suitable one for your skin type to enrich your skin and body?

To help you break down the three ultimate cleansing options – bar soaps, body wash, and shower gels, here is the Ultimate guide to understanding all categories of cleansers so that you choose the one crafted for your unique concerns.

Natural cleansers and their incorporation into Ayurveda

Modern cleaners usually contain harmful chemicals, sulphate, and parabens, that tend to damage your natural skin texture. On the other hand, Ayurvedic ingredients are designed to clean and moisturise the skin, leaving it fresh and soft. Infused with the prowess of rich botanicals, fruits, milk, etc, natural cleansers help in deep cleansing, removing dirt and toxins, and also maintaining the skin’s natural pH balance.

soap-bar

Although bar soaps, bath wash, and shower gels are all designed for the same purpose, each of these has a different form and consistency and targets different concerns depending on the skin type.

Bar Soaps

Bar soaps can be considered one of the most common and widely used cleansers and include essential cleansing ingredients that remove dust and toxins from the skin. These are relatively harsh in comparison to body washes and shower gels, but at Forest Essentials, these handmade soaps are carefully created with the best emollients. In fact, their journey with luxurious Ayurveda began with the creation of handmade natural soap, formulated with the purest ingredients including sweet Almonds, Saffron, Pure Cow’s Ghee, Mysore Silk, and Ayurvedic herbs. These handmade soap bars are now one of our bestselling and most-loved products.

handmade-soap

These 100% natural soap bars deeply cleanse the skin whilst nourishing and lending it a delicate fragrance that lingers. Unlike other luxury soaps, the ones at Forest Essentials are hand-made and free from any petroleum, synthetic fragrances, and harmful chemicals. With two exclusive ranges including the Silk Soap Range and Luxury Sugar Soaps, these natural soap bars deeply cleanse while refreshing and hydrating the skin. For those searching for handmade soaps online, The Forest Essentials Handmade Luxury Ayurvedic Silk Soaps are the perfect option. These bar soaps lend silk-like softness to the skin. Made with Raw Cane Sugar that helps retain the skin’s moisture and 100% Pure Silk infusion that adds softness to the skin along with distinct Ayurvedic herbs, the Silk Soaps are probably the best natural soap bars available, for a silky smooth bathing experience.

Additionally, the Natural Hand-Made Luxury Sugar Soaps are curated with an old-fashioned cold-press process that uses unprocessed raw Cane Sugar along with pure cold-pressed oils including Coconut and Almond oils. Reetha contains Saponin and is used in combination with Vitamin E, which improves the texture of the skin. This mix is cured for four weeks to enhance the quality of these luxury sugar soaps.

forest-essentials-soaps

Body Wash

Curated as a liquid formula for cleansers, body washes and shower gels are often seen as the same thing because of their texture when actually both their foundations are very different. Body Washes are thicker and curated with rich emollients that impart deep moisturization to the skin along with having antibacterial properties. These antibacterial body washes ensure your skin is free of toxins and infections. Additionally, if you are someone who often notices dry skin or has sensitive skin issues, using a natural body wash can help cleanse your skin while also enhancing its moisture. Using a loofah to gently exfoliate is recommended as far as it suits your skin type.

body-wash

Shower Gels

Shower gels are gel-based body cleansers that are curated to give you a lush experience. Commonly, shower gels for men are more popular, however, they can also be of great use for women. These are similar to body wash in terms of being cleansing agents while still being distinctly different in texture. While Body washes have moisturising properties, body shower gels are rich in lather and are perfect for oily and acne-prone skin, and have a high concentration of fragrances.

However, excessive use of body shower gels can rip off the natural moisture and further cause dry skin and sensitivity, especially during the winters. In climatic changes like these, it’s best to switch to moisturising body washes that help nourish the skin.

Merging the best of both worlds are the Forest Essentials Natural & Ayurvedic Shower Wash making for the best body wash and best shower gel. These gentle shower washes are sulphate free and contain only active ingredients to cleanse your skin while leaving it silken and smooth. Enriched with Rice bran oil, the shower wash heals your skin along with Oryzanol content that slows down melanin pigmentation, and hence the skin looks luminous, even-toned, and smooth. Additionally, Aloe Vera and Gokharu revitalize dull dry skin along with cleansing agents derived from Coconut and Corn that are 100% Sulphate-free and essential oils Bitter Orange that ensure your shower washes are exceptionally aromatherapeutic.

shower-gel

Conclusion

Although all body cleansers are designed to cleanse your body, each one is distinctly formulated for different skin types and targets different concerns. Hence, it is important for you to make sure you pick the best one for optimal results. For instance, those with dry skin require extra attention and moisturization which makes body washes to be the best-suited body cleanser. Whereas, those who have normal to oily skin can opt for shower gels for a luxe experience or even go for bar soaps as their preferred body cleansers. To ease your search for the best body cleanser, may we suggest checking the best Ayurvedic cleansers by Forest Essentials –

Handmade Luxury Ayurvedic Silk Soaps
Natural Hand-Made Luxury Sugar Soaps
Natural & Ayurvedic Shower Wash

FAQs:

What is shower gel?

Shower gel is a liquid soap that is used to cleanse the body during showers. It is typically made with water, emulsifiers, and fragrances and other ingredients. Shower gel is known for its gel-like consistency and its ability to lather well.

is shower gel better than soap?

To some extent, yes! Shower gels definitely have better consistency and texture than soap bars and also have a rich fragrance. Both are suitable for normal to oily skin.

Is a body wash better than a shower gel?

When it comes to shower gel vs body wash both work and one can’t be a preferable option over the other as both are designed for different skin types. The body wash has a thicker texture as compared to a shower gel and provides deep moisturisation.

Can shower gel be used daily?

Of course, shower gels can be used daily. Its rich lather provides a refreshing experience and deeply cleanses the body of all impurities.

Should you use both soap and body wash?

As recommended earlier, understand your skin type and climatic conditions to pick the best-suited option for you. Body Wash provides deeper nourishment to the skin as compared to a bar of bath soap. Ensure that whatever you use includes natural ingredients to prevent your skin from damage, often caused by harsh chemical cleansers. Alternatively, you can also explore our Handmade Luxury Ayurvedic Silk Soaps, Natural Hand Made Luxury Sugar Soaps and Natural & Ayurvedic Shower Wash.

Body wash or soap which is better?

Of course, body wash does cleanse your body well and so do all cleansers. Choose the best-suited option for you which allows you to have soft, supple skin, while also leaving it clean and refreshed.

References:

https://epicuren.com/blogs/news/shower-gel-vs-body-wash-what-s-the-difference-and-why-does-it-matter

https://www.johnsons-me.com/beauty-tips/body-wash-vs-shower-gel-ingredients-and-uses

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/bar-soap-vs-body-wash#takeaway

Written By:

Forest Essentials Luxurious Ayurveda

India’s leading beauty brand with products offering a sensorial journey with the purest natural ingredients and traditional Ayurvedic formulations, bringing timeless beauty rituals to the forefront of your self-care routine.

Reviewed By:

Arjun Singh Senior Ayurveda Expert

Arjun is a marketing professional turned Ayurveda Expert. After the completion of his post-graduation in 2008, he started his journey in the beauty industry. He has since worked with several global luxury beauty brands including DIOR & Estee Lauder. With now more than 12 years of experience, he is driven by the idea of making Skin Care, ‘simple’ and ‘accessible’ for all and help clients transform their lifestyle and skin with solutions rooted in his extensive understanding of Ayurveda. A Senior Ayurveda Expert at Forest Essentials, he carefully curates Ayurvedic remedies and is continuously working towards bridging the gap between time-honoured skin care solutions and the modern consumer of the fast-paced world.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.