Body Wash & Shower Gel

Whether it's Dove Go Fresh or a variety of scents from Softsoap, it's easy to use body wash to get a clean, fresh feeling every time you shower. If you want to know how to use body wash, you can follow the directions listed on the product packaging, but generally, you'll follow the same process regardless of the brand. Simply wet a washcloth, sponge, or body scrubber, then pour a small amount of the body wash onto it. Work the body wash until it forms a rich lather, then gently scrub your body clean from head to toe. Once you're done scrubbing, rinse yourself off with clean water before you get out of the shower and dry off. Always use warm and not hot water when showering so that it doesn't dry out your skin.

A shower gel is a type of body cleanser product that comes in a liquid gel formula. This body cleanser foams into a rich lather when combined with water. Most shower gels are soap-free and use surfactants to help you get clean. Shower gel is typically less likely to strip your skin of natural oils, while soap tends to be more drying to the skin. A body wash is usually thicker than shower gel and has a creamier consistency. That's because it's usually formulated with other moisturizing ingredients that make it a much thicker product. Look for a shower gel like Neutrogena Rainbath Shower Gel featuring a pleasant fragrance and skin-moisturizing properties that won't strip your skin for a pleasant showering experience.

While shower gel and body wash often get grouped together, there are some slight differences. These bath and body products are used to cleanse the body, but the texture and extra benefits may differ, depending on the exact formulation. Organic body washes use only natural ingredients, making them a great option for anyone who wants to avoid additives and synthetic chemicals.

Some body washes and shower gels contain acne-fighting ingredients, such as salicylic acid, while others include anti-aging ingredients. Scented body washes and shower gels leave a light fragrance, such as lavender, mango or coconut, on your skin after use. Foaming body washes and shower gels create a froth on your skin for deeper cleaning. Men's bath and body wash is specifically designed for men's skin concerns.

When you're comparing shower gel vs. body wash, the big difference is the texture. Shower gel has a gel-like consistency and a translucent appearance. Body wash tends to be thicker and creamier, similar to liquid hand soap. Exfoliating body washes contain small particles that help remove dead cells and debris, leaving your skin feeling cleaner and brighter. Travel-size body wash makes it easy to bring your favorite bath product to the gym or on weekend trips.

After cleansing with a body wash, shower gel or bar soap, you can add extra hydration to your skin with a lotion or cream. Body lotions and moisturizers work in conjunction with a moisturizing body wash to enhance the hydrating effects, and body butters help seal in moisture for soft skin all day long.

Shower gel can sometimes be used as a shampoo, but it's usually best to rely on separate products for hair and body. Choosing a shampoo and conditioner based on your hair type helps keep your locks looking their best, while using a hydrating body wash or shower gel can help keep your skin moisturized as well as clean.

Both body wash and shower gel can be applied directly to the body using your hand, a washcloth, a shower pouf or another bath accessory.