By Kerry Hale

Which shower products are best for you?

  • Tuesday 6th August 2024
  • 3 minute read

The right products can enhance your shower routine and leave your skin feeling clean and soft, whether gels, creams or soaps. Although it’s down to personal preference, we’ve compared shower products to help you choose the best products. Explore our guide to find out more.

Choosing the right shower products

Different shower products are designed to suit specific skin types, from oily to normal, combination and dry. Discover the most popular shower products and their benefits to help you find the best option.

Shower gel vs body wash

The main difference between shower gel and body wash is consistency. Shower gel is thicker than body wash, but both are liquid formulas and contain similar ingredients. Body wash is often better for dry skin types, while shower gel is recommended for oily skin types.

Bar soap vs shower gel

Bar soaps are solid, while shower gels are liquid. In addition to their formulas, their ingredients vary, making them suitable for different skin types. Bar soaps are typically harsher on the skin and can remove lipids and proteins or alter the pH level, so they’re not recommended for those with dry or sensitive skin.

In addition, bacteria can build up on a bar of soap, especially if multiple people share it. Shower gels are gentler on the skin and come in a bottle, making them more hygienic. However, a body wash or shower cream is the best option for dry skin.

Shower cream vs shower gel

Shower gel does not contain soap but has the same purpose – to clean the skin of impurities. It comes in liquid form and is made mostly from water, with synthetic surfactants, humectants and additives. Shower gel has a neutral pH, so it’s less drying on the skin than soap. It is suitable for all skin types but best for oily to normal skin.

For extra hydration, choose a shower cream. It has a thicker texture than shower gel or liquid soap, as it usually contains hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, cocoa butter, argan oil or jojoba oil. Shower creams are suitable for all skin types but are best for dry skin.

Bath soak vs shower gel

Although they are sold as different products, bath soak and shower gel contain the same ingredients. Both create a lather when in contact with water and cleanse the skin, so you can use them interchangeably to save space in your bathroom.

Questions about shower products

Find answers to frequently asked questions about shower products, including whether you can use shower gel as hand soap or shampoo.

Can you use shower gel as hand soap?

Shower gel, body wash and bar soaps can be used as hand soaps since they contain similar ingredients.

Can you use body wash for your hair?

Although shampoo and body wash contain surfactants that create a lather and cleanse the skin, they can’t be used interchangeably. Shampoo can be used as body wash, but body wash doesn’t have the conditioning ingredients of shampoo, so it may dry the hair out.

Discover space-saving accessories from Mira to store your shower products.

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