Shower Gel vs. Body Wash: Are They Actually Different? + How To Choose

We know with all of the fancy product names out there nowadays it can be hard to differentiate between seemingly different versions of the same product. What used to be referred to simply as soap now has a plethora of names including the two we're discussing today: body wash and shower gel. 

So to be frank, shower gel and body wash are essentially the same thing. It's hard to distinguish differences based on a title, but in general, the texture is the flexible factor. Shower gels tend to be thicker and have (you guessed it) a gel consistency. Body wash on the other hand is much more broad: Washes can have varying consistencies from those that are more similar to liquid soap to those that are more creamy and dense. Both formulations contain gentle surfactants that will certainly clean your skin regardless of texture or foaming potential. Both options, too, can be made without drying sulfates. 

"Ideal [shower gels and washes] are made without harsh sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, that can damage the skin barrier," board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D., tells us. "I also love seeing options that are enriched with soothing, hydrating ingredients like milk, aloe, honey, and oatmeal. Also, any ingredients that restore the barrier and help bring the pH back to the normal range—slightly acidic—are imperative. Our skin has an invisible layer called the 'acid mantle,' and we need to respect the pH of our skin to keep it healthy."

But to sum up, bar soap is definitely more cost-effective and often a more sustainable version of body wash. So if you're worried about keeping your body clean and that's it, bar soap isn't a bad idea. But we must address the caveat: You need to store your bar soap properly to avoid bacteria growth. This means ditching the traditional soap dish that keeps your cleansing bar constantly moist and switching it out for something that allows water to drip off your soap while keeping the bar stable in your shower. Our go-to is this one from ethique.