Owning a body wash is not as fancy as it sounds and using a soap isn’t old school either! Both are equally important and continue to play their role in skincare.
Ultimately, choosing a body wash or a soap boils down to each one’s preference and comfort. But it is essential to know what best suits your skin type. After all, it is for everyday use! So, you might as well know the pros and cons before making the grand decision.
The question arises — ‘soaps or body wash, which is better’? Some say soaps are better as they supposedly exist for a longer time and are harmless to the skin. Others say, body washes are the new thing in the market that provides more skin benefits.
Trust me, we have all been in this situation before, confused between the two and not knowing what to choose! And that is why I chose to write this article to finally break some myths and to guide you as to what to choose for your bath time!
Without further ado, let’s jump into the topic.
CONTENT INDEX
- Soap: What does it do?
- Body wash: How is it beneficial?
- Soap Vs Body Wash: Which is better?
- When to use soap?
- When to use a body wash?
- Some skintelligent® recommendations
First, let us see what these two actually are and then go for their comparison.
What Does Soap Stand For
Soaps are typically cleaning substances that are used for washing the face and body. Soaps are made by treating a fat with alkali (such as sodium or potassium hydroxide), and consist of various salts of acids in this fat.
Everything from pollutants to dirt sit on your face. Generally, soaps have been used to remove this off the face for generations. If a good soap is used, then there is no problem for the skin, but if we use a bad soap it might cause more harm than good. They can leave the skin dry and irritated.
So, choosing the right soap is very important. There are many skincare brands that offer skin friendly soaps with moisturizing ingredients such as:
- ceramides
- glycerin
- hyaluronic acid
- niacinamide
What About Body Wash Then?
It is an underrated skincare product in our shower caddy. There are so many different types of body washes from which you can pick, based on your skin concern.
Body washes are specialized liquid products and the new soaps in the market. They work for all skin types, making the skin softer and more supple. They also add the much-needed fragrance after a shower.
When you shop for your body wash, look out for hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera or ceramides. If you have sensitive skin, it is better to use fragrance-free body washes. Be sure that they are sulfate- and paraben-free.
Soaps Vs Body Wash: Who is Winning?
(Is there a difference between the two?)
Both of them are used while bathing, and for cleansing the body. Soaps usually remove the external dirt layer off the skin, while a body wash goes an extra step to even moisturize the skin and treat skin concerns.
Now let us see what is actually different between the two.
Cleansing
Both remove the dirt and other particles from our face and skin. Ingredients like glycerin, and niacinamide in soaps and body washes aid this process.
While both supposedly have skin-benefiting ingredients, a soap tends to leave you dry, while a body wash does the opposite by moisturizing your skin.
Sanitation
It is a known fact that bar soaps are not very hygienic compared to body washes because there is a risk of sharing the same soap and of exposure to the outside atmosphere.
From a hygiene perspective, body wash is better than soaps.
Exfoliation
For a long time, we have been told only body washes have an upper hand in moisturizing and exfoliating the skin. This is not true. Good soaps are equally good for the skin and some of them can be used as even exfoliators. Even for moisturizing, soaps have ingredients that are nourishing to the skin. This includes shea butter, aloe vera gel and some others,which are all skin-friendly.
So, choosing the right soap or body wash matters more. Look for the ingredients list before buying to see if they are truly skin-friendly as they claim to be.
Travel-friendly
For all the wonderlusts, the right pick would be a body wash (yes, you guessed it right)!
Body washes are much easier to carry and don't get messy like soaps. They are also easier to use and handle. Plus, with soaps, we tend to forget them (been there, done that :p)
So for all looking to travel, a pocket-friendly body wash (pun intended) is the best alternative.
Which is Better to Use?
Use a soap when..
You have an oily skin
It is better to use soaps if your skin is prone to be oily. This is because soaps tend to dry out the skin and remove excess oil.
Your skin is sensitive
If you have an allergy-prone skin, it is wise to choose soaps over body washes, as they have less ingredients and are fragrance-free too. You can also get natural soaps which are even better for the skin.
Use a body wash when..
Your skin feels dry after a shower
If your skin feels dry after bathing, or if you have dry skin in general, start using a body wash instead of a soap, as it has the additional benefit of moisturizing the skin.
You have a skin concern
It is better to choose body washes if your skin is prone to acne or other chronic skin conditions, as soaps tend to be harsh on the skin. A fragrance-free body wash is highly recommended.
You exfoliate your skin
Exfoliators and body washes are a good combination. While exfoliators seep through your skin to remove dead skin cells, body washes soothe the skin.
The better question to ask ourselves would be what’s put in these soaps or body washes, rather than which is better among the two. Both have their pros and cons, but it ultimately depends on how they are to your skin. Choose whichever suits your skin type.
To help you out with buying some skin-friendly products (both body washes and soaps) I have listed down some skintelligent® recommendations from the Unbottle. Co:
Deep Hydration Body Wash Proven To Fight Dry Skin with Lactic Acid & AHA 300ml
To treat:
- Lactic acid is a natural AHA which helps skin elasticity and lightens dark spots
- Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation
To prevent recurrence:
- Arginine PCA captures skin moisture and keeps it hydrated all day long
- Alpha-arbutin brightens skin tone and heals skin damage
- Tocopherol is a fantastic antioxidant to detox skin
Acne Clearing Body Wash Proven To Fight Acne & Dark Spots With Witch Hazel & Chamomile 300ml
To treat:
- Witch hazel relieves inflammation and tightens pores
- Chamomile acts as a powerful antioxidant to eliminate free radicals
To prevent recurrence:
- Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial which reduces acne causing infection
- Glycerin boosts the skin’s ability to absorb nutrients
Skin Brightening Body Wash Proven To Even Out Skin Tone With Kakadu Plum & Rosehip Oil 100g
To treat:
- Kakadu plum, rich in Vitamin C, boosts skin-brightening
- Turmeric acts as a powerful antioxidant to eliminate free radicals
To prevent recurrence:
- Rosehip oil exfoliates and brightens skin
- Witch hazel relieves inflammation and tightens pores
- Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to both moisturize skin and reduce inflammation
Deep Hydration Handmade Soap Proven To Fight Dry Skin With Lactic Acid & AHA 100g
To treat:
- Lactic acid is a natural AHA which helps skin elasticity and lightens dark spots
- Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation
To prevent recurrence:
- Arginine PCA captures skin moisture and keeps it hydrated all day long
- Alpha-arbutin brightens skin tone and heals skin damage
Age Defence Handmade Soap Proven To Fight Fine Lines & Wrinkles With Grapeseed Oil 100g
To treat:
- Alpha-Arbutin is as antioxidant that reduces signs of aging
- Grapeseed oil helps skin elasticity and flexibility.
To prevent recurrence:
- Green tea prevents inflammation and premature aging
- Saffron evens and brightens skin tone
In short, both soaps and body washes are good for the skin, provided the brand you choose and its ingredients are true to their claim. Before purchasing any skincare product, it is advised to read through the ingredients. Choose a fragrance-free body wash or soap in case you have sensitive skin.
It all depends upon your skin type. So choose wisely and before you switch to a new product, make sure to do a patch test to avoid any allergies.
Save the right one for your shower time!