A dermatologist breaks down the difference between these everyday shower products.
You’d thinktaking a showerwould be a rather straightforward task.
But hold on a secondthe cleanser you’re using might not be ideal for your skin.
Bar Soap vs. “Both bar cleansers and body wash will cleanse.
Dr. Lefkowicz also finds body washes to be slightly more hygienic than bars.
That’s because bacteria can live on bars and remain there from shower to shower and person to person.
Shower Gel vs.
Body Wash
They’re similar, but not identical.
The main difference is in their consistencies and concentration of ingredients.
They help avoid stripping moisture away from the skin, which can open it up to damage.”
“A simple cleanser, like Olay Ultra Moisture body wash, works well.”
One ingredient she says everyone should also avoid is microbeads inexfoliating washessince they can be harmful to the environment.
On the flip side, Dr. Lefkowicz says people should seek ingredients that are moisturizing, not just hydrating.
“Body washes that have ceramides,hyaluronic acid, and petrolatum tend to work well.”
2021;31(7):788-804. doi:10.1080/09603123.2019.1689233
