Regular cleaning of the body is important to keep it in the best health. However, choosing the right cleanser can be challenging. Bar soaps and body washes are the two popular body cleaning options available on the market. They have their share of pros and cons. Where bar soap offers convenience and cost-efficiency, body washes offer more moisturization and a luxury feel. If you are uncertain about which option to select, please consider reading this article. We will explain to you the basic differences between them and how to make the right choice.
About Bar Soap
Bar soap is a lengthy chain of fatty acid alkali salt that has a pH level between 9 and 10. These cleansers remove the essential proteins and lipids on the skin. The result is dry and rough skin. However, not every cleansing bar is harsh on the skin.
People who have moderate to dry skin should opt for glycerine-enriched soaps. This ingredient provides a protective layer of moisture on the skin. If you have oily skin, antibacterial bar soap contains triclosan that destroys bad odor and bacterial growth on the skin.
About Body Wash
The body wash and a shower gel are pretty similar. It comes in the form of a liquid cleanser that uses mild surfactants to properly cleanse the skin. Consistency is one of the key differences between a shower gel and a bar soap. The body shower gel has a thinner consistency. This improves it for warmer climates.
Body washes offer more moisturization than shower gels. They are more hydrating compared to bar soaps. They mostly contain skin-softening agents and innovative skin health-promoting formulas that cleanse and reduce dryness, too.
Body Wash or Bar Soap – What Should You Choose?
Here is a helpful video where the dermatologist break down the body wash versus Bar soap debate –
When it comes to choosing between bar soap and body wash, dermatologists often emphasize the importance of understanding your skin type and specific needs. We have discussed the difference between a bar soap and body wash in detail below. This article will try to answer your questions like, is bar soap better than body wash, is body wash better than soap, etc. So please read on –
1. Price
Bar shops are less pricey. A single bar of soap lasts easily for several weeks. In contrast, a body wash is more costly and has a shorter shelf life.
2. Eco-Friendliness
Another factor that makes a bar soap superior is its eco-friendliness. It requires less packaging. You will find it wrapped in cardboard or on paper, whereas a body wash is available in a plastic container. In this way, you save on packing materials and the energy of the labor. This, in turn, benefits the environment and supply chain.
Liquid body wash, on the other hand, comes in a water-based consistency. The excessive production of liquid body wash, due to its water-based composition, can result in water shortages. This further contributes to the eco-friendliness of bar soaps. They are a solid and waterless formula that preserves the environment. Bar soap ensures water conservation, environmental preservation, and product preservation.
3. Quality and Number of Ingredients
Such simplicity is again a plus point of bar soaps. It is made with a minimal amount of pure ingredients. Bar soaps are formulated with natural, purer, and active ingredients that don’t include water. Bar soap has a high concentration of the cleanest forms of ingredients.
The liquid body wash has water that needs a preservative to keep the formula free from any type of bacteria. Body wash can contain harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde or parabens that act as preservatives. Due to this reason, it is critical to check the product label.
4. Bacterial Growth
Soaps can lead to the breeding of bacteria if you fail to store them properly. Keeping soap in a moist place can promote the growth of bacteria. It can cause bacterial infections in the body.
To prevent such bacterial infection, it is required that you store the bar soap in a dry place. Allow it to drain and dry completely after every use. A body wash makes it convenient to avoid the build-up of bacteria, as it doesn’t come in contact with the skin while in the bottle.
5. Impact On The Skin
The key difference between a body wash and a bar cleanser is how they interact with your skin. Both body washes and bar cleansers will cleanse. However, specific types of bars could be harsher than body washes. They can eliminate essential proteins and lipids from the skin. Bar soap can cause skin irritation by changing the pH level of the skin. Traditional bar soap can strip off the moisture from the skin. It can also feel harsher on the skin.
It can take away the natural oils from the body. As a result, your skin may feel tight and dehydrated after a shower. Bar soaps have pH levels between 9 and 10. When you bathe with bar soap, you can enhance the pH levels of the skin. This can modify the texture of the skin and make it very dehydrated. However, natural brands offer conditioning bar soaps enriched with mild surfactants. They are gentler on the skin.
However, in our opinion, body washes are a clear winner in this case. They hydrate the skin and offer heightened moisturization to your skin. The squeaky-clean feel that you get from a bar soap replenishes the protective barrier on the skin. Unlike it, body washes leave it hydrated and soft.
They are formulated with emollients that make them gentler on the skin. They fill in the micro-cracks in the skin and make it smoother and fuller. Emollients soften and deeply cleanse the skin without taking away the hydrating oils.
People who have dry or normal skin should look for milder cleansing formulas, i.e., body washes. Those who have oily skin or live in humid and hot conditions should look for a bar soap that exfoliates and deeply cleans the skin.
Their impact depends on the type of skin. If you have dry skin or sensitive skin, then you should choose ultra-hydrating cleansers. People with normal to oily skin are susceptible to sweat; an exfoliating bar soap will be the right choice.
If your skin is prone to excessive dryness or faces certain types of skin woes like eczema, acne, psoriasis, etc., then moisturizing body washes are a perfect choice. People who have sensitive, rough, dry or flaky skin, should opt for body washes
6. Hygiene
Body washes are naturally more hygienic. They are less prone to the possibilities of bacterial growth. Though they offer fewer risks of bacterial contamination, the chances of infection are still there if you use a loofah or a washcloth. You need to keep them clean to prevent the breeding of bacteria. Changing them every few weeks is a good practice.
Body washes are more sanitary compared to bar soap. When you use a cleanser in soap form, you can notice that hairs can stick on it. Not only is it unhealthy, but it is also an unpleasant sight. Things can get worse if two or three people use the same soap. Body washes are a great solution to this problem.
You can take only what you require and leave the rest in the bottle. Even if many people use the same body washes, it is not going to create any sanitary issues. So, in terms of sanitation, body washes are a clear winner.
7. To get the dirt off
In terms of the ability to clean the body, both body washes and bar soaps are equally effective. They help get rid of accumulated dirt, bacteria, and oil from the skin.
8. Oil Balancing Ability
Excessive production of oil makes your skin oily. Such skin can attract grime and dirt. The combination can even lead to acne, pimples, and another type of skin damage. Bar soap is better to balance the production of oil on the skin. It can help remove dirt, oils, and odor from the skin. From antibacterial to harsh chemical-infused soaps, they come in various types to give you the best relief from excessive oiliness.
9. To Maintain The Natural Balance Of The Skin: Depends On The Quality Of Cleanser
Whether you are looking for a cleanser to scrub the skin or simply clean the skin, it is important to check the product labels carefully. With body washes and soaps, avoid products that contain antibacterial agents such as triclocarban and triclosan. These ingredients are banned by the FDA. It is believed that the skin is covered with beneficial bacteria.
Triclosan sterilizes the skin for some time but leaves it susceptible to destructive bacteria. It can harm the intestinal flora when they penetrate into the bloodstream. Always choose the products that contain natural ingredients such as shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oils, and essential oils. They should be devoid of preservatives or chemicals.
10. To Get Extra Hydration
Body washes are the ideal product to get silky-smooth skin. Though the gentle bar soaps enriched with natural constituents are the least drying, they can’t offer the necessary moisturization to your skin.
Conventional products that are enriched with chemicals are marketed as moisturizing agents. They pull out moisture from deep under the epidermis layer of the skin. For increased hydration, it is beneficial to apply natural oils on the skin before you take a shower.
11. To Keep It Sustainable
Bar soaps are preferable to liquid soaps in this sector. This is because they need a smaller amount of packaging. It eliminates the requirement for plastic. They last for a longer time. Natural bar soaps do not contain harmful chemicals that damage the environment. Loofahs, plastic sponges, and body scrubbing tools are not perfect for the environment.
12. Fragrance Free
Many people prefer soaps that have the least amounts of synthetic elements, such as artificial fragrance, artificial color, etc. This is because these artificial ingredients can make the skin prone to allergies. If you have the same considerations, then bar soaps would be the ideal choice. You can find several bar soaps that are free from fragrance.
13. Ease Of Use
In comparison to body washes, bar soap is easier to use. You don’t need any washcloth, loofah, or any scrubbing tool to use it. You can use the soap directly on the skin. In this way, it gives the best comfort to use it on the skin.
14. Milder On Skin
Body washes are gentler than a bar of soap on the skin. This is because of the presence of natural oils on the skin. It helps remove excess odors, dirt, and oils from the skin when you shower several times a day. It doesn’t dry out the skin.
15. Aromatherapy
One of the main reasons why people are attracted to body washes is because of their pleasant aroma. Smell has a great effect on our mind and mood. They calm your mind, elevate your mood, and refresh your body. In this way, body washes also work in aromatherapy. Available in plenty of fragrances, choose the one that suits your taste.
Ingredients to Avoid in Body Wash
Irrespective of the type of cleanser you use, it is required that you avoid specific types of harmful ingredients. These include phthalates, parabens, heavy fragrances, or dyes. They can irritate some people. Some exfoliating washes contain microbeads that are not beneficial for health.
Some companies have bad chemicals in soap. Make sure you identify them by reading the ingredients on the packaging and avoid using them. A bar of bar soap has less packaging in comparison to a body wash. People should prefer ingredients that are hydrating and moisturizing in nature. Body washes have ceramics, petrolatum, and hyaluronic acid that work well. The cleansing agents that are enriched with essential oils and shea butter can help get rid of the dirt and bad bacteria.
Should You Change Your Cleansers As You Age?
Bar cleansers are suitable for young people. However, as you age, you should choose extra hydrating and moisturizing body washes for your skin. This is because gentler moisturizing body washes can improve your skin health with time. They will make the skin smoother, healthier, and softer.
How to Use Body Wash: Step-by-Step Guide
Before using a body wash, you must know how to use it the correct way so you can get the best results. Below is the correct procedure on how to use the body wash.
1. Wet Your Body Thoroughly
Begin by standing under warm or lukewarm water to wet your skin completely. Warm water helps open your pores, making it easier for the body wash to cleanse effectively.
2. Dispense Body Wash
Squeeze a small amount of body wash onto a loofah, washcloth, shower puff, or your hands. Usually, a coin-sized or palmful amount is enough—a little goes a long way.
3. Lather and Cleanse
Rub the loofah or your hands together to create a rich lather. Gently massage the lather onto your skin in circular motions, starting from your neck and working down to your feet. Focus on areas that need extra cleansing, such as underarms, groin, and feet. For most people, you do not need to scrub your entire body daily unless it is visibly dirty.
4. Rinse Thoroughly
Use lukewarm or cool water to rinse off all the lather and residue from your skin. Make sure no product is left behind, as leftover body wash can cause dryness or irritation.
5. Pat Dry and Moisturize
After rinsing, gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel—avoid rubbing, as wet skin is more delicate. Immediately follow up with a body lotion or moisturizer to lock in hydration and keep your skin soft and healthy.
Tips for Best Results
If you want the body wash to give you the best results, then you must use it with the precautions mentioned below:
Use a Loofah or Puff –Using a loofah or shower puff helps create more lather with less product, exfoliates gently, and saves money. It also helps distribute the body wash evenly.
Choose the Right Body Wash – Pick a formula suited to your skin type—hydrating for dry skin, gentle for sensitive skin, or antibacterial if you are prone to body odor or infections.
Don’t Overuse –Too much body wash can strip your skin of natural oils and leave a residue. Use only as much as you need.
Avoid Using on a Face – Avoid using body wash on your face because it may be too harsh for your facial skin. Use a separate cleanser for your face.
Exfoliate Occasionally – You can use a body scrub or exfoliating wash 1–2 times a week, but avoid over-exfoliating, which can dry or irritate your skin.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between bar soap and body wash should align with personal preferences, but consulting a dermatologist can provide tailored recommendations for achieving optimal skin health. There is no clear winner. Both of them have questionable ingredients and beneficial formulas. Bar soap is a classic body cleanser that you have been using since your childhood days.
The body wash comes in various exciting colors, skin-boosting agents, and aromas. They are the ideal option when you want to pamper your body with a luxurious body cleaning experience. On the other hand, if you can’t spend more and are looking for more convenience, then bar soap would be the ideal choice.
If you liked this post, then do share it with your friends on social media. Also, you can write to us with any of your suggestions, comments, and queries. We will be happy to address them soon.
Related Posts
