Body Wash vs. Soap Bar - Which One is Best For Your Skin
Cleanser is usually the first step of the bathing routine, body care routines are incomplete without a perfect cleanser for your skin and its needs. Just as you wouldn’t compromise with your face cleanser you shouldn’t compromise with your body cleanser either. Now, the bigger question is whether to use a body wash or a soap bar. Is a soap bar harsher than a body wash? Which one is better for your skin? These might be the questions you probably have. So, let’s get to know more about these two to help you decide which one you should choose.
Body Wash vs. Soap Bar — The Difference
The major difference between the two is the formulation — Solid for Soap Bar and Liquid for body wash.
Bar soaps are created with a rigorous process of heating oils, wax, and other ingredients and are cured for another 6-8 weeks letting the chemicals evaporate. Body wash, on the other, doesn’t go through the same procedure. It doesn’t go through an extreme concentration process due to it containing water. Body washes are generally deemed to be more mild and gentle on the skin. Also, adding ingredients to target specific issues with body wash such as oils, natural extracts, exfoliating agents etc.
In the end, both of them have the same purpose which is to clean your skin off all the impurities, dirt, and grease accumulated over your skin throughout the day.
When to use Bar Soap or Body Wash
Bar soaps are generally devoid of irritating ingredients that could trigger skin issues, so if you have sensitive or easily irritated skin you may use the bar soaps to prevent allergic reactions.
If you have extremely dry, rough, itchy, or strawberry skin, then you should opt for a body wash instead of a bar soap. The body washes come with moisturizing properties and are gentle on your skin. While cleaning, it won’t strip the natural oils off your skin and provide an extra amount of hydration to you. They also potentially have more active ingredients targeting the specific skin issue so you can purchase one according to that.
In conclusion, a body wash is the safest option in most cases.
Which is the best body wash for your skin type?
Every skin type has a different need so the products need to be specific as well. So let’s break down the list of ingredients that we should look for in the body washes according to the skin types.
The main three skin types are — Dry, normal, and oily skin. Dry & oily skin type people can have sensitive and itchy skin which will require you to be extra careful. Many of you might also relate to the skin problems that come with the changing seasons. Dry skin becomes even more of an issue during winters and colder months of the year while it’s difficult to manage oily skin during the summer and humid months. That’s why, here we have some tips for you all to follow as per the skin types while choosing a body wash:
For dry skin, you need to be specific with the ingredients that are hydrating & moisturizing. Your body wash for dry skin should contain aloe vera, shea butter, argan oil, and most importantly glycerin to impact your skin with positive hydration and moisturization. Also, don’t forget to follow up with a moisturizer or body lotion.
People with oily skin should look for active ingredients in their liquid body wash. As you need them to get rid of excess body oil, sebum production and toxins, ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil will be the best for body wash for oily and acne-prone skin. Glycolic acid helps in improving the skin’s texture. Also, avoid using heavy body lotions instead use lightweight and oil-free ones to balance the moisturization.
For normal skin type people you can have a balance between the above two. Change your routine according to the seasons or the requirements of your skin. Always follow what your skin condition currently is and choose a body wash accordingly. However, you may also target specific issues like pigmentation and opt for the one with Vitamin C in it.
Ingredients to Avoid in a Body Wash
It’s sometimes impossible to avoid all the harmful chemicals in your product but if you find some of the listed below do try to avoid them as much as possible:
- Parabens and Sulphate
- Triclosan an antibacterial that was banned in 2016
- Fragrances for people with sensitive skin
- Microbeads in exfoliating washes
Switch to Organic Body Washes with Natural Ingredients
You should opt for gentle and natural body washes as you age because soap bars may be fine for younger demographics but as you get older your skin will need extra care from your side. Choose a natural body wash like Silkberry Body Wash Range to get the nourishment of natural extracts like Aloe Vera, blueberry, and Argan Oil. To avoid dryness and aging choose gentle moisturizing body lotions for healthy, soft and smooth skin.
FAQs
- How do you use body wash?
Body wash can be used with a loofah or a washcloth to create more lather that you apply all over your body and massage it into your skin.
- Can we use body wash on the face?
No, the face on the skin is comparatively delicate and can be sensitive so don’t use a body wash on your face.
- Can I use body wash daily?
Yes, this is like any of your bathing routines so a body cleanser is a must. You can use body wash daily.
- What is better body wash or soap?
The body wash is comparatively gentler and milder than soap and doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils. It maintains the hydration well and moisturizes your skin.
- How long to leave body wash on?
You can lather and massage the product on your skin for around a minute.