Body Cleansers – Bar Soaps vs. Liquid Body Gels

We all do it every day – lather up with soap of some kind or another. Yet we may not give much attention to the best way to go about that process. Whether washing our hands, face or body, we actually should pay attention to the type of cleansers or soaps used. In this guide, we’ll compare two of the most common ways we wash, looking at whether bar soaps or body gels are best. To cut to the chase though – both work fine, but you need to choose based on your skin type, condition and other factors.

Before we delve into those issues, we need to consider a simple question: What are body cleansers?

Understanding Body Cleansers

To begin learning just what body cleansers are (soap or shower gel) and what their benefits might be, as well as any differences, let’s consider what one expert said on this matter: “You step in the shower…and at the end of your 10 minutes of lathering/rinsing/repeating, you want your skin to feel as clean and smooth as possible. So what do you reach for: Your trusty old bar of soap, or a bottle of body wash? Ask anyone and you’ll probably get a strong opinion on the matter.”

Why is that? The simplest answer is that the two options do, honestly, generate different results, and it is all based on science. There is different chemistry behind a bar of soap than there is a shower gel. What you learn as you read more about body cleansers, though, is that their differences are more in terms of pH and level of suds rather than actual end results.

This is because soaps and cleansers don’t follow a universal formula. We will soon discover that bar soap has had a reputation for drying the skin. However, there are now hundreds of bar soaps formulated to not only moisturize, but prevent dryness. Gels, we’ll discover, are touted for deep hydration, yet some are formulated to also exfoliate using glycolic acid or other compounds. So, there are no hard and fast rules about which is the best for this or that. Instead, you will choose based on which is the best for you and your needs.

The Chemistry of Soaps and Gels

As one group reported, “Bar soaps are made by combining liquid fats (like vegetable oils or animal fat) with an alkali like sodium hydroxide (also called lye).” The process used to make them causes the fats to solidify and the soap to harden.

The gels, on the other hand use potassium hydroxide instead of the lye. Both are “cured” with these ingredients, but it is the use of the potassium hydroxide in the gel that allows it to be much sudsier.

But, and this is a major question, does that sudsiness make it better at cleaning?

The experts say that it depends on what you are cleaning, or the amount of grime or dirt in need of removal. For example, “Bar soap is great for removing dirt, debris, and oil from the skin, and it’s easy to apply, either alone or with a washcloth. If you’re an athlete or have a tendency to sweat a lot, bar soap  is ideal.”

Related: Is It Time For A Skin Detox?

At the Opposite End of the Spectrum…

A shower gel is ideal for those who may have dry, delicate and eczema prone skin because they are typically water based and capable of being packed with moisturizers. Yet, some may cause irritation due to ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, or SLS used to thicken the gel formulas. If not rinsed away fully and properly, there are even some risks for skin reactions.

Note that these are general and/or typical behaviors, and the formulas used are always varying and being updated. For example, a bar of soap or a gel could be super fatted (after the process known as saponification is done). This is what allows any soap to become intensely hydrating. A soap might also have antibacterial or soothing botanicals added to generate different outcomes. Some bar soaps are made with glycerin, too, making them as moisturizing as many gels.

Pros and Cons of Bar Soap

There are similar pros and cons for both soap and gels. Yet, it does pay off to make the right choices since you are exposing roughly 90% of your body to the cleanser you choose.

So, the pros for soap are simple. It is easy to use and comes with no waste or additional packaging. Bar soap is very hygienic and works well for those who have skin care needs that soap can meet. It does not require a lot of space in your bathroom or shower and with so many aware of the need to treat specific skin conditions, there are now bar soaps for any type of skin. Soaps are not often touted as a good solution for facial cleansing, but as we already noted – today’s soaps can be formulated to meet almost any sort of condition.

So, whether you have dry, sensitive, acne prone or oily skin, it is certain you can find bar soaps that will work well for you.

Pros and Cons of Gels

There are nearly identical pros and cons. Gels are easy to use and can provide a solution to almost any sort of skincare requirement. They are hygienic if you ensure you swap out the sponges and washcloths with each shower or bath. Gels travel very easily and are super cost effective as you can use every little bit of the container. They do take up space in the shower or bath and yet you can just flip them upside down or rinse them out to get 100% of the product. There is, though, the need to recycle or toss the packaging. And what about using a gel on your face? Many shower gels and body washes are a bit rough for facial cleansing, but if you are careful in choosing, you may find one that can help with dry, sensitive, oily or acne prone skin.

Again, it doesn’t really matter if your skin is sensitive, prone to breakouts, dry or a blend of conditions. If you shop carefully, it is likely that you can find gels that work for you.

However, you never have to be a “one or the other” sort. You can use gels if your skin is drier or if the season (such as a winter heating season) causes dry skin. When the summer comes and conditions are more humid, you may find that bar soap is better at removing built up grime and keeping the skin perfectly hydrated. You can find options formulated for any skin condition or special requirement, and most agree that swapping out your shampoos, soaps and cleansers from time to time helps to improve overall skincare.

What About Body Washes?

Of course, you may find yourself confused if you encounter a body wash rather than a shower gel? The good news is that they are fairly similar in that they are both liquid cleansers. The gel is usually going to have a much thinner consistency while the body washes are thicker and typically attempting to be even more hydrating than a gel or soap. One expert explained, “they usually contain emollients…[and] feature technology that delivers emulsified petrolatum (a common skin ointment) to the skin while you cleanse, which helps improve dryness.”

Is that all there is to know about body cleansers? No. As we said a bit earlier the choices you make depend on your skin type, the conditions or issues you are cleaning and more. Again, as that same expert said that the “best” body cleansers are those chosen for your skin’s concerns, and that “When it comes to choosing a bar soap, body wash and shower gel, you should be particularly picky if you have acne, rosacea, eczema or even sensitive skin.”

However, you still won’t select the best without first understanding the importance of exfoliation.

Coat the Skin or Rejuvenate It?

Many soaps are made with higher amounts of fatty acids. These are ingredients meant to create a sort of shield or protective coating on the skin, and that’s great. Yet, the skin is an organ of renewal and as such it needs to be able to shed old cells. Washing is one way of removing those cells, but there is also the need to exfoliate the skin.

Many soaps and gels are actually designed to do just that. Exfoliation can be done with textured materials added to the soap’s formula (such as ground peach pits or micro beads), but it can also be done with chemical additives that cause the skin to shed cells without requiring coarse granules to scrub the uppermost layer of the skin. Often, that would mean the shower gel or body wash would include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, citric acids, and more.

Exfoliation is needed because it is the process that as one writer explained, “takes skin from good to radiant” and you don’t always need to scrub to get those results. Skin can require exfoliation for many reasons, and it is soap or gel that can help accomplish your most desirable goals. As an example, if you have dry skin it may seem counterintuitive to scrub and remove it, but if you use the right product during that scrubbing, it can actually cue your skin to generate new cells and supply moisture that is locked into the new cells.

However, as we already said, exfoliation can be done manually using a scrub brush, exfoliator gloves or a bar soap with granules of one kind or another embedded into the formula. There are also chemical exfoliants, also described as peels, which can be used to remove the outermost layer of dead cells.

More Exfoliation Tips

While there are many skincare products that offer exfoliation, you can also do it with some basic tools and techniques. One way is known as dry brushing that uses a soft bristle brush and gentle circular motions to stimulate the skin and scrub away old cells. There are exfoliating gloves you can wear in the shower and use with soap or gel to help cue exfoliation. You can also turn to the classic soap and washcloth method as that too will let you gently scrub away old skin, and gel with a shower scrub works the same. There are even exfoliating bars designed specifically for this issue.

Experts generally agree that it is best if you exfoliate two to three times each week, but those with sensitive skin may want to do a bit less. It is easiest if done in the shower and as we said, your soap or gel with a loofah or washcloth will easily do the trick. You can, as another expert said, “try using a salt scrub, which could help with blood flow to your skin and make you look and feel better…Just don’t overdo it. A couple of times a week is plenty — anything more might irritate your skin.”

While we are on the subject of skin irritation, it is important we take just a few minutes to talk about soaps, gels, washes and your face.

Related: Cellulite and Fascia – The Connection…OR the Myth?

Facial Cleansing

It can be tempting to use your bar of soap, shower gel or body wash as your only facial cleanser. However, this can actually harm the skin of the face. Though we don’t think of it very much, the skin on our faces is very different from that on the rest of the body. Even the most carefully formulated bars can have an adverse effect on the face. You must always do a small test patch with any cleanser to see if it does dry or somehow irritate the skin on the face. If not, go right ahead and use it, but with the caveat that you’ll be moisturizing the skin of the face and neck shortly after bathing.

Bathing and cleansing the skin of the body is a daily routine for most of us. Though it may seem as if you can use any old soap or cleanser on the legs, arms, elbows and everything else, it is not always true. Take our advice to heart and do the research to figure out if a specific product meets your skin’s specific needs. If not, keep looking. There are many great choices and you are sure to find them.

Related: To Use or Not to Use – Facial Cleansing Brushes

More Great Body Cleansers Resources:

How to Exfoliate Every Single Body Part—the Right Way

Shower Gel vs. Body Wash vs. Bar Soap: Which Body Cleanser Is Right for You?

SHOULD YOU BE USING A BAR OF SOAP OR A BODY WASH?