What actually matters in the comparison?
Both names describe products used to wash the body. Cleansers use surfactants, cleaning ingredients that loosen oil and dirt so water can rinse them away. Cleansers come as liquids, gels and creams, so the noun on the bottle is doing less work than the formula.1
| What to compare | Body wash | Shower gel |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Check the actual texture rather than assuming it is creamy. | A gel texture alone does not tell you how gentle it is. |
| Cleansing formula | Look at the cleansing ingredients and any moisturising ingredients. | Make the same checks; lather and skin feel depend on formulation. |
| Sensitive skin suitability | Look for a formula designed for sensitive skin. | Do not assume the product is suitable just because you prefer its texture. |
| Price | Compare individual products rather than treating the category as a price bracket. | A higher price alone is not a reason to choose it. |
Cleanser prices vary widely even when ingredients are similar, so the receipt is not a performance report.1
Which should you pick for your skin?
- For easily irritated skin, prioritise a mild cleanser designed for sensitive skin. Highly perfumed shower gels can irritate skin.
- For dry or itchy skin, consider an emollient soap substitute. Emollients are moisturising treatments, and many can also be used for washing.
- For eczema, choose fragrance free products. An unscented product can still contain fragrance that triggers a flare.
- For psoriasis, choose a gentle, moisture rich cleanser made for sensitive skin. Avoid deodorant soaps and scrubs.
- If you already have a prescribed washing routine for a skin condition, use the prescribed soap substitute rather than swapping it for an ordinary shower gel.
How should you wash with either?
- 1Wet your skin with warm water rather than hot water.
- 2Apply the cleanser to your hands and massage gently over your skin. For psoriasis, use your hands instead of a loofah or washcloth.
- 3Rinse thoroughly, then gently pat your skin dry rather than rubbing.
- 4If you have eczema, apply a fragrance free cream or ointment immediately afterwards while your skin is still damp.
Avoid repeated washing to chase a cleaner feeling: over washing removes surface oils and can leave skin excessively dry. For eczema, keep baths or showers to 5 to 10 minutes. For psoriasis, take no more than one bath or shower daily and limit showers to 5 minutes.145
How do you use a soap substitute?
For a suitable leave on emollient used as a wash, mix around a teaspoonful with a little warm water in your palm, spread over damp or dry skin, then rinse and pat dry. These products do not foam like ordinary soap but clean just as effectively. Follow your prescribed product's directions if they differ.2
Emollients can make the shower slippery. Keep emollient contaminated clothing and bedding away from flames and cigarettes. If an emollient wash causes stinging that continues after rinsing, ask a pharmacist for an alternative. If your prescribed cream makes your skin look worse, contact your GP or nurse.26
Where this answer comes from
- 1Soaps and cleansersdermnetnz.org
- 2Emollientsnhs.uk
- 3Pressure Damage Prevention and how to Care for your Skinnth.nhs.uk
- 4Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis skin careaad.org
- 58 ways to stop baths and showers from worsening your psoriasisaad.org
- 6Care of your skingloshospitals.nhs.uk
