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Body Wash and Shower Gels Buying Guide

Years ago the standard for showering was a plain old bar of soap.  Well, the times are changing and so is the beauty industry. Showering just isn't what it used to be. With the diversity of body wash,  shower gels,  shampoo,  and even exfoliating soaps  out on the market, choosing one can become quite overwhelming. Fear not, for there are only a few major considerations you should take into account when purchasing them.

Tips

  • Know Your Skin
    • This means beware of any allergies or sensitivity you might have to a particular brand, ingredient, fragrance, etc. This also means taking note of whether you tend to have dry, oily, or acne-prone skin.
    • Products that use antibacterial medication or salicylic acid  are excellent for fighting breakouts. These body washes can also be helpful to remove excess oil if you have naturally oily skin.
    • Moisturizing washes  are best if you have dry skin. Look for emollients in the ingredient list and avoid heavy detergents such as sodium laureth sulfate. You may also want to try a product with glycolic acid in it or one with a grainy component since both act as exfoliants.
    • Winter is a time that is typically dry and harsh on everyone's skin. Don't forget that the winter months are a great time to try out extra moisturizing formulas.
    • Hypo-allergenic washes are a must for those with sensitive skin. Also, look for products with the least amount of fragrance in them--the gentler, the better. You may even enjoy exploring organic options that shy away from using harsh chemicals and overbearing scents.
  • Scent Test
    • If you are in a store shopping, this is usually not hard to do. Pop open a lid on any of the products that you are interested in trying and smell them to see if it is pleasing to you.
    • For something calming, fragrances that have a soothing effect include lavender,  sandalwood  or chamomile. 
    • To give yourself a jump start in a morning shower, try something with rosemary  or peppermint.  Citrus  is also a great eye-opener in the morning.
    • If you typically wear cologne  or perfume,  remember to try and match up the two up as closely as possible so as to not have any scent wars. When in doubt, choose a body wash with little or no fragrance.
  • Rotate
    • Buy a few different types of body wash from different brands with varying scents to get an idea of what suits you best for different moods, time of day, and even seasons.
  • Scrubbing Action
    • If you typically have rough skin around the elbows or knees, a scrub will help smooth them out all year round.
    • Heavy-duty scrubs and exfoliators are good to use towards the end of winter. They help slough off dead, dry skin and they can also be used to relieve keratosis pilaris, a symptom that certain people develop during the cold, dry winter months.
    • Natural scrubs  are best. On the ingredients list check for a natural ingredient listed as one of the first three and you know that the scrub will be effective and gentle.

Fun Picks

Here are some cool recommendations for women, men, or both!

Ivory Simply Lavender Body Wash 

Ivory is a trusted name when it comes to body wash, and it's no wonder--this is incredibly moisturizing and leaves your skin feeling soft.

Caffeinated Body Wash 

Looking for extra ways to wake up in the morning? Simply applying this body wash will transfer caffeine to your bloodstream during a shower.

Gillette Hydra Scrub Body Wash 

This product uses beads to scrub at and remove dry skin, leaving it moisturized and relieved.

Nivea Touch of Sparkle Body Wash 

This body wash actually leaves a shimmer on your skin after you shower and also has the sweet scent of white calla blossoms.

Molton Re-Charge Black Pepper Body Wash 

A unisex body wash that uses black peppercorn oil to warm up your skin and re-awaken it at the same time.

Philosophy Cinnamon Hot Dots Shower Gel 

This is actually a 3-in-1 gel that can be used as shower gel, bubble bath  or shampoo and gives off a hot cinnamon scent while you use it.

Axe Recovery Shower Gel 

This gel is packed with invigorating electrolytes  to wake you up and restore your body.

Bath & Body Works Stress Relief Body Wash 

In great scents like lemongrass cardamom, sandalwood rose, and eucalyptus spearmint, this body wash helps to calm you and doubles as a bubble bath.

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash 

Aveeno provides you with fragrance free relief and uses oatmeal to soothe and moisturize even the most sensitive skin.

Kiehl's Musk Shower Gel 

This gel leaves a distinct smell of musk after showering and helps to leave skin feeling soft and luxurious.

Fragrance

Search by your favorite fragrance below!


Related Guides

Bar Soaps

Body Moisturizers

Body Scrubs

Bath and Shower Accessories

External Links

  • Ehow.com: An article on how to make your own scented shower gel.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Badschuim Shopgids
NL: Bodywash Shopgids
NL: Duschgel