There are numerous approaches to cleaning up. A washcloth and a basic bar of soap used to be all you required.
However, there are now a variety of body care items available, including creams, liquid soaps, body washes, and shower gels. Additionally, there are many different tools you can use to apply these products, including loofahs, sponges, bath mitts, and shower brushes.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about shower gels, including when and how to use them, how much to use, the best way to apply them, and how to pick the right kind for you.
Table of Contents
What Is Shower Gel?
You can use the shower gel as a body-washing product. It resembles liquid soap, soap, and body wash. Applying it is simple and can be done with your hands, a wet washcloth, a shower brush, or a loofah.
Shower gels are always appropriate. Shower gels are ideal for both morning showers and evening baths to remove the day’s grime.
The majority of shower gels resemble liquid soap. Water, sodium laurel sulfate, and betaines make up the majority of the ingredient list. Shower gels clean your body using synthetic detergents, as opposed to soap, which cleans with lye.
How Should I Use Shower Gel?
To maximize the benefits of shower gel, adhere to these easy steps.
Turn On The Shower – Step In
Make sure the water is not too hot because this can harm your skin. Lucent water is preferable if you have dry skin. Step in as soon as the water is the proper temperature.
Wash Your Hair
It might surprise you to learn that washing your hair comes before washing your body. Consider shampooing your hair: as you rinse it out, your body is being washed of everything. Consequently, soapy residue and accumulated oil in your hair may end up on your skin. In order to ensure that you are completely clean before exiting the shower, you should wash your body after your hair.
Pour Gel Onto A Sponge, Washcloth, Or Loofah
Just a drop, about the size of a quarter, will do. This quantity should be squeezed onto a sponge, soft washcloth, or loofah.
Lather The Shower Gel
Get a rich lather or foam by massaging and squeezing the cloth, sponge, or loofah. It should only take a few seconds. It’s important to keep in mind that most natural and organic shower gels don’t typically produce as much foam as non-organic shower gels.
Gently Scrub Yourself All Over
Scrub your body gently in circular motions. Don’t scrub your skin too vigorously because doing so could irritate it. It’s better to gently massage your body, similar to when you use bar soap.
Rinse Well
Warm water should be used to rinse. Wash your washcloth, loofah, or sponge, and make sure all soap suds are washed off of your skin. Use a towel to dry off after getting out of the shower, then apply lotion to slightly damp skin to help retain moisture.
Body Wash in the Bath
Although body wash gel is most frequently used in the shower, you can also use it to create soothing spa baths at home. As you fill the tub, add a few teaspoons of the gel under running water for an instant bubble bath. Alternatively, while in the bath, apply the gel directly to a loofah, sponge, or washcloth and scrub down as usual. To remove any remaining bath water from your skin after exiting the tub, you should rinse off in the shower.
Make the most of your body wash by using these suggestions. To reap the full rewards of a hydrating body wash gel, don’t forget to apply lotion. Your skin will receive the best care if you choose a nourishing body wash and body lotion from Vitabath®. Our opulent bath products are made to pamper your body, mind, and soul while also leaving you with silky soft skin and a wonderful fragrance.
Step Out And Dry Yourself
Pat yourself dry with a towel after you’ve finished rinsing your body. Alternately, let your body air dry if you have dry skin. Your skin will be able to reabsorb any moisture that is left on it if you leave it slightly damp.
Consider Applying A Moisturizer
Applying moisturizer as the last step will help to keep your skin healthy, soft, smooth, and moist. If you have dry skin, you should use this advice.
How to Use Shower Gel Without a Loofah
- Wet your hands
- Squeeze a small amount of shower gel into the palms of your hands
- Rub your palms together until the shower gel starts to foam
- Apply it all over your body
- Rinse off carefully
Shower gel is distinct from soap. Since it is a liquid, you will need something to apply it with. You can apply body wash or shower gel in a number of different ways.
- Sponge: Sponges are soft on the skin, porous, and a great way to lather your body wash. Artificial and natural sponges are the two types of sponges. Synthetic ones come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are made of plastic. Typically, a plastic sponge is softer than a natural sponge. Brown or tan colored natural sponges are obtained from the sea. Natural enzymes found in sea sponges help to keep bacteria, mold, and mildew from growing on them. They are hypoallergenic as well.
- Generally speaking, a loofah is a type of pouf made from natural sponge or netting plastic. Both are effective at removing dead skin. However, a pouf is usually a little kinder to your skin.
- Poufs for the bathroom are available in a vibrant assortment of colors. Although most of them are made of plastic, some are also made of bamboo and other plant fibers. Pouffes make a lot of lather out of the shower gel while being gentle on your skin.
- Sponge in the form of a tube, called a “natural loofah.” They are derived from luffa plants. Because of their fibrous and coarse texture, they are effective at removing dead skin.
Bath Mitt Or Washcloth
While using shower gel to clean, you can massage your skin thanks to these because they produce less lather. There are two different types:
- Washcloth: You can hold a washcloth in one hand like a tiny, square towel. Although it doesn’t produce as much suds as a loofah, it is simple to keep clean.
- A loofah mitt resembles a square-shaped glove that fits over your hand. It has a cloth surface on one side and a loofah sponge on the other.
Do You Need To Use A Lot Of Shower Gel?
Depending on the particular product. Consult the packaging’s instructions. You typically only need a tiny amount, about the size of a quarter. People frequently use more than this. Nevertheless, using too much can be harsh on your skin and cause it to become dry, which is a waste. Additionally, it will be more challenging to rinse off, and it might leave a sticky residue on your skin.
Should I Wash My Entire Body With Body Wash?
The majority of your skin can be cleaned by simply rinsing it with water, as you may not be aware. Dr. Julie Jackson MD, FAAD explains:
“If your skin is not visibly dirty from activities like gardening or working in the garage, save soap and shower gel for your underarm and groin areas.”
How Often Should You Use Shower Gel?
Ingredients that cleanse and moisturize your skin should be in your body wash. You should be able to use a pH-balanced shower gel every time you take a shower. Use your hands, a gentle washcloth, or even a loofah to apply body wash. Scrub gently; vigorous scrubbing can make dry skin worse.
How Do I Choose The Right Shower Gel?
You can purchase a variety of body washes and shower gels. Each has a distinctive scent, characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Different skin types respond better to certain products. So what should you think about before purchasing a shower gel or body wash?
Choose A Shower Gel You Like The Smell Of
Nothing can help you relax and unwind quite like taking a shower. Even better is using a scented body wash or gel. An unpleasant experience can be improved by the smell.
- Orange, lemon, mint, and cucumber scents are cool and energizing.
- Rose, lavender, and chamomile are all soothing scents.
- Vanilla, cocoa butter, passion fruit, and strawberry are among the scents that have a sweet aroma.
Bear In Mind Your Skin Type
Depending on the type of skin you have, you may require different things from your body wash, for example:
- If you have dry skin, you might want to use a moisturizing shower gel with added moisturizers. Use a body wash without strong fragrances.
- Almost any body wash will be suitable for people with normal skin.
- Oily skin: Look for a shower gel that is formulated for oily skin or has cleansing ingredients.
Consider Skin Sensitivity And Allergies
Although many people find it difficult to use shower gel or body wash because of their sensitive skin, you shouldn’t let this stop you. There may be a number of reasons for your allergic reaction to a particular soap, including specific chemicals or perfumes.
Consider shower gels made with organic and natural ingredients, for sensitive skin, or without perfume when selecting one.
Shower gels with Sodium Laurel Sulfate listed in the ingredients should be avoided. Many people are allergic to this ingredient. Try to find a shower gel without SLS.
Do You Want A Shower Gel That Scrubs?
Look for a shower gel with exfoliants if you want it to leave your skin feeling smooth and supple. The body’s dead skin cells can be removed with the help of fruit seeds, crushed walnut shells, oatmeal, sugar, sea salt, or ground almonds.
Also permitted are inorganic abrasives like microbeads. These, however, are frequently made of plastic, which is bad for the environment.
Perhaps A Multi-use Body Wash Will Be The Best Choice
There are also multipurpose shower gels available. They are made, for instance, so that you can use them to wash your hair and clean your body. To save money, look for body washes that are 3-in-1 or 2-in-1.
Shower gels from Body and Earth are a great option for all skin types and price ranges. Your skin will feel smooth, soft, and fresh after using one of their many body washes.
3 Tips To Improve Your Shower Experience
The initial step is picking the proper shower gel. Take your shower routine to the next level by following these easy tips:
1. Avoid Hot Water
Reduce the temperature of the water because one of the main causes of dry skin is hot water. To stop moisture from evaporating from your skin after using your preferred body wash, rinse with warm water.
2. Exfoliate & Moisturize
1-2 times a week, consider dry brushing before your shower. After that, give dry skin five minutes to breathe before applying a nourishing body lotion.
3. Give Your Skin Time To Adapt
Your skin may need some time to adjust if you typically use cleansers loaded with artificial ingredients. Hold out for 2-4 weeks (unless you have a severe dermatological reaction, of course).
What To Do After Using Shower Gel Or Body Wash
Fun skin care tip: Apply your body moisturizer as soon as you get out of the shower, while your skin is still slightly damp, to keep your skin as hydrated as possible. It will actually help seal in moisture, so it isn’t counterproductive.
“The top layers of the skin lose water rather quickly and applying a humectant immediately is important for retaining moisture,” Mayoral advises that heavier options, such as body serums, can be your go-tos for the hotter summer months while thicker moisturizers are ideal in the winter.
