Are you in a lather over whether soap or shower gel is best for your skin? Here we explore the shower gel vs soap debate, how each cleanse the skin, and reveal the best way to care for your skin in the shower.
Just want a nice shower gel that looks after your skin? At Green People, we specialise in caring for sensitive skin with natural, organic and pH-balanced skin care.
Check out our range of natural, SLS-free shower gels now.
At a glance:
- Soap bars are solid, made from animal or vegetable fats, and can be drying for sensitive skin due to high pH
- Shower gels are liquid, foaming, and often contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Coco Sulphate (SCS), with SCS being gentler on skin
- Choosing gentle, natural and fragrance-free products helps maintain healthy, balanced and comfortable skin.
- Best shower gel for sensitive skin: Green People Scent-Free Shower Gel
- Best shower gel for dry skin: Green People Moisturising Shower Gel
What is the difference between shower gel and soap?
Soap and shower gels are both designed to cleanse the skin, but more often than not that’s where their similarities end.
Soaps are often sold as solid blocks and are made with either animal or vegetable fats.
They can be unscented or contain essential oils or synthetic fragrancei. Used for thousands of yearsii, soap sales started to slump when liquid soaps and shower gels entered the market.
Unlike traditional soaps, shower gels have a liquid consistency. Designed to foam when applied to the skin, many also contain foaming agents such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Coco Sulphate (SCS).
Both these ingredients produce a lather when they are applied to the skin and come into contact with water, but have very different molecular structures so can affect the skin in different ways.
SCS has a much larger molecular structure than SLS and is a gentler option for sensitive skin. Many people find that SLS makes their skin feel dry, sensitive or irritated, so they decide to swap to Sodium Coco Sulphate, the natural alternative that doesn’t cause skin reactions.
Is soap good or bad for your skin?
After years of being side-lined for shower gels, soap’s popularity is on the rise. Like shampoo bars, soap bars are often plastic-free and this makes them a great alternative for those wanting to cut down their use of plastic bottles. But packaging aside, are soap bars good for the skin?
The effect that a soap bar has on your skin will vary depending on its formulation. Many are very drying and the advice from the Eczema Society is that those prone to eczema should avoid washing with soap barsiii.
Traditional soap bars usually have a high pHiv. As most of us will have slightly acidic skin, this pH mismatch can cause problems for those with dry or sensitive skin.
All Green People products are pH balanced and have a pH level that ranges between 4 and 6 depending on the area the product is designed for, which helps support a healthy skin structure.
The benefits of shower gel
Unlike slippery soap bars, shower gels have a liquid format that many find more convenient to wash with. Their quick-foaming formulations are also highly effective at cleaning the body, without stripping the skin of its protective barrier.
However, like with soap bars, the skin benefits of a shower gel will vary depending on the formulation so always check the label.
Our ethical choices
Minimising the impact our showering has on the planet is incredibly important to us and that’s why all Green People shower products are packaged in plastic tubes derived from sugar cane and which are also 100% recyclable.
As a cruelty-free brand, animal welfare is equally important to us. That’s why our vegan shower gel range is approved by both the Vegan Society and PETA, and unlike some high-street soaps, our range does not contain animal fats.
Skin-friendly natural shower gels
At Green People, we use certified organic ingredients to help support and nourish your skin in all of our products, and our shower gels are no different. They’re brimming with natural plant actives like Aloe Vera and Yucca, and free from harsh chemicals like SLS, drying alcohols and artificial fragrances.
This means our body washes are suitable for sensitive skin, and are much less likely to cause irritation or reactions. They’re designed to be kind and gentle to your skin’s natural balance, instead of stripping your skin.
They have such incredibly gentle ingredients that they can even be used in environmentally sensitive areas outside of the home, such as when camping.
But which one to choose? Read on.
Best for sensitive skin: Scent-Free Shower Gel
Our hypoallergenic, fragrance-free shower gel is made to comfort, cleanse and soothe ultra-sensitive, dry skin.
With its nourishing, skin-balancing blend of Aloe Vera, Inulin Prebiotics, Saccharide Isomerate and Yucca, it will leave your skin feeling hydrated and calm.
Scent Free Shower Gel 200ml
A hypoallergenic shower gel for gently cleansing ultra-sensitive skin£17.50
Best for dry skin: Moisturising Shower Gel
Made with certified organic ingredients including soothing Marshmallow Root, which protects previous supplies of Hyaluronic Acid, and gentle Aloe Vera, this moisturising body wash is a must-have in the shower.
It has a sweet floral fresh aroma from Neroli and Mandarin essential oils, which leave skin gently scented.
Moisturising Shower Gel 200ml
Supercharge your shower routine with our certified organic moisture-boost body wash£18.50
Best for men: No. 5 Energising Shower Gel
Created for men of all ages and skin types, this nourishing 2-in-1 shower essential is part of our dedicated Green People for Men collection.
Its Mint and Eucalyptus scent leaves you feeling refreshed - and your skin feeling balanced and hydrated. With no SLS or skin-drying alcohol, this organic body wash is powered by Quinoa protein to support healthy skin and hair.
Green People for Men - No. 5 Energising Shower Gel 150ml
2-in-1 certified organic shampoo and shower wash, made for men£15.75
Do you use soap or shower gel? Join the conversation at @GreenPeopleUK or get help finding your perfect natural shower gel with our UK customer care team on 01403 740350.
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[iii] http://www.eczema.org/emollients
