What is Shower Gel and How to Use It?
Nowadays, however, there’s a wealth of things to use from creams, liquid soaps, body washes, and shower gels. That’s not including the various ways to apply them, such as shower brushes, sponges, bath mitts, fancy loofahs and many more.
In this post, you’ll find all you need to know about shower gels, such as when and how to use shower gel, how much you need, what is best for applying shower gels, and how to find the best one for you.
What is Shower Gel?
The shower gel is a cleansing product that you can use on your whole body. It’s similar to soap, liquid soap, and body wash, and you can apply it in several different ways. For example, you can use your hands, a wet washcloth, a shower brush, or a loofah.
You can use shower gels any time of the day, whether you’re starting off the day with a morning shower or washing away the day’s grime before going to bed.
The shower gel is similar to liquid soap. Its main ingredient is water, along with sodium laurel sulfate, and betaines. Unlike soap which uses lye as the cleaning agent, shower gels rely on synthetic detergents to get you clean.
How to Use Shower Gel Properly?
You should use body wash and shower gel in the following way.
Turn on the shower - step in
Make sure the water is at a comfortable temperature and not too hot as this can damage your skin. If your skin is particularly dry, lukewarm or cool water is better. As soon as the temperature of the water is right, step in.
Pour gel onto a sponge, washcloth, or loofah
All you need is a drop that’s around the size of a quarter. Squeeze this amount onto either a loofah, washcloth, or sponge.
Lather the shower gel
Massage and squish the cloth, sponge, or loofah until you’ve got plenty of lather and foam. It should only take a couple of seconds. Something to bear in mind is that organic and natural shower gels tend not to lather quite as much as other types.
Scrub yourself gently all over
Using the sponge, loofah, or cloth, scrub yourself all over, but make sure you do it gently. Scrubbing too hard could cause irritation. It’s better to massage your body gently, just like you might if you were using a bar of soap.
Rinse well
Once you’ve soaped the whole of your body, it’s a simple case of rinsing yourself clean. You’ll likely find that some of the shower gel suds have already washed off from the action of the shower. Just make sure that you rinse the rest off by turning around and also raising your arms or legs. You might need to rub water in places to remove all the soap.
Step out and dry yourself
When you’ve finished rinsing your body, pat yourself dry using a towel. If your skin tends to be dry, consider leaving it slightly damp which will allow it to reabsorb the moisture that’s left on your skin.
Consider applying a moisturizer
The final step is to apply a moisturizer as this well help to keep your skin healthy, soft, smooth, and moist. This is a good tip if you suffer with dry skin.
How to Use Shower Gel Without a Loofah
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Make your hands wet
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Squeeze a small amount of shower gel into the palm of your hands
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Rub your palms together until the shower gel starts to foam and lather
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Apply the lather all over your body
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Rinse off carefully
What Can You Use to Put Shower Gel On?
Shower gel is different to soap in that you need something to apply it with as it is in liquid form. There are several things you can use to apply shower gel or body wash gel.
Sponge
Sponges are very porous so you’ll get a great lather when you use one with your body wash. You’ll also find that sponges are also gentle for your skin. Basically, there are two types:
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Synthetic sponges: These are made using plastic and come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Usually, a plastic sponge is softer than a natural sponge.
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Natural sponges: Natural sponges come from the sea and can be brown or tan coloured. These sea sponges contain completely natural enzymes which can help to prevent mildew, mould, and bacteria from growing on them. In addition, they are hypoallergenic.
Pouf or Loofah
Generally, you can buy a loofah as a type of pouf that's made using netted plastic or a natural sponge. You can use both types for exfoliating, however, you’ll find a pouf tends to be a little gentler on your skin than using a loofah.
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Bath poufs: You can buy poufs in an exciting range of colours. Generally, they are made using plastic, but you can find a few that are made using bamboo and other plant fibers. Poufs are very gentle and soft for your skin and you can use them to create lots of lather from the body wash. .
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Natural loofahs: These are sponges that are shaped like a tube. They come from the luffa plant. They are good for exfoliating dead skin because they are coarse-textured and fibrous.
Bath Mitt or Washcloth
This method of application produces less lather than the previous ones but they allow you to massage your skin at the same time as cleaning with the body wash. There are two different types:
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Washcloth: A washcloth is a square piece of towel that’s small enough to use with one hand. You won’t be able to use it to create lots of suds, but it's easy to keep clean.
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Loofah mitt: This is a washcloth that’s square-shaped and fits over your hand. On one side it’s cloth and on the other, it’s a natural, loofah sponge.
How Much Shower Gel Do You Need to Use?
You usually find directions on the body wash. However, as a general rule of thumb, you only need an amount of body wash that’s around the same size as a quarter.
It’s not uncommon for people to use way more than this, which is a waste. Using too much can also be harsh for your skin and cause it to dry out. In addition, you’ll find it more difficult to rinse off and you could be left with a sticky residue on your skin.
How Often Should You Use Shower Gel?
Yes, it’s perfectly OK to use shower gel on a daily basis. Use it for cleaning the whole of your body as often as you need to.
How to Decide What Type of Shower Gel to Use?
There are different types of shower gel and body wash you can buy. Each will have its own special scent, qualities, benefits, as well as drawbacks. There are also shower gels that are better for certain skin types. Let’s explore some of the things you should consider before you spend money on a body wash.
Choose a Shower Gel You Like the Smell Of
There’s nothing quite like a shower to help you relax and wind-down. If you use a scented body wash it will be even better. The smell of a shower gel can make the experience a pleasant one, or an experience you can’t wait to be over.
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Cool, refreshing scents include orange, lemon, and other citrusy smells. Mint or cucumber can also be cool and refreshing.
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Relaxing scents include rose, lavender, or chamomile.
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For a sweet smelling shower experience choose vanilla, cocoa butter, and fruit-scented gels such as passion fruit and strawberry.
Bear in Mind Your Skin Type
Depending on your skin type, you may require different things from your body wash, for example:
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Dry skin: Consider using a moisturizing shower gel that has added moisturizers. Avoid using a heavily scented body wash,
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Normal skin: Almost any kind of body wash will work for this type of skin.
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Oily skin: Look for a shower gel that has clarifying properties or one that’s been designed for your oily skin type.
Consider Skin Sensitivity and Allergies
Skin sensitivity can be a problem for many people, but don’t let it put you off using shower gel or body wash. Your allergic reaction to certain soaps could be caused by a number of things such as certain chemicals or perfumes.
When choosing a shower gel, look for one that’s perfume-free, made using organic and natural materials, or specifically for sensitive skin. .
Avoid shower gels that have Sodium Laurel Sulfate in the ingredients list. It is an ingredient that many people are allergic to, so it might be the same for you. Look for a shower gel that’s SLS-free.
Do You Want an Exfoliating Shower Gel?
If you’d like your shower gel to leave your skin feeling supple and soft, look for one that includes exfoliants.
A range of different things can be used in the body was for removing dead skin cells, such as fruit seeds, crushed walnut shells, oatmeal, sugar, sea salt, or ground almonds.
Inorganic abrasives may also be included, for example, microbeads. However, these microbeads tend to be made using plastic, which can be harmful to the ecosystem and the environment.
Perhaps a Multi-Use Body Wash Will be the Best Choice
You’ll also find shower gels that are multi-purpose. For example, they are formulated so you can use them for washing your hair as well as cleaning your body. Look for a body wash that says 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 and you could save some money.
Body and Earth has an excellent selection of shower gels to suit all skin types and budgets. Choose from their range of body washes and your skin will feel smooth, soft, and fresh when you step out of the shower.
What to Avoid When Using Shower Gel?
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Using too much: It will be difficult to rinse off and leave your skin feeling sticky. It can also be damaging to your skin.
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Not using the right shower gel: Use a shower gel that suits your skin type. If the body wash is not compatible, it will make any skin conditions worse.
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Not allowing the water to do the hard work: You don’t need to use masses of shower gel or scrub like made. Running water will get your skin clean very effectively.
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Rinsing yourself with hot water: When you rinse with hot water, it can strip the natural oils and moisture from your skin. Water that is lukewarm is much better.
Conclusion
Now you know a little bit more about how to use shower gel and how to apply shower gel properly, you can enjoy the experience more. Use body wash and shower gel to effectively clean and moisturize your body. You only need to use the smallest amount every time you take a shower, for the optimum results.
FAQs
Can I use shower gel daily?
Yes, it is perfectly OK to use shower gel every day.
Can you use shower gel on your face?
It is better if you don’t use shower gel on your face as your skin is delicate compared to the rest of your body.
Can I use shower gel as a bubble bath?
Yes, you can use shower gel in place of bubble bath. You’ll make a great lather in your bath if you pour a small amount of the shower gel in running water.
Can I use body lotion after shower gel?
Yes, you can. Apply body lotion right after you get out of the shower, while your skin is slightly damp and it will help keep your skin hydrated.
Can I use shower gel to wash my hair?
You can use shower gel to wash your hair, but it won’t work as well as shampoo.
Can you use shower gel as shaving cream?
Yes, you can but it can coat your skin and make it slippery. You’ll also dull your razor blade more because it doesn’t rinse off as well as shaving cream.