What is Shower Gel and How to Use It?

June 29, 2022 Julia Davis 1 comment

When it comes to getting clean, there are lots of ways to do it. Not long ago, all you needed was a washcloth and a simple bar of soap.

Nowadays, however, there's a wealth of body care products like creams, liquid soaps, body washes, and shower gels. Also, you can apply these products in various ways, such as shower brushes, sponges, bath mitts, fancy loofahs, and many more.

In this post, you'll find everything you need to know about shower gels: when and how to use shower gel, how much to use, the best method for applying shower gels, and how to choose the best gel product for you.

What is Shower Gel?

What is Shower Gel

The shower gel is a cleansing product you can use on your whole body. It's similar to soap, liquid soap, and body wash. It's easy to apply in several different ways using your hands, a wet washcloth, a shower brush, or a loofah.

You can use shower gels any time. Whether you're starting the day with a morning shower or washing away the day’s grime before going to bed, shower gels are perfect!

Most shower gels are similar to liquid soap. The main ingredient is water, with sodium laurel sulfate, and betaines. Unlike soap which uses lye as the cleaning agent, shower gels rely on synthetic detergents to clean your body.

How to Use Shower Gel Properly?

Follow these simple steps to get the best results from shower gel.

Turn on the shower - step in

Ensure the water is not too hot as this can damage your skin. If your skin is dry, lukewarm water is better. As soon as the water temperature is right, step in.

Pour gel onto a sponge, washcloth, or loofah

All you need is a drop, around the size of a quarter. Squeeze this amount onto either a loofah, soft washcloth, or sponge.

Lather the shower gel

Massage and squish the cloth, sponge, or loofah until you have a rich lather/foam. It should only take a couple of seconds. Something to bear in mind is that most organic and natural shower gels tend not to create as much foam as non-organic shower gels.

Gently scrub yourself all over

Gently scrub yourself using circular motions. Be careful because over-scrubbing your skin could cause skin irritation. It's better to massage your body gently, like when using bar soap.

Rinse well

Once you've soaped your whole body, rinse yourself clean. The warm water from the shower will likely already have washed off some of the shower gel suds. Just make sure you rinse the rest off by turning around and also raising your arms or legs.

Step out and dry yourself

When you've finished rinsing your body, pat yourself dry with a towel. Or allow your body to air dry If your skin tends to be dry, consider leaving it slightly damp, which will allow it to reabsorb the moisture left on your skin.

Consider applying a moisturizer

The final step is to apply moisturizer to help keep your skin healthy, soft, smooth, and moist. This is a good tip if you have dry skin.

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

What Can You Use to Put Shower Gel On?

Sponge

The shower gel is different from soap. You need something to apply it with something, as it is in liquid form. There are several ways you can apply shower gel or body wash gel.

Sponge: Sponges are porous, a great way to lather your body wash, and they're gentle on your skin. Sponges come in two types: synthetic sponges and natural sponges. Synthetic ones are made using plastic and come in various sizes and shapes. Usually, a plastic sponge is softer than a natural sponge. Natural sponges come from the sea and can be brown or tan colored. Sea sponges contain natural enzymes which help prevent mildew, mold, and bacteria from growing on them. They are also hypoallergenic.
Pouf or Loofah: Generally, a loofah is a type of pouf that's made using netted plastic or natural sponge. Both are great for exfoliating. But a pouf tends to be a little gentler on your skin.
Bath pouffes: You can buy poufs in an exciting range of colors. Generally, they are made using plastic, but a few are made using bamboo and other plant fibers. Pouffes are gentle on your skin and create lots of lather from the shower gel.
Natural loofahs: These are sponges 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

These produce less lather but allow you to massage your skin while cleaning with shower gel. There are two different types:

Washcloth: A washcloth is like a small square towel you can hold with one hand. It doesn't generate as many suds as a loofah, but it's easy to keep clean.
Loofah mitt: This is like a square-shaped glove that fits over your hand. On one side, it's cloth, and on the other, a natural loofah sponge.

How Much Shower Gel Do You Need to Use?

It depends on the specific product. Read the instructions on the packaging. Generally, you only need a little, about the size of a quarter. It's not uncommon for people to use more than this. But that's a waste. Using too much can also be harsh on your skin and cause it to dry out. In addition, you'll find it more difficult to rinse off, and it could leave a sticky residue on your skin.

How Often Should You Use Shower Gel?

You can use shower gel daily because it's ideal for cleaning your entire body as often as you need.

How to Decide What Type of Shower Gel to Use?

There are different types of shower gels and body washes you can buy. Each has its own scent, qualities, benefits, and drawbacks. Some products are better for different skin types. So what should you consider before spending money on a shower gel/body wash?

Choose a Shower Gel You Like the Smell Of

There's nothing quite like showering to help you relax and unwind. Using a scented gel/body wash is even better. The smell can make the experience a more pleasant one.

Cool, refreshing scents include orange, lemon, mint, and cucumber.
Relaxing scents include rose, lavender, and chamomile.
Sweet smelling scents include vanilla, cocoa butter, passion fruit, and strawberry.

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:

Dry skin: Consider using a moisturizing shower gel that has added moisturizers. Avoid using a heavily scented body wash.
Normal skin: Almost any body wash will work for this skin type.
Oily skin: Look for a shower gel with cleansing properties or one formulated for oily skin.

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 several things, such as certain chemicals or perfumes.

When choosing a shower gel, look for a perfume-free product, one 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. Look for an SLS-free shower gel.

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. Fruit seeds, crushed walnut shells, oatmeal, sugar, sea salt, or ground almonds are good for removing dead skin cells from the body.

Inorganic abrasives may also be included, for example, microbeads. However, these tend to be made using plastic which can harm 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 and cleaning your body. Look for a body wash that says 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 to 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 after showering.

What to Avoid When Using Shower Gel?

What to Avoid When Using Shower Gel

Using too much: It's difficult to rinse off excess product, and it may leave your skin feeling sticky, or worse, damage it.

Not using the right shower gel: Use a product that suits your skin type, as an incompatible one may worsen any skin condition you have.
Not allowing the water to do the hard work: You don’t need to use masses of shower gel or scrub like mad. Running water will effectively clean your skin.
Rinsing yourself with hot water: Rinsing with hot water can strip natural oils and moisture from your skin. Lukewarm water is much better.