Should I Use Shower Gel or Soap?

Whether you choose a shower gel or soap will mostly depend on your skin type, budget, and personal preference. For instance, if you have dry skin, you may want to choose a shower gel, since bar soap is often a bit harsher and can be drying. Shower gel is generally a bit more expensive than bar soap, however, and most people tend to use more than they need, which leads to product waste. Bar soap, on the other hand, has a tendency to dissolve when it is exposed to water, which can leave a residue on shower and tub surfaces. This type of soap has also been proven to hold bacteria.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you probably already realize that you need to choose your bath soap very carefully. When you have the choice to use either a shower gel or soap in bar form, you may want to consider using the gel. Shower gels are typically gentler and less irritating to skin, and many of them also contain moisturizers for dry skin. Bar soap, on the other hand, can be harsh and remove valuable moisture from your skin.

Whether you choose shower gel or soap might also depend on your budget, or how much money you are willing to spend. Bar soap is generally a more economical choice. For instance, you will usually be able to buy a few bars of bath soap for the same price as one bottle of shower gel. One bar of soap will also usually last longer than one regular sized bottle of shower gel.

Another thing you may want to consider when choosing between shower gel or soap is how much you will end up wasting. Most people tend to use more shower gel than they need to. On the other hand, bars of soap that are allowed to sit in a constantly wet area will usually begin to dissolve, leaving behind a slimy soap scum. This can be prevented, however, by placing the soap in a soap dish away from wet areas when it is not being used.

If you have very little room in your tub or shower stall, you may want to choose a bottle of shower gel, which takes up much less room. Since shower gel bottles are made from hard plastic, bar soap will also usually hurt less if you drop it on your foot.

One of the biggest things that you should consider when choosing between shower gel and soap is your tolerance of germs. Some scientists have found that bars of soap hold small amounts of bacteria, whereas shower gels do not. The chances of catching any type of illness from bar soap, however, are very small.