What happens if you wash your body with shampoo? Can you use shampoo as body wash? These are the questions many people have asked. At first thought, you will feel it doesn’t do any harm. You think that no matter whether they are shampoo or shower gel, both are foamy, fragrant and have cleanliness. So where is the right answer?
Can you use shampoo as body wash?
You can use shampoo as a body wash. However, experts advise against it. If you use it, you must avoid sensitive places on the body.
There is no denying that shampoos and body washes share some similarities in ingredients. However, they are far from the same. Therefore, experts will advise that you don’t replace shower gel with shampoo.
If you occasionally use shampoo to clean your body, it is not a big problem. However, in the long term, this can make your skin worse in a variety of ways. The extent of that effect depends mainly on your skin type and shampoo type.
In general, if you use shampoo to clean your body for a long time, your skin will tend to be drier. As a result, it becomes much harder to keep your skin hydrated afterward. In addition, if you have sensitive skin, your skin will be very easily irritated by some ingredients in shampoo.
Besides, if you use shampoo on your body, you will feel that your body will be very greasy and difficult to clean.
You should not replace body wash with shampoo
Ingredients and Composition of Shampoo and Body Wash
About two decades ago, soap and shampoo were practically the same things. Nowadays, life becomes more and more modern. Thus, cosmetics tend to be made for specific parts, such as the face, body and hair.
- Shampoo
Most shampoos available on the market today contain moisturizers. Manufacturers always make sure their shampoos have a pH between 4 and 7 to ensure safety for users’ skin and hair.
Most popular shampoos today contain SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). In addition, it also contains other natural humectants.
These active ingredients work to provide nutrients to the hair so that it becomes shiny and smooth. They are the ingredients that make shampoo different from a body wash.
- Body Wash
Different shower gels contain their own chemicals to remove dirt from your skin. These chemicals will help deep clean your skin, something shampoo will not be able to do. In addition, most popular body washes contain granules that help remove dead skin cells from your body.
Similarities and Differences Between Shampoo and Body Wash
There is no denying that shampoo and shower gel have similar ingredients. They have similar prices. Both contain surfactants as well as skin pH regulators. If you peel the stickers off the packaging, you may not be able to tell them apart.
While there are many similarities, they are very different.
As mentioned above, shower gel contains particles that help remove dead cells and dirt from your skin. Thanks to that, it can effectively remove dirt and bacteria. That’s what shampoo can’t do.
On the other hand, shampoo is very effective in removing sebum on the scalp. Most shampoos contain sulfates and other chemicals that can clean and soften your hair.
When applying shampoo to the body, some shampoos can dry out your body’s skin. Meanwhile, others make your body greasy and harder to clean. The reason is that they are not designed to cleanse the body.
Another point is that you won’t be able to get as much foam in the shower from the shampoo as when you shower with body wash. The foam created from shampoo in the shower will be very little and not as good as when you wash your hair, no matter how much you massage. Because shampoos are designed to foam when they come in contact with water and especially must be combined with hair and scalp contact.
The body wash is designed to remove excess oil and dirt from the body. Therefore, it is considered harsh on sensitive skin areas such as the scalp. That’s the reason why you should not use body wash to wash your hair.
When applying shampoo to the body, some shampoos can dry out your body’s skin
Alternatives to Body Wash
The body wash is not the only solution for body cleansing. If you run out of body wash and need a replacement right away. Let’s refer to the following available products in your home.
1. Soaps
You can completely use soaps to effectively clean your body. However, soaps that do not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphates are recommended for you. With its compact size, you can easily take it anywhere.
2. Charcoal soap
There is no denying that charcoal is very effective in removing dirt and dead cells from your skin. That’s why you can use Charcoal soap as a great substitute for shower gel.
3. Body scrub
Since the body scrub is so effective in removing dead cells from your body, it can be used to replace body wash.
4. Shower gels
Shower gels are considered a great alternative to body wash in dry climates. However, when buying Shower gels, you should choose products that do not contain sulfates.
5. Shower oil
In addition to being therapeutic, shower oil is the perfect alternative to body wash. It not only helps you to deep clean but also treats the infected skin effectively.
6. Milk
Bathing with milk regularly can help your skin become bright. However, you should not use this method too often. You should soak in milk 2-3 times a week to rejuvenate the skin.
Bathing with milk regularly can help your skin become bright
7. Shower foam
Showering with shower foam has become quite popular. However, not everyone likes to use shower foam.
8. Ayurvedic bath powder
Although Ayurvedic bath powder originated in India, it has been produced and used in many countries around the world. In fact, Ayurvedic bath powder is very effective in cleansing the skin and preventing acne.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Use a Conditioner as Body Wash?
Using a conditioner as a body wash is not a good idea. A conditioner is a product that adds moisture to your hair and it is not a cleansing product at all. Therefore, it cannot be considered a substitute for body wash. Fortunately, apart from the above problem, it does not adversely affect your skin.
Conditioner is created with a silky soft formula, rich in nutrients and moisture. It will nourish and restore moisture to the hair. Therefore, it can also have the same effect on your skin. However, conditioners do not contain detergents like body wash or shampoo. Hence, it is not as effective in cleansing the body as a body wash.
2. Can shampoo be used to wash your face?
Absolutely not. Facial skin is considered a very sensitive area. As mentioned above, most shampoos contain SLS and SLES which are all sulfates. They are very irritating to your eyes, mouth, and facial skin.
3. Can shampoo be used to wash hands?
It is also possible, although washing hands with shampoo is not completely effective.
Shampoo can clean the dirt on your hands. However, it is not effective in removing bacteria from your hands.
4. Can soap or shower gel be used as a shampoo?
This is not recommended. Shampoos and body washes have a lot in common in their chemical composition. However, body washes include strong detergents that can remove bacteria and dirt from the body. These detergents can hurt your scalp and hair.
Final Words
In general, shampoo can be used on the skin but that is not recommended. Ideally, you should only use shampoo on your hair and apply the body wash to your body. The above products are all made with a purpose. So to get the most out of your products, please use them for their intended purpose.
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