Liquid Soaps & Shower Gels: What is the Difference?

by Ankesh Kapoor Writer

Buying a body cleanser can become a mind-boggling task when you don’t know which alternative to pick. It’s easy to choose between a bar and liquid body wash; however, you feel torn between the liquid soaps and Bath Gel. Liquid soap is the ancestor of the later.

The History of Liquid Soaps and Gels

First soap in liquid form appeared in 1800. A scientist named 1865 William Shepphard created and patented the first liquid soap in 1865. The bar soaps were the prime choice, it was not until 1898 when the Palmolive soaps made them popular amongst the public.

The rise of Liquid Soaps

Manufactured by B.J. Johnson, this liquid soap product was a huge success. Afterward, he changed his company name from B.J. Johnson to Palmolive. The other soap manufacturers tried to copy his footsteps by launching their own liquid soaps, such as Pine-Sol and Tide. Several of them created liquid soaps for cleaning furniture, utensils, and floors. A bath gel is the modern version of the traditional liquid soaps. They maintain the pH of the skin. In some of the Best Shower Gel, mint extracts and methanol is added to give a calming and refreshing effect.

What is the Difference?

In saponification vegetable oil or animal fats react with alkali (mainly potassium hydroxide). During the curing potassium hydroxide vanishes leaving the soapy solution. For example - the liquid soaps made from saponified coconut oil, the coconut oil was used as the main ingredient. For dry skin, you soaps with moisturizing agents are available in the market. These soaps add a layer of moisture to your face. Thus, after a wash, your skin feels soft. Once the saponification process completes, an amount of liquid fats is added to the soaps referred to as superfatting. It gives the moisture to the soaps.

The clear transparent liquid soaps are made from glycerin, sugar, and alcohol. In antiseptic soaps and gels, an ingredient called triclosan is added. It has antibacterial properties.

Gels are made from similar ingredients: water, a lathering agent and chemicals to integrate them together. SLS or sodium laureth sulfate a major component of the shower gel is tagged dangerous for the skin by the organic brand. The scientists have found that a large concentration of SLS is non-carcinogenic. With SLS the gels wouldn’t have the foam and cleansing properties.

What should I choose?

People who sweat a lot should apply a stronger body cleanser, in this case, the liquid soaps are ideal. Dermatologist recommends them to people with an oily to normal skin type. On the other hand, people with thin delicate skin, prone to dryness or irritation should pick gels. Search for ingredients like vitamin, amino acids and lecithin which hydrate the skin.

A good option is to use a gel in the winter months while liquid soaps in the summers. During the colder days when your skin is cracking, soaps will snatch away the natural oil of the skin, using gel is a better option. However, the thinner consistency of the best shower gel is effective in the warm temperature too. It softly removes the oil and grit on your skin. You can buy exfoliating gels to reduce pimples and acne problems.