Bar Soap, Body Wash, or Shower Gel?

Choosing the best cleanser for your body comes down to what’s best for your skin type and your personal preference.

Standing in the skin and beauty aisle at the drugstore store can seem overwhelming. Bar soaps, body washes, and shower gels all compete for your attention. But how do you exactly know what’s best for you?

How can you find the best soap for your skin?

You should consider your skin type, specifically whether your skin tends to be sensitive and dry, or oily. Your bathing habits may actually be more important than the product that you choose: it’s best to use warm instead of hot water when taking a bath and to moisturize immediately after toweling off.

Whether you choose a bar or a bottle, many body cleansers may all have the same effect. These products remove dirt, bacteria, and — unfortunately — some or all of your natural body oils.

The Best Body Cleanser for You

Though oily skin can withstand the effects of most body wash products, all skin types can benefit from these tips:

• Choose a mild cleanser that does not contain lye.
• Use cool or warm water when bathing, never hot.
• Use a moisturizer immediately after drying off.
• Don’t over-cleanse — this can lead to dryness.
• Watch out for signs of dryness, including redness, itching, and flaking.

Shinagawa Aesthetics’ very own derma doctor, Dr. Aileen Versoza, M.D, FPDS has her own expert take on the matter.

For her, it really is a matter of what works for a particular patient, meaning it really varies.

“Actually, it really depends on what works for patients,” said Doc Aileen. “For me, when I prescribe, what I always consider first is the ingredients of the cleansing product. So may it be a bar soap, body wash or shower gel, I always base what’s best for patients on the ingredients that can help their skin.”

If you try several products, moisturize after bathing, and continue to feel dry and uncomfortable, you may need to see a dermatologist for prescription skincare rather than switching to another body cleanser.

To schedule your FREE derma consultation at Shinagawa Aesthetics, call our Patient Care Lines (+632) 7-368 5238 | (+63) 917 862 7454 | (+63) 921 217 0517.