Shampoo and body wash/shower gel are two major classes of personal care cleansing products. Shampoos are specifically formulated to clean and take care of hair, whereas body wash is a liquid soap that is appropriate for cleansing the body. Most commercial shampoos and body washes are made as creams or gels.

A gentle daily body cleanser, shampoo and conditioner-in-one, developed to effectively remove dirt and impurities without drying. Skin and hair are left feeling soft and supple.

* Formulation: Most body washes are specifically – and carefully – designed to get rid of excessive oil and dirt on the body. They tend to have stronger cleansing agents for this reason, so using them in place of shampoo is likely to strip the hair and scalp of their natural oils.

Shower gel (also shower cream or body wash) is a specialized liquid product used for cleaning the body during showers. Not to be confused with liquid soaps, shower gels, in fact, do not contain saponified oil. Instead, it uses synthetic detergents derived from either petroleum or plant sources.

Our top picks

• Best overall/editor's pick: Dove Go Fresh Refreshing Body Wash.
• Best for dry and sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash.
• Best for oily and acne-prone skin: Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash.
• Best for mature skin: Olay Cleansing & Renewing Nighttime Body Wash with Retinol.

Antibacterial body wash is effective at killing germs while cleaning dirt, excess oil, odor, sweat, and makeup from your skin. Many antibacterial body washes, such as Safeguard Pure White Body Wash, continue to protect your skin for hours after washing, to help the fight against illness and infection.

It's better to use body wash or shower gel if you typically notice that your skin feels dry, stripped, or flaky after a shower. Body wash, in particular, contains hydrating ingredients meant to coat your skin and seal in moisture.

Best shampoos to control hair fall

• Bare Anatomy Anti Hair Fall Shampoo. This Bare Anatomy anti-hair fall shampoo is one of the best products to control hair.
• Indulekha Bringha Ayurvedic Shampoo.
• Traya Defence Shampoo.
• Be Bodywise Keratin Hair Fall Control Shampoo.
• Sebamed Anti-Hairloss Shampoo.

Body Wash Benefits You Should Know: Why Is It Better Than Soap

• It Is A Treat For Lather Lovers.
• Using A Body Wash Hydrates Your Body.
• Shower Gels Help Exfoliate Your Skin.
• Body Washes Are Travel Friendly.
• A Little Goes A Long Way.
• Body Washes Are More Hygienic.

Body wash obviously is a much newer concept. It works quite similarly to soap in terms of getting rid of the dirt and making your skin clean. However, it also contains a mixture of ingredients that can help to treat common skin conditions like dry skin, rough patches or even dermatitis.

If you choose to use shower gel or body wash:

1. Wet your skin in the bath or shower and lather the solution on a loofah or washcloth.
2. Apply a generous layer all over your skin.
3. Rinse it off and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
4. Try not to rub your skin after you get out of the shower.

Body washes are usually fairly viscous liquids with a pH between 6 and 7. Surfactants are a critical aspect of body washes because they combine lipophilic and hydrophilic. These fat- and water-soluble ingredients combine to make a mixture that can get rid of the dirt and oils that build up on a person's skin.

Apply body wash: Take a small amount of body wash and apply it directly to your skin. You can use your hands or a washcloth to help create a lather. Massage into your skin: Gently massage the body wash into your skin, paying extra attention to areas that tend to be dirtier, such as your underarms, feet, and groi.