Shower Gel vs. Body Wash: Uses & Benefits of Shower Gel

Learn what shower gel is, how it differs from body wash, and why it’s a refreshing, spa-like essential for your daily routine.

Shower gel. It’s a product you’ve probably seen in the bath aisle or at a hotel.

But what actually is shower gel? Is it the same thing as body wash? What are the benefits of using it? And should it be a part of your daily shower routine?

When looking at shower gel vs. body wash, you’ll notice shower gels tend to have a thicker, more gel-like texture. They often come infused with plant-based ingredients, moisturizing agents, and invigorating scents that transform an everyday shower into a spa-like moment. Whether you’re looking to refresh post-gym, unwind after a long day, or start your morning with a burst of energy, shower gel is a versatile addition to your routine.

If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of using shower gel (or how to use it properly), you’re in the right place. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about shower gel — from how it works to why it deserves a spot in your daily routine.

Key Takeaways

• Shower gel is a more gel-like texture, while body wash typically is a more creamy formula.

• Both options are good for full-body cleansing, effectively removing dirt, grime, sweat and impurities while providing ample hydration.

• Shower gels, which are easy to apply, offer a full cleansing experience, while also providing a sensorial experience.

• We have a variety of shower gels to choose from, so you can find the perfect option for your unique skin type and preferences.

What is shower gel? 

Shower gel is a liquid cleansing product for washing the whole body during a shower. High-quality shower gels are formulated to be gentle on the skin, often containing moisturizers, fragrances, and plant-based ingredients.

Shower gel use is simple — pour a small amount into your hands, a sponge, or a loofah, work into a rich lather, and apply it across your body for at least 20 seconds. The added benefit? Shower gels often come infused with invigorating fragrances, turning your daily rinse into a sensory escape. Think zesty citrus, calming lavender, or sweet floral notes — a quick mood boost with every wash.

Keep in mind that when it comes to shower gel, a little goes a long way. Typically, a quarter size amount is enough to get the job done.

What is the difference between shower gel and body wash?

Like body wash, shower gel is designed to cleanse the full body. However, the products differ in their texture. Shower gel, as the name implies, has a firmer, gel-like texture. Body washes tend to be creamier upon application.

There are many similarities between body wash and gel. Both these cleansing shower products:

• Can be applied to your entire body while bathing or showering to remove impurities like dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and pollutants from the skin’s surface.

• Often contain fragrance to leave skin smelling fresh and clean.

• Typically have moisturizing agents to leave skin feeling comfortable and hydrated, without stripping its protective barriers.

Both shower gel and body wash contain skin-loving ingredients and pleasant fragrances that linger after your shower. But if you’re craving something light and energizing and ready to elevate your shower routine, a gel formula might be the perfect pick. If you need extra moisture, a creamy body wash like the Relaxing Bath and Shower Concentrate, may offer that soft, cocooned feel. Either way, your skin wins.

For a refreshing and invigorating scrub-like feel, shower gel is your go-to. The gel texture creates a rich lather that helps lift away dirt, oil, and impurities, leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean. Add in the superpowers of plant-based botanicals, and you’ll discover how beneficial your shower gel can truly be. 

Benefits of using shower gel

Shower gel goes beyond cleansing — it’s a high-quality body cleanser made with plant-based ingredients that leaves your body feeling and smelling wildly refreshed. Clarins Labs’ blends of essential oils and plant extracts can revitalize your body and mind, leaving you with visibly softer and cleaner skin.

Of course, there’s more to shower gel than refreshment and luxury. Here are just a few reasons why shower gel deserves a spot in your routine:

• Deep cleansing – The gel formula creates a rich lather that effectively washes away dirt, oil, and pollutants without stripping your skin.

• Moisturizing feel – Many shower gels contain hydrating ingredients that help keep your skin soft and comfortable after rinsing.

• Invigorating scent – From citrus to floral notes, shower gels leave a lingering fragrance that uplifts your mood.

• Gentle on skin – Unlike some soaps, shower gels are formulated to cleanse without drying or irritating the skin.

Spa tip: if you’re taking a shower or bath after a day at the pool or beach, another benefit of shower gel can be after-sun care. After Sun Shower Gel is perfect post-beach or pool and will remove every last trace of sunscreen, salt, chlorine odors, and sand from your face, body, and hair.

Some of our favorite shower gels

The experts at Clarins Labs have carefully blended powerful plant extracts into various shower gel products with multiple benefits for the skin and pleasant scents. Consider these options crafted using 70+ years of skincare expertise to find your ideal shower gel that will have you smelling good and feeling refreshed:

1. Tonic Citrus Cleansing Gel

If you’re looking for a fragrant shower gel that evokes feelings of happiness and leaves your skin feeling soft and clean, Tonic Citrus Cleansing Gel is the shower product for you. It will brighten your mood with uplifting scents of Geranium, Rosemary, and Field Mint.

2. After Sun Shower Gel

After Sun Shower Gel is the perfect option after a day at the beach, in the pool, or after a workout. This sun skincare product fully removes UV traces, sunscreen, sand, chlorine odors, and pollutants. Why are after-sun products important for your skin? Find out everything you need to know in this beauty expert guide.

3. Eau des Jardins Uplifting Fresh Shower Gel

This mood-boosting gel body wash, with aromatic essential oils, cleanses, softens, and scents the skin. The sensorial gel formula, with hydrating Organic Aloe extract and gently cleansing Organic Soapwort extract, water-activates into a fine, lightweight foam that rinses easily, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and delicately fragranced.

Other shower necessities

A great shower doesn’t stop with shower gel. To create a truly indulgent experience, layering the right products is a must. Clarins offers a full range of bath and body essentials designed to cleanse, hydrate, and revitalize — leaving you feeling refreshed from head to toe.

Other high-quality bath and shower products to incorporate into your routine include:

• Shampoo: Not your ordinary shampoo. We’re talking about a shampoo that will cleanse and visibly revitalize the hair and scalp with the power of plant-based ingredients, like our Invigorating Shine Gel Shampoo with Ginseng. Pampering yourself with a high-quality shampoo leaves your hair softer, more purified, and boosts your shine.

• Conditioner: Leave your hair nourished, detangled, full of body, and crank that shine to the max with conditioners like Invigorating Shine Hair Conditioner with Shea Butter.

• Shower Milk: Revitalizing and comforting shower milk products like Eau Ressourçante Comforting Shower Milk and Eau Extraordinaire Revitalizing Shower Milk are made with aromatic essential oils that can cleanse, soften, and soothe the body.

• Exfoliating Body Scrub for Smooth Skin: Give your skin a radiant glow with this luxurious scrub, formulated with wood cellulose-based exfoliating granules to buff away dead skin cells gently. It smooths and softens the skin, prepping it to absorb moisture more effectively. Perfect for use 1–2 times a week for irresistibly soft skin.

A well-rounded shower routine isn’t just about cleansing — it’s about nourishing and rejuvenating your skin and hair from start to finish.

Shower gel vs. wash FAQs

What shower gels smell good?

Shower gels with fruity and floral scents can leave you smelling as good as you feel after a shower. Clarins Labs carefully selected ingredients like Orange, Coriander, Patchouli, Caraway, and Rosemary to craft refreshing, mood-boosting fragrances.

Is shower gel for the body and hair?

Typically, shower gels are meant to be applied on the skin. Unless the product specifically mentions use for hair, like After Sun Shower Gel, you should only use shower gel on your body and stick with shampoo and conditioner for your hair.

Can I use shower gel on my face?

In most cases, shower gel is not suitable for the face. Unlike face cleansers, shower gel is too harsh for the more delicate skin on your face. 

How to apply shower gel?

The right shower gel routine depends on your preferences, but applying shower gel is simple. Enter the shower and pour a small amount onto your hands, washcloth, shower sponge, or loofah. Work the shower gel into a lather on your body and rinse. 

Be sure to check your shower gel bottle for more specific instructions based on the product’s capabilities and ingredients. In some instances, you may be able to apply it to the face and even your hair, but commonly, shower gels are meant specifically for the body.

Why use shower gel?

The benefits of shower gels include a refreshing, invigorating clean that deeply cleanses your skin of dirt and impurities with plant-based extracts. The luxurious fragrances will leave you feeling happy and uplifted – elevating your daily shower into a self-care ritual.

You might like