A relaxing shower is a perfect way to unwind after a tiring day. And the easiest approach to indulge in a mindful bath is by adding a shower gel that suits your skin type. A convenient and luxurious cleansing option, shower gels possess moisturising and aromatic benefits that can elevate your mood.
Unlike traditional soaps, shower gels won’t strip essential oils from your body. Instead, they soothe skin and can even help combat various skin concerns.
Whether you have patchy, dry skin, are concerned with T-zones that get extremely oily or have sensitive skin, you just need to pick shower gels based on ingredients that will enrich your skin and keep it healthy. Read on to pick the best ones.
How are shower gels different from shower creams and body washes?
Both shower gels and body washes are milder than soap, which works by combining fats or oils in an alkali using saponification. But the major difference between a shower gel and a body wash is in the consistency.
While shower gels are made of thick gels, a body wash contains nourishing and hydrating ingredients, ideal for people with extremely sensitive skin. Gels typically have a high fragrance concentration while body washes have mild or no fragrance.
Shower creams contain mild moisturising and hydrating agents that gently purify skin without making it dry.
Guide to choosing gels based on your skin type and needs
While the primary purpose of shower gels is to cleanse the skin, paying attention to the formula and ingredients can benefit overall skin health. Some of the most popular types are:
Moisturising: Ideal for people with dry to extremely dry skin, these are rich in hydrating agents like glycerine, natural oils, aloe vera and plant-based butter. They leave skin conditioned and help retain its moisture.
Sensitive: A clean formula without added fragrances or toxins, these types of gels with skin-safe pH values are safe for sensitive skin. Many formulations are also vegan products that do not contain parabens and sulphates.
Anti-tan: These are fortified with agents that buff away dead cells to unleash clear skin. They also help relieve suntans.
Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial: The added benefits of medicinal ingredients such as tea tree oil or salicylic acid helps kill infection-causing bacteria or fungi.
Aromatherapy: These blend unique fragrances and essential oils to improve one’s mood and provide overall relaxation.
Exfoliating: Used to improve skin texture, these products contain chemical exfoliators like AHAs or organic ingredients like sugar or crushed seeds. A great way to get rid of ingrown hair and to polish the body, these gels should only be used once a week.
Here are the best shower gels for every skin type
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- Dior J’adore Les Adorables Shower Gel
- ESPA Bergamot and Jasmine Bath and Shower Gel
- Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Exfoliating Shower Gel
- Clarins Eau des Jardins uplifting fresh shower gel
- thisworks deep sleep Shower Gel
- Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath and Shower Gel
- Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Shower Gel
- Bioderma Ultra Gentle Shower Gel
- L'Occitane En Provence Verveine Agrumes Shower Gel
- La Roche Posay Shower Gel
- Moroccan Oil Shower Gel
- Korres Olive Shower Gel
- Coco & Eve Glow Figure Smoothie Shower Gel
- Neutrogena Rainbath Refreshing Shower & Bath Gel
HKD 443
The J’adore Les Adorables Shower Gel enhances the skin, along with leaving it cleansed. It is infused with jasmine extract, that allows for a relaxing shower experience.
Image credit: Selfridges
HKD 328.58
Infused with a selection of pure essential oils, this shower gel nourishes and replenishes your skin and leaves it supple and smooth. It lathers into a smooth cream, along with imparting a zesty aroma to your skin. Ideal for daily use, this shower gel keeps your skin healthy.
Image credit: Amazon
HKD 275.43
The Jo Malone London shower gel combines the goodness of jojoba and bamboo stem exfoliants that cleanse the skin. It comes with a mellow fruity irresistible fragrance.
Image credit: Amazon
HKD 235
Rich in the goodness of organic aloe vera, this shower gel helps clean the pores of your skin along with hydrating it. The nourishing formula also is also infused with the uplifting scent of Eau des Jardins from Clarins’ line of treatment fragrances.
Image credit: Selfridges
HKD 219.05
With a therapeutic fragrance, thisworks deep sleep shower gel protects the skin along with promoting sleep. This product is also fortified with essential oils including lavender and vetivert. Free of GMOs, parabens and sulphates this formula is safe for daily use.
Image credit: Amazon
HKD 215
With a fragrant formula featuring a blend of spicy pink pepper, vibrant ginger and patchouli, this shower gel can be used daily. The fragrance has top notes of spicy pink pepper with tangerine and elemi, middle notes of ginger with jasmine, nutmeg and rose and base notes of patchouli with cedarwood and oakmoss absolute. A dollop of this product is enough to help you unwind after a tiring day, along with cleansing the body.
Image credit: Molton Brown
HKD 203.33
With top notes of lemon, middle notes of green tea and base notes of oakmoss, this shower gel deeply cleanses your body, without stripping the skin of its essential oils. It also calms your skin, eliminating irritation and inflammation.
Image credit: Amazon
HKD 195.50
Ideal for all skin types, this shower gel boasts of a dual biological action that helps boost the skin’s moisture level by stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid. It also features a liquid-replenishing action that protects the skin.
Image credit: Amazon
HKD 187.76
This premium shower gel from L’Occitane En Provence comes with sparkling and fruity notes of citrus fruits and verbena. With a formula that gently cleanses your skin along with hydrating and moisturising the skin, this shower gel can be used by people with all skin types.
Image credit: Amazon
La Roche Posay Shower Gel
HKD 170.5
Infused with the goodness of shea butter and niacinamide, the skin-loving formula of La Roche Posay helps restore the skin’s barrier. It is ideal for sensitive dry skin.
Image credit: Zalora
Moroccan Oil Shower Gel
HKD 156.57
Infused with antioxidant-rich nourishing argan oil, you can use this shower gel to get cleansed and hydrated skin. This formula helps restore the skin’s optimal moisture balance along with improving its elasticity and tone.
Image credit: Amazon
Korres Olive Shower Gel
HKD 148.64
A luxurious and foaming olive oil from Korres, this formula is ideal if you are looking at a shower gel that can lock in lasting hydration. It combines the goodness of nourishing vitamins, antioxidants and omega fatty acids that keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Image credit: Amazon
HKD 148.64
With a rich base of coconut water and aloe vera, this sweet-smelling shower gel keeps your skin fresh. It is also packed with the goodness of mangosteen, papaya, coconut, mango and guava that contain essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants for healthy-looking skin.
Image credit: Amazon
HKD 118.96
A shower gel that softens your skin without leaving behind any heavy residue, this one from Neutrogena can also be used a skin-smoothening shaving gel. It comes with a signature fragrance featuring a blend of spices, fruits and herbs.
Image credit: Amazon
(Prices of the products mentioned in the story are subject to change)
(Hero image and featured image credit: Robbie/Unsplash)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best shower gel for dry skin?
People with dry skin should choose hydrating shower gels that help the skin retain its natural moisture.
– Can I use shower gel regularly?
Yes, a shower gel is safe for everyday use.
– Can shower gel be used on the face?
The skin on your face and body is different. Even though there are gentle formulas that maintain the skin’s pH balance, it is always best to use a face wash that suits your facial skin type.
– What is the difference between shower gel and body wash?
Shower gels are thicker gels that cleanse your body and combine various fragrances, while body washes are more delicate and contain mild or no fragrance
– Is a shower gel good for oily skin?
Yes, shower gels for oily skin can be a great option to keep excessive oil production at bay.
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Prices of the products mentioned are subject to change.
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Written by
A journalist with a penchant for lifestyle stories, Amrutha particularly loves writing about fashion, beauty, and wellness. She has worked as a Digital Content Producer with Onmanorama, Malayala Manorama, and as a Content Writer with Tata Consultancy Services. A Geminian, Amrutha loves juggling a variety of passions. A trained Carnatic singer, she loves dwelling in the world of music. When not working, she loves painting, cooking, travel, and cinema. A diehard pluviophile, Amrutha loves everything about the monsoon.