With so many products available, choosing a body wash that caters to your skin’s needs can prove a challenge. Thankfully, there are a handful of tips and tricks to hand, which when applied to your buying journey, are guaranteed to make your choice easier.
Whether you have dry skin or oily skin or you’re in between, rest assured there is a body wash suited to your needs.
In this handy guide, we’ll discuss the secrets behind choosing the perfect product. Read on to learn more.
What is Body Wash?
For some, it’s a shower must-have! In essence, it’s a liquid soap used to cleanse your body. Aside from ridding your body of dirt, bacteria, and sweat, the right body wash can assist in soothing skin ailments, such as acne, body odor, eczema, and dermatitis. The likes of a cortisone body wash will help to lessen the unwanted itching and redness caused by these conditions.
Choosing The Right Body Wash For Your Skin Type
Instead of picking a body wash based on its fancy packaging or because it’s the one your best friend uses, you need to ask yourself, ‘What does my skin need?’ We delve more into this below:
1. Do You Suffer From Dry Skin?
If dry, choose a body wash packed with nourishing nutrients that promise to hydrate. Ingredients to look for include shea butter, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, avocado oil, and soybean oil.
All promise to repair and maintain your skin’s natural barrier. The result? Skin that feels soft to the touch and appears smooth and refreshed.
2. Is Your Skin Sensitive?
If you suffer from sensitive skin, choose a product brimming with skin-loving ingredients, such as chamomile, aloe vera, and oatmeal. In addition, steer clear of products that contain sulfates, perfume, parabens, and other harsh ingredients.
All can strip your skin of its natural oils. Opting for products formulated with natural ingredients means you are less likely to experience skin irritation.
3. Do You Have Oily Skin?
If your skin is on the oily side, choose a body wash designed to fight excess oil. Body washes containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are designed for oily and acne-prone skin. Why? These ingredients assist in unclogging pores, helping to lessen, heal, and prevent acne.
4. Do You Have Mature Skin?
If you’re looking for a body wash that promises to heighten your skin’s texture and lessen the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines, one boasting the ingredient retinol is a must.
5. PH Balance in Body Washes
The pH scale determines how alkaline or acidic something is. When concerning our skin, we boast a naturally occurring balance of 4.5 – 5.5. Maintaining this pH level is crucial to ensuring the correct moisture levels, to prevent bacteria growth and support healthy lipids.
When choosing your next body wash, pick one that promises to support your natural pH level.
6. Is Scent Important To You?
Certain scents are proven to awaken our senses. Such as mint, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus. When you choose a body wash brimming with these ingredients, these fragrances become functional, igniting feelings of strength and energy.
Studies suggest peppermint oil can heighten cognitive performance and improve memory – what better way to start the day?
Other fragrances; rose, lavender, water lily, and sage are all proven to relax the mind and body. If you prefer to shower after a long day or just before bed, body washes boasting these scents can transform your daily shower into a relaxing ritual, which helps to promote sleep.
7. Think About Gender
Another factor to consider when choosing the perfect body wash for your skin’s needs? Gender. Not all body washes are made equal. Some are designed for women, others for men. Many male-orientated products boast multipurpose uses and can be used to wash the face, hair, and body. These tend to boast scents that are invigorating.
Women’s body washes tend to be designed for use on the body only and can be purchased in several scents. As well as offering cleansing qualities, these body washes help to reduce signs of aging, boost hydration, and even offer UV protection. The ingredients are often less harsh and help to promote the skin’s tone and texture.
8. Additional Shower Accessories
Once you’ve sourced a body wash suited to your skin’s needs, why not invest in a loofah, washcloth, or exfoliating mitt? All assist you in lathering liquid soap onto your skin.
Aside from ensuring you distribute the body wash evenly, these tools can help you clean areas that are hard to reach, such as your back. Exfoliation is an important part of our skincare routines and assists in removing excess corneocyte buildup, which stimulates cell turnover. The result? Skin that glows, and boasts a polished, smooth surface.
The Bottom Line
Body wash is an asset to you if you’re looking for a product that can be used daily and one that promises to boost your skin’s hydration, lessen skin ailments, or make your bathroom smell like a spa.
Provided you choose one with skin-friendly ingredients that target your specific needs, this convenient and hygienic product will make you feel refreshed, relaxed, invigorated, and smooth all at the same time.
Using the tips above will help you to establish what type of skin you have and which ingredients you need to look out for when choosing your next body wash.
Explore Further
