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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- L'Occitane En Provence Verveine Agrumes Shower Gel
- Bioderma Ultra Gentle Shower Gel
- ESPA Bergamot and Jasmine Bath and Shower Gel
- philosophy Senorita Margarita Shampoo, Bath and Shower Gel
- Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel
- thisworks deep sleep Shower Gel
- Glow Tropical Mango Figure Smoothie Shower Gel
- Elizabeth Arden White Tea Shower Gel
- Nivea Frangipani and Oil Shower Gel
- Neutrogena Rainbath Refreshing Shower & Bath Gel
- Korres Pomegranate Shower Gel
- La Roche Posay Shower Gel
- The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel
- Clarins Eau des Jardins uplifting fresh shower gel
THB 1420
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
THB 1125
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
THB 908.14
Infused with a selection of pure essential oils, this shower gel nourishes and replenishes your skin, leaving 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 will keep your skin healthy.
Image credit: Cult Beauty
THB 890
A moisturising shower gel perfect for both hair and skin, this luxurious wash gently cleanses your skin along with conditioning it. It also releases an energising scent that can calms your senses.
Image credit: Philosophy
THB 889
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 rich 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
THB 850
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: Sephora
THB 820
Fortified with the goodness of vitamins, antioxidants, prebiotics and coconut water, this sweet-smelling shower gel keeps you hydrated and glowing all day. Suitable for all skin types, this gel is free of parabens, alcohol, gluten, allergens, sulphates and nuts.
Image credit: Sephora
THB 716.80
With notes of white tea, Madras wood and a trio of tranquility musks, this shower gel deeply cleanses your body, without stripping the skin of its essential oils. It also refreshes your skin and is ideal for daily use.
Image credit: Lookfantastic
THB 681.41
With care oil pearls that keep the skin healthy and moisturised, the frangipani in the gel provides a refreshing fragrance. It maintains the skin’s ideal pH balance along with providing a gentle cleansing effect.
Image credit: Amazon
THB 641
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
THB 627.20
With the aroma of pomegranate and crispy red fruits, this luxurious shower gel from Korres can lock in lasting hydration while washing away impurities. It combines the goodness of aloe extract, wheat proteins and althea extract to help maintain the skin’s natural moisture level.
Image credit: Lookfantastic
12 /14
THB 380
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: Amazon
THB 332
Infused with the goodness of moringa seed oil from Rwanda and aloe vera from Mexico, this formula leaves your skin feeling soft. Ideal for all skin types, it also has a floral fragrance with notes of delicate moringa and freshly cut grass.
Image credit: The Body Shop
THB 40
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: Shopee
(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.
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.
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