We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re on vacation and find yourself leaving an important bottle in the shower, or maybe you’re running out of water. So, you secretly dropped a few pumps of shampoo as a temporary substitute for body wash (or vice versa).
But do these quick fixes really work as cleansers? Next, we spoke with board-certified dermatologists Karan Lal, M.D., Mona Gohara, M.D., and Geeta Yadav, M.D., about whether it’s possible to switch between the two, and if not, what to use instead. Read on for what they have to say.
How Shampoo and Body Wash Are Different
“Body washes are formulated for different skin types and concerns, such as dry, oily, or balanced skin,” Lal explains. As a result, they have a higher pH than shampoos and tend to contain skin-friendly ingredients like glycerin. Yadav tells us that they also tend to contain higher concentrations of surfactants that remove all the dirt and grime that has accumulated in our bodies throughout the day.
Gohara recommends looking for body washes that contain barrier-repairing ingredients, such as biosimilar lipids and proteins. “Look for gentle, non-soapy ingredients that help restore the skin’s natural barrier, such as proceramide, which is known to boost the skin’s natural ceramide production,” she says. She recommends the Dove Dry-Cracked Skin Replenish Cleanser ($11), which contains mild ingredients like glyceryl stearate and 12-HSA. It does have a light fragrance but is hypoallergenic for sensitive skin.
Shampoos, on the other hand, are formulated to cleanse the hair. Gohara tells us that in order to do this, they use ingredients that make the skin feel sticky.
Can Shampoo Be Used as a Shower Gel?
You can use shampoo as a body wash, but whether or not it’s good for your skin is another question.
Lal advises against making it a regular practice. “Shampoos don’t moisturize the skin and have a different pH,” he says. “They remove oil better than body wash, which can cause super dry skin. Gohara agrees, but thinks you can get away with it once in a while. “Shampoo is also a cleanser for the scalp, and the skin of the scalp is similar to the skin of the rest of the body,” she noted. She added that some shampoos may contain ingredients that are too the skin of the body. Yadav tells us that other products are not as effective as body wash. She recommends opting for a clarifying shampoo.
At the same time, it is a bit difficult to use a body wash as a shampoo. “Body washes are not effective at removing oil and pollutants from the scalp and hair,” Lal says. “They may also dry out your hair. “Without hair-specific ingredients, your hair may feel brittle or greasy after washing.
What to Do if You Don’t Have a Shower Gel
All the dermatologists we spoke to agreed: a face wash or facial scrub is a better alternative to shampoo without a body wash. However, shampoos can make a difference in a pinch.
Facial cleansers and scrubs are designed for the skin, so they work better. While using an expensive body scrub in hollows or on the shoulders may feel wasteful, it provides a deeper cleanse than shampoo or face wash. Lahr recommends only targeting “your pits and bits” to save on products. For a more thorough cleansing, opt for a cleanser that contains acids to remove dead skin cells when lathering.
At Last
If you don’t have other options, shampoo can cleanse your body, but don’t make it a habit. Despite the similar texture and volume of shampoos, shampoos lack the skin-specific ingredients found in body washes and may leave your skin feeling peeled. If you’re stuck, it’s best to use a face wash or facial scrub as an alternative.
