Holland & Barrett
Most of us will hop into the shower or bath on a daily basis, and that involves using some form of shower gel or body wash to help remove the dirt and debris of the day.
Often, we apply these products to our skin without even thinking about it, but increasingly, more and more people are paying greater attention to what it is they are actually using.
When you put something on your skin every day, it is important to think about the ingredients contained within it.
What are they? Where do they come from? What effects do they have?
That is why natural shower gels and body washes are growing in popularity, as people seek to avoid harsh chemicals, think more about the environment, and harness the power of nature to help soothe, heal and nourish their skin.
Those who have any kind of skin sensitivities will already be aware that certain ingredients might aggravate their condition.
As natural shower gels and body washes avoid many of these elements, they are therefore much more skin-friendly, moisturising and soothing for everyone.
Most shower products tend to be labelled as either a shower gel or body wash, and most of us use these interchangeably without even thinking about it.
So, is there actually a difference?
The main difference between them tends to be texture, with shower gel having a firmer, gel-like consistency, whilst body washes are slightly thinner.
Both cleanse the skin, but body washes often contain emollients to help hydrate dry skin whilst shower gels are more perfumed.
Natural shower gels and body washes offer the same cleansing properties that we are used to, but are packed with skin loving ingredients such as lavender, tea tree and aloe vera to help give natural and gentle care to your skin as you wash.
Many natural shower gels are organic, using the best quality ingredients from the natural environment, so that you can feel confident about what you are putting on your skin.
We love Clean Me Sweet Orange Shower Gel which has a great invigorating perfume, perfect to get you going in a morning.
When you suffer from a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, it can be tempting to avoid using anything on your skin for fear of aggravating any irritations.
Synthetic components are less suitable for sensitive skin and so organic or natural shower gel and body wash can be more soothing.
There are even specific shower gels from Miaderma designed specifically for people with eczema or psoriasis.
The advantage of natural shower gels is that as the majority of ingredients have been found in the natural world, these shower gels are not only cruelty-free, but also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Vegan shower gel has not been tested on animals and does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
That means they are both great for your skin and your conscience!
We are all becoming more aware of the environment and the impact that the products we buy have on the planet.
By removing artificial ingredients from your shower gel, you not only benefit your skin, but the Earth as well!
It is not just the things that are used to make the shower gel that are important either, the packaging is just as vital.
We all want to cut down on plastics, so buying shower gel in sizes of up to 5 litres can help to cut down on waste.
For example, you might like to buy in bulk from great brands such as Faith In Nature.
When it comes to choosing the best shower products for you, there is no need to work yourself into a lather!
Natural shower gels and body washes have something for everyone, so explore your favourite natural scents and give your skin a treat.