Next up in our shower gel series, we’re tackling the question – how do you use shower gel and body wash bars? 

It might seem like a straightforward answer (surely you just lather up and rinse off, right?), but we’ve had a lot of you asking about how, when, and where to use shower gel and the best way to use our body wash bars.

So, to help you scrub up on your shower routine, we’ve answered some of your top questions and created a universal guide for using shower gel and body wash bars. We’ve even thrown in some of our best product recommendations.

If you want to know more about the differences between shower gel and body wash bars, we’ve got a blog post on that, too.

When should you use body wash in your shower routine?

We’re diving straight in with the basics – when do you use body wash in your shower routine? We recommend using body wash or shower gel after you’ve washed your hair but before shaving (if that’s part of your shower routine).

Why?

Well, when you wash your hair, you’ll be left with residue of shampoo and conditioner and the dirt the products have cleaned away on your body, mostly on your back, neck, and shoulders. Even just rinsing off the suds isn’t enough to get rid of it all, so using body wash afterwards ensures your whole body is clean and refreshed.

This is especially important if you’re prone to body acne – washing your body after your hair will help to prevent any clogged pores from products, dirt, and oils.

Our full shower routine is as follows:

1. Hop in the shower and rinse your body and hair with warm water
2. Wash your hair first with shampoo, then with conditioner. Thoroughly rinse
3. Wash your body using a body wash bar or shower gel. Rinse off
4. Hop back out and pat yourself semi-dry with a soft towel
5. Use a body lotion (followed by a body oil if you’re feeling luxurious)

How to use body wash properly (shower gel & body wash bars)

Now, onto the main topic – how to use shower gel and body wash bars properly. If you don’t use your body wash correctly, you could end up wasting product or not getting the most out of it. So, let’s break it down:

How to use shower gel – with & without a loofah or sponge

Ideally, you should use some sort of loofah, sponge or flannel to wash your body. The lather you create with a loofah will help to exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells and getting rid of any dirt and grime deeper in your pores.

But, if you tend not to use a loofah or sponge, using your hands is just fine, too. We’d recommend using a body scrub every now and then to exfoliate if this is the case.

Here’s our guide to properly using shower gels:

1. After washing your hair (if it’s hair wash day), apply shower gel onto a loofah or into the palm of your hand.
2. Create a lather by rubbing the gel in circular motions on your loofah or between your hands.
3. Start at your neck and shoulders and work your way down your body using gentle circular motions. If you start with your feet or legs, these parts of your body will just become covered by dirty suds by the time you get to your neck and shoulders.
4. Pay extra attention to any areas that are prone to sweating or have a build-up of products – these include armpits, chest, back, and feet – never forget the feet!
5. Rinse off thoroughly with warm water.

If you’re using a body scrub, do this after your shower gel.

How to use body wash bars or soap bars

Using a body wash bar isn’t much different from using a liquid body wash, but we can see how it might be a bit confusing if you’ve never used one before.

Here’s our guide to using body soap bars:

1. After washing your hair, if you plan to, grab your body bar and lather it up between your hands or onto a loofah until suds are created.
2. Massage the lather onto wet skin, starting at your neck and working down to the soles of your feet. Once again, pay attention to any areas that get sweatier or oilier than others, like your back and shoulders.
3. Rinse off with warm water.
4. Go in with a body scrub if desired.

How much shower gel should you use?

In terms of how much body wash gel you should use, a coin-sized amount of liquid is generally enough to create a good lather and clean your entire body. Of course, it depends on the body wash you’re using since all formulas are different, but our lödder Luxurious Body Washes only need a small amount to create plenty of suds.

If you’re using a body wash bar, lather it up until you have enough product to cover your whole body. Fun fact: our sapa Body Bars last up to an average of 60 washes!

Can you use a body wash in the bath?

If, by this question, you mean, can you use body wash to clean your body as you would in the shower? The answer is most definitely yes. You can use your shower gel or soap bar exactly as you would when washing in the shower.

But can you use shower gel actually in the bath? You could, but it won’t have the same effect as a bubble bath or a bath soak. 

A bubble bath contains surfactants that create lots of long-lasting bubbles, which you won’t get with a body wash because they don’t contain these ingredients. Also, bath soaks are for more therapeutic purposes, and the ingredients will be chosen specifically for this purpose.

The best body wash for your skin type

Using the right shower gel or body wash is just as important as how you use it. If not, even more so. 

Solid and liquid shower gels that don’t contain any nasty chemicals, like sulfates and parabens, are the best for your skin. And, of course, those that are specifically formulated for your skin type. Listen to what your skin needs and tailor your body wash choice accordingly. 

Here at grüum, we have a brilliant range of body bars and liquid body washes formulated to cater to a spectrum of skin types and concerns, including yours. We harness the power of natural ingredients and use science to back up our formulations, resulting in pretty powerful products. 

We’ve highlighted our bestselling body washes below:

Summary: how to use shower gels properly

So, there you have it – our universal shower gel guide. Just to recap, wash your body after your hair, using a loofah or sponge if you have one on hand (otherwise, your hands are just fine).

Find your perfect shower gel or body bar from our range by considering your skin type and any specific concerns you have. And if you have any questions or need any more advice, head over to our blog or feel free to drop us a message on our socials. 

Happy scrubbing!

Love, grüum.

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