There are so many different types of body wash products out there, with shower gels, creams and bars being amongst the most popular. But are they actually any different from each other?

Well, yes! Shower creams, gels and bars have numerous differences and bring their own benefits to the table, i.e. your shower routine.

We’ll talk you through the differences (and similarities) between these three body care heroes and which is the best option for your skin type.

What is shower cream?

First things first, let’s look at what it is that makes a shower cream, well, a shower cream.

As you might gather from the name, shower cream is a creamy, thicker consistency compared to traditional body wash or gel. The formulation contains a high dose of moisturising ingredients, which could be cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut oil.

But the job of shower cream is also to cleanse your skin of dirt, oil, dead skin cells and other build-up.

What is shower gel?

On the other hand, shower gel has a gel-like consistency. While it’ll still likely lather up under warm water in the shower, it doesn’t feel as ‘buttery’ as shower cream.

Shower gel also tends to have a higher water content than shower cream, which is what makes it more lightweight and thinner in texture.

It’ll contain some cleansing agents similar to shower cream but doesn’t have those moisturising ingredients that a shower cream would.

What about shower bars?

Shower bars – or body soaps – are an eco-friendly and more sustainable body wash solution. They’re solidified body wash that contains a small water content and is packed with nourishing oils and butters.

Our såpa Body Bars come in lots of different aromas and contain an array of natural ingredients, including coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, and cocoa butter.

They suds up when used under warm water – but not as much as a shower cream – and cleanse and hydrate your skin.

The main differences: shower gel vs cream vs bars

So, as a quick recap, these are the main differences between shower cream, gel and bars:

Is shower gel, cream, or bars better for my skin?

If you’re looking for the answer as to which product is the best option for you, it depends on your skin type – and personal showering preference. There are so many variations of each body wash, too, so you should factor this in when making your decision.

But, generally…

• Shower creams – best for dry skin and/or sensitive skin as the moisturising properties will help to nourish dry areas and soothe irritation.
• Shower gel – best for oily skin; some of the moisturising agents in shower creams could be too heavy for oily skin and clog pores more. Plus, the lightweight consistency of shower gels helps to cleanse excess oil without stripping your skin.
• Shower bars – best for oily skin, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin. The natural ingredients in bars, along with their low water content, can be more gentle on your skin and less likely to cause breakouts.

You might find using more than one type of body wash in rotation better for your skin needs, i.e. shower cream in the winter for dry skin, shower gel in the summer for oily skin, and body bars as an all-round option.

Which body wash should I use? The best of the best

At the end of the day, the body wash you use is only as good as its ingredients – and how well it works for you.

Here at grüum, we’re advocates of using natural, cruelty-free ingredients for your skin, so we’ve developed a line of body washes powered by Mother Nature herself, with a helping hand from science.

Our top-rated body washes

We never use harsh chemical nasties in our body care products and, instead, opt to utilise what planet Earth gives us. Natural and naturally derived ingredients are much kinder to your skin and the planet, which is why we’ve formulated our body wash range full of them.

Body wash bars

Our såpa Body Bars are 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free and plastic-free, so you can feel good about using them every day.

Customers highly rate our såpa Body Bar – Orange & Grapefruit as one of their favourite bars in our range. This wonder bar is packed with grapefruit oil, orange oil, shea butter and coconut oil, combining to create a refreshing and creamy wash.

såpa Body Bar – Orange & Grapefruit | 95g

Awaken your senses with our zero waste body wash bar. Invigorating, creamy and caring, packed with vitamin-rich grapefruit and orange oil.

£8.00 — available on subscription from £5.75 every month

Shop now

Our Patchouli & Sandalwood Body Bar is another firm favourite from our range. It’s formulated with patchouli, sandalwood, coconut oil and shea butter, making for a beautiful body wash that calms, defends and protects your skin.

såpa Body Bar – Patchouli & Sandalwood | 95g

Our luxuriously rich, beautifully scented body bar. Soothing patchouli calms irritation while sandalwood defends and protects.

£8.00 — available on subscription from £5.75 every month

Shop now

Body washes

For a luxurious shower experience, our lödder Luxurious Body Washes are a must. We have two formulations – Super Cleansing and Energising Citrus – both of which are 99% naturally derived and 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Our Super Cleansing Body Wash is infused with eucalyptus, juniper, aloe vera and argan oil, all of which work together to strengthen, defend and cleanse your skin’s natural barrier. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used as part of your daily shower routine.

lödder Luxurious Body Wash – Super Cleansing | 250ml

Lather your troubles away with our creamy, sudsy, fresh body wash. Eucalyptus and juniper strengthen and defend the epidermis while gently yet deeply cleansing. 

£12.00

Shop now

Our Energising Citrus Body Wash is the ultimate cleanser for waking up your senses for the day. Formulated with grapefruit oil, lemon, and rose geranium for reviving your skin and aloe vera, argan oil and rosemary for cleansing and hydrating. Once again, this body wash is perfect for all skin types and daily use.

lödder Luxurious Body Wash – Energising Citrus | 250ml

Bursting with brightening, fresh, fruity goodness! Awaken your senses, thanks to a dream team of citrus saviours, ready to defend, repair and protect your skin! 

£12.00

Shop now

The verdict: shower gel vs shower cream vs shower bars

Who is the winner? It’s a tie, really. 

Shower creams, gels and bars all come in swinging with their own benefits, and it truly comes down to your skin type and preference. What matters most is the ingredients used in the product itself, and that’s where we come in.

Our shower bars and washes contain only the best quality natural ingredients to leave your skin feeling soft and cared for. Plus, our products are kind to the planet – something we think is pretty important too.

What will you choose for your next shower? Shop our entire body wash range today to upgrade your shower routine.

Love, grüum.

Instagram | @gruum_hq

Facebook | @gruumHQ

Head over to our blog for more self-care tips and guides from our team.

FAQs