We’ve all been there. You’re in the shower, you reach for your body wash, and it’s empty. Or maybe you forgot to pack body wash on your weekend camping trip. Whatever the case may be, you might be wondering whether it’s safe to use hand soap as body wash.
I asked 10 of the most popular hand soap brands if their products are safe to use as body wash and the answer may surprise you.
Can You Use Hand Soap as Body Wash?
The consensus is that all hand soaps are generally safe to use on any external part of your body. However, several of the brands I contacted noted that their hand soaps are designed for washing your hands and might be harsher on other parts of your body than a traditional body wash.
For example, one representative from Unilever said, “While our Hand Soaps are safe to use on other parts of the body, they are designed specifically for hands and may not provide the same level of moisturizing or hydration as our shower gels or body washes.”
Another representative from Colgate-Palmolive mentioned that their Softsoap hand soap is not tear-free and you may want to avoid using it on your face or anywhere else that might be particularly sensitive.
So, while all hand soaps are technically safe to use as body wash, some may be more irritating than others. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to choose a hand soap that is designed for sensitive skin or opt for a traditional body wash instead.
What’s the Difference Between Hand Soap and Body Wash?
Now that you can rest assured that it’s safe to use hand soap as body wash if you need to, I want to point out some of the key differences between hand soap and body wash.
Ingredients
The first thing to consider when comparing hand soap and body wash is the ingredients. Hand soap is designed to remove dirt and grime from your hands, and since the skin on our hands tends to be tougher than the skin on our bodies, hand soap can contain harsher ingredients.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; after all, you want your hand soap to be effective at cleansing your hands. However, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a gentler option like body wash.
Body wash, on the other hand, is designed for use on your entire body. This means that it tends to be formulated with more moisturizing ingredients than hand soap. If you have dry skin, using body wash may be a better option for you since it will help to keep your skin hydrated.
Scent
Another key difference between hand soap and body wash is the scent. Hand soap is often heavily scented in order to mask the smell of the harsh chemicals it contains. This can be great if you’re looking for a product that will leave your skin clean and smelling fresh. However, if you’re someone who prefers a more subtle scent (or no scent at all), hand soap may not be the right choice for you.
Body wash typically has a milder scent that tends to be more pleasant and less overwhelming than hand soap. However, there are body washes out there that are just as heavily scented as hand soaps, so it all comes down to personal preference.
Price
Finally, one of the most important considerations when choosing between hand soap and body wash is price. Hand soap is typically much cheaper than body wash. This is because body wash contains more moisturizing ingredients and is formulated to be used on a larger area of the body.
Body wash is also marketed as a luxurious product, which can make it seem like it’s not worth the price tag. However, if you’re someone who loves pampering yourself with a nice, long shower, body wash is definitely worth the investment.
The Bottom Line: Is it safe to use hand soap as body wash?
So, there you have it! There’s no need to worry about using hand soap as a body wash; all hand soaps are safe to use on any external part of your body. However, keep in mind that some hand soaps may be more irritating than others, and if you have sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a gentler option like body wash.
When it comes to choosing between hand soap and body wash, it all comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a product that is more affordable and heavily scented, hand soap is a great option. However, if you have sensitive skin or prefer a more subtle scent, body wash may be a better choice for you.