Shower gel or soap: which is better for skin, environment and travel?
Shower gel or soap – the question comes up at the latest when the next plastic bottle is empty. Bar soap is considered more sustainable, shower gel kinder to the skin and more practical. But it isn't quite that simple, because "soap" isn't always soap: besides classic soap there are solid syndet bars, which are chemically closer to shower gel. In this comparison we look at how the three differ – in pH, surfactants, skin feel, packaging, hygiene and on the go. By the end you'll know what suits your skin and your everyday life.
Contents11
- Shower gel, soap, syndet: what's what?
- Shower gel or soap: a direct comparison
- pH and skin: what's the truth?
- Sustainability: packaging, transport, ingredients
- Shower gel or soap: which is cheaper?
- Hygiene: is a bar of soap unhygienic?
- When travelling: shower gel or soap?
- Our shower gel: what's inside
- Shower gel or soap: which option suits you?
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Shower gel, soap, syndet: what's what?
All three cleanse the skin with washing-active substances, so-called surfactants. They dissolve fat and dirt so that water can rinse both away. The difference lies in the type of surfactant and the pH.
- Classic soap is made when fats or oils react with lye (saponification). The result is alkaline, with a pH of usually around 9 to 10. In the INCI list you can recognise soap by names such as Sodium Olivate, Sodium Cocoate or Sodium Palmate.
- Syndet stands for "synthetic detergent". These are solid bars with synthetic or semi-synthetic surfactants. Their pH can be adjusted to that of the skin. They look like soap but behave more like shower gel on the skin.
- Shower gel consists mainly of water, plus surfactants, thickeners, preservatives, fragrance and caring additives. With many products the pH is adjusted towards skin-neutral.
Shower gel or soap: a direct comparison
The table summarises the most important differences. These are typical properties – individual products may differ.
| Criterion | Shower gel | Classic soap | Syndet (solid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | Often adjusted to skin-neutral | Alkaline, around 9–10 | Often adjusted to skin-neutral |
| Surfactants | Synthetic or semi-synthetic | Soap from oils and lye | Synthetic or semi-synthetic |
| Skin feel | Lots of lather, often with caring additives | Can feel tight on dry skin | Mild, similar to shower gel |
| Packaging | Usually a plastic bottle | Often paper or unpackaged | Often paper or cardboard |
| Water content | High | Low | Low |
| Dosage | Easy to use too much | Automatically sparing | Automatically sparing |
| Hygiene | Closed bottle | Store dry | Store dry |
| Travel | Liquid, limited in hand luggage | Solid, no liquids rule | Solid, no liquids rule |
pH and skin: what's the truth?
The skin's surface is slightly acidic; its pH is usually between about 4.5 and 5.5. This is known as the acid mantle. Classic soap is alkaline and briefly shifts the skin's pH upwards after washing. Healthy skin usually rebalances this within a few hours. But if you have very dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, you often get on better with mild, pH-adjusted products – shower gel or syndet.
pH isn't everything, though. The type and amount of surfactants, the water temperature and the length of your shower also influence how your skin feels afterwards. A mild shower gel under very hot water can dry out the skin more than a good soap under lukewarm water. More on how to shower with dry skin in our article Dry skin in winter.
Sustainability: packaging, transport, ingredients
When it comes to packaging, bar soap is clearly ahead: a bar often comes in paper or with no packaging at all, while shower gel is usually in a plastic bottle. Because shower gel consists mainly of water, more weight is moved during transport too. Solid products are also automatically dosed more sparingly.
It's worth taking a closer look at the ingredients, whether shower gel or soap. Fragrances, preservatives and synthetic polymers are found in many products. How to read the ingredients list is explained in our article How to read an INCI list.
Shower gel or soap: which is cheaper?
At first glance, shower gel often seems cheaper because a bottle doesn't cost much. What matters, though, is how long a product lasts. With shower gel, more than necessary quickly ends up in your hand, whereas a bar of soap almost doses itself and, used sparingly, often lasts several weeks. Whether shower gel and soap end up costing the same therefore depends heavily on how you dose. A hazelnut-sized amount of shower gel is usually enough.
Hygiene: is a bar of soap unhygienic?
A wet bar of soap lying in a puddle isn't a pretty sight. But studies show that germs on a bar of soap are hardly transferred when washing your hands – they're rinsed away with the lather. Still: store soap and syndet bars on a dish with a draining grid so they can dry between uses. That also makes them last longer. In households with several people or in communal showers, many still prefer shower gel or a separate bar per person.
When travelling: shower gel or soap?
For flights with hand luggage, solid products are practical because they don't fall under the liquids rules. Shower gel has to be decanted into small containers. What's allowed in hand luggage and how to decant is covered in our article Cosmetics in hand luggage. For the sauna, the gym or the campsite, on the other hand, shower gel is often more convenient: close the bottle, into the toiletry bag, no wet soap dish.
Our shower gel: what's inside
At VEGAN FOX we carry a shower gel and no bar soap. So that you can judge for yourself what's in it: the VEGAN FOX shower gel comes in 200 ml in the scents linden blossom, grapefruit and red grape. According to the product description, it contains aloe vera, panthenol and betaine for a pleasant skin feel. The main surfactant, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, is in second place in the INCI list, supplemented by Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It's vegan and, according to the manufacturer, can be used as needed, even daily. If you react very sensitively to fragrances, you'll find the full ingredients for each scent on the product page. Which scent suits which mood is described in Which shower gel scent suits you?
All three scents together are in the head-to-toe care set, along with cleansing foam, face peel, face cream, hand and foot cream.
Shower gel or soap: which option suits you?
- Normal skin, focus on sustainability: bar soap or a syndet is a good choice – shower lukewarm, moisturise afterwards if needed.
- Dry or sensitive skin: a mild shower gel or a syndet with skin-neutral pH. Use classic soap sparingly.
- Travelling a lot with hand luggage: solid products save space in the liquids bag.
- Sauna, sport, family: shower gel is quick to share, hygienically sealed and easy to carry.
- You love scent and lather: shower gel usually offers more choice of scents.
Whatever you choose: the amount makes a big difference. How much shower gel you really need is covered in our article How much shower gel do you really need?. With persistent skin problems: if you have health questions, consult a doctor.
Related reading: Vegan shower gel: ingredients, scents and what to look for when choosing · How much shower gel do you really need? · Dry skin in winter: how to shower and care for your skin
Conclusion
Shower gel or soap – there's no blanket answer. Bar soap scores on packaging, transport and sparing dosage, but it's alkaline and can be harder on dry skin. Shower gel is practical, often adjusted to skin-neutral and easy to share, but usually comes in plastic. A syndet combines a solid form with a skin-neutral pH. In the end, what matters is your skin type, lukewarm water and the right amount.
Frequently asked questions
Shower gel or soap: which is better for dry skin?
For dry skin, a mild shower gel or a syndet with skin-neutral pH is usually more pleasant than classic soap. Shower lukewarm instead of hot and moisturise afterwards.
Is soap bad for the skin?
Not fundamentally. Classic soap is alkaline and briefly shifts the skin's pH. Healthy skin usually rebalances this; for dry or sensitive skin, mild pH-adjusted products are often more pleasant.
What is a syndet?
A solid bar with synthetic or semi-synthetic surfactants instead of classic soap. It looks like soap but is usually adjusted to skin-neutral.
Is bar soap more sustainable than shower gel?
In terms of packaging and transport, usually yes, because it has little packaging and hardly any water. As for ingredients, it depends on the individual product.
Is a bar of soap unhygienic?
Germs are hardly transferred during washing. Still, store the soap on a dish where it can dry.
Can bar soap go in hand luggage?
Yes, bar soap doesn't fall under the liquids rules in hand luggage. Shower gel has to be decanted into containers of no more than 100 ml.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam. As a family, we have run the Meri Sauna at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.
