Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Choosing a shower gel
• Part 2 of 3: Choosing a sponge
• Part 3 of 3: Using a shower gel
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Using shower gel gives your skin a light scent and a clean and fresh feeling. What could be better than getting clean in such a fun and easy way? This article will not only show you how to use shower gel, but it will also show you how to choose one and what to use to use it.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Choosing a shower gel

1. Choose the right shower gel for you. There are different types of shower gel, all with different qualities, scents, benefits and drawbacks. Some may be better for certain skin types than others. This section will show you how to choose the right shower gel for you.
2. Choose a scent that you like. Showers can be a great place to calm down and relax, and using a scented shower gel is a great start. However, how the shower gel smells can make it a pleasant experience, or a less pleasant experience. Here are some things to keep in mind:
   • Do you like cool or refreshing scents? Then look for shower gel with lemon, orange or other citrus-like scents. You can also buy something with cucumber or mint.
   • Do you like calming scents? Try something with chamomile, lavender, or rose.
   • Do you like sweet scents for desserts? There is cocoa butter and vanilla! Many fruit-scented shower gels, such as strawberry and passion fruit, also often smell very sweet and like desserts.
3. Keep your skin type in mind. Different skin types have different needs, so you may want to consider buying a shower gel that meets these needs. You may also want to consider purchasing a body wash instead, which is a bit thinner than shower gel. Both shower gels and body washes are used in the same way.
   • If you have dry skin, consider using a moisturizing body wash. Look for something with added moisturisers, and try to avoid scented varieties. Most shower gels and body washes will state on the bottle if they are good for dry skin.
   • If you have normal skin, you're in luck, and you can use just about any type of shower gel you want. However, keep in mind that shower gels designed for dry skin are extra moisturizing, while shower gels designed for oily skin are somewhat drying. You may also want to consider using a body wash instead.
   • If you have oily skin, you can use most shower gels, but consider looking for one with purifying properties or one designed specifically for your skin type.
4. Consider allergies and skin sensitivities. Just because you have sensitive skin and a rash when you use certain soaps doesn't mean you can't use shower gels at all. There are many things that can contribute to your allergic reactions, including perfumes and certain chemicals. When choosing a shower gel, consider one that is perfume-free or made with natural and organic materials.
   • Sodium laurel sulfate is responsible for most of the lather in shower gels, but some people are allergic to it. This may also be the case with you. Consider trying a shower gel without SLS.
5. Consider an exfoliating shower gel. Some shower gels contain exfoliants that help exfoliate away dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling soft and supple. An exfoliating shower gel can contain different types of natural abrasives, such as ground walnut shells, fruit seeds, ground almonds, oatmeal, sea salt and sugar. It may also contain non-natural abrasives such as microbeads.
   • Studies have shown that microbeads, usually made of plastic, can be very harmful to the environment and the ecosystem because they cannot be filtered out by water treatment systems.
6. Consider buying a 2-in-1 shower gel. Sometimes shower gels are formulated for multiple purposes, such as cleaning your body and washing your hair. If you are looking for ways to save money, look for shower gels that say 2-in-1 or 3-in-1, the label will usually tell you what else they can be used for, such as soap, shampoo and bubble bath. Here are some other ideas:
   • While it is possible to use shower gel before shaving, it is not always advisable because shower gels do not soften or condition the skin and hair like shaving cream.
   • Using shower gel to wash your hair is not recommended unless the bottle specifically states that it can be used on hair. The ingredients used in most shower gels can be too drying for hair.
   • It is possible to use shower gel as a foam bath, although you will not get the same amount of foam. To increase the amount of foam, consider mixing the shower gel with a protein or some glycerine before pouring it into the bath. Make sure to pour it under running water, then move the water with your hand.
7. Consider making your own shower gel. By making your own shower gel you can determine exactly what goes in it. You can also customize it with butters, essential oils, perfumes and other types of oils to suit your needs.

Part 2 of 3: Choosing a sponge

1. Choose something to use the shower gel with. Unlike soap, shower gel is in a liquid form, which means it cannot be simply massaged over your body. This section will show you the different things you can use to apply the shower gel to your skin and their benefits.
2. Use a sponge. Because they are so porous, sponges produce a lot of foam. They are also often soft on the skin. There are two types of sponges: synthetic, plastic sponges and natural sea sponges.
   • Synthetic sponges are made from plastic and come in many different shapes and sizes. They are usually softer than natural sponges.
   • Sea sponges are a natural product. Usually they are brown or yellowish in color. Unlike other types of sponges and loofah, both natural and synthetic, sea sponges contain natural enzymes that keep bacteria, mildew and fungi from growing. They are also hypoallergenic.
3. Use a loofah or puff. You can buy a loofah as a plastic mesh puff or as a natural tubular sponge. Both are great for exfoliating the skin, although puffs are often gentler on the skin than loofas.
   • Badpuffs come in all different colors. They are usually made of plastic, although there are also puffs made from natural plant fibers such as bamboo. They are soft and skin-friendly. They are also great for making a lot of foam.
   • Natural loofahs are tubular sponges made from the loofah plant. They are fibrous and coarse in texture which makes them great for exfoliating away dead skin.
4. Use washcloths or a washcloth. You can also take a simple washcloth or washcloth to use the shower gel. They don't lather as much as other types of sponges, but they provide the thinnest layer between your skin and your hand, allowing you to massage your skin while showering.
   • Washcloths are small, square pieces of towel. You can use almost any towel as a washcloth. They don't produce a lot of foam but are pretty easy to clean: just throw it in between the rest of your laundry.
   • Luffa washcloths are square washcloths that fit over your hand. They consist of cloth on one side and loofah (the same material as natural loofah sponges) on the other.
5. Take good care of your sponges. Regardless of which sponge you choose to use, you will need to take good care of them by properly cleaning and drying them. Otherwise, bacteria can grow on it, which can lead to skin infections. Here are a few ways you can do this.
   • Let it air dry. Rinse your sponge after use, then hang it out of the shower to dry, away from humid air. Let the sponge dry completely before using it again.
   • Place natural sponges in the microwave. Make sure your sea sponge or loofah is damp, then turn the microwave on for 20 seconds to kill bacteria. Don't try this with a plastic sponge; instead, consider letting it dry outside in the sun.
   • It seemed. Soak your sponge in a bleach solution. The solution should contain about 5% bleach.
   • Wash your washcloths in the washing machine. If you use a small hand towel as a washcloth, you can easily clean it by adding it to your next wash load. However, don't put your sponges in the dryer.
   • Replace them often. Puffs and loofahs should be replaced after three weeks and sponges should be replaced after six or eight weeks.

Part 3 of 3: Using a shower gel

1. Turn on the shower and step under it. Any temperature you feel comfortable with is fine, but keep in mind that very hot water can damage the skin. If you often suffer from dry skin, consider using lukewarm or lukewarm water. Once you have set the temperature to your preference, you can take a shower.
2. Pour some shower gel on a sponge or washcloth. A 20 cents amount of shower gel - about half a teaspoon - is enough on a bath sponge or washcloth. For more information on what types of sponges and washcloths you can use, see the section on choosing sponges.
3. Let the soap foam. Squeeze and knead the sponge or washcloth until the soap starts to foam. You only have to do this for a few seconds. However, keep in mind that some natural and organic shower gels will not foam as much as synthetic ones.
4. Gently scrub your entire body. Don't scrub too hard, especially if you're using something abrasive like a loofah or shower gel with peeling beads, or you could irritate your skin. Instead, massage your body with the sponge or washcloth as you would with a bar of soap.
5. Rinse it all off. Once you've lathered yourself up completely, you can rinse off the soap again. Some of that may have already been rinsed off while showering, that's fine. Just swirl in the shower until the soap rinses off. You may have to lift your arm or leg and rub your skin with water to get all the soap off.
6. Get out of the shower area and dry yourself with a towel. Don't rub your skin with the towel. Instead, lightly pat your skin dry. If you often have dry skin, consider not drying yourself off completely so that your skin can absorb the remaining moisture. Don't forget to save water by turning off the shower!
7. Consider using a moisturizer. Once you are done drying, consider using a moisturizing body lotion on your skin. This will help keep your skin soft, moist and healthy.

Tips

• Experiment with different scents and brands to find the one you like best.
• Consider using cool, refreshing, and fruity scents in the warm summer months and warm, sweet scents in the cold winter months.
• Sponges and loofahs usually exfoliate more than washcloths. They also often foam better.
• Washcloths and washcloths are softer than sponges and loofahs. They may not lather as well, but they are easier to clean.

Warnings

• Be careful when taking a shower; wet baths are often very slippery and you can fall hard if you are not careful.
• Make sure to properly clean and disinfect your sponge, loofah, or washcloth to prevent bacteria from multiplying. Read back in the section on choosing a sponge to learn how.
• Be careful when using something rough like loofahs and peeling shower gels or you risk damaging your skin.

Necessities

• Shower
• Shower gel
• Luffa, sponge, washcloth or washcloth