The most obvious difference between the two is how they’re presented and applied. Bar soap is a naked solid block of soap that can be lathered straight onto the skin, whereas a shower gel has a thick jelly-like texture that needs to be squeezed out of a bottle. This is where most people think their differences end, but there are a few others that you may not know.
They both use surfactants, the chemical agents surrounding oil and dirt, to dissolve the outer layer for them to be easily washed away by water. But their other ingredients tend to be quite different. Most shower gels contain more potent smelling and super moisturizing ingredients which make them the better choice during winter months.
Because bar soaps aren’t usually moisturizing, they’re ideal for people with oily skin. They’re typically made with essential oils, butters, vitamins, and natural extracts – if you care for the planet as much as you do your skin, bar soap is the one for you.