What are the differences between shampoo and body wash (purpose and formulation)?
Someone might want to use shampoo as body wash if they are short on time or are trying to save money. Also, when people travel, they might try to save space and consolidate. Shampoo and body wash have some key differences. The pH of the scalp and body are different, so the formulations reflect this. Surfactants, a component of detergents, help remove dirt and oil. Shampoo typically has lower levels of surfactants than body wash. Because shampoo is used on both the scalp and hair, it is important that it contains conditioning ingredients that nourish the hair, help detangle it, and prevent frizziness. If you were only going to use one product, you would rather use shampoo on the body than body wash on the scalp.
Are there potential consequences of using shampoo as body wash?
Depending on the shampoo, your skin might feel dry if you use shampoo as a body wash, particularly if the shampoo is a clarifying one. On the other hand, if the shampoo is a conditioning shampoo, the skin might feel slippery and not as clean if you use it as a body wash. In a pinch, you can do this, but for the long term, get a shampoo that is suited to your hair type and a body wash suited to your skin type.
