Can You Use Shampoo as Body Wash? Dr. Eddie

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We’ve all been there once; perhaps you simply forgot your body wash at home while traveling, or maybe you’re just running low on supplies. You find yourself standing there and wondering…can you use shampoo as body wash?

Many of you have likely been in this predicament before. The answer to this simple question is a little complicated, depending on your product choice. This is why we decided to write this blog, to provide insight into what our expert pediatrician has to say about it.

Shampoo vs Body Wash: Know the difference?

Before we begin examining the topic of, is it ok to use shampoo as a body wash or not, you should understand why these two ubiquitous items are classified as two different products. Generally, people use shampoo for the scalp and body wash for the rest of the skin because the scalp and skin are different and have different needs.

There are some key factors that will help you identify the difference between Shampoo and Body Wash and why they are used separately.

Factors	Shampoo	Body Wash
Formulation	Shampoos are specially formulated to remove dirt, debris, and sebum from the hair, which is why they contain more surfactants than the body washes and have conditioning agents.	Body washes contain milder surfactants to prevent stripping away natural oils from the skin and moisturizing ingredients to keep it hydrated.
pH Balance	Shampoo usually has a slightly acidic pH level which is between 4.5 and 6.5, to remove sebum without causing much irritation.	Body washes are acidic to neutral pH level (between 5.5 and 7) to help maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Skin Sensitivity	Certain harsh chemicals and active ingredients are often added to shampoo to remove dirt and oil buildup effectively (surfactants SLS and SLES). Ingredients like these, if regularly used on the skin, can be very drying	A body wash is hypothetically formulated with ingredients keeping in mind the skin’s sensitivity, which is why they have fewer drying chemicals and more skin moisturizing agents.

Can you Use Shampoo as a Body Wash?

The answer to this question is Yes! You can wash your body with shampoo sometimes, but not always, as we have discussed before how both these products are formulated separately. Even though they have similar ingredients in them they still have a different purpose and body part to tackle.

Shampoo can be used to cleanse your body when you don’t have any other option and are running late, but using it often will begin to strip away natural oils and lead to itchy, irritated, dry skin, eczema flare-ups or could even lead one to develop contact dermatitis.

Using a shampoo on the body, in addition to causing skin irritation, can leave residue behind on the skin that might feel bothersome. This is why it is best to use shampoo on your scalp and body wash on your skin.

Another common question that often arises is whether you can use body wash as shampoo. It can be tough for a body wash to thoroughly clean and remove stubborn buildup on the scalp as it is formulated with less drying surfactants because it was made for the skin–this can lead to overly greasy, or dirty appearing hair. The pH may also be different and this pH difference can lead to dry, rough, and frizzy hair. So it’s best not to use a body wash as a shampoo.

But wait, do you know there are two-in-one solutions available in the market for people who want to use one product for the scalp and skin, and they work as effectively as separate products would do?

Two-in-one Solution

Some brands like Happy Cappy offer a two-in-one solution that works well both as a shampoo and body wash, developed by an expert pediatrician Dr Eddie, with years of experience in treating common skin conditions like eczema, cradle cap, and seborrheic dermatitis.

Dr. Eddie’s daily shampoo can be used on the body and face as well for people of all ages.

The best thing about this is that it not only helps soothe itching, redness, and irritation associated with eczema but is ideal for regular use by anyone.

It is infused with natural ingredients like licorice root extract and apple fruit extract and is fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free, which gently cleanses the skin and scalp without causing any irritation.

Dr. Eddie’s medicated shampoo and body wash can be used by babies, teenagers, and adults experiencing dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis–commonly called cradle cap. It not only cleanses the scalp but also helps reduce the redness, irritation, and flaking associated with seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.

Hear from the pediatrician himself how these shampoos are safe to use as a body wash and just as effective as stand-alone products. “Many shampoos use lathering ingredients known as sodium lauryl sulfate, abbreviated as SLS, and sodium laureth sulfate, abbreviated as SLES, to get rid of dirt and grime. It is the same ingredient, albeit in different percentages, found in dish soap and laundry detergent. Using this on your body over time, and especially when the weather gets cold and humidity drops, can take its toll on the skin–overly drying it out.”

He further stated, “However, Happy Cappy Shampoos are free from these harmful chemicals and has a pH that has an acidity close to that of human skin which makes them perfect for the scalp and skin of the body.”

Does Shampoo Clean Your Body?

Yes, shampoo can clean your body however, if you are using a stand-alone shampoo that contains harsh chemicals like fragrance, artificial dyes, and surfactants (SLS and SLES for example), then avoid using it on your body in the long run.

Your body is more sensitive than your scalp, and using harsh ingredients on it can cause dryness, irritation, and rashes. So if you want to use a single product that will cater to both your scalp and skin needs, then try a gentle daily shampoo that also pairs as a body wash and is free from skin-irritating chemicals. It will not only clean your skin but will also leave it hydrated and moisturized.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yes, you can use a shampoo as body wash. If you use stand-alone shampoo, don’t use it often, as it can cause dry, itchy, irritated skin. However, if you are using a shampoo that is formulated to be used as a body wash as well, then you can use it often to clean your scalp and skin.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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Is it okay to wash your body with shampoo?

Yes you can wash your body with shampoo but try not to do it quite often unless you are using a specially formulated shampoo that is also safe to be used as a body wash.

Is shampoo the same as body wash?

Shampoo and body wash are two different products formulated to cater to two different body parts: the scalp and the skin. Even though their ingredients are quite similar, yet both are different and should be used accordingly.

Is it ok to shower every day with shampoo?

Taking a bath every day is good for your hygiene, but if you have a dry scalp, using shampoo daily can harm your hair and scalp. This can happen because shampoo can strip natural oils away from your scalp, leaving it dry, rough, and flaky.

Can I wash my face with shampoo?

You can wash your face with shampoo only if it is formulated to be used as a face wash as well. Otherwise, the shampoo will make your facial skin dry, irritated, and sensitive. This is mostly due to the oil stripping ingredients found in shampoo which can disrupt your skin’s moisture content.