Is it OK to wash my hair with body wash?

Can you use body wash as shampoo? It is a question that many people have asked since they are looking for ways to save money and time on their beauty routine.

The short answer is no; body wash should not be used as a shampoo. This is because body wash is not designed to clean the hair on our heads. In addition, if you use body wash as shampoo regularly, it’s likely to strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to drying out your hair follicles and leaving your hair feeling and looking brittle.

Body washes are created to clean the rest of our body, like hands, feet, etc., not our scalp or hair, so stick to using body wash on its intended areas.

Browse our other body wash content:

I spent weeks using body wash shampoo, and it really damaged my hair. My hair felt like a piece of straw, and it even irritated my scalp, making it dry.

My friends told me that body wash could be really damaging for your hair, so I decided to switch things up and switched back to regular shampoo instead. The difference has been incredible!

In this post you'll find:

• What happens if you accidentally put body wash in your hair?
• Is body wash the same as shampoo?
• Main differences between body wash and shampoo
• Can you use shower gel as shampoo?
• What can I use if I run out of shampoo?
• Can you use shampoo as a hand soap?
• Final Thoughts

What happens if you accidentally put body wash in your hair?

If you accidentally put body wash on your hair, chances are it won’t cause any damage right away as long as you wash the product off and follow up with using a conditioner.

The best thing to do if you accidentally put body wash in your hair:

Rinse out any of the body wash. Avoid using shampoo to clean the body wash off; only use water.

Apply some conditioner and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with cold water.

Use leave-in conditioners throughout the day to help give your hair the nutrients it needs.

The worst that will happen is your hair will feel more dry than normal. Just be sure not to do it again because long-term use of body wash on your hair will do a lot of damage.

Is body wash the same as shampoo?

No, body wash is not the same as the shampoo.

Not only on their uses different, but their ingredients are too.

Shampoo was created to clean your delicate hair follicles while also adding moisture and volume. Body wash was created to clean the skin on the rest of your body, such as your hands and feet.

Body wash can dry out our skin because it contains many cleansers that strip away natural oils from our body’s surface, which in turn strips away oil from the scalp.

Shampoos have milder ingredients than soaps or detergents that are found in most regular body washes.

Main differences between body wash and shampoo

• Shampoo is made to protect your hair and add goodness, keeping your hair healthy.
• Body wash is made to cleanse your skin.
• Body wash and shampoo both contain totally different ingredients because their intended purposes are different.
• Shampoos have a pH balance that provides hydration for your scalp.
• Body washes are not pH balanced and therefore strip natural oils, leading to dryness, breakage, and more frizziness in your hair.

Can you use shower gel as shampoo?

No, you cannot use shower gel as shampoo.

The answer to this question is the same as the answer to “can you use body wash as shampoo?”

Although they are called different names, shower gel and body wash both contain similar ingredients. Shower gel is marketed as a product you use whilst showering, while body wash is marketed as a product you use in the shower or the bath.

Because both products contain almost identical ingredients, the result of using them as shampoo will be the same.

What can I use if I run out of shampoo?

If you run out of shampoo, a great alternative is using water – yep, just plain old water. This method may not clean your hair as effectively as a shampoo, but it will still get it clean.

Another alternative that should clean and degrease your hair better than just using water is apple cider vinegar. It doesn’t smell the best, but it’s natural and will help get your hair clean and conditioned. Just dilute apple cider vinegar with water, apply to your hair and rinse.

If you have no other option, then you can use body wash as a shampoo. Although, it won’t make your hair or scalp healthy.

Tips to consider when you are washing your hair with body wash:

Using a body wash as a shampoo should be a last resort option.

It’s recommended that you follow up with using a conditioner. This will help to soften your hair and give it some shine. Your hair probably won’t feel as dry and brittle after using a conditioner, too, so don’t skip out on this step.

You should also apply a leave-in conditioner when you’ve finished washing your hair. This will help give your hair an extra boost of the nutrients it needs.

Can you use shampoo as a hand soap?

You can use shampoo as a hand soap, but it may be drying to your skin, so it’s not recommended that you do it all of the time.

Some people believe that using shampoo as a hand soap is the same as washing your hands with dish detergent, which can cause dryness and redness on your skin.

If you have no hand soap available and really need to wash your hands, then it’s best to dilute it first by mixing one part water or body lotion with two parts shampoo. Just don’t expect a shampoo to kill any germs on your hands as antibacterial hand soap does!

Final Thoughts

No, you can’t use body wash as shampoo.

As explained above, using body wash on the hair on your head will strip your scalp of its natural oils, leading to dry and brittle hair.

We hope that this post has answered all of your questions about shampoo and whether or not you can use body wash as a replacement.

The bottom line: If the product is specifically marketed for hair, then it’s best to stick with using that item on your head.

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