Superfatted Bar Soap vs. Shower Gel – Which to Choose?

Although they both have the same function, i.e., to rid the skin of impurities accumulated on the surface, it's often difficult to choose between surgras soap and shower gel. Although both products have their advantages, they differ in numerous ways. Find below the differences and the benefits of bar soap vs. the ones of shower gel: 

• Composition: derived from cold saponification, surgras soap is an ancestral cleanser containing animal or vegetable fats, as well as minerals such as soda. However, it's best to choose soaps containing ingredients of plant origin. Unlike conventional solid body wash, superfatted bar soaps are enriched with nourishing superfatting agents (plant oils or butters), giving them numerous virtues. Some that shower gels may contain controversial substances such as sulfates, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, parabens, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCIT), triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc… However, Typology shower care products are free from all these skin-damaging ingredients. Choose a shower gel with a short formula (containing fewer ingredients).

• Cleansing base: The action of soda gradually transforms fats into soap, forming the cleansing base of surgras soap. The washing base for shower gel is a blend of gentle surfactants of natural origin (coco-betaine, coco-glucoside, etc.).

• pH: When talking about superfatted bar soap vs. shower gel, the pH is an important fact: While the pH of surgras solid body wash is basic (around 9), that of shower gel has a pH close to that of the skin (around 5). This guarantees shower cleansing without irritating, drying or aggressing the skin. However, despite their low pH, surgras soaps are enriched with plant oils to compensate and prevent skin dryness;

• Texture: Surgras soaps are solid, and shower gels are liquid.

• Properties: Thanks to the presence of superfatting agents, surgras soaps cleanse the skin without aggressing or drying it, while exerting a softening, moisturizing, protective and nourishing action on the skin. What's more, cold saponification, which takes place at low temperature, preserves the properties of all the ingredients used. As a result, they are suitable for all skin types, even dry and sensitive skin. Depending on its formula, the gel possesses numerous moisturizing qualities, making it suitable for all skin types.

• Usage: Surgras soap is more convenient to carry, especially when traveling, as it takes up less space than a shower gel. However, shower gel does not need to be dried.

• Storage and hygiene: Surgras solid body wash is easy to store, compared with shower gels, which contain water, so they don't last as long or last as well as solid soaps, making it necessary to add preservatives. However, because of its creamy texture, it can melt quickly. What's more, surgras soaps can be unhygienic if they are not allowed to dry sufficiently after each use. Indeed, if it remains wet in a humid environment, bacteria can develop. In this respect, shower gel stored in bottles is a safe bet.

• Ecology and economy: Compared to shower gel, surgras soap is both economical and ecological. In fact, it has a much smaller ecological footprint and lasts longer. Furthermore, solid soaps produce zero cosmetic waste.

With so many types of surgras bar soap vs. shower gels, your choice will depend on the nature of your skin and, above all, the quality of the product. That's why we recommend you read the product ingredient list carefully before use, and opt for a cleanser containing as many natural ingredients as possible. What's more, your choice also depends on your preferences: do you prefer a solid soap or a shower gel with a watery texture?