A shower gel is a liquid cleansing product that serves the same purpose as a body wash and a toilet soap, but with slightly different results. It is a commonly sought-after product by every man looking for a luxurious shower or a bath. But there is more to choosing a shower gel than just the fragrance.
We have prepared a buying guide after thorough research to help you choose the best product for your needs. And to save your time searching for the best shower gel for men in India, we have a top 10 list too, featuring shower gels from popular brands like NIVEA, Adidas, Fiama, Pears, and more.
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Table of Contents
Read the buying guide to learn how to choose the best shower gel based on factors like skin type, fragrance, ingredients, and more. This information will come in handy when you are shopping from our top 10 list later in this article.
As we mentioned earlier, shower gels used to be very drying to the skin. But when the demand increased, companies started adding moisturizing ingredients to them. But they can do more than just moisturize the skin. Keep reading to find out more.
The most commonly used moisturizing ingredients in shower gels are natural oils and glycerin. They nourish and moisturize your skin but don't make it too oily. Glycerin is typically safe for the skin unless you are allergic to it. And when it comes to natural oils, there is no limit to the options available.
From the usual choices like olive and coconut oil to essential oils like cedarwood and rosemary, there are a plethora of options, and each has its own moisturizing and skin-renewing properties.
Shower gels contain artificial moisturizing ingredients too. Dimethicone, lanolin, and petrolatum work by forming a barrier on the skin to reduce water loss. Glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea attracts water and lock in your skin to keep it hydrated. We suggest reading the ingredients list to find out if you are allergic to any before using it.
You must already know that a shower gel is also meant for your face. But you can have oily skin anywhere on your body, and the same goes for acne too. Two of the commonly used ingredients to tackle these issues are salicylic acid and tea tree oil. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of these ingredients can soothe acne-prone skin and heal it.
When the oil produced by our skin combines with dead skin cells, bacteria, and pollution in the atmosphere, it clogs the pores on our skin, resulting in acne flare-ups. Salicylic acid can combat this by reducing sebum secretion and removing dead skin cells.
Tea tree oil works a bit differently. Its antiseptic properties can kill the bacteria in the pores and unblock the sebaceous glands by unclogging the blocked pores. If you have dry skin, check if there are any moisturizing ingredients before opting for a shower gel with salicylic acid, as this ingredient can be drying.
The pH of human skin lies between 4 and 7. It is essential to maintain the natural pH level of the skin to prevent skin issues from occurring. So always go for products that mention "pH balanced" or "soap-free". A shower gel marked as pH balanced doesn't disrupt the normal pH level of the skin.
The term soap refers to strong hydroxides (for example, sodium and potassium hydroxide), which are cleansing agents present in a shower gel. But they are extremely alkaline in nature and can strip your skin of its natural oils and disrupt its pH, leaving it dry. A soap-free formula doesn't use any such harsh chemicals. Instead, they cleanse your skin using emulsifying ingredients that break up dirt and oil.
If you choose to check the ingredients list, you may find that some products have harsh hydroxides but are still marked as pH balanced. The reason could be the presence of an acid in it. The addition of alkaline hydroxides can balance the pH of the shower gel, thus making it suitable for all skin types.
Sulfates are surfactants—compounds that cleanse the skin of oil and dirt. But they can be drying, and for people who are sensitive to it, sulfates can cause redness and itching. Several shower gels are also meant for your hair. If you have dry scalp, we advise you to stay away from shower gels with sulfates.
If a product contains parabens, it is present in safe quantities. Yes, you heard it right. But here is the problem. They can build up in your body. Build-up can happen if you use the shower gel daily or if other products that you use contain them. In men, parabens can cause acne, gynecomastia, and developmental and neurological disorders.
Triclosan has once been common in soaps and shower gels as an antiseptic and antifungal agent. But the health issues they cause like infertility, decreased cardiovascular function, and the possibility of contributing to antibiotic-resistant germs put it on a blacklist as it can damage your immune system. Make sure to read the ingredients list before buying to stay free from these harmful substances.
You can choose a fragrance that energizes you depending on your mood and time of the day. For example, a citrusy fragrance can be invigorating to your senses. It can freshen you up to prepare you for a busy day or relax you after a long and tiring trek or workout. When it comes to perfumes, men tend to choose woody fragrances more. The same goes for shower gels.
The scent may not stay for too long, but it works to give an immediate impression. You can find fragrances like cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, etc. You don't have to rely on essential oils for aromatherapy all the time. For example, a shower gel with lavender fragrance can have a relaxing effect on your mind.
During hot weather or after a stressful day at work, showering with a shower gel with menthol or mint extracts will cool your body. Many people also find the cooling effect of mint and menthol to be refreshing, so you can try using it before going to work too.
But this cooling effect is not an actual fall in body temperature, instead, the triggering of cold-sensitive receptors on the skin called TRMP8. You can also use a menthol shower gel to get rid of the burning, painful sensation on your skin after you spend time in the hot sun at the beach. But, don’t worry, we have included products with cooling effects in our list of the best shower gels for men in India.
L'Oreal Men Expert Total Clean Carbon shower is an all-in-one shower gel for men. You can use it as a face wash, shampoo, and as shaving gel too. It contains charcoal powder that is known for lifting impurities from the skin. Using it after a long day at work or traveling through the busy, polluted city roads will ensure that your skin is left clean and healthy.
It also contains salicylic acid and citric acid that can remove dead skin cells through its exfoliating action. It doesn't dry out your skin like regular shower gels. The combination of ingredients is perfect that ensures your skin's pH is maintained.
A pack of two different shower gels for a revitalized body, face, and hair. Nivea Men Pure Impact contains scrub particles that remove dead skin cells and also keep your skin hydrated. Active Clean contains activated charcoal that lifts impurities from your skin and leaves it deeply cleansed.
Both products are dermatologically tested for skin tolerance, but only Pure Impact is pH balanced. Customer reviews show both shower gels have a refreshing fragrance and will leave the skin smooth after a shower. When used with a loofah, these shower gels can produce a rich lather for a refreshing bath.
Pears Pure and Gentle contains 98% pure glycerin with a mixture of essential oils and natural extracts. It is a 100% soap-free formula, so the natural pH level of your skin is maintained. If you have been staying away from shower gels because of your dry skin, give this product a try.
The natural ingredients in this shower gel will leave your skin glowing with regular usage. Reviews show that there are many regular customers for this product. Many use it during winters when the skin gets dry since it leaves the skin soft and moisturized.
Every Man Jack shower gel is a bit on the expensive side, but this luxury product can leave you feeling refreshed and with a rich and masculine fragrance of cedarwood. It doesn't contain any harsh alkaline that can disrupt the natural pH level of the skin.
It contains glycerin that can leave your skin moisturized, and the essential oils of sage and rosemary will make you feel refreshed. It contains coconut-derived surfactants that gently wash away the dirt and grime on your skin. It also contains citric acid, known for its exfoliating and cleansing action. This product doesn't contain parabens, phthalates, or dyes that could cause allergic reactions.
Dettol Energize promises 12 hours of odor protection. The formula is pH balanced, contains more than 80% naturally derived ingredients, and is dermatologically tested to be safe for all skin types. The citrusy fragrance of satsuma and orange is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and energetic for tackling a tough day at work.
We recommend this product for morning showers as it has germ protection ingredients that prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria on your skin. It also contains salicylic acid and citric acid, known for their exfoliating properties. Customer reviews show that this shower gel doesn't dry out the skin, and most of them enjoyed its zesty fragrance.
Buy this shower gel if you want to relax in the exotic fragrances of Tahitian shores. Man Arden Tahiti's Exotic contains ginger oil that protects the skin from signs of aging and kills germs that cause acne. The tuberose and cedarwood oil gives this shower gel a musky fragrance, which is enticing for every man, and the white lily extract moisturizes the skin.
It is soap-free, so don't worry about harsh alkaline drying out your skin. We recommend this shower gel for a relaxing shower after a busy day at work. Customer reviews show that the shower gel has a mild fragrance, and users with dry skin are experiencing smooth and moisturized skin after use.
Fiama Men Cool Burst promises to make you feel 3 degrees cooler with the menthol crystals present in the shower gel. We recommend this product for morning and evening showers, especially during summers. You can use it on your body, face, and hair to feel refreshed overall.
It also contains glycerin for moisturizing your skin. The product doesn't have "soap-free" or "pH balanced" labels, but it contains skin conditioners that the company promises will leave your skin moisturized.
Another quality product from NIVEA. Deep Impact is a shower gel meant for your body, hair, and face. It contains microfine clay that can remove excess sebum and impurities from your skin. We recommend this product to people with acne-prone skin as regular usage will give you good results.
It is dermatologically tested for all skin types and is pH balanced. Go for this product if you are looking for a shower gel with a woody aroma. Customer reviews show that the product has a mild fragrance, which many of them enjoyed.
If you stay away from a shower gel because of its drying effects, give this product a try. The Body Shop Olive shower gel has cold-pressed olive oil that will leave your skin moisturized. It has a mild scent and is gentle on the skin.
It is a soap-free formula, so you don't have to worry about harsh alkaline drying your skin. Customer reviews mostly talk about the mild scent that lingers for a few hours. The price is also competitive for the quantity of the shower gel.
If you are a fan of citrusy scents, then go for this shower gel from Adidas. It contains hydrolyzed wheat protein that will moisturize your skin and is suitable for use on your body, face, and hair. It is dermatologically tested for safety on all skin types, and the pH-balanced formula will maintain the natural pH level of your skin.
Customer reviews are mostly about the value for money this product offers and its competitive price for the quantity. We recommend this product for a refreshing shower after your workout or a sweaty game in the field.
Your facial skin may be different from the rest of your body. When you buy a face wash or a beard growing oil, you need to consider your skin type and condition. We discuss these and more in our articles on the best face washes and beard growing oils you can buy online for men.
To make yourself presentable, you have to look good and smell good too. Our article on the best body sprays for men in India will help you choose depending on your mood, duration it lasts, and more. Don't forget to check out our top 10 sections in every article featuring the best products you can buy online.
When shopping for shower gels, remember to choose one based on your skin type and the fragrance you like. The most common fragrances men tend to choose are citrusy and woody. You can also consider some aromatherapy-like baths by choosing fragrances like lavender, known for its mind-calming effects. We also recommend stocking your bathroom with a shower gel with menthol or mint extracts.
It produces a cooling sensation on your skin that can freshen you up or reduce the burning sensation after staying in the sun for too long. Make sure to choose a product that maintains your skin's normal pH while also being free from harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and triclosan. We hope you get the best shower gel from our recommendations list.
Author - Arun F Xaviour
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