The difference between liquid soap and hand wash/body wash/shower gel

The short answer: true liquid soap is made by saponifying natural oils with an alkali. Most hand washes, body washes and shower gels are synthetic detergents, built on the same surfactant bases used under your kitchen sink.

True liquid soap is made with skin-synergistic oils to hygienically clean and remove bacteria without stripping away moisture. Here is what separates it from the detergent alternatives.

What is true liquid soap?

WØRKS liquid soaps are made in the centuries-old tradition of master soap makers: by saponifying oil, alkali and water. The result is an organic, biodegradable, vegan and non-toxic formulation that effectively disrupts the lipid layer of viruses and bacteria to cleanse without stripping away moisture or destabilising the skin’s microbiome.

We formulate with sustainably sourced certified organic olive and coconut oils and infuse our soaps with botanical and marine extracts that promote skin health. WØRKS soaps contain naturally-occurring glycerine, which is highly moisturising to leave skin smooth and soft without the need for synthetic emollients or added conditioners.

Our liquid soaps are made in Australia in small batches to ensure high quality. They are pH balanced and suitable for sensitive skin.

Shop the WØRKS Hand & Body Wash →

What is hand wash, body wash and shower gel made of?

Most hand washes, body washes and shower gels on the market are synthetic reproductions of soap, actually classed as detergents. A basic detergent base can be made into any number of products including hand or body wash, shower gel, shampoo, laundry detergent and dish washing or car cleaning detergent.

Known for their ability to produce high levels of foam, detergents are historically petrochemical-based, which makes them harsh on the skin, causing irritation. This is often offset by the addition of synthetic emollients.

The best-known detergent bases are sulphates: SLS, SLES, ALS, SDS. But with consumers trending away from SLS-based products, sulphates are increasingly being replaced with glucosides: caprylyl/capryl glucoside, decyl glucoside, coco glucoside and lauryl glucoside, which are most often derived from petrochemicals or heavily processed palm oil or coconut oil. This allows products to be labelled as ‘natural’ and ‘plant-based’ despite the heavy manufacturing required to turn them into lab-made, shelf-stable formulations.

Is one wash enough for hands and body?

With true soap, yes. A detergent wash is tuned for a small surface area and a big foam, which is why it can feel stripping used all over. Saponified plant oils behave the same way wherever you use them, which is why the WØRKS wash is formulated as one product for hands and body. More on that in can you use hand wash as body wash.

The wash up: know what’s really in the bottle

Whether your wash comes from a supermarket, a chemist or a boutique, it’s important to know what you’re putting on your skin. Prioritising your health and the environmental impact of your choices can be as easy as choosing a natural, plant-based and biodegradable true liquid soap over a detergent-based formula.

For the longer version, including what the research says about antibacterial washes, read what’s the difference between hand soap and hand wash.

Frequently asked questions

Is body wash the same as hand wash?

Chemically, usually yes. Most are built on the same detergent base, adjusted for foam, fragrance and viscosity. That is why one detergent formula can be sold as hand wash, body wash and shower gel.

Is shower gel soap?

Almost never. Shower gel is typically a synthetic detergent. True soap is the product of saponification: oil, alkali and water.

Are glucosides natural?

They are marketed that way, but glucosides such as decyl, coco and lauryl glucoside are heavily processed and usually derived from petrochemicals or intensively refined palm or coconut oil.

Is WØRKS wash suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes. The WØRKS Hand & Body Wash is pH balanced, sulphate-free, palm-free and free from glucosides, PEGs, parabens, phthalates and synthetic dyes. Every fragrance is IFRA-certified.

Shop true liquid soap for hands and body →