Shower gel is a derivative invention of liquid soap, which was first patented in 1865 by William Shepphard. Shower gels are formulated to clean the entire body during baths and showers and are more fragrant than body washes, with a higher concentration of ingredients that are pleasing to the senses. Shower gels are known to consist of the same basic ingredients as soap, including water, betaines, and sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) . However, the main difference between the two products lies in their surfactants, which are compounds that lower the surface tension between substances, helping to emulsify and wash away oily dirt. The surfactants of shower gels do not come from saponification, which is the process of reacting a type of oil or fat with lye.

Shower gels can make up as much as 50% of the shower gel content, with the remaining proportion being made up of a combination of water and ingredients to thicken, preserve, emulsify, add fragrance, and color. Multiple surfactants are often used to achieve desired product qualities. A primary surfactant can provide good foaming ability and cleaning effectiveness, while a secondary surfactant can add qualities of mildness to prevent irritation or over-drying of the skin. To prevent shower gel ingredients from separating, emulsifiers such as diethanolamine are added. Conditioning agents may also be added to shower gels to moisturize and soothe the skin.

Here are the key ingredients that are commonly found in shower gels:

• Water: This is where the product gets its consistency. It also functions as the liquid solvent for the other ingredients.
• Emulsifiers: These are responsible for the foam and also provide thickening for bath gels. This is where the gel-like consistency comes from.
• Detergents: This is the soap that is used to clean the skin.
• Surfactants: These ingredients work on the skin to lower the surface tension between substances, helping to emulsify and wash away oily dirt.
• Fragrance: This is what gives shower gels their scent.
• Colorants: These are added to give the shower gel its color.

It is important to note that some shower gels may contain potentially harmful chemicals, such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which are common foaming agents that can be skin irritants and may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a hormone disrupter linked to breast cancer. Other potentially harmful chemicals include Cocamidopropyl betaine, which may cause immunotoxicity and skin or sense organ toxicity, and Triclosan, which may cause skin or sense organ toxicity and is a substance of very high concern in the European Union’s REACH program. Therefore, it is important to check the ingredient list of shower gels before purchasing them.