When shampoo is used up, can I use shower gel instead? The answer is confusing...

In daily life, we will inevitably encounter some small accidents, such as suddenly finding that the shampoo is used up and there is only shower gel at home. At this time, you may think: shower gel and shampoo are both cleaning products, can I use shower gel to wash my hair?

Let’s talk about this topic in this issue: What is the difference between shampoo and shower gel, and can they be mixed together?

1. Shower gel and shampoo,

What are the differences in ingredients?

If you are using them just for basic degreasing and stain removal, you can indeed mix them together.

Because their basic ingredients are actually "surfactants", and their molecular structure looks like this, similar to a match.

Image source: Science Popularization China New Media

When washing your hair or body, the "matchstick" of this "match" will insert into the oil, and multiple "matches" gathered together will form a circle of such "micelles", trapping the oil; at the same time, the "match heads" outside the "micelles" are closer to water molecules, and the "micelles" can easily dissolve in water and move with the water flow, leaving the surface of the body or hair, thereby achieving a cleansing effect.

The same cleaning principle produces different cleaning effects:

Shampoo: The main ingredient is anionic surfactants, which can increase the electric potential of dirt particles and negative charges on the hair surface, and enhance the decontamination effect by using the principle of like charges repelling like. In addition, many shampoos also add polydimethylsiloxane (commonly known as silicone oil), which can form a protective film on the hair surface, making the hair smoother.

Photo taken by: Xu Lai

Shower gel: In addition to anionic surfactants, it may also contain amphoteric surfactants. This type of ingredient is resistant to hard water and can function normally even if there are more calcium and magnesium ions in the bath water. Amphoteric surfactants also have strong foaming properties and are more suitable for use on the body surface. At the same time, shower gels usually do not contain silicone oils, which are ingredients that make hair smooth.

Therefore, it is okay to use shower gel instead of shampoo for occasional emergency, but be cautious when using it for a long time!

2. Who are they?

Especially avoid washing your hair with shower gel?

Oily hair: The scalp produces a lot of oil and is more acidic. The pH value of the shower gel may neutralize the acidic environment of the scalp, causing oil secretion to become more uncontrolled.

Sensitive scalp: Some shower gels contain irritating preservatives (such as MIT/CMIT), which may cause itching, redness and swelling of the scalp .

Hair perm and dyeing enthusiasts: Color protection and repairing ingredients are usually only "added" to shampoo, and washing your hair with shower gel may cause your hair color to fade at the speed of light.

3. No shampoo.

What other emergency measures can be used?

Facial cleanser: The pH value is slightly acidic. Compared with shower gel and shampoo, it is gentler and less irritating. It can protect the skin barrier while cleansing.

Soap: Too strong in removing oil! If you frequently use soap to clean your hair excessively, it will destroy the oil balance and cause your hair to become dry and dull.

Clean water: In an emergency, you can just rinse with warm water to reduce irritation to the scalp.

So, if you run out of shampoo, it’s okay to use shower gel to wash your hair once in a while, but it’s not recommended to do so long-term! For the health of our hair and scalp, it’s better to buy a bottle of shampoo!