many of us shower at least once a day (or even more, if we have chosen to hit up a hot yoga class!). And there are multiple products you can use in your shower routine, but have you put much thought into using a body wash?

your body wash choice is an important part of your shower and overall body care habits. it not only helps to remove the day’s dirt build up but it’s a great way to give your body some extra tlc. we hands-down recommend getting naked and lathering up.

so how do you determine the right body wash? your skin is your largest organ, so you need understand what you’re using to keep it squeaky clean. we have compiled a few things to look for when choosing your shower cleanser:

traditionally, most body washes strip everything on the skin’s surface, removing dirt, sweat and germs. however, this also means that your body’s natural oils are stripped away. these healthy oils work as a protective barrier that lock in moisture and keep your skin soft. when choosing a body wash look for ingredients that are hydrating or moisturizing, like aloe vera, coconut or shea.

we are usually drawn to the scent of a product before we look at the ingredients. be mindful that not all scents are good for you -- many fragrances are synthetic and can hide undisclosed ingredients under its cosmetic name. luckily not all fragrances get a bad rap. there are some amazing body washes that are naturally scented, non-synthetic and transparent about the ingredients they are using to. So how can you tell the difference between the good and the bad? most companies will be clear about their fragrance blends on their websites and packaging. we also recommend using the thinkdirty app to check the rating of your body wash: if it rates a 0 you know it does not contain any documented ingredients that will have a negative health impact.

consider using products that are vegan and cruelty-free. this is especially important when it comes to your body care routine. so, what does this mean? it means your products and their ingredients are not being tested on animals. additionally, we recommend using products that are vegan, meaning they do not contain animal by-products or derivatives. this not only helps to protect animals, but typically non-vegan products contain a high level of fillers.

have you ever tried to wash your car solely with water? it doesn’t work. this is because dirt and grease are lipophilic, meaning they don’t break down in water. in order for a body wash to cleanse and achieve that lather, it needs to include a hydrophilic (water base) as well as a lipophilic (oil base) ingredient. this combination makes up a surfactant that cleanses the daily dirt away. you can find many body washes that are derived from natural surfactants and are safe for your skin. we love our invigorating mint wash, as it combines aloe vera juice (hydrophilic) and powerful coconut-based ingredients (lipophilic) to create a fun lather!

we love to keep our skin clean, whether that is from daily dirt build up or the ingredients in your body wash. this breakdown will help you to use an amazing body wash that will leave your skin feeling so good, you’ll want to get dirty again. immediately.

check out our amazing selection of body washes

xoxo babes