Shampoo and body wash/shower gel are two major classes of personal care cleansing products. Shampoos are specifically formulated to clean and take care of hair, whereas body wash is a liquid soap that is appropriate for cleansing the body. Most commercial shampoos and body washes are made as creams or gels. They are emulsions or gels of water and detergent base with added functional ingredients. Because the form or texture of both shampoos and body washes are creams or gels, many people may mistakenly use one as the other. Although there are some similar components inside both formulations, there are many differences from the view of a personal care formulator.

By using a combination of variant ingredients, body wash and shampoo products can help to keep the skin clean, hydrated, and healthy. It's important to choose products that are suitable for your skin and hair type, as some ingredients may be more beneficial for certain concerns than others.