What is the Difference Between Shower Gel and Body Wash?

Looking down the beauty aisle at Walmart there are so many bath products to wash yourself with. It made me wonder, what is the difference between shower gel and body wash? I found the answer on Wisegeek.com:

"Shower gel and body wash are both forms of liquid soap that are appropriate for cleansing the body. The primary difference between the two is texture. Shower gel has a firmer, gel-like consistency while body wash is more like liquid soap or dish soap in consistency. Another difference between the two, though slight, is their concentration. Much like the difference between perfume and eau de toilette, shower gel frequently has a higher concentration of fragrance and tends to go farther than body wash.

Shower gel and body wash are both popular alternatives to bar soap for cleansing, especially amongst women. Their preference could be attributed to their convenience of use and storage, but is most likely attributed to the wide variety of scents available. Shower gel and body wash may also be more appealing than bar soap because they frequently include moisturizers.
The application of shower gel or body wash is best achieved with a bath sponge or mitt. A washcloth can be effective, but sponges and mitts tend to produce more lather. There are differences in the quality of shower gels and body washes as well. Less expensive drug store brands cleanse as effectively as the more expensive bath store products, but tend to produce less lather with the same amount. There are exceptions, but bath store products definitely have a wider variety of fragrances.

Shower gel or body wash is available for women, men, and even children and infants. Infant body wash is very mild and can be used on skin and hair. There are a wide variety of fragrances available in all varieties, including designer fragrances and fragrances for men.

The best way to find the shower gel or bath product that you prefer is to experiment with different varieties and fragrances. If you need something for sensitive skin or something with extra moisturizers, simply read the labels and ingredients before buying. Avoid using shower gel or body wash on babies and young children unless it is specified for that use as adult cleansers can sometimes be too harsh for young skin."


Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-shower-gel-and-body-wash.htm