Shower gel and bath gel

[lucylou]

I went to Boots yesterday and noticed that Palmolive shower gel was on bogof at £1.29 for 250ml. I bought it and on my way out I saw that their bath gel was on offer as well £1.65 for 500 ml.To be perfectly honest I think I could have used their bath gel and saved money as I think they are probably the same stuff.What do you all think?I think I have been wasting money on shower gel:eek:

[rnshon]

To be honest Lucylou as much as I love Boots you can nearly always get things cheaper elsewhere in the cheapy shops and places like Aldi, Netto etc. I suppose it depends how important it is to get a specific brand - I just buy whatever looks like a bargain.

In answer to your question I have a sneaky suspicion that all these bath & shower gels are pretty much the same thing and bubble bath is a cheap alternative.

Even more moneysaving idea - you could stop washing..... might not have any friends left though!

[squeaky]

Actually you've almost got it right there! :)

One of the regular TV doctors has often said that he only uses soap on his aromatic areas, armpits and the like, and just rinses everything else. I don't go that far but I do use a minimal amount of soap where I can.

[lucylou]

thanks for your answers I only buy with my boots points or Boots free piggyback vouchers or vouchers I get from survey sites.

p.s. I think I'll keep washing myself though:D

[Ticklemouse]

aromatic areas

What a nice way to describe them :D I too only use a minimal amount of soap and the only reason I have shower gel/bubble bath is due to the freebies with the mags. Too many nasties in them for me to use all the time, but I reckon once in a while will be OK.

FYI, I currently smell of spearmint, cos today was 'once in a while'.

[madmummy]

I bought a shed load of discontinued Bubble Bath from Avon and we have been using it as shower gel for over a year now. it foams up and cleans just as well as shower gel it's just a bit runnier that's all.

[Gingham Ribbon]

We experimented with tesco value baby bath but my son has very sensitive skin. As we'd bought about 3 bottles, we've been using it in a pump dispenser as hand wash for some time now. The bubble bath I got at Christmas is in an old squeezy bottle in the shower and we use it as shower gel.

And the value hair conditioner which made my head itch is a great shaving cream. My husband swears he'll never buy shaving products again.

[Becles]

If you get one of those shower scrunchie things, it really foams the shower gel up. I can do my whole body with a 10p sized blob of shower gel on the scrunchie, so a bottle lasts for ages. I'm still working my way through what I got given at Christmas :o

[Turning_into_scrooge]

I went to Boots yesterday and noticed that Palmolive shower gel was on bogof at £1.29 for 250ml. I bought it and on my way out I saw that their bath gel was on offer as well £1.65 for 500 ml.To be perfectly honest I think I could have used their bath gel and saved money as I think they are probably the same stuff.What do you all think?I think I have been wasting money on shower gel:eek:

Saw an expert on TV once who said they are exactley the same so may as well buy the cheaper version.

[Ticklemouse]

And the value hair conditioner which made my head itch is a great shaving cream. My husband swears he'll never buy shaving products again.

It's fantastic for shavng your legs too. I had a bottle of el cheapo conditioner in the cupboard in case the DS's got headlice, but I'm currently using it for leg shaving purposes. Leaves your skin much nicer than using soap. Now, how much do they charge for a tin of that ladies leg shaving gloop? :D

[Gingham Ribbon]

It's fantastic for shavng your legs too. I had a bottle of el cheapo conditioner in the cupboard in case the DS's got headlice, but I'm currently using it for leg shaving purposes. Leaves your skin much nicer than using soap. Now, how much do they charge for a tin of that ladies leg shaving gloop? :D

I agree. Lovely smooth legs. Can't imagine ever getting them waxed! :rotfl:

[lucylou]

thanks for all your answers.The next question is do you think these shower gel/bath gel are the same as liquid soap as well?:D

[ancasta]

Actually you've almost got it right there! :)

One of the regular TV doctors has often said that he only uses soap on his aromatic areas, armpits and the like, and just rinses everything else. I don't go that far but I do use a minimal amount of soap where I can.



Stinky pants stinky pants stinky pants.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :p :p :p :p :p

[squeaky]

LOL :)

<sulk>

[ancasta]

*big huggles and ruffle of the hair*

[elvis_bloggs]

I've used washing up liquid instead of shampoo for years, it's ok if you don't mind smelling a bit lemony, or whatever flavour you use, when you go out. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/elvis_bloggs/Album%201/1a_y_tongue1.gif

[ancasta]

As a PT hair extensioner/dresser i often recommend clients to wash their hair in cheap washing up liquid as it strips any build up of styling products that can cause extensions to slip.
Its also good just before a hair dye to make sure hair is tip top and bare so it holds the dye better.

[lucylou]

Stinky pants stinky pants stinky pants.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :p :p :p :p :p

http://img47.exs.cx/img47/5560/LAST2525252520WORDduck.gif
http://img5.exs.cx/img5/4606/0KITTE25257E11.gif
that's really funny Ancasta

[ancasta]

thanks :j :j

[exlibris]

What is shower gel?

I shampoo my hair in the shower and use the foam from my hair all over my body!

[squeaky]

What's shampoo? I use soap :p ;) :) :D

[emr]

thanks for all your answers.The next question is do you think these shower gel/bath gel are the same as liquid soap as well?:D

I reckon they are! Used liquid soap in shower one day as no soap handy and shower gel finished.

just now original source seem to be changing their packaging and my asda has lavender/teatree and basil/lemon bath gel at 99p (halfprice). it's great in the shower, and as someone mentioned, the net puffy things make it go for miles. in my local "poundshop" they do a pack of 5 netpuffys for £1, so that's good too! or you can always use a facecloth.

[Austin Allegro]

No one seems to have pointed out that shower gels are a total rip off - just another way of getting us to waste money.

Gels are mostly water, foaming agents and colouring done up in fancy packaging. The bottles are designed so that you have to squirt a much bigger dollop out than you actually need, and most of that runs away in the water before you get a chance to slap it on.

Even a cheapo supermarket shower gel is about £60-£1 a bottle and they only last about a month or so.

By contrast, you can get economy soap 3 bars for 21p in Sainsbury's, or scented stuff 4 bars for 44p, and each bar lasts me about a month at the least.

As with most money wasting products, the public have been led by advertisers to believe that shower gels are 'normal' and that soap is somehow 'old fashioned' or even unhygienic.

[Downsizing _for_sanity]

I just save all the freebies I get from hotels - shampoo, shower gel, whatever etc...it all gets used as bubble bath! I don't really want to use their (usually) rubbish shampoo, but it still makes good bubbles! Also, I once sold a set of 3 complimentary toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, bath gel from a fairly posh hotel, admittedly) for a quid at a car boot! :j Tee hee - or is it unethical to sell cos I got it freee..? :confused:

[HappySad]

I have been using bubble bath as shower gel for ages. I looked at the ingredience of many bubble bath and shower gel bottles and it was exactly the same. If you want a fancy shower gel bottle then buy the bottle and fill it up with your favourite bubble bath..

[frugalfairy]

Yes, me too. Couldn't see the difference (and still can't). Oh and I use gels and bubbles as opposed to bars of soap because you don't seem to get the soapy scum on the shower doors like you do with bars. I think I read that tip here somewhere? :confused:

[chickadee]

I got a load of Imperial Leather bubble bath with a magazine subscription a couple of years ago and that has kept my family unwittingly in hand wash and shower gel since then. The bottles were huge so I have just filled up the hand wash/shower gel containers as they have been used up. We have had no problems at all! We don't take many baths, preferring showers so we would never have used all the bubble bath. It is all just detergent isn't it? Some have moisturising additives but at the end of the day they are all just variations on a theme.

[Spendless]

gel.

And the value hair conditioner which made my head itch is a great shaving cream. My husband swears he'll never buy shaving products again.Has he ever tried shaving soap? We discovered a dish of shaving soap, part of an old xmas gift set when doing the 'use it up challenge' and DH is using this. Shaving soap sticks were about 58p in Asda last time I looked, don't know how these compares to how much and how long shaving foam lasts, but the soap in the dish looks barely touched and he has been using it now for about 5-6 weeks.

[Linda32]

Hi, I've already decided to not buy any more shower gel once the couple of bottles I've got runs out. I shall use soap with one of those net scrunchy thingies instead.

This is a trade off against still using liquid soap at the sink, as I find soap leaves nasty yucky scum type stuff in the plug hole. That said the liquid soap is still Sainsbury's basics range - somthing like 40p for 500ml. I've know idea wether there all the same or not, but using this to wash hands, well we havn't died so far and I don't think we smell

[jessicamb]

I used to work in a factory that made these products and the formulations are almost exactly the same - the main difference is the quantity of water.

Fragrance costs are also a big cost driver - ie the more expensive brands usually have a similar formulation but a better smell (and probably have some extra nice bits - more moisturising etc) to justify the extra expense.

[bumpybecky]

I've been using tesco value bubble bath to fill up the carex hand wash dispensers for months and months :)

1litre value bubble bath = 21p :D

[Christie_L]

On a slight tangent, do you think we are being ripped off with these anti-bacterial handwashes? I have been buying these for years to use before putting my contact lenses in, but I wonder if the ordinary soap/handwash is just as good?

Christie x

[Linda32]

On a slight tangent, do you think we are being ripped off with these anti-bacterial handwashes? I have been buying these for years to use before putting my contact lenses in, but I wonder if the ordinary soap/handwash is just as good?

Christie x

I don't know for sure, but I bet its still soap and water for operations :confused:

[withalj]

I think that all these anti-bacterial products are not only a rip-off, but are positively harmful - contributing to the over-use of anti-biotics and suppressing our natural immunity - just my opinion though...

[lucyhalligan]

We shouldn't be using anti-bacterial things such as handwash so much, bacteria becomes immune to anti-bacterial substances, Such as MRSA did with antibiotics (just as an example).
For operations however it is anti-microbials/anti-bacterial wash.

[MrsTine]

If you're worried about bacteria then you could maybe add teatree and other natural oils to your value soap in the liquid hand soap dispensers? I know that after cleaning my cats litter tray and picking up doggy poop (be it wearing plastic bags on my hands) then I would prefer washing with something I know to be antibacterial... Cats urine for example contain some real nasties...

[lucyhalligan]

normal soap and water is usually enough for most things, i own 2 dogs, so i know the feeling of wanting to use anti-bacterial stuff, my mum buys it, but ideally we shouldn't overuse it.

[voucher_queen]

On the same theme

I would assume looking at the earlier postings that I would be able to use old shampoo (made my scalp nasty) in a handwash container?
Does anyone know how much water to add to it - as I tried it once before and it clogged up the dispenser

Or does anyone have any other ideas?

[mgardner]

What is shower gel?

I shampoo my hair in the shower and use the foam from my hair all over my body!

I am currently using Boots basic shampoo, 25p (bought loads when it was BOGOF) to wash my hair and shower, Find its a pretty good washing up liquid as well.

[SusanCarter]

I think all these washing products have the same basic ingredients but have things added to make them foam/smell/look different. They probably have different water concentrations (as someone else mentioned) to get the right consistency. Personally I seem to aquire enough of the stuff (either freebies or gifts) without buying it that I gave a load to a friend as my husband and I couldn't get through it all. We used to use carex liquid soap but worked out we were getting through it so quickly that we only use it in the kitchen now and just have bars of soap in the bathroom. I've got prescription shampoo so am using the old stuff to clean the toilet. If we ever manage to run out of stuff we'll be getting bars of soap as they last so much longer.

[savingpennies]

I buy a 2 ltr bottle of moisturising bath foam from Asda, it costs less than two pounds. With it I fill the shower gel bottles and the handwash bottles. No-one has noticed and the way my two DD's use it it's saving me a small fortune. I have dry skin particularly on arms and lower legs and have had no ill effects.

[jessicamb]

On the same theme

I would assume looking at the earlier postings that I would be able to use old shampoo (made my scalp nasty) in a handwash container?
Does anyone know how much water to add to it - as I tried it once before and it clogged up the dispenser

Or does anyone have any other ideas?

Probably although the formulations are quite different (main ingrediant still water though!) If the shampoo is one of the cheaper ones (approx 60p ish) they are quite thin anyway so you wouldn't need much. Thinking that though some of the really thick ones might be difficult to mix and keep together rather than it seperating?

[tawnyowls]

If you get one of those shower scrunchie things, it really foams the shower gel up. I can do my whole body with a 10p sized blob of shower gel on the scrunchie, so a bottle lasts for ages. I'm still working my way through what I got given at Christmas :o

They're fabulous, and our local pound shop (actually called the 99p shop, so even more savings:D ) has packs of these containing two scrunchies (I think also called wash nets), both with hanging loops, plus another on a wooden handle, plus a big plaited one with handles for washing your back. Not bad for under a quid!

I have tried using bath foam,but I find it's very runny and tends to leak out of the shower gel bottles (I refill old Radox ones with the hooks). I've found Aldi and Lidl shower gels very good and very thick.

[cwp500]

I went to Boots yesterday and noticed that Palmolive shower gel was on bogof at £1.29 for 250ml. I bought it and on my way out I saw that their bath gel was on offer as well £1.65 for 500 ml.To be perfectly honest I think I could have used their bath gel and saved money as I think they are probably the same stuff.What do you all think?I think I have been wasting money on shower gel:eek:

love the smell of the palmolive stuff but am convinced the two are identical. check the ingredients on the label.

I always refill handwash from bath foam, it smells and feels exactly the same.

I also keep an empty handwash bottle for refilling with soap ends. rather than throw em down the plug hole, keep them and they make excellent cheap handwash for the garage or garden.

[RoseFairy]

and if you buy the cheap Tesco brand of bubble bath - ithink its about 43p for a litre bottle - some great colours and smells too - and use those bath sponges/scrunchies that bottle lasts nearly 18months - the kids love it too!

[cwp500]

I went to Boots yesterday and noticed that Palmolive shower gel was on bogof at £1.29 for 250ml. I bought it and on my way out I saw that their bath gel was on offer as well £1.65 for 500 ml.To be perfectly honest I think I could have used their bath gel and saved money as I think they are probably the same stuff.What do you all think?I think I have been wasting money on shower gel:eek:

Just read the labels. Boots own range of value hand wash is very cheap for about 350ml. Their bath creme is exactly the same stuff; colour, smell, texture and the ingredients on the label seem identical.

The price of 1 litre of bath creme is only about 15p more than 350ml of handwash.

buy the litre of bathcreme refill the hand wash 3 times and save a small fortune over the year.

Its true of the named brands also. They mark up the small bottles to squeeze extra profits from customers who dont read the labels.