Traditional soaps are simple formulas composed of salt, oil and fatty acids that have been used for centuries to effectively cleanse skin. They leave a clean, fresh feeling by emulsifying whatever is on the skin’s surface. Shower gel and body wash formulas are more complex, utilizing a system of surfactants and skin conditioners that cleanse as they condition. While soap leaves you with freshly cleansed skin, body wash and shower gel offer a nourishing cleanse that leaves skin softer.