Is Olay Body Wash Healthy?

If you like strong-scented liquid body wash that hydrates your skin and leaves it feeling clean and refreshed, I recommend Olay body wash, the Fresh Outlast series! 

Parting from Olay body wash, the Fresh Outlast series, I’m glad I made the switch from Dove body wash. My main concern was the bottle design. The top of the Dove body wash was triangular. I was tired of how I’d have to use other bottles to hold it up and help it stand when I was almost finished with the product, trying to get the remaining content. On the other hand, the lid of the Olay body wash is a flat surface, easy to turn upside-down. 

Cost for a 650ml bottle: 

Dove – $8.27 

Olay – $8.47 

These are the regular prices at Walmart, but sometimes each body wash goes on sale for about $2 less. As you can see there isn’t much of a price difference, so I wouldn’t say this is the selling point.

After using Olay body wash for a while, I noticed the consistency was different. I needed more of the Dove body wash for it to lather up, no water necessary otherwise the actual product would dissolve too much. With Olay, I used a little amount and a bit of water, so less of the product itself, to achieve the right amount of lather. Therefore, Olay was better. 

I find that the Olay body wash, Fresh Outlast series, has more unique scents, if that’s something that interests you. 

Why is body wash good for you? 

Bar soap cleans, but body wash cleans, hydrates, and can treat other skin conditions. According to this article on Healthline.com, “Dryness, clogged pores, and skin flaking can all be addressed with a body wash.” 

Additionally, an article on Mindbodygreen.com says that though bar soap is cost-effective and more eco-friendly, it is known to be less hygienic. Of course, this is not intended to shame anyone who uses bar soap. It is understandable if you prefer to save a few dollars and/or prioritize eco-friendliness. What’s important is, no matter what you use to clean your body, remember to still moisturize. Do not solely rely on these soaps and body washes that claim to be “hydrating.”  

It’s true that they can help with hydration, but to keep your skin in really good condition, you should still apply body lotion. I personally find it’s best to do this after you dry yourself, after a shower or bath. 

Loofah versus washcloth 

I use a washcloth. When I was younger I thought loofahs were more fun because of how much bubbles they generated. But as an adult, though it’s meant to exfoliate, many find that loofahs can be quite harsh for the skin, myself included.  

“Neither are necessary,” explains Dr. Mudgil. “But if you’re going to choose one, wash cloths are much better than loofahs, provided you only use the cloth one time before washing it. Both can harbor bacteria, but loofahs are much more prone to doing so given all their ‘nooks and crannies.'”   

(Darrlsaw, 2019)

For my fellow washcloth users: Make sure to rinse and dry your washcloth properly after each use. On a regular basis, change it and wash it in the machine.  

For those who aren’t a fan of either a loofah or a washcloth, you can simply use your hands. They don’t guarantee a deep cleanse or exfoliation but if cleanliness is all you seek, then your hands and some soap can achieve that. 

Are you showering properly? 

It may be weird to think about if you’re showering properly. It’s such a basic thing, it seems like common sense. But there’s still actually some do’s and don’ts, some pros and cons. These include habits that improve and keep your skin safe plus others you should avoid. 

I recommend this article for more information: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-shower  

It addresses aspects such as the temperature of the water you’re using, how long you should shower for, and how many times a day you should shower. 

Brands 

Honestly, I trust both brands, Dove and Olay. As a teenager, Dove was the bar soap I used for both my body and face. On the other hand, Olay is the brand of moisturizer I’ve used since I was a teenager. In my opinion, both are reliable and affordable. 

As always, it’s best to find what personally works for you. The purpose of reviews like this blog I’ve written are to give suggestions and to help with your research. Brands are never 100% reliable. A brand may be good but every once in a while certain products of theirs will get recalled. That’s why people “mix and match.”  

We’re not celebrities sponsored by these brands, just because we use one doesn’t mean we can’t use another. Look at ingredients carefully, try skin products with caution, see a professional if necessary or when you’re really unsure about whether or not it’s safe for you to use a product. 

In this blog I covered my thoughts on Olay body wash: the Fresh Outlast series, body wash versus bar soap, loofah versus washcloth, and brands (namely Dove versus Olay). I hope you learned something new that is helpful for your body care routine. Thanks for taking the time to read! 

©Parting Stories 

Coleen Villadelrey

Graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) & Lead Content Writer at Parting Stories.

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