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What's the difference between the two?
Comparing Soap and Shampoo: Understanding the Differences
- Thread starter MathematicalPhysicist
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SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the minimal differences between soap and shampoo, emphasizing that both serve the primary function of cleaning. Participants highlight the effectiveness of unscented liquid soap, specifically from Hunters Specialties, as a versatile and economical alternative to specialized shampoos. The conversation critiques the commercial motivations behind the marketing of both products, suggesting that traditional cleaning methods, such as using simple soap, are sufficient for personal hygiene. Key distinctions are made between soaps, which are salts of fatty acids, and detergents, which are not.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of basic chemistry concepts related to surfactants and fatty acids.
- Familiarity with personal care product ingredients and their functions.
- Knowledge of historical cleaning practices and their evolution.
- Awareness of commercial marketing strategies in personal care industries.
- Research the chemical composition of various soaps and shampoos, focusing on surfactants.
- Explore the benefits of using unscented liquid soaps in personal care routines.
- Investigate the historical context of cleaning practices and their relevance today.
- Analyze marketing tactics used in the personal care industry to differentiate products.
This discussion is beneficial for consumers interested in simplifying their personal care routines, chemists studying surfactants, and marketers analyzing product differentiation strategies in the personal care sector.
- #2
turbo
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Very little. I prefer to use unscented liquid soap made for hunters, distributed by Hunters Specialties. It is VERY sudsy and economical.
- #3
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I had a sneaky suspicion that it's all commercial to buy both soap and shampoo and spend our money by those companies.
- #4
turbo
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If you can get that unscented liquid soap, use it top-down and be happy. There is no reason to buy all sorts of specialized stuff to use in the shower. Think of it - when our ancestors jumped into the local pond or river to clean up, did they have plastic squeeze-bottles of chemical goo? Liquid soaps (detergents/surfactants) certainly speed up the cleaning-time, but they are not absolutely necessary.loop quantum gravity said:
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symbolipoint
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Very simply soap is a salt of a fatty acid. Detergents or surfactants which are not salts of fatty acids are not soaps.
- #6
DavidSnider
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It depends on the shampoo. Something like pantene has a bunch of ingredients to make it more shiny or 'bouncy' or smell like fruit or whatever. Soap will work perfectly fine for simply being clean.
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mgb_phys
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This stuff, cleans anything from hair to engines http://www.sierradawn.com/
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Hurkyl
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Our ancestors didn't use refrigerators either, but I don't think I've seen you argue that we shouldn't refrigerate food.turbo-1 said:
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mgb_phys
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You wouldn't insist on buying a beer fridge separate from the milk fridge,Hurkyl said:Our ancestors didn't use refrigerators either, but I don't think I've seen you argue that we shouldn't refrigerate food.
but my wife seems to think you need separate shower cleaner and bath cleaner.
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