Every generation has a debate where there is really no clear right or wrong answer. The question often times comes down to a "matter of opinion" and what works best for you.
Take for example the argument that name brand products are better than generic, even though the ingredients are exactly the same for most.
Today's debate is a bit sudsy. With the explosion of soap products, does bar soap, shower gel or body wash keep you cleaner? Consumer researchers say body wash has surpassed soap in the sud sales wars and is emerging as the body cleanser of choice.
Mintel, a consumer products and market research firm, reports that liquid body wash now accounts for the largest segment, or nearly 40% of the total soap, bath and shower market.
For many consumers, body wash has replaced soap, the market research firm says, because of its ease of use and convenience: There's none of the goopy mess often associated with a bar of soap. Body washes are made not only to cleanse but to moisturize and improve the condition of your skin, Rolanda Johnson, PH.D, a senior scientist with Proctor & Gamble Beauty, told WalletPop.
While body washes might be all the rage, soap still has a loyal following, particularly among women and older people, experts say. That's because when it comes to getting clean, soaps really do the trick. "Many traditional soaps are formulated to cleanse the skin very well," Johnson says, removing both dirt and oils.
And although soap has a reputation for drying-out skin, today's soaps are milder -- some even provide some moisturizing capabilities. But soaps can't moisturize as effectively as body washes, Johnson says, because in its solid form, soap can't hold the same moisturizing properties.
Another cleansing argument from Everyday Health: What you buy is largely a matter of which type of product you like best - with a few exceptions, says Jami Miller, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the department of dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Dr. Miller cautions against falling for the advertising that surrounds body washes, bar soaps, and shower gels. Most of the messages in these ads are misleading. Instead, you should consider your skin type, specifically whether your skin tends to be sensitive and dry, or oily. Your bathing habits may actually be more important than the product that you choose: it's best to use warm instead of hot water when taking a bath and to moisturize immediately after toweling off.
And the debate foam continues....Which do you prefer when you shower and why?
Daily Finance, Everday Health