What’s the difference between hand soap and body wash? Can you use body wash as a hand soap?

We recently received the question:

What’s the difference between hand soap and body wash? Can you use body wash as a hand soap?

The Soapman writes:

Yes, you can use body wash on any part of your body, including hands. No worries.

Foaming hand soap is a very different product however. It is more astringent (aka de-greasing) and less moisturizing. Plus it comes out pre-foamed so it is easier to wash those hands through the day.

The active ingredient in both is the organic soap molecules.