In this article
As an enthusiast of the “body shower” (a.k.a. washing everything but my hair) and someone who has especially dry skin, I’ve spent a great deal of time shopping for just the right body wash. And — as anyone who has perused the skin-care aisle will know — the options are abundant, to say the least. There are ultramoisturizing body washes, particularly nice-smelling body washes, and cleansers designed to polish your skin. Then there are targeted formulas, like those that claim to be gentle enough for eczema-affected areas, and plenty that boast dermatologist-recommended badges.
To narrow down the field and find the best of the bunch, I set out to test a number of body washes myself — including ones I’ve used and loved for ages and several new-to-me ones. Then I interviewed six dermatologists to hear what they recommend to patients, and consulted several Strategist staffers about their favorites (it turns out they had many). As I researched, I learned that the first thing you’ll want to think about when choosing a body wash is your skin type (dry or oily? Any specific concerns, like acne or keratosis pilaris?). From there, you can choose the cleanser consistency that’s best for your needs — such as a creamy gel, shower oil, or lightweight foam — and determine if a scented or fragrance-free option is right for you.
Here, you’ll find body washes for skin types and needs of all kinds — from one for extremely dry skin to the citrus-floral one that I can’t get enough of. And if you are taking an everything shower, read our guides to face washes and exfoliators for all skin types, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly Beauty Brief newsletter.
Update on November 9, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Ingredients
The ingredients you’ll want in a body wash will largely depend on your skin type. According to Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology, gentle, hydrating, and fragrance-free body washes are the best option for most skin types. If your skin is dry or if you shower more than once a day (which can be drying), you’ll want moisturizing ingredients including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides that lock in moisture and keep your skin barrier intact. Acne-prone skin can benefit from salicylic acid (a BHA or beta-hydroxy acid), which controls oil production and unclogs pores. And if you have sensitive skin or eczema, aloe vera can help soothe inflammation, as can colloidal oatmeal, which is naturally anti-inflammatory.
For those with especially sensitive skin, avoiding harsh ingredients like sulfates (such as sodium lauryl sulfate) and alcohol is a good idea, according to the dermatologists I spoke with. And if you’re still unsure about what ingredients to look for, clean formulations are usually your best bet. “I would also try to select a body wash with as few ingredients as possible to minimize irritation,” says Dr. Steve Xu, who heads the Medical Advisory Board at gender-neutral skin-care brand Geologie.
Consistency
Body washes come in many forms, from gellike cleansers to thick, cream-based formulas. Depending on your skin type and any accompanying skin conditions, certain consistencies will work better than others. Normal to dry skin will benefit from more emollient formulas; eczema-prone skin is also best suited to creamier washes that add extra moisture. If you’re prone to body acne, you should avoid using oil-based products because they can exacerbate breakouts even during a quick shower. Instead, choose a gel-to-foam option that doesn’t contain heavier oils, such as shea butter and coconut oil.
Scent
A scented body wash can undoubtedly make any shower feel more luxurious — and which scent is right for you will come down to personal preference. I’ve included a range of unscented to last-all-day-scented body washes on this list. Just note: Many experts I spoke to recommended fragrance-free formulations for those prone to allergic reactions or skin sensitivities.
Best body wash overall
Ingredients: Glycerin, fatty acids | Consistency: Lightweight foam | Scent: Light floral
Dove’s body washes are beloved by dermatologists and Strategist staffers alike, so I had high expectations when I started testing this Instant Foaming wash — and it truly did not disappoint. From the start, I was impressed by the body wash’s soft and airy foam consistency. It felt extremely lush when I lathered it in the shower, and after showering, my skin always felt smooth and supple all over. The cleanse was thorough but still gentle and hydrating. (So gentle, in fact, that it even soothed a sunburn I had while testing it.)
The body wash’s ultrahydrating effect is thanks to glycerin and skin-barrier-strengthening fatty acids — both ingredients nourished my skin and kept it feeling soft long after my shower. And even with those hydrating ingredients, the body wash still has a lightweight consistency, which is part of why it’s a great choice for a range of skin types. As Dr. Noëlle S. Sherber, co-founder of Sherber + Rad and clinical associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University, told me, “This foamy formula will rinse cleanly enough for oilier skin and is nourishing enough for drier skin.”
Other perks: a very affordable price tag — one of the least expensive on this list — and intuitive packaging. I loved that the foam is dispensed through a convenient pump that’s super-easy to use, even with slippery, wet hands. The scent also sold me. It’s almost like a sweet vanilla, with floral notes that aren’t too overpowering but still linger on the skin. (And if you’d prefer a fruitier scent, our newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang has been using Dove’s Rejuvenating Body Wash for over 15 years. She loves the pomegranate and hibiscus scent, which she describes as “quite lovely and not too floral-smelling.”)
Best body wash for dry skin
Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, meadowfoam oil | Consistency: Oil-in-gel | Scent: Eucalyptus
I’m a devout user of this Nécessaire body wash. It’s been part of my shower routine for more than three years, and that’s because nothing else nourishes my dry skin quite like this pH-balanced and antioxidant-rich formula. At first, the consistency is thicker and oilier than other body washes on this list, but it turns milky in texture and foams slightly as you lather. It’s also noncomedogenic — meaning it won’t clog your pores — and contains niacinamide and vitamin E, which can reduce inflammation and redness. I’ve noticed that thanks to these hydrating ingredients, the Nécessaire provides near-instant relief for my skin when I apply it and soothes any discomfort from skin cracking.
It’s also safe for those with eczema-prone skin: Our beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton uses it and says it hasn’t caused any hot and itchy flares up post-shower. Although the brand offers a fully “no fragrance” body wash, Viera-Newton also prefers the eucalyptus scent that I use.
Best (less expensive) body wash for dry skin
Ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Consistency: Cream-gel | Scent: Fragrance free
If $25 for the Nécessaire is more than you’d like to spend on a body wash, this CeraVe formula is similarly gentle and hydrating. Two dermatologists I spoke to suggested it specifically for those dealing with dryness or cracked skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Emmy Graber, founder of the Dermatology Institute of Boston, likes that it contains three essential ceramides, which are “great for hydrating the skin and repairing the skin barrier.” Another fan is Dr. Amanda Doyle, a board-certified dermatologist at Russak Dermatology, who describes ceramides as “actual building blocks of the skin” that are important for healing any cracks. The gentle, non-drying formula is an excellent option for daily use, Doyle says; plus, it’s accessible, and at less than $12, it’s not as cost-prohibiting as other formulas on this list. Along with receiving high all-around marks from Graber and Doyle, this body wash gets a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association, which means it’s free of known irritants and allergens.
Best body wash for extremely dry skin
Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, coconut esters, sunflower esters | Consistency: Oily | Scent: Floral
If you’re in need of even deeper hydration, I recommend using a shower oil, which creates a protective barrier on the skin to replenish its moisture. This Bioderma one, which contains moisturizing glycerin and brightening niacinamide, is a favorite of Sherber’s. I decided to try the oil-based formula because my skin is on the drier side, and I found it to be moisturizing but not as heavy as other shower oils I’ve used, like L’Occitane’s almond shower oil. Along with its delicate floral scent, I love that the Bioderma has a gentle and fine lather, which washes away cleanly without any oily residue, so there’s no need to double cleanse. During a recent stay at my parent’s house, my mom noticed me unpacking this body wash and immediately asked if she could borrow it. I eventually let her keep my bottle, and I ordered a new one. She now uses it primarily for shaving — and apparently she’s not the only one: Sherber notes that the Bioderma Cleansing Oil can actually be applied as a hydrating alternative to shaving cream because it offers a nice slip to the skin. It’s also noncomedogenic, so it won’t block your pores.
Our former editor Maxine Builder is a fan, too — she tested the Bioderma wash and says you don’t need a ton of product to get a good lather: “I use about two full pumps for my legs and lower body and two full pumps for my arms, chest, and upper body,” she says. Builder prefers to use it after she’s shaved or exfoliated because the thicker texture helps alleviate the feeling of skin tightness.
Best body wash for keratosis pilaris
Ingredients: Glycerin, salicylic acid, linoleic-rich oils | Consistency: Gel | Scent: Fragrance free
Naturium’s the Perfector contains salicylic acid, which helps slough away dead skin cells and is typically used to treat acne or keratosis pilaris. As someone who has experienced skin dryness leading to keratosis pilaris for most of my life, I decided to give this body wash a try — and I must say I was impressed. After using it for a couple of showers, I could already see the rough patches on my arms softening. I found the best results by applying it just once every three days — any more can be drying, though I do think the linoleic-rich oils and glycerin helped add some moisture back into my skin.
It also works to clear breakouts: Our junior writer Bella Druckman, who has moderately sensitive combination skin, uses the Perfector to target body acne, specifically on her chest. She says her blemishes begin to disappear after a few washes and that the formula — which has a consistency between maple syrup and molasses — was thick enough that she didn’t need much to get a nice lather.
Although the dermatologists I spoke to caution against using products with salicylic acid on dry and sensitive skin, some people can benefit from the exfoliating ingredient. In fact, our deals editor Sam Daly swears by this body wash for her “incredibly sensitive skin.” She told me that this fragrance-free body wash worked wonders, clearing an itchy and red reaction that developed all over her arms and legs. “I feel so smooth after using it — like one of those nice buffed pebbles you find at the beach — and it never leaves you feeling squeaky like some other washes do,” Daly says, adding that her skin is so much silkier since she started using the formula.
Best body wash for acne-prone skin
Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin, oat kernel extract | Consistency: Gel-to-foam | Scent: Fragrance free
Instead of using a physical exfoliant (like a body scrub) to rid skin of dirt and oil, you can use a chemical-exfoliant body wash, which penetrates deeper to loosen dead skin cells. Safe for both face and body, BeautyPie’s BHA-infused cleanser is ideal for acne-prone or oily skin because it contains 2 percent salicylic acid and a papaya-enzyme complex, which can help unclog pores and prevent future breakouts, says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. “It also contains glycerin to hydrate the skin and oat-kernel extract to soothe and support the skin barrier,” King explains.
Best body wash for chest acne
Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin, grape water | Consistency: Gel-to-foam | Scent: Fragrance free
“I often recommend that my patients who get breakouts on their chest use a facial-quality cleanser such as this one by Caudalíe,” Sherber told me. A facial cleanser is handy for chest breakouts because that area can be very sensitive and reactive and has more in common with facial skin than it does with thicker-skinned areas on the rest of the body. Those with acne-prone skin will benefit from this formula because it contains salicylic acid, which is effective in clearing pores of any gunk, plus redness-reducing grape water. It’s also sulfate free, soap free, and alcohol free.
Best scented body wash
Ingredients: Glycerin, jojoba oil, rosehip oil | Consistency: Gel-to-foam | Scent: Citrus-floral
Out of all the scented body washes I’ve tested, Ouai’s Dean Street cleanser is the one I keep coming back to. It has bright citrus-y top notes of lemon and grapefruit, plus a mix of rose, magnolia, linden blossom, and musk — a blend that makes me feel like I’m strolling near an overflowing flower garden on a warm spring morning every time I use it. And beyond its cheery, long-lasting scent, this body wash contains some solid skin-care ingredients, too: Antioxidant-rich jojoba and rosehip oils work to seal in moisture, soothe irritated skin, and fade dark spots.
Best multipurpose body wash
Ingredients: Water, coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, hemp oil, jojoba oil | Consistency: Oily | Scent: Peppermint
Castile soaps like Dr. Bronner’s are unique because they’re derived from vegetable or plant oils instead of animal fats, which are commonly used to make soaps and skin cleansers. This vegan formula contains more than 70 percent organic ingredients, which are certified fair trade, and since it’s so highly concentrated, it has multiple uses: household cleaning, laundry, hand-washing, shaving, hair shampooing, and of course, in the shower as a body wash. (Experts even consider it one of the most gentle body washes for babies.)
Though it has several purposes, many folks specifically like using Dr. Bronner’s as a body wash, which is why I’ve included it here. New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff told me she loves the peppermint scent of this all-in-one option, and a handful of celebrities — including Anthony Anderson, Adam Scott, drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck, and Bridget Everett — are also fans of the scented formula, which is fully biodegradable and has no added synthetic preservatives, thickeners, or foaming agents.
When I tested it for myself, I quickly discovered that you only need a few drops to get a slippery lather. Since it contains five different oils — coconut, palm, olive, hemp, and jojoba oil — the consistency is on the runnier side, but it lathered wonderfully as I mixed it with water. It left my dry skin feeling cool, refreshed, and hydrated, even after I’ve rinsed off. Plus the combination of hot steam with the peppermint scent helped to clear up my sinuses, allowing me to breathe easier throughout the rest of my day. After trying this one myself, I think Anderson put it best: “It makes you feel like you’re doing something in the bathtub, bathroom, or shower because you get this tingling sensation.”
Best sustainable body wash
Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, olive oil | Consistency: Gel | Scent: Earthy
If you’re seeking a sustainable body wash, consider this one from California brand Bathing Culture that senior editor Simone Kitchens has been using for the past five years. Part of what Kitchens loves about this body wash is the packaging, which is made from 100 percent pre-existing recycled materials (and you can purchase the formula in a glass container if you’d prefer). To further cut down on waste, the brand offers one-gallon refills, or you can visit one of its special refill stations when you need to re-up your supply. And it looks good on a shower shelf to boot. “It’s by far the coolest-looking body-wash bottle out there,” says Kitchens.
Packaging isn’t the only draw. The super-clean, biodegradable formula is similar to the Dr. Bronner’s soap above, but Kitchens says it’s a lot more hydrating on her dry skin thanks to the minimal yet high-quality ingredients list, which includes glycerin, aloe vera, and shea butter. It has a lovely woodsy scent, too, thanks to its mix of cedar wood, juniper, vetiver, and frankincense essential oils. “I like how powerful the scent gets in the shower, but since there’s nothing synthetic in there, it doesn’t linger in a cloying way,” Kitchens says.
Some more shower essentials we’ve written about
Our experts
• Maxine Builder, former editor
• Sam Daly, deals editor
• Dr. Amanda Doyle, a board-certified dermatologist at Russak Dermatology
• Bella Druckman, junior writer
• Dr. Emmy Graber, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dermatology Institute of Boston
• Dr. Hadley King, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Simone Kitchens, senior editor
• Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology
• Dr. Noëlle S. Sherber, co-founder of Sherber + Rad and clinical associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University
• Alexis Swerdloff, New York deputy editor
• Ashley Wolfgang, newsletter editor
• Dr. Steve Xu, founder of Sibel Health and head of the Medical Advisory Board at Geologie
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
