The 11 Best Body Washes for Dry, Sensitive Skin, According to Experts

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Sometimes, the culprit that causes dry patches, itchy bumps, and flakiness on your skin isn’t the lotion you apply post-shower or the fragrance you spray to build your scent. Though those formulas can very well cause sensitive, reactive skin to, well, react, you can often blame the first step in your hygiene routine: your body wash.

“Dry skin can be caused by a number of factors and arises when the skin barrier is damaged, allowing moisture to evaporate more quickly. Environmental factors like living in a cold, low-humidity environment and use of harsh cleansers that strip the natural oils and lipids from the skin are common contributing factors,” explains Dr. Stull MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeon at MDCS Dermatology. “Dry skin can also be caused by medical conditions like hyperthyroidism or skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema, and can develop with age. After age 40, the skin starts to produce less sebum (oil), and the skin can become dryer as a result.”

Of course, using the wrong cleanser for your skin can be a huge trigger. Did you know body soaps are typically harsher on the skin than body washes? “In general, it depends on the specific formulation and ingredients. Many bar soaps are known to be very drying as they use harsh surfactants with a high alkaline pH that can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the natural skin barrier,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick. We polled derms and reviewed customer feedback to find the 10 best body washes for dry skin, ahead.

Superfood + Niacinamide Body Cleanser with Antioxidants & Hyaluronic Acid

Key ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green tea extracts

Size: 16.4 oz

With a bestselling facial cleanser that’s gentle and soothing, it makes sense then that Youth to the People’s expansion into body care would carry the same ethos. Armed with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this cleanser coats the skin in a nourishing formula that strengthens the barrier to restore balance to stressed skin.

Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “Not only is my skin dry, but it hates anything too harsh—and has no problem showing it. This cleanser marries what I love most about the Superfood facial cleanser—its calming yet effective formula—with even more good-for-you ingredients that leave my skin feeling refreshed, smooth, and hydrated. Even better, the smell evokes you to a quaint, earthy spa-like trance.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash

Key ingredients: La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, glycerin, shea, niacinamide

Size: 13.52 oz

What’s not to love about this cleanser? Moisture is the name of the game, thanks to shea butter and glycerin. Plus, it’s a multi-use formula that works for your face and body, giving your wallet a little breather so you can splurge on a moisturizer or serum.

Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “It incorporates La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal water, shea butter to help support the skin barrier, glycerin to draw moisture in, and niacinamide, which is soothing on the skin. Together, this helps to gently cleanse while also protecting the skin and providing 24-hour hydration.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University

Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash

Key ingredients: MicroMoisture

Size: 24 oz

Almost everyone can attest to the magical wonder of Dove’s Deep Moisture body wash. Whether used in a double-cleansing routine or alone, the ultra-moisturizing formula coats your skin in silky smoothness that remains long after you’ve left the shower.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “This not only works to cleanse the skin, but also contains ingredients, such as the Moisture Renew Blend, to help replenish moisture to prevent dryness of the skin. It is sulfate-free and gentle on the microbiome.”—Dr. Garshick

Ultra Gentle Body Wash

Key ingredients: aloe vera, vitamin B5

Size: 16.9 oz

Sometimes, all you need is a thorough, reliable cleanser to remove all traces of the day. This one from Cetaphil does all that and more, treating your skin with a soothing formula that makes you feel as refreshed as a spring morning.

Walmart rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “This hypoallergenic formula is particularly beneficial for those with the most sensitive dry skin. It’s formulated not just with a blend of moisturizers, but also aloe vera and vitamin B5, a combination that helps soothe and cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.”—Dr. Garshick

Body Wash for Dry Skin

Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid

Size: 10 oz

Ceramides are found in all of CeraVe’s products and help prevent water loss and strengthen the skin’s barrier. Though body wash is immediately washed off, this formula gets the party started with a nourishing blend of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. Follow up with the bestselling Moisturizing Cream for skin smooth to the touch post-shower and beyond.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

Our experts say: “I love this body wash, as it offers a gentle foaming cleanse to help eliminate dirt while helping to replenish moisture and restore the skin barrier. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and ceramides to help support the skin barrier, so it is also a great option for those with dry or sensitive skin,” Dr. Garshick says. Dr. Carolyn Stull is also a fan of this body wash, especially for its “humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which boost hydration along with ceramides to support and strengthen the skin barrier.” —Dr. Garshick

Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter

Key ingredients: shea butter, vitamin b3 complex

Size: 30 oz

Olay’s body wash uses shea butter to coat the skin in supple goodness for the ultimate blanket of moisture. Plus, vitamin B3 offers hydration, so your skin appears softer, healthier, and more youthful.

Walmart rating: 4.2/5 stars

Our expert says: “Containing shea butter and Olay’s vitamin B3 complex, this body wash helps to nourish and hydrate the skin. This leaves the skin soft and smooth while also supporting the skin barrier.”—Dr. Garshick

Coconut Hydrating Gel Body Wash

Key ingredients: Coconut water, aloe vera juice, sea kelp

Size: 9.0 oz

Using coconut water tapped straight from young, organic coconuts—this body wash will surely quench your skin. This gel-based formula includes aloe vera juice and sea kelp, a soothing, vitamin rich combo that combats sun damage and is anti-aging.

An ELLE editor says: “I grabbed this out of the beauty closet to add a new body wash to my shower caddy. It quickly became my go-to. It’s long lasting—a little goes a long way—and lathers well, leaving my skin so soft. The main ingredient is coconut water, which is über hydrating. One day, I skipped lotion after my shower (gasp!) and marveled that my skin didn’t quickly get ashy or dry.” —Danielle James, ELLE.com beauty director

Gentle Body Wash

Key ingredient: glycerin

Size: 12 oz

Tailored specially for sensitive skin, the Vanicream body wash is as gentle as they come. Not only is it free of all the harsh irritants (fragrance, dye, sulfates, etc.), but it’s packed with glycerin to restore whatever moisture is lost through cleansing.

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

Our experts say: Vanicream’s Gentle Body Wash is a dermatologist favorite for many reasons, but mainly because its sensitive-friendly formula, which “does not contain fragrance or parabens,” says Dr. Stull, and is “a mild cleanser formulated for sensitive or eczema-prone skin [and] is free of dyes, formaldehyde, sulfates, and gluten,” Dr. Camp added. Dr. Garshick is a fan of its moisturizing properties, courtesy of “glycerin to help boost moisture” and “won’t leave the skin feeling dry or irritated.”

Dean Street Gentle Body Wash

Key ingredients: jojoba, rosehip oil

Size: 32 oz

You get the best of both worlds in this formula: a gentle cleanse that leaves your skin feeling refreshed and clean without a drying finish and essential oils that impart a surge of moisture.

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

Our expert says: “With a citrus-based scent, this cleanser features jojoba seed and rosehip oils to keep skin smooth and hydrated.”—Dr. Brendan Camp

Skin Calming Body Wash

Key ingredients: omega oils, lipids

Size: 16.9 oz

If you’re noticing constant irritation or excessive dryness on your skin, this body wash wards off common woes with skin-loving oils, like castor, to renew and soften the skin. “This fragrance- and soap-free formula is enriched with omega oils and other natural lipids to cleanse dry, itchy skin,” says Dr. Brendan Camp.

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “I use this as a pre-cleanse before the actual wash and I totally love this. Very gentle on the skin. It’s a staple in my body care routine.”

Is it better to use a bar soap or body wash for dry skin?

While both are great for effectively washing the day off, one main factor sets them apart. “An important factor to consider when selecting a body wash or soap is the pH of the product. Ideally, the pH should be close to the pH of normal skin (5.4-5.9), which is slightly acidic. Many bar soaps have an alkaline pH, which can contribute to dehydration and irritation. Unfortunately, the pH of cleansers is not always disclosed on the label,” Dr. Carolyn Stull explains. However, there are a few bar soaps that can get the job done without drying out the skin. “Not all bar soaps are created equal, as the Dove original beauty bar is also formulated with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients to keep the skin feeling soft and smooth without drying it out. That said, those with dry skin may find body washes overall to be less drying,” Dr. Marisa Garshick adds.

What's the difference between a shower gel and body wash?

“Both are used to clean the body of dirt and oil. Shower gels, however, often have a thicker consistency and are effective at removing excess oil. They may not contain the same amount of moisturizing and emollient ingredients as a body wash,” explains Dr. Brendan Camp.

What ingredients should you look out for in a body wash for dry skin?

The gentler (and lighter—in texture) the ingredients, the better. “It can help to use a wash that contains gentle surfactants to effectively cleanse the skin, but also incorporates nourishing and moisturizing ingredients to leave some moisture behind. Look for body washes containing ingredients such as ceramides, which help support the skin barrier, as well as humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which help to draw moisture,” says Dr. Garshick. Ceramides, shea butter, and jojoba oil are all great ingredients.

What ingredients to stay away from?

Typically, harsh alcohols that leave your skin feeling stripped are a big no-no. “It may be helpful to avoid fragrance, a common cause of skin allergies and irritation, if you have sensitive skin. It can also be helpful to avoid products with a higher pH, as mentioned above,” Dr. Stull notes. In addition, Dr. Camp adds salicylic acid to the pool. “Another ingredient to avoid is salicylic acid, which is effective for combating acne, but someone with dry skin may find that salicylic acid-containing products make their symptoms of dry skin, like redness and flaking, worse,” he says.

Meet the experts

Dr. Carolyn Stull, MD, FAAD is a double board-certified dermatologist & Mohs surgeon at MDCS Dermatology.

Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell Medical College.

Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology and clinical assistant professor at Cornell Medical College.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose interviewed dermatologists to find the best body washes to treat dry skin.

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