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You probably put a lot of thought into what hair products you use to keep your locks looking fabulous, but if you don't put the same time and effort into selecting your body wash, you could be missing out on brighter, smoother skin.
Like most other personal care products, body wash isn't one-size-fits-all: There are many types, including moisturizing formulas, those for acne-prone skin, gentle options, and exfoliating washes, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist.
Meet the experts: Debra Jaliman, MD is a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist. Michele Green, MD is a cosmetic dermatologist in NYC. Diane Madfes, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. Corey L. Hartman, MD is the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL.
For the most part, it's safe to use any type of body wash, but you won't reap maximum benefits—and may even experience adverse effects—if you select the wrong one. (For example, those with acne-prone skin may experience breakouts if they use an ultra-hydrating option.)
To find the best body wash for you, check out the top dermatologist-approved picks in all categories.
Pros
- Sustainable packaging
- Great scent
Cons
- Pricey for body wash
This cleanser can be used in the shower or the bath and contains humectants to help skin maintain its moisture long after you've dried off. The eco-conscious will love the fact that both the packaging and the cap are fully recyclable.
Rave review: "Nice scent which is not overpowering. Very pleased with cleansing performance. Excellent foaming action. Most importantly, I feel very refreshed after a shower using this product."
Key ingredients | Aloe vera, hydrolyzed wheat protein, sodium PCA |
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Size | 16.9 oz |
Pros
- Great lather
- Cruelty-Free
Cons
- Expensive
Specifically-formulated for darker skin, this ultra-nourishing body wash contains a trio of African cocoa butter, shea butter, and nourishing multivitamin extracts to deeply cleanse and soften the skin at the same time.
Rave review: "I will not use any other body wash. There is no need. This product gives my body all the moisture I need."
Key ingredients | Cocoa butter, shea butter |
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Size | 10 oz |
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Pros
- Soothes away redness and irritation
- Gentle on even the most sensitive skin
Cons
- Not for those who like scents
Because it contains colloidal oatmeal, which has shown to reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen synthesis, this pick is great for sensitive skin, says Dr. Green. "Oatmeal contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a powerful ingredient for soothing and healing irritated skin."
Rave review: "My dermatologist recommended this product for my extra sensitive skin. I am in my eighties and always have had dry sensitive skin so I was skeptical of trying one more product that didn't work. But I was happily surprised. It does what it says it does."
Key ingredients | Colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, pro-vitamin B5 |
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Size | 18 oz |
Pros
- Free of dyes, parabens, sulfates, and silicones
- Affordable
Cons
- Doesn't lather well
Though the cheapest body wash on the list, it's just as worthy of your attention, says Dr. Hartman. "It has aloe to help add moisture and is free of dyes, parabens, sulfates and silicones, which ideal for people with sensitive skin."
Rave review: "I have tried numerous different body washes to find one that is gentle on skin, but also cleans well. I highly recommend this product."
Key ingredient | Vitamin E |
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Size | 16 oz |
Product Type | Body Wash |
Brand | Dial |
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Pros
- Great scent
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Pricey
If you love a beachy scent, Kopari's Hydrating Body Wash is for you. A simple lather, and your whole shower will smell like a piña colada. That's not all you get, though. The gel-based formula is packed with smoothing ingredients like coconut water, organic aloe vera juice and sea kelp.
Rave review: "I love how hydrating this body wash is! I can finally feel clean without stripping my skin!"
Key ingredients | Coconut water, aloe vera, sea kelp |
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Size | 9 oz |
6
Best Body Wash For Acne
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment
Pros
- Contains 2% BHA
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
For patients with acne on their chest or back, Dr. Hartman says this hardworking body wash is a "go-to recommendation." Thanks to the a powerful punch of 2 percent salicylic acid, using this exfoliant wash even just one to two times per week in the shower can help reduce acne, he explains.
Rave review: "This works great in combination with my body scrub to stop my rough patches and bumpy skin."
Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, green tea, chamomile |
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Pros
- Made from plant oils
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Expensive
Made from non-fragrant plant oils, this sulfate-free body wash is gentle enough for sensitive skin and won't further irritate dry skin. Instead, it relies on a multi-amino acid blend to rinse dirt and fatty acid-rich marula, sweet almond, sacha inchi seed, and maracuja oils to hydrate.
Rave review: "This smells so good! I love how it isn't so bubbly that all of it doesn't just fall of my loofah. It is so great to pair with the Sili body lotion. And the packaging of course is super cute!"
Key ingredients | Passionfruit oil, marula oil, amino acid blend |
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Size | 8 oz |
8
Best Gel/Oil Combination Body Wash
Nécessaire The Body Wash in Bergamot
Pros
- Smells great
- Lathers well
Cons
- Expensive
Plant-derived surfactants (aka cleansers!) rinse away dirt and other impurities, while a blend of marula, cacay, and meadowfoam smooth and soften skin.. For additional skin benefits, the formula is also packed with vitamins, including vitamins A, B3, C and E, as well as Omegas 6 and 9 and antioxidants.
Rave review: "This got me through the Covid blues and pregnancy when every scent made me nauseous. It’s so delightful to use and it makes me feel refreshed."
Key ingredients | Marula oil, vitamins A, B3, C and E, meadowfoam oil |
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Size | 8.4 oz |
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Pros
- Great scent
- Affordable
Cons
- Doesn't lather well
Though it doesn't foam like some other formulas, you'll love lathering up with this affordable body wash, which smells like a liquid Jolly Rancher. As a nice bonus, it's vegan and cruelty-free, too.
Rave review: "I LOVE the smell of this body wash. It smells like watermelon Jolly Ranchers but a little less sweet. It lathers well and doesn’t dry my skin. Perfect for summer!"
Key ingredients | Aloe vera, meadowfoam oil, olive oil, comfrey oil, jojoba oil |
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Size | 25 oz |
Pros
- Extremely gentle and hypoallergenic
- Affordable
Cons
- Not completely unscented
Dove's lightly-scented formula provides a great lather, and leaves your skin feeling clean and nourished. The secret is its MicroMoisture droplets—a plant-based moisturizer that contains no parabens or sulfates, but penetrates your skin to nourish its protective layer, so your skin won't dry out as quickly as it usually might.
Rave review: "This is a great product because it’s easy to use and leaves you feeling clean and fresh. The pump is great to have in the shower. It doesn’t make your skin feel dry but moisturized."
Size | 20 oz |
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Pros
- Energizing
- Lathers well
Cons
- Expensive
So much more than a hydrating body wash, this formula by Dermalogica has an invigorating blend of eucalyptus and lavender to awaken the senses first thing in the morning.
Rave review: "I love everything about this product!!! Smells like you are in a extravagant spa and feels like you just received a 90 minute massage. Heavenly!"
Key ingredients | Tea tree oil, rosemary oil, orange peel oil, eucalyptus |
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Size | 10 oz |
Pros
- Can buy in bulk
- Very affordable
Cons
- Unscented
Because it's sulfate-free and formulated with only the gentlest cleansers, it won't irritate dry skin. It also works to restore a smooth, hydrated skin barrier, thanks to ingredients like jojoba oil.
Rave review: "I have very dry skin on my legs and arms and I use this body wash to help with that. It’s very soothing and helps lock moisture on my skin. Makes your skin feel smooth."
Key ingredients | Jojoba oil |
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Size | 22 oz |
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13
Best Luxury Body Wash
Oribe Replenishing Body Wash
Pros
- Lathers well
- Great scent
Cons
- Expensive
You'll certainly pay the price for this luxurious cleanser, but it's worth the indulgence. The pearlescent formula feels silky going on, infuses the skin with moisture, and smells heavenly.
Rave review: "I really enjoyed the scent and the amount of lather I got with this body wash. It did seem to last throughout the day and wasn’t drying to my skin."
Key ingredients | Almond, meadowfoam, and starflower oils, carrot root extract |
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Size | 10.1 oz |
Pros
- Vegan
- Smells great
Cons
- Expensive
Made of seven oils, this clear, lightweight cleanser froths when mixed with water to effortlessly clean while hydrating at the same time. The orange blossom neroli scent is the icing on the cake.
Rave review: "I use it always and am constantly getting compliments on how good I smell!"
Key ingredients | Seseme seed, olive, coconut, sunflower, and soybean oils, orange blossom neroli blend, |
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Size | 8.4 oz |
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Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Lots of customers say it doesn't lather well
Be kinder to the environment with this formula by Shark Tank-famous brand Blueland. You simply buy the starter set, which comes with a refillable bottle, then fill the bottle with the powdered plant-based wash. It's dermatologist-tested and loaded with oat and vitamin E for a rich moisturizing lather.
Rave review: "It actually does get really thick, and it smells so good! Works amazing. Love it!"
Key ingredients | Vitamin E, oat, kaolin clay, coconut acids |
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Size | 18 oz (bottle), 2.3 oz (powder refill) |
Pros
- Widely available
- Gentle
Cons
- More expensive than other drugstore picks
A favorite of Madfes, this drugstore body wash is loaded with glycerin for a moisturizing effect, plus contains niacinamide to calm irritated or rash-prone skin.
Rave review: "I use this for my psoriasis. It is gentle, fragrance-free, and does a good job."
Key ingredients | Shea butter, niacinamide |
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Size | 13.52 oz |
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Pros
- Gentle
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Not widely available
This pick is approved by the National Eczema Association because it's fragrance-, sulfate-, phalate-, paraben-, and dye-free. It's nice and gentle, even if you're experiencing a flare up, thanks to soothing oats.
Rave review: "My son has very sensitive skin! This body was is amazing, doesn't irritate him or make him itchy. Love the simple and clean but effective ingredients—so glad we found this brand!"
Key ingredients | Calming oats |
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Size | 16 oz |
Pros
- Great scent
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Beads may be bad for the environment
Have large pores prone to clogging and breakouts? This product contains a combination of salicylic acid and glycerin to help unclog pores without drying out skin, says Dr. Jaliman.
Rave review: "This product saved my backne situation. I used to breakout all over my back and was so frustrated and stressed out about it. But just after a few uses, I already notice that the inflammation is under control."
Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, glycerin |
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Size | 8.5 oz |
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Pros
- Lathers well
- Smells great
Cons
- Expensive
You'll love the fresh and invigorating grapefruit scent. But what's even better? The foaming shower gel is packed with citrus fruit extracts, shea butter, and vitamins C and E to gently cleanse and brighten skin.
Rave review: "I love Hesperides. The scent lightly lingers after a shower but it’s not overwhelming. It is such a clean smell and you can also use it for bubble bath."
Key ingredients | Shea butter, vitamins C and E |
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Size | 10 oz |
Pros
- Ultra-hydrating
- Widely available
Cons
- Hard to get out
Part of the wildly popular Hydro Boost line by Neutrogena, this body wash is beloved by those with all skin types, says Dr. Madfes. That's because it contains a hefty dose of hyaluronic acid to keep skin moisturized longer.
Rave review: "Hydro boots gives dry skin the hydration it needs. My skin tends to be on the dryer side getting older and this lotion gives it what it needs to stay healthy."
Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid |
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Size | 16 oz |
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.