The 8 Best Body Washes to Treat Even the Most Sensitive Skin
Reverse scaly, dry skin in a flash.
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Managing breakouts on your face is distressing enough, but watching small, itchy bumps gradually crop up all over your body? That can be even more overwhelming. Similar to your skin care collection, your body requires a slew of targeted formulas to keep it as smooth as possible, whether you opt for the best acne body washes or incorporate a retinol body lotion into your weekly routine. However, if you find your skin is sensitive to active ingredients like exfoliating AHAs or retinol, chances are you need to go a gentler route with the best body washes formulated for sensitive skin.
If you’re unsure whether you have sensitive skin, pay close attention to how your skin responds to certain ingredients. “Sensitive skin tends to be more reactive, meaning that it may become red, itchy, or irritated when introduced to new skin care products,” says Dr. Brendan Camp, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Mina Amin, a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist, suggests, “After washing your skin, wait 30 minutes. If it appears dry and irritated, then it is sensitive.”
Our picks for the best body washes for sensitive skin
The best body washes to soothe sensitive skin should include hydrating, nourishing ingredients that strengthen and repair the skin’s barrier. As a sensitive skin girlie myself, I rummaged through my personal stash, consulted dermatologists, and combed through online customer reviews to compile a list of the eight best body washes for sensitive skin.
Pros
- Calms skin
Cons
- Some claim it isn’t unscented
Just as soft, silky, and pleasant as the OG formula, the sensitive skin version feels like a cashmere sweater for your skin. The milky mixture gently cleanses without overdrying and delivers a surge of moisture to the skin’s barrier.
Key ingredients: Plant-based moisturizers
Size: 22 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.8/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve tried so many different brands of body washes but I always come back to Dove. I love the scent, the moisturizing effect, the gentleness on any skin. I just went ahead and ordered 3 bottles right away not to run out of it that quick.”
Pros
- Gentle enough for all skin types
Cons
- Some users dislike how little it suds
Sometimes, all we want is a no-frills body cleanser that doesn’t irritate and leaves our skin thoroughly cleansed with no residue. “It’s made with ceramides to maintain the natural skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin,” says Dr. Mina Amin, a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
Size: 10 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “As much as I love smelling good, from body wash to lotions to perfumes, my skin does not love anything too fragrant. Do I take heed to the cluster of bumps that form every time I douse my body in the best smelling body washes? Not really, which means I have to put in overtime to reverse the irritation. My savior is this hydrating formula by CeraVe. It’s gentle enough for daily use and doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped or dry.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
Pros
- Long-lasting moisture post-shower
Cons
- Pump can be faulty
The stars of this show are shea butter and thermal water, which work together to deeply moisturize and hydrate parched skin and maintain that feeling for hours on end.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, thermal water
Size: 13.52 fl oz
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “La Roche-Posay’s Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash is made with La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, which is a mix of minerals, trace elements, and selenium, a natural antioxidant. It’s also made with shea butter to soothe the skin and glycerin, which is a humectant, and niacinamide to soothe the skin.”—Dr. Mina Amin
Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Pros
- No harsh irritants
Cons
- Some users note it doesn’t lather well
A dermatologist favorite, Vanicream’s body wash is as mild as they come. With no irritants or fragrances, this formula thoroughly cleanses the skin to remove all traces of the day and imparts moisture, perfect for those with drier skin.
Key ingredients: Glycerin
Size: 12 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
Our expert says: “In addition to being soap-free, this gentle body cleanser is made without harsh cleansing agents, botanic extracts, essential oils, and sulfates.”—Dr. Brendan Camp, NY-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream & Body Wash
Pros
- Soothes irritation
Cons
- Some users dislike the non-foaming formula
Formulated with eczema-prone skin in mind, this body wash might be a bit surprising at first due to its non-foaming formula. It’s essentially a cleansing cream designed to soothe irritated, eczema-prone skin without drying it out.
Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal
Size: 13.5 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Love this ultra gentle and creamy wash. I use it everyday, it’s replaced most soaps for me. It does not dry out my skin or leave a film on me.”
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry Skin
Pros
- Non-irritating formula
Cons
- Some users note it can leave a little residue
Scaly, parched skin has met its match with this nourishing formula. The star of Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing line, this gentle cleanser treats sensitive skin with calming oat to maintain moisture throughout the day.
Key ingredient: Prebiotic oat
Size: 18 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This body wash is nice to the skin and leaves my skin more hydrated than with other ‘moisturizing’ body soaps I’ve tried.”
Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash
Pros
- Thick, nourishing formula
Cons
- Some users dislike how little it suds
Double-cleansing your body doesn’t seem as tedious with this power player in your lineup. Packed with a blend of nourishing ingredients, this oil cleanser lightly lathers to wash away impurities while leaving behind a soft, smooth layer.
Key ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, linoleic oils
Size: 16.9 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve tried many ‘nourishing’ body washes, most of which left an icky film on my skin post-shower. However, this one has no film and leaves my skin feeling smooth to the touch, especially after I start with an exfoliating cleanser to eliminate any acne on my arms or back.”—Nerisha Penrose
Pros
- Calms discomfort and irritation
Cons
- Pump can be faulty
Another staple for eczema-prone skin, this fragrance-free body wash uses moisturizing urea and soothing colloidal oat to minimize and prevent irritation associated with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Key ingredients: Colloidal oat extract, urea
Size: 16.9 fl oz
Cult Beauty rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Cult Beauty reviewer says: “The most gentle body cleanser I’ve ever tried. The texture is very creamy and cleans without leaving the skin feeling dry. After use, my skin feels smooth and hydrated.”
What ingredients should those with sensitive skin use? Which ones to stay away from?
When it comes to sensitive skin—the milder the ingredients, the better for your skin. “Avoid fragrance for sensitive skin,” says Dr. Mina Amin, a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist. “Sensitive skin responds well to gentle cleansers, which are not as abrasive as soaps because they remove less oil from the skin. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide are often well tolerated by those with sensitive skin because they help skin retain moisture and protect it from inflammation. Surfactants like SLS, fragrances, and dyes are common causes of irritation for those with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Brendan Camp, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
Is double cleansing necessary for sensitive skin types?
Double-cleansing isn’t not necessary for your body. However, should you choose to indulge, Dr. Camp suggests minimizing frequency. “Double cleanser helps remove makeup or product residue, but if done regularly, it may put skin at risk of dryness by removing too much sebum or natural oil,” he says.
How often should an exfoliating body wash be used?
“Most exfoliating body washes come with recommended frequencies of use. In general, they may be once a week or two to three times a week depending on the ingredients and their concentration,” Dr. Camp says.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Mina Amin is a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist.
Dr. Brendan Camp is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
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 editor Nerisha Penrose consulted skin experts to vet the best body washes for sensitive skin types.
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