Dermatologists and Testers Say These Are Best Body Washes for Dry Skin (2024)

This body wash is the one I keep coming back to, over and over again. It creates a nice, milky lather that leaves me feeling clean yet moisturized without any drying sulfates.

“I like this one a lot,” Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ says of my top pick. “This is a nice cleanser because not only does it have glycerin, it also has those oils to help moisturize and hydrate,” he explains. “Then, it also has fruit extracts which give the skin a nice glow—that’s where ‘glow getter’ comes from.”

The oils and fruit extracts also give the formula a nice, luxurious smell sans irritating fragrances or perfumes. The scent is hard to describe, but it’s a bit like a warm vanilla that lingers lightly on your skin long after you wash it off.

Looking for an ultra-nourishing body wash that’s affordable and expert-recommended? Consider this pick from Olay, “Formulated with moisturizers like shea butter, petrolatum, and provitamin B3 complex to deliver extra moisture while rinsing clean,” says Dr. Frey.

It maintains an overall rating of 4.8 out of five stars on Amazon, and shoppers love the thick, gentle lather plus the way it leaves skin “feeling soft and deeply moisturized.”

This body wash is formulated with colloidal oatmeal, “a great soothing ingredient for eczema-prone skin,” explains Dr. Frey. Not only that, it contains glycerin, ceramides, and amino acids to further nourish and moisturize skin.

The formula is non-foaming, so it’s extra gentle on compromised or irritated skin, and it’s free from an array of potential irritants like fragrances, dyes, parabens, and soap.

Dr. Frey recommends this cleansing body oil from Avéne “for extremely dry and sensitive skin,” noting that despite the texture it doesn’t clog pores and is free from mineral oil.

“XeraCalm is amazing,” adds Dr. Lal. “It has thermal spring water, glycerin, evening primrose oil, and jojoba oil. So this is a true oil-based cleanser.” He explains that it has prebiotic properties, which help support a healthy skin barrier. “Also, this is very good for atopic dermatitis or eczema patients, and has no fragrance, no parabens, no alcohol, and no soap.”

Sometimes a basic cleanser is all you really need—and this option from Dove comes recommended by Dr. Garshick. “This gentle cleanser includes moisturizing ingredients that nourish the skin and leave it feeling soft and smooth after use,” she explains.

The formula contains nourishing soybean oil which is rich in fatty acids, as well as glycerin—a powerful humectant. However, this body wash does contain fragrance which may be best avoided by those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.

“Featuring colloidal oatmeal, this body wash soothes dry, itchy skin while maintaining moisture levels,” explains Dr. Garshick. The formula is also sulfate-free and fragrance-free to avoid further compromising dry skin that’s prone to itching and contains soothing oat extract and oat oil.

Reviewers love the gentle cleanse it provides and how it effectively soothes irritation, dryness, and itchiness. One reviewer on Amazon even called it “a must-have for sensitive skin,” contributing to its overall 4.5 out of five stars rating.

Keratosis pilaris (sometimes called “chicken skin”) appear as little red or flesh-toned bumps and are made up of plugs of dead skin cells, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). A few years ago I started developing these bumps on my upper arms (a common place for KP) along with increased dryness. I struggled to find an effective keratosis pilaris treatment—until I tried this multipurpose scrub and mask from Naturium.

Within just a few uses this product restored my skin to its former smooth, soft, bump-free texture. I use it about every other day in the shower and leave it on for a few minutes before massaging in small circular motions and rinsing away. It’s full of chemical exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid. It also boasts a physical exfoliant, pumice, to slough away dead skin which contributes to KP. If it sounds harsh, don’t worry—it also contains jojoba esters, glycerin, and squalane to replenish moisture and is fragrance-free.

“A really good hydrating cleanser is the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser,” says Dr. Lal. “That is the [original] cleanser that’s super affordable and safe on all skin types.” When it comes to cleansers, Cetaphil’s formula has outperformed many other brands in terms of hydration, he adds.

Plus, this glycerin and vitamin-enriched cleanser can be used on the face and body. It also claims to help reduce five signs of skin sensitivity, including dryness, roughness, a compromised skin barrier, tightness, and irritation.

Most people don’t think of acne and dryness going hand in hand, but those who struggle with both conditions know the struggle of finding skincare products that meet their needs. This option from dermatologist-endorsed brand Cetaphil is specifically formulated with dry skin in mind while incorporating a proven amount of salicylic acid to keep acne at bay. While acne-fighters get to work, ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, and soybean oil provide lasting moisture and nourishment.

“This cleanser is for sensitive, acne-prone skin; fragrances and ‘lathery’ chemicals can cause irritation and breakouts, which is why this cleanser doesn’t have any,” one Amazon reviewer explains. “About a month or two later, my skin is looking great, much better than it did before I found this!”

If you’re the type of person who loves the feel of a foaming body wash, you’ll appreciate this option from La Roche-Posay. While it’s generally recommended to choose a non-foaming body wash if you have dry skin, all three of our experts agree that this one does an excellent job of keeping skin healthy and nourished.

Dr. Lal emphasizes that though it is foaming, it’s ultra-gentle, while Dr. Frey says it’s suitable for those with dry or eczema-prone skin. thanks to the prebiotics in the formula. Also, “This wash includes shea butter and niacinamide for hydration and soothing,” Dr. Garshick adds.

“Fragrance-free and dermatologist-recommended, this wash is perfect for those with sensitive, dry skin, offering a mild, hydrating cleanse,” explains Dr. Garshick of this pick from the popular sensitive skin-friendly brand, Vanicream.

This body wash has earned an overall rating of 4.7 out of five stars on Amazon, with reviewers calling it “a lifesaver for sensitive skin” and “incredibly gentle and soothing.”

While some truly need to forgo fragrance, if you can tolerate a bit of a scent and enjoy a relaxing aroma in the shower, this calming lavender body wash from Aveeno is a great option. It’s lightly scented with lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang and is enriched with prebiotic oat and glycerin to moisturize and nourish the skin barrier. It’s also free from sulfates, soaps, parabens, and dyes.

“I love how moisturizing it is while still sudsing up a good amount,” says Prevention Assistant Editor Madeleine Haase. “It’s also safe for sensitive skin while smelling divine, which is a win for me!”

✔️Choose nourishing ingredients. Our experts recommend seeking hydrating, moisturizing ingredients that nourish the skin barrier. Consider ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and niacinamide.

✔️Steer clear of potential irritants. Similarly, you’ll want to avoid harsh ingredients, including “sulfates, alcohol, or synthetic fragrances, as they can strip moisture and irritate the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. You may also consider avoiding “anything labeled ‘soap’ as it likely contains alkaline ingredients that strip your natural oils and can worsen dry, itchy skin,” adds Dr. Frey.

✔️Look for a non-foaming formula. “Opt for creamy, non-foaming formulations or oil-based cleansers that provide extra hydration and are less likely to dry out the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. The foaming action in most cleansers is caused by surfactants and sulfates, which dry out the skin, adds Dr. Lal. If you do want to use a foaming body wash, Dr. Lal says to make sure you are replenishing and moisturizing with lotion right after the shower.

✔️Limit hot water. While cold shower benefits abound, Dr. Lal knows that many people prefer a hot shower—himself included. “I’m going to be honest, I love my hot showers,” he admits. “I would say that lukewarm water is the best, but hot showers are fine. The key is to keep it short—ideally, under seven minutes is what you want. And be sure to use the right body wash and moisturize right after.”

It’s natural to wonder if the body cleanser you choose will effectively rid your skin of body odor, especially if it’s not the drying, stripping formula you’re used to. But, have no fear: “Moisturizing body washes can eliminate odor,” says Dr. Frey.

Body odor is caused by bacteria on the surface of the skin, and these moisturizing body washes for dry skin still can trap and remove that bacteria, as well as dirt and oil, Dr. Frey explains. “By combining the effective cleansing ability of soaps with the gentleness of synthetic detergents,” these skin-friendly formulas are well-equipped to handle body odor as well as dryness.

We tested Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash, Naturium KP Body Scrub & Mask, and Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash and spoke to Cheri Frey M.D., board-certified dermatologist; Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ; Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC. We also sifted through countless reviews of highly-rated products to select the best body washes for dry skin available.