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The 10 Best Body Washes That Will Save Your Dry Skin
Softer skin while you shower, right this way.
When you have dry skin, washing up can be a tedious task. By their very nature, soaps and body washes are designed to remove dirt, oil, sunscreen, and more from our skin. But in some cases, those qualities can go too far, which is why you need a formula that's made for dry skin.
"It sounds like a contradiction to have a soap that hydrates, but certain body washes can cleanse the skin while not stripping it of necessary and helpful oils and can even add back lipids to the skin during the [cleansing process]," explains Nava Greenfield, a board certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
The Best Body Washes for Dry Skin
The right body wash will not only keep you clean, but it will also help protect, hydrate, and soften skin. Keep reading for the 10 best body washes for dry skin, including derm recommendations and picks from dryness-prone Bazaar beauty editors.
Olay Super Serum Body Wash for Extra Dry Skin
Pros
- Luxe coconut-vanilla scent
Cons
- Some reviewers had issues with the pump dispenser
Bazaar Beauty Director Jenna Rosenstein calls this her "new favorite body wash for dry skin." How did the serum-infused formula earn the distinction? "Because it doesn’t just offer gentle cleansing and hydration, but it also infuses skin with skincare ingredients like vitamin E, collagen peptides, niacinamide, BHA, and shea butter to leave it radiant and smooth."
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, BHA, collagen peptide, vitamin E, shea butter
Size: 18.5 oz
Customer Review:
"I love this cleanser! I have extremely dry skin and this is a game-changer for me. My skin not only feels really clean but hydrated as well. The lather is luxurious and smells heavenly! I really want to know if they make a lotion with this scent!" —Tess
Pros
- The large bottle will last you forever
Cons
- Reviewers wish there were more fragrance options
ICYMI: Dove recently reformulated their iconic body wash for 24-hour hydration. "I’m a long-time Dove fan, and the brand’s newly updated Deep Moisture body wash is a must-have to lock in hydration in-shower and beyond," says Bazaar beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson. "Plus, the formula leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft before I even reach for my body lotion."
Key Ingredients: Glycerin
Size: 30.6 oz
Customer Review:
"I love this product. When I come home after a long day, using this centers me because it’s a very familiar fragrance. My skin always feels more moisturized afterwards and taken care of. I will be purchasing it again!" —Litty
Pros
- The sleek packaging doesn't take up too much shower space
Cons
- Some people may want a richer lather
Greenfield likes this sulfate-free cleanser, which she says has a "subtle foam and soft fragrance," courtesy of chamomile, bergamot, and rose. She adds that "it is lovely to use while cleansing and refreshing the skin while preserving the skin's natural defense and hydration system."
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E
Size: 10.1 oz
Customer Review:
"This isn't formulated with a lot of high foaming ingredients, which is actually why it's good for hydrating skin. You will get clean soft skin without stripping you skin barrier. If you have dry sensitive skin, something like this can really help. I personally love how my skin feels when using this. I still use lotion because where I live it's insanely dry, but in other climates you could get away with skipping." —Jennifer
Lubriderm Daily Moisture Body + Face Wash
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- The scent isn't very long-lasting
The lotion you've used since you were a kid? There's now a body wash version—and it's just as gentle. (It's so gentle that it can also be a face wash, but you know we have plenty of more targeted recommendations on that front.) With a formula designed to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, it's a great option if your skin is extra dry and sensitive.
Key Ingredients: Pro-ceramide, shea butter
Size: 16 oz
Customer Review:
"I have sensitive skin, and this hasn't caused any reactions. The body wash cleans and moisturizes but doesn't feel heavy (like a film) on your skin afterwards like some of the other brands. The scent is light and refreshing."
Naturium The Booster Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash
Pros
- Reviewers said it helped with KP too
Cons
- Some people may want a richer lather
Hyaluronic acid may take top billing in this body wash, but it also boasts 30 percent glycerin (in other words: It's a sponge for hydration). It's also fragrance-free, if you're sensitive or just want something more straightforward.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, vitamin B5, vitamin B12
Size: 16.9 oz
Customer Review:
"Every winter, I always end up with extremely dry skin to where I can scratch until I break skin. I use a hyaluronic acid in my daily face skin routine and though that this may be just as good as that. This has been a savior for me, I recently bought it and I love how hydrated my skin feels." —Kymmy
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- If you want a scented body wash, you'll want something else
Made with 25 percent glycerin—a powerful humectant—this hydrating body wash is slick enough that it also works as a shave gel. Plus, it's unscented and safe to use on your full body, including intimate areas.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin
Size: 10 oz
Customer Review:
"I love this for an oil like shave gel, and also appreciate how it is PH-balanced and unscented. One bottle lasts forever and is aesthetically pleasing in my shower." —lashesplease
eos Shea Better Cashmere Body Wash
Pros
- Dermatologist-recommended formula
Cons
- Better for fans of sweet scents
If you like a luxe, creamy lather that feels truly clean, you'll be a fan of this body wash from Eos. Infused with shea, argan, and cocoa butters, it has an almost whipped texture that gets rich and foamy in the shower without stripping skin of much-needed moisture.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, argan butter, cocoa butter
Size: 16 oz
Customer Review:
"This is one of the best lotions I've ever used. Smells soo good. Like a cupcake. Leaves your skin feeling so soft and hydrated." —julief
Pros
- Feels gentle on skin
Cons
- Pricey
This oil-infused body wash not only feels amazing as you wash up, it smells just as good: the vanilla is rounded out with notes of green cardamom, amber, musk, and more. It'll make you excited to jump in the shower every day.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, fatty acid water, sodium PCA
Size: 16.5 oz
Customer Review:
"I've used other body washes that are infused with shea butter and aromatherapy but none of them work like this! Not only was my skin so soft, I smelled like the body wash the ENTIRE day and I haven’t even purchased the perfume oils yet. 10000000/10 recommend!" —Lis
Pros
- Also available in a 33 oz jumbo size
Cons
- May be too rich for sensitive skin
With over 9,000 reviews (!) on Ulta, this creamy shower gel lives up to the hype. Packed with moisturizing ingredients like cupuaçu butter and coconut oil, it keeps skin ridiculously soft and leaves it scented with the same scent as the brand's iconic Bum Bum Cream.
Key Ingredients: Cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, açai oil
Size: 13 0z
Customer Review:
"I absolutely love this body wash! It's so soft and leaves you feeling so hydrated, plus you smell delicious." —Daniel D.
Saltair Oil-Infused Nourishing Body Wash
Pros
- Fresh tropical fragrance
Cons
- Some reviewers said it made their shower floor slick
Model Iskra Lawrence's line of body-care products has gained a huge following thanks to its fresh fragrances and cute aluminum packaging—and this body wash is a particular favorite. It's packed with moisturizing oils (but doesn't feel greasy), so your skin will feel soft, and stay that way.
Key Ingredients: Passion fruit seed, kukui, argan, coconut and buriti oil blend, vitamin E
Size: 17 oz
Customer Review:
"My elbows and heels love this brand. I just wish there was a body lotion in this fragrance. I love layering the scents. I get so many compliments wherever I go." —Roxie68
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ingredients Should You Look for in a Body Wash for Dry Skin?
A body wash for dry skin should be rich in ingredients that reintroduce moisture back into the skin. "Look for ingredients that calm, nourish, and hydrate like naturally derived oils, chamomile, and glycerin," recommends Greenfield.
Equally important is what should not be found in the formula: "Avoid sulfates—these are usually found in the very foamy washes—and harsh preservatives and strong fragrances, which typically add alcohol and can dry the skin," says the derm.
What Should You Use If You Have Eczema?
When you have eczema, or chronic dry, itchy skin that's prone to scaling and flaking, you should be even more careful when choosing a body wash (or any skincare product). In addition to looking for sensitive-skin-safe products, it's best to use a product that's fragrance-free. When in doubt, look for products with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
Meet the Expert:
- Dr. Nava Greenfield is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
Why Trust Harper's Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
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