The best dry skin body washes, according to experts
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While treating your dry skin often involves layers of body lotion and barrier creams, your first step toward hydrated skin begins in the shower with your body wash. However, not all body washes are the same, and those who suffer from dry skin may need to consider specific ingredients and consistencies to relieve dryness and discomfort, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. William Huang.
To help you determine which body wash is best for your dry skin, we spoke to board-certified dermatologists about what ingredients to look for. We also spoke to them about what causes dry skin and how seasonal changes may impact texture and appearance.
SKIP AHEAD The best dry skin body wash | How to shop for dry skin body wash
How we picked the best body washes for dry skin
When shopping for a body wash to soothe or prevent dry skin, our experts recommend keeping in mind the following factors:
Ingredients: To prevent and combat dryness, consider a body wash with hydrating ingredients like natural butters, glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, says Huang. Since other dry skin symptoms include itchiness and redness, it’s also important to find soothing ingredients like aloe and niacinamide.
Consistency: Finding the right consistency is key to combating dryness. Foaming body washes usually have ingredients that exacerbate the issue. Lotion cleansers are the most practical because they’re not drying or overtly sticky like other gel and cream alternatives, according to Dr. Ellen Marmur, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Price: In comparison to other skin care products, body washes tend to be more affordable. All of the options on our list fall under $30.
Best body washes for dry skin
Each of the following body washes are recommended by our experts and contain hydrating ingredients to soothe and prevent dry skin. We also included highly rated options based on our experts’ guidance.
CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
This hydrating body wash comes recommended by Marmur because it helps maintain the skin barrier and bring moisture back to the skin, she says. The soap-free cleanser has hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides, which help keep the skin hydrated, says Huang. Soap-free washes don’t have the drying ingredients most normal soaps have, so they cleanse your skin without stripping it of its necessary moisture, experts told us in our guide to sensitive skin body washes. Although it applies as a thick, creamy wash, it has a nice foaming action once you work it into your skin, according to Marmur.
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
This gentle, sulfate-free body wash is great for all skin types, including those with dry skin, according to Marmur. “It leaves your skin nourished and doesn’t have a fragrance that could lead to irritation,” she says. The wash has hydrating ingredients like plant-based moisturizers and glycerin, according to the brand.
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash $ at Amazon
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash $ at Target
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash $ at CVS Photo
If you’re looking for an ultra-creamy body wash, consider this option from Aveeno. “This formulation is infused with nourishing oat ingredients that are great for lasting hydration, especially for dry skin,” says Marmur. This body wash is also free from common irritants, including fragrances, dyes and soap.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash $ at Target
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash $ at Ulta
Although dermatologists recommend steering clear of drying foaming washes, this cream-to-foam body wash is formulated for those with very dry and sensitive skin. It has shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide and thermal spring water to clean the skin while leaving it hydrated and soft, according to the brand. You can even use this gentle body wash as a facial cleanser, according to experts in our guide to body wash.
Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body & Face Cleanser
Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body & Face Cleanser
Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body & Face Cleanser $ at Amazon
Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body & Face Cleanser $ at Target
Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body & Face Cleanser $ at Walmart
Free of common irritants including fragrances and soaps, this body wash helps cleanse your skin without drying it out and keeps your skin barrier intact, experts told us. The wash is suitable for both the face and body because its noncomedogenic formula won’t clog pores, according to the brand.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash
Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash
Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash $ at Amazon
Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash $ at Target
Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash $ at Walmart
This rich and creamy wash combines hydrating ingredients like avocado oil, almond oil and shea butter to help your skin combat dryness, roughness, tightness and irritation, according to the brand. This fragrance-free body wash, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 2,000 reviews on Amazon, is suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin, according to Cetaphil.
Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash
Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash
Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash $ at Amazon
Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash $ at Ulta
Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash $ at Nordstorm
For those who want a body wash with a subtle fragrance (although experts recommend fragrance-free options), consider this Buttah Skin option. With ingredients like marshmallow root, cocoa butter, shea butter and glycerin, the creamy wash won’t strip your skin of its natural moisture, according to the brand. It has a 4.8-star average rating from over 200 reviews at Nordstrom, and will leave your skin with lingering notes of white lily, rose, white musk and vanilla, according to Buttah Skin.
How to shop for body wash if you have dry skin
All body washes are not created equally, so it’s important to find an option that leaves your skin feeling both clean and hydrated. Below, our dermatologists share what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for a body wash that’s suitable for dry skin.
Ingredients
To help combat dryness, you’ll want to consider a body wash with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, shea butter, soybean oil and avocado oil, says Huang. These ingredients can help maintain and repair your natural skin barrier and keep your skin hydrated by drawing moisture back into it. You’ll also want to consider body washes with soothing ingredients that’ll help tame redness, flaky skin and irritation, including aloe, algae extract, lipids, natural oils and niacinamide, says Marmur.
To prevent your skin from drying out, you’ll also want to steer clear of a few key ingredients when possible. Some examples of drying and irritating ingredients to avoid include fragrances, dyes, alcohol, parabens and formaldehyde, says Huang. You should also avoid exfoliants, both physical and chemical, because they can further damage and irritate your skin.
“It’s important to remember that our skin produces natural oils, which are good for our skin barrier,” says Marmur. When you exfoliate, you can strip your skin of these oils and, without them, your skin will feel drier over time, she says.
Formulation
Body washes can come in the form of a gel, cream, oil or solid bar. However, when it comes to dry skin, a liquid wash may be better than a traditional bar of soap, according to Marmur. Some bar soaps can strip the natural oil glands that are crucial for maintaining your skin barrier, and they tend to hold bacteria over time, she says. Meanwhile, a thick or creamy body wash, in general, will be much gentler on your skin and have a higher concentration of ingredients that can help your skin maintain its moisture, says Huang.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. William Huang is a board-certified dermatologist and professor. His expertise includes complex medical dermatology, including autoimmune and autoinflammatory skin conditions.
Dr. Ellen Marmur is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City and is the founder of MMSkincare. Her areas of expertise include cosmetic and medical dermatology.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter covering skin care and hair care, including neck creams, sunscreens, and eye creams. For this piece, she interviewed dermatologists and researched highly rated body washes for dry skin that met their guidance.
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