What’s the best body wash?
Alongside shampoo and conditioner, body wash is a shower staple, but not everyone knows how to select the best body wash for their unique skin. Because body washes are all uniquely formulated with different scents and ingredients and for different skin types and concerns, it’s important to take a mindful, informed approach to selecting a body wash. Whether you’re looking for a fun new way to indulge your skin in the shower or looking to replace your everyday go-to body wash, here’s a deep dive into the best body washes available.
What to consider when looking for a body wash
Scent
Most people prefer light, pleasantly scented body washes. Common scent types in body washes include fruity (strawberry, mango), sugary (vanilla, cotton candy), botanical (lavender, mint), earthy (cedar, sandalwood) and clean (fresh, linen). Others prefer fragrance-free formulas. While too much fragrance can be irritating to some, it’s perfectly fine to enjoy fragrance in moderation in your body wash.
Skin type
Whether you have normal, dry, oily, combination or sensitive skin, you should select body washes specifically formulated for your skin type. Keep skin concerns like acne or rosacea in mind in order to select the best body wash for your individual skin needs.
Formula
Body washes are available in a range of textures and sizes. They’re also unique in their ingredient formulations. Conditioning ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil are desirable, as they help lock moisture into the skin, while strong sulfates and over-the-top fragrances tend to be less desirable, as they may be dry or stripping to the skin.
Best body wash cost
Body washes generally cost $2-$20. The least expensive body washes start at $2-$3, while mid-range body washes cost around $5-$15. Higher-quality body washes typically cost $20 and up.
Best body washes
Best of the best body wash
Philosophy Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel: available at Amazon, Ulta and Sephora
Our take: This moisturizing bath and shower gel has a fresh, pleasant aroma and leaves skin feeling nourished and pampered.
What we like: Amazing Grace shower gel can be used as a body wash or poured into the tub for a bubble bath. When used as a body wash, it offers a lavish, foamy feel and clean, feminine smell.
What we dislike: Some users felt the fragrance wasn’t strong enough.
Best bang for your buck body wash
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash: available at Amazon
Our take: This creamy, pH-balanced body wash cleanses and moisturizes skin.
What we like: Dove’s Moisture Renew Blend uses a combination of nourishing and moisturizing ingredients to soothe and enrich skin while purifying skin of dirt and oil.
What we dislike: Some purchasers with extremely dry or sensitive skin reported issues with the product being drying or irritating.
Best body wash for dry skin
Best of the best body wash for dry skin
Beekman 1802 Pure Goat Milk Body Bar Soap: available at Ulta
Our take: Made with triple-milled goat milk, this nourishing, fragrance-free body bar soap offers a creamy and velvety feel on skin.
What we like: Beekman 1802’s key ingredient, goat milk, mimics skin’s natural pH and boosts skin vitality with lactic acid and other vitamins. If you’re looking for a scented option, Beekman also has body bar soaps available that include fragrance.
What we dislike: Some users felt the price was a bit steep for a bar of soap.
Best bang for your buck body wash for dry skin
Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Anti-Irritation Shower Oil: available at Amazon
Our take: This gentle and luxurious-feeling shower cleansing oil cleanses skin of impurities without stripping and drying it out.
What we like: The product texture is supple and non-greasy. The cleansing oil can be used as a body and facial wash on dry, itchy or flaky skin. After rinsing, it leaves skin feeling clean and calm, never tight or dry.
What we dislike: Some found the floral fragrance to be too much.
Best body wash for acne
Best of the best body wash for acne
Murad Acne Control Acne Body Wash: available at Murad, Amazon, Ulta, Sephora and LovelySkin
Our take: This mild, exfoliating body wash with acne-fighting ingredients helps fight breakouts and combat excessive oil in skin.
What we like: Salicylic acid, date seed powder and glycolic acid exfoliate skin and unclog pores while green tea and licorice root extracts soothe skin.
What we dislike: This body wash is expensive compared to competitors.
Best bang for your buck body wash for acne
CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin: available at Amazon
Our take: This exfoliating body wash leaves skin feeling smooth and moisturized.
What we like: CeraVe’s body wash is made with salicylic acid and three essential ceramides that protect the skin’s moisture barrier. It’s also gentle and non-abrasive.
What we dislike: Some users didn’t see the results they were expecting after consistent use.
Best body wash for men
Best of the best body wash for men
Jack Black All-Over Wash for Face, Hair & Body: available at Amazon, Ulta, Sephora and LovelySkin
Our take: This nutrient-rich all-in-one wash works for every part of the body and leaves skin and hair feeling deeply cleansed.
What we like: Moisturizing ingredients like jojoba, panthenol, sea kelp and shea butter soften skin. The all-over cleanser also has a fresh, natural scent.
What we dislike: Some felt it was a bit overpriced.
Best bang for your buck body wash for men
Duke Cannon Supply Co. Big Ass Beer Soap: available at Ulta
Our take: This extra-large, dude-approved bar soap lathers up richly and has a pleasant scent.
What we like: Despite its name, the bar soap does not smell like beer but rather woodsy and earthy. Its limited ingredients feature natural skin conditioners coconut oil and glycerin.
What we dislike: Some users found the scent a bit heavy.
Sydney Poe is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
