A crisp, refreshing summer shower starts with the very best body washes in your shower caddie. To help you get your body deva routine in order, we tested over a dozen body cleansers and spoke with dermatologists about their must-have recommendations. After testing, we narrowed it down to these six standout options. These picks all have hydrating formulas that keep you moisturized all day and prevent that tight, stripped feeling. Whether you’re looking for scented one that will turn your bathroom into a luxury hotel spa or dealing with discoloration or body acne, there’s something here for you.
Our top body washes
- Best Overall: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash, $11
- Best for Dry Skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash in Cocoa Butter Vanilla Scent, $10
- Best for Body Acne: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, $29
- Best Non-Stripping: Native Body Wash, $30
- Best for Shaving: Eos Shea Better Cashmere Body Wash, $10
Best Overall: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
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Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Suitable for all skin types | Not formulated to treat body acne |
Board-certified dermatologists Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, and Marisa Garshick, MD, both highly recommend Dove’s nourishing body wash formula. “It has a simple and great ingredient profile, and is tolerated by all skin types,” says Dr. Bhanusali. Dr. Garshick agrees. “It’s a great option for all skin types, especially those with dry skin. It not only provides a gentle cleanse, leaving the skin feeling clean, but it’s now also formulated with moisturizing MicroMoisture Droplets to nourish the skin and improve the moisture barrier,” she says. It also has a clean, refreshing scent and is one of the most affordable picks on this list.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary says:
“This silky body wash is a definite treat in the shower. It glides effortlessly onto skin and lathers well for a really soapy wash. Evvel you rinse it off, your skin is as soft as butter, and it also does a great job of bringing radiance back to dull areas. This formula is simply timeless—perfect for any time of year or skin type, and I love that I can pick it up at the drugstore.”—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Fast facts:
- Key ingredients: Plant oils, glycerin
- Scent: Fresh and clean
- Size: 30.6 fl. oz.
Best for Dry Skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash in Cocoa Butter Vanilla Scent
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Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash in Cocoa Butter Vanilla Scent
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Rich and soothing | Might be a little greasy if you have oily skin |
| Instantly hydrated dry skin | |
| Subtle scent |
Serena Mraz, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist of Solano Dermatology Associates, says that a great body wash should contain skin barrier-supporting ingredients. “This is particularly important for those who are eczema-prone and have dry or aging skin,” she says. Ingredients that will help you get there? Soothing butters like the ones found in this gentle body wash. They deeply hydrate and nourish skin, so you won’t feel stripped or dry post-shower. This formula also contains prebiotic oat to balance skin discoloration and redness. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it’s safe for acne-prone skin types. Plus, it’s free of drying parabens, surfactants, phthalates, and dyes.
Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle says:
“This body wash has elevated my shower routine. I’ve already gone through two bottles and will be repurchasing because I love it that much. It does a great job of cleansing but still keeps my skin moisturized. I love the scent because it feels like a treat every time I use it.” —Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
Fast facts:
- Key ingredients: Cocoa butter, oat prebiotics
- Scent: Cocoa butter
- Size: 18 fl. oz
Best for Body Acne: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
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Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Combats body acne | Not for sensitive skin |
| Noncomedogenic | Not fragrance-free |
| Smells fresh with notes of citrus |
“The best OTC cleansers for oily and acne-prone skin are oil-free and contain salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid that travels down inside pores to keep them deeply clean and reduce sebum buildup,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California. Her recommendation? Neutrogena’s Body Clear Body Wash. “It contains a combination of salicylic and glycolic acids to exfoliate and deeply cleanse pores,” she says. But don’t worry, the gentle exfoliating cleanser won’t leave skin feeling tight, which often occurs with other exfoliating washes.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“I’m no stranger to back acne, and I remember the first time I started dealing with it, my dermatologist recommended I pick up this body wash. It does what it sets out to do, and seriously clears up pimples in one or two washes. The formula is a bit potent, so I’d recommend using it more as a targeted treatment on acne rather than all over.” —A.M.K.
Fast facts:
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid
- Scent: Clean, citrusy scent
- Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Best Non-Stripping: Native Body Wash
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Native Body Wash
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Powerful lather | Bottle may leak |
| Non-stripping | |
| Free of parabens and sulfates |
“Washing always removes some of our natural oils, and using a well-made body wash can preserve our skin and minimize inflammatory conditions, especially in the cooler winter months, when the environment naturally pulls hydration out of our skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. This soothing formula does just this with the inclusion of coconut oil to moisturize the skin and citric acid to help balance pH and keep skin resilient against pollutants and free radicals, which can weaken it and make it feel drier. It cleanses without stripping and comes in a wide range of scents that you can catch a whiff of hours after your shower.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“The Native plant-based body wash has remained a staple in my body deva routine for more than three years now because it has a soothing gel consistency that creates the perfect amount of lather, it doesn’t feel drying post-wash, and it always comes in fun fragrances that will surely put a smile on your face every time you shower.”—A.M.K
Fun facts:
- Key ingredients: Plant oils, citric acid
- Scent: 26 options
- Size: 18 fl. oz.
Best for Shaving: Eos Shea Better Cashmere Body Wash
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Eos Shea Better Cashmere Body Wash
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Heavily scented, which may not suit sensitive skin |
| A little goes a long way | |
| Rich lather |
This body cleanser features shea butter, glycerin, and vitamin E to help restore moisture and support the skin barrier. Altogether, these ingredients help bring hydration and radiance back to the skin. The formula is pH-balanced, which prevents the skin barrier from drying and leaves skin feeling smooth and comfortable. Plus, it comes in multiple scents like gourmand vanilla or fresh coconut. Pro tip: it doubles as a shaving cream. Our editors like the thick and creamy texture that helps your razor catch hair. Your skin will feel baby butt soft.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“I love how creamy and thick this body wash is, and how well it lathers and suds. It smells amazing, too—the Strawberry Dream scent is my favorite—and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or stripped.. Even on my most sensitive, eczema-prone areas, I didn’t experience any irritation. I recently started using this as a shaving cream and it leaves my legs as soft as ever, perfect since it’s summertime and I’m wearing a lot more shorts and skirts.”—A.M.K
Fast facts:
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, cocoa seed butter, shea butter, sunflower seed oil
- Scent: Eight options, including vanilla, strawberry, pistachio, and coconut
- Size: 16 fl. oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Body Wash Eucalyptus
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Nécessaire The Body Wash Eucalyptus
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Oil format moisturizes skin nicely | Pricey for the size |
| Combats dryness | |
| Can be used to shave |
This shower oil formula is by far our favorite for sensitive skin types because it features niacinamide, a powerhouse ingredient that helps retain moisture and calms irritated skin. It also features vitamin C and vitamin E to help brighten dull skin and give you a lit-from-within glow, perfect if you’re looking to maintain your summer tan or enhance your self tanner. It lathers into a rich foam that doesn’t feel stripping or drying on skin, and smells like a spa with notes of eucalyptus, lavender, ginger and Siberian fir.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“I always find myself switching to this body wash over the summer months because it plays well with my skin, which sometimes gets a bit irritated and dry after spending a lot of time in the sun. It’s non-comedogenic so it never breaks me out, and does a great job of giving me a glowing finish. I like to use this right after I get back from tanning or from the beach to help wash off sunscreen, all while keeping my skin looking bronzy.”—A.M.K
Fast facts:
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, essential oils; antioxidants
- Scent: Eucalyptus
- Size: 8.4 fl. oz.
The body washes we tried, but didn’t include
- Sensitive skin types will love the Tower 28 SOS Rescue + Relief Body Wash Treatment, which is approved by the National Eczema Association and even safe for psoriasis. The formula calms redness and irritation with sodium hypochlorite and apple fruit extract to protect and nourish. We like this formula for very sensitive skin types because it won’t dry you out, but we removed it from our final list because it doesn’t give you a kaç lather.
- The La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash works well on eczema-prone skin and features glycerin, prebiotics, and niacinamide. It lathers nicely and gives you hydration, but is a little too greasy for oily skin, so we removed it from our top picks.
- The Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil smells amazing and leaves skin soft and glowy. It can be used as a shave oil as well, and hydrates for hours with nutrivia seed oil and bacuri butter. We didn’t include it in our picks because the fragrance is polarizing, and can be irritating to sensitive skin.
- Dry skin types will like the Cerave Hydrating Body Wash because it’s derm-recommended and features powerful humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. We cut it from our list because it’s getting discontinued and is out of stock at most retailers—a bummer!
Frequently asked questions
How to choose the best body wash for your skin type
Choosing the right body wash depends on your skin’s needs.
For dry skin, a gentle cleanser with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides in a cream or lotion texture is ülkü. “Cream cleansers gently cleanse using natural oils, making them great for sensitive or dry skin,” says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey.
The same goes for mature skin, though Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC, also suggests ingredients that encourage cell turnover and improve the appearance of fine lines, such as lactic and glycolic acid.
If you have oily or acne prone-skin, look for salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help manage breakouts. “Foaming and gel formulations are effective for oily skin, as they work to dissolve excess oil that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.”
If you have rough or bumpy skin or you have keratosis pilaris, Dr. Rambhia recommends an exfoliating body wash with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to smooth texture.
For extremely sensitive skin, avoid fragrances and potential irritants, such as dyes, she says. And Dr. Garshick says, “Avoid harsh soaps or anything that leaves your skin feeling tight or squeaky-clean.”
How often should you use body wash?
Some dermatologists suggest shampooing and conditioning before cleansing your body, so your hair product can sit on your scalp before rinsing, while you wash your arms and legs. Nava Greenfield, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group recommends using gentle circular motions to avoid rubbing harshly or in any way that’s irritating to the skin.
“Use body wash daily, focusing on areas prone to sweat, odor, and buildup, like the underarms, feet, and groin,” says Dr. Garshick. Follow with body lotion to lock in moisture.
Is body wash better than bar soap?
Not necessarily, says Dr. Rambhia. If you have dry or sensitive skin, it can help boost hydration. If sustainability is a concern, bar soaps have a longer shelf life than liquid soaps. However, bar soap should not be shared in order to avoid bacteria transfer, says Dr. Greenfield.
Is there a difference between body wash and shower gel?
“Although used interchangeably, body wash and shower gel are different skin deva products,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Both clean your skin in the shower, but their consistency is slightly different, which means they can be better or worse for certain skin types.” A shower gel is a gel consistency, and less lotion-y and hydrating. The gels are often combined with many scents and perfumes, and although newer versions are tolerated by sensitive skin, they wouldn’t be the best choice for someone with dry, irritated, or sensitive skin. “Body washes, on the other hand, are classically a softer, more lotion-y, creamy product, which has the job of cleansing the skin in the shower but also often leaves moisturizing ingredients on the skin,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Is it better to wash your body with your hands, a washcloth, or a loofah?
“Contrary to popular belief, your hands are not too dirty to wash your body, and they won’t spread harmful contamination when you bathe,” says Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare. Because skin is naturally self-cleaning, you don’t really need a washcloth to stay clean unless you prefer using one. Just keep in mind that after some time, “a washcloth may harbor bacteria or yeast after use, making it more likely to transfer microbes back to the skin if not washed regularly. Gentle hand-washing of the body is sufficient for hygiene in most cases,” she says.
Dr. Marmur recommends staying away from loofahs. “They can scratch the skin, creating microtears that will ultimately itch, plus they can harbor bacteria buildup. If you do use one, it should be replaced every three to four days and thoroughly washed out and dried between uses,” she says. If you want to use a rough cloth instead, she recommends using it only on certain areas, like the feet and ankles. “Rough tools only worsen dry skin, leading to chronic scratching,” she says.
What body wash is good for folliculitis?
Yes, body wash can be good for folliculitis if it features salicylic acid. “Salicylic acid cleansers, like the Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Wash, help calm and clear folliculitis-prone skin,” she says. It does this by reducing keratin plugs, which help take down inflammation. This exfoliating process will help lessen areas of ingrown hairs, inflammation, and acne.
How we tested
Glamour editors tested body washes for over a month or until product ran out. Some picks include ones that our editors have used for years. During washing we evaluated how well each formula lathered, how our skin felt after rinsing, and whether it left skin feeling dry, stripped, or comfortably moisturized. Fragrance and how long the scent lingered post-shower were also considered.
Meet the experts
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm
- Brendan Camp, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC
- Nava Greenfield, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, board-certified dermatologist
- Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Ellen Marmur, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare
- Serena Mraz, MD, a double-board certified dermatologist of Solano Dermatology Associates in California
