19 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin
Finding the right body wash can be an incredibly frustrating task for those with dry skin. Many formulas that are currently on the market contain ingredients that strip the skin of its natural moisture, rather than supporting and supplementing it. There are also a variety of body washes containing harsh ingredients that aggressively cleanse away dirt, debris, and excess grime, leaving the skin feeling parched, tight, textured, and irritated.
Thankfully, there are some expertly formulated cleansers on the market that are perfect for dry skin – you just need to know where to look. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best body washes for dry skin. The products recommended below efficiently cleanse the skin, but also contain effective ingredients that leave it feeling soft, supple, and (most importantly) hydrated.
If you have dry skin, you need a nourishing body wash that is able to replenish the skin’s moisture levels just as well as it cleanses – and that is exactly what the Blu Atlas Body Wash was created to do. It is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients that lock in moisture and give dry skin the support that it needs to look and feel its best.
This natural body wash (which is dermatologically tested) contains aloe leaf, which is packed with protective antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E. This natural ingredient nourishes while moisturizing the skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and healthy. The formula also features green tea extract, an antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory ingredient that works to soothe irritated skin.
Coco-caprylate (a gel derived from coconut alcohol and caprylic acid) helps soften and soothe, and shea butter glycerides further moisturizes the skin while locking in moisture. Finally, there’s sugar cane extract, which gently exfoliates for softer and smoother skin. The formula is also free of sulfates – which can be drying and irritating to the skin – as well as parabens and phthalates.
2. Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Skincare company Vanicream was launched in 1975 to create gentle products that deliver results while still being safe for sensitive skin. The Vanicream Gentle Body Wash is particularly well-formulated for dry and sensitive skin, as it’s created to leave the skin feeling soft and cleansed without causing any irritation.
The Vanicream Gentle Body Wash is free of potentially problematic ingredients that may aggravate irritable skin or cause any additional dryness. This includes fragrances, soap, sulfates, gluten, lanolin, formaldehyde releasers, and dyes. The formula has been dermatologist tested, and has even received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance – so those prone to eczema can feel safe using this product. The ingredient list is simple, and contains gentle cleansing agents like coco-glucoside and sodium cocoyl glycinate, along with ingredients like glycerin and propanediol, which hydrate and soften the skin.
3. Glossier Body Hero Daily Oil Wash
Glossier has quickly become a leader in the beauty and skincare world since its founding in 2012, and the company’s Body Hero Daily Oil Wash is one of the best body washes for dry skin. This unique vegan and cruelty-free oil cleanser froths when it is mixed with water, and efficiently cleanses without drying out the skin. The result is refreshed skin that isn’t left feeling parched, tight, or irritated.
The Body Hero Daily Oil Wash contains a potent blend of seven oils that lift away dirt and debris from the skin, while also deeply hydrating, nourishing, and soothing the skin. This blend includes antioxidant-rich and moisturizing grapeseed oil, as well as sunflower seed oil, which helps support the skin’s barrier and fight against moisture loss. Coconut, olive, meadowfoam, and soybean oils naturally moisturize the skin, while sesame oil soothes and boosts suppleness. This soap-free daily body wash has a light and fresh orange blossom neroli scent.
4. Korres Pure Greek Olive Shower Gel
Korres’s extensive range of face and body care products features natural, nutrient-rich ingredients grown in Greece. The Pure Greek Olive Shower Gel is a foaming body wash containing a variety of natural ingredients packed with omega fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. These potent ingredients support, nourish, and hydrate dry skin so that it is left feeling soft, supple, and healthy.
The star ingredient in this vegan and cruelty-free shower gel is olive leaf, which deeply hydrates and rejuvenates the skin. The formula gel also features aloe leaf and glycerin, which further soothe and moisturize. The Pure Greek Olive Shower Gel is free of parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, silicone, and synthetic colors. It comes in two fresh scents that will transform your shower into an at-home spa: Olive Blossom and Sea Salt.
5. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
Drugstore favorite skincare brand CeraVe offers affordable face and body care products that are specifically formulated to support the skin’s barrier for optimal health and function. The company’s Hydrating Body Wash was crafted to gently cleanse and support normal to dry skin. The expertly formulated cleanser is packed with emollients and other ingredients that soften and moisturize the skin.
This gentle foaming body wash – which was developed with dermatologists – features three essential ceramides that support the barrier of the skin, helping to improve the skin’s ability to maintain its moisture levels. A strong skin barrier is crucial for avoiding dryness and irritation.
Another key ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in, helping to maintain skin hydration in the long-term. The formula is paraben-free, sulfate-free, soap-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), and also has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
6. Kopari Hydrating Body Wash with Aloe and Sea Kelp
Kopari is a clean beauty and personal care brand that focuses on using safe and natural ingredients. The star of all Kopari products are organic coconut-derived ingredients, which are sustainably sourced from the Philippines. The company’s gel Hydrating Body Wash is packed with ingredients that quench the skin so that it feels soft and supple after cleansing.
Naturally, one of the main ingredients in this vegan and cruelty-free body wash is organic coconut water, which is sourced from fresh, premium coconuts. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and amino acids that nourish and deeply hydrate the skin. Two other powerhouse ingredients found in the Hydrating Body Wash are sea kelp, which further hydrates while providing antioxidant protection, as well as nutrient-rich organic aloe vera juice, which softens and calms the skin. The formula is free of silicones, sulfates, and phthalates.
7. La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Moisturizing Wash
This moisturizing cleanser from La Roche-Posay is an excellent option for extra dry skin, and is particularly great for those looking for a multi-purpose product, as it can be used on both the body and the face. The super gentle formula is also suitable for sensitive skin, and has received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. This dermatologist tested foaming wash soothes and moisturizes the skin, and is free of parabens, fragrances, and soap.
The La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Moisturizing Wash is packed with soothing and moist
urizing ingredients that support the skin’s health and leave it feeling soft, calm, and deeply hydrated, including shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide. In addition to these ingredients, this face and body wash features a prebiotic thermal water, which is sourced in La Roche-Posay, France. This thermal water is packed with trace elements and minerals, including antioxidant-rich selenium.
8. Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser
Popular clean beauty brand Drunk Elephant is most well-known for its face serums and moisturizers, but the company also has a great selection of body care products – including the Kamili Cream Body Cleanser. This creamy body wash is expertly formulated with gentle and nutrient-rich ingredients that work to support the skin barrier while cleansing away dirt and debris.
The Kamili Cream Body Cleanser features a variety of nourishing oils, including passion fruit oil (also known as maracuja oil), which both moisturizes and soothes the skin. It also contains nutrient-rich marula and sacha inchi seed oils, which moisturize, soothe, and rejuvenate the skin. An easily absorbed amino acid blend works to moisturize while also calming the skin and strengthening its barrier.
This body wash contains a blend of fatty acid-rich surfactants derived from coconuts, along with other super mild surfactants. These gentle cleansing agents create a foam that washes away dirt and grime without drying out the skin. The vegan and cruelty-free formula is free of sulfates, silicones, dyes, drying alcohols, and fragrances.
9. Ameliorate Nourishing Body Wash
Ameliorate specializes in crafting body, skin, and scalp care products for people who suffer from dehydration and dryness. The company’s Nourishing Body Wash has been formulated to gently cleanse the skin without causing additional dryness, while also promoting a smoother and softer complexion. It has even been clinically proven to increase moisture levels in the skin for up to eight hours.
The creamy and rich Nourishing Body Wash features the company’s LaH6 Complex, which contains six active moisturizers that boost moisture levels while locking hydration into the skin. The soap-free formula also contains starflower and camelina seed oils, which are rich in nourishing omegas. With regular use, these ingredients work to strengthen the skin’s barrier so that it is better able to fight against moisture loss, resulting in softer and smoother skin long-term.
10. SheaMoisture Olive & Green Tea Bubble Bath & Body Wash
For over 30 years, SheaMoisture has been offering rich and effective skincare products powered by raw shea butter that is sourced from Africa. If you’re looking for a moisturizing product that can work as both a body cleanser and a bubble bath, check out the company’s Olive & Green Tea Bubble Bath & Body Wash. It was formulated to deeply hydrate and repair dry skin, and also contains potent ingredients that can help prevent visible signs of aging.
Some of the star ingredients in the Olive & Green Tea Bubble Bath & Body Wash include moisturizing and nourishing olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. Avocado oil – which is rich in vitamins and minerals – supports the skin’s health and deeply hydrates, while antioxidant-packed green tea extract soothes and protects the skin against environmental aggressors. The formula is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum, and is also cruelty-free.
11. Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash
Dermalogica has been in the personal care industry since 1986, creating effective, professional-grade formulas for a variety of skin issues. The Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash is a gentle cleanser formulated to nourish, soften, and cleanse the skin without stripping away the skin’s natural moisture. The soothing scent was inspired by the blend of essential oils you’d find being diffused at a Turkish hammam, and is created using rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, sandalwood, and lemon oils.
The Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash features vitamin E, which both nourishes and protects the skin. Orange peel oil helps boost radiance in the skin while also improving smoothness, while lavender, sandalwood, and eucalyptus oils soothe the skin (while also adding to the fresh scent of the body wash).
12. Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash
This product from clean beauty brand Kosas is one of the best body washes for dry skin in need of some mild yet effective exfoliating power. The Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash contains a variety of gentle exfoliating ingredients that help promote brighter, smoother, and blemish-free skin. It has a tropical scent that will make you feel like you’re on vacation, featuring notes of jasmine, rose, orange, vanilla, vetiver, and sandalwood.
This daily gel body cleanser features three alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. These chemical exfoliators work on the surface of the skin to smooth overall texture and improve skin tone. The body wash also features pineapple and papaya fruit enzymes, which help turnover dead skin cells for glowing and soft skin. While these exfoliating ingredients get to work, allantoin helps condition and soothe the skin, and glycerin hydrates. The formula is non-comedogenic and non-irritating, and has also been allergy tested.
13. Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
You’ve likely come across Cetaphil’s huge range of sensitive skin-friendly personal care products at the drugstore, but you may not know about the company’s Ultra Gentle Body Wash. As the name suggests, this cleanser is super gentle on the skin, and is specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin types.
This body wash features aloe vera and panthenol (AKA vitamin B5), which both moisturize and soothe the skin. Additional moisturizing and nourishing ingredients continue to support the skin’s barrier after you’ve showered, ensuring it stays strong and hydrated.
If your dry skin is also sensitive, the Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash is a great option for you. The formula is made to defend against five signs of skin sensitivity, including irritation, roughness, tightness, dryness, and a weak skin barrier. It is free of fragrances and parabens, and is also non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist tested.
14. L’Occitane Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil with Almond Oil
South of France-based company L’Occitane is known for creating rich and nourishing skin, hair, and body care products. This includes the Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil with Almond Oil, which is one of the company’s best-selling products.
Once mixed with water in the shower, the silky oil-based formula transforms into a milky lotion, which gently cleanses while softening and nourishing the skin. One of the star ingredients in this shower oil is sweet almond oil, which is rich in omega 6 and 9. This ingredient softens and soothes dry skin, helping to boost suppleness. Another key ingredient that is also rich in omega 6 and 9 is grapeseed oil, which further softens the skin. The L’Occitane Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil has a fresh almond scent, which subtly lingers on the skin once rinsed off.
15. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Yogurt Body Wash
Popular drugstore skincare brand Aveeno takes a therapeutic approach to personal care, and creates effective formulas that are packed with powerful natural ingredients. The company has a wide range of body washes, but for those with dry skin, one of the top-rated options is the Daily Moisturizing Yogurt Body Wash. This popular (and super affordable) body cleanser comes in two scents: Apricot & Honey and Vanilla & Oats.
This body wash is formulated to
gently cleanse away bacteria, oil, dirt, and other debris while revitalizing, relieving, and softening dry skin. The star ingredients in this body wash are nutrient-rich yogurt and oat kernel flour, which moisturize and soothe the skin. The Daily Moisturizing Yogurt Body Wash is soap-free and dye-free, and is also hypoallergenic.
16. True Botanicals Nourishing Wash
Luxury beauty brand True Botanicals creates clean skin and body care products that are powered by natural and certified organic wild-harvested ingredients. The company’s Nourishing Wash is packed with nutrient and antioxidant-rich ingredients that strengthen and hydrate the skin. Rather than traditional cleansing agents that can be harsh (and drying) on the skin, the body wash uses plant-based surfactants that are super gentle yet incredibly effective. It has a light herbal, wood, and citrus scent, and is free of synthetic fragrances.
The vegan and cruelty-free Nourishing Wash contains aloe leaf extract, which moisturizes and soothes, as well as olive fruit extract, which contains moisturizing fatty acids. Instead of water, the base of the Nourishing Wash is green and white tea extracts, which are rich in antioxidants and have soothing, anti-inflammatory, and toning properties. Additional ingredients like glycerin hydrate the skin, while orange, patchouli, sandalwood, and cedarwood oils help create the natural and earthy scent.
17. Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash
Dove is known for offering excellent hair and body care products at super affordable prices, and the Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash is no exception. This budget-friendly body wash is an excellent choice for dry skin, because it instantly softens and moisturizes the skin, leaving it feeling comfortable and hydrated.
This creamy body wash (which has a light floral fragrance) is formulated with plant-based moisturizer ingredients, along with nutrients that are natural to the skin. Dove’s Moisture Renew Blend technology helps deliver these ingredients deep into the skin to make sure all layers are properly hydrated and nourished. Mild cleansers (that are naturally derived) gently cleanse, ensuring the skin’s microbiome is not disrupted in the process – which is crucial for optimal skin health. The Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash is free of sulfates and parabens.
18. Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter
Personal care brand Olay has been taking a science-based approach to skin and body care for over 65 years, and the company’s super popular Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter (which has been clinically proven to improve dry skin) does not disappoint. The key ingredient in this formula is shea butter, which is particularly beneficial for dry skin. This body wash uses the power of this plant-based moisturizer along with other hydrating ingredients to deeply quench the skin.
Shea butter is an excellent source of fatty acids (including linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids) and vitamins, and effectively nourishes the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss while hydrating the skin. Another key ingredient in this Olay body wash is the company’s vitamin B3 complex, which hydrates, plumps, and refreshes the skin while locking in moisture.
19. Love Beauty & Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Bountiful Moisture Body Wash
Love Beauty and Planet is a budget-friendly vegan and cruelty-free personal care brand that creates formulas featuring effective, high-quality ingredients. These richly-scented products are also infused with ethically sourced fragrances. The company’s Murumuru Butter & Rose Bountiful Moisture Body Wash is formulated to lock in moisture so that the skin is left feeling refreshed, soft, and smooth. The warm floral scent comes from handpicked Bulgarian rose oil.
One of the key ingredients in this body wash is organic murumuru butter, which is made from the fat found in murumuru nuts. This deeply moisturizing plant-based ingredient helps nourish and soften the skin while fighting against dryness. The body wash also features coconut oil and glycerin, which further help hydrate the skin. The Murumuru Butter & Rose Bountiful Moisture Body Wash is paraben-free, silicone-free, sulfate-free, and dye-free, and comes in 100% recycled bottles.