Finding the best body wash for your skin type can sometimes feel like finding the holy grail! We have all been there and used bottle after bottle of low-end and high-end products hoping for butter-soft skin that glows. Instead of shopping blindly, let us help you find a product that actually follows through on its promises.
Comparison Table
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3 Things You Didn’t Know about Body Wash
1. Less Foam Means More Moisture
You know you’ve found the best body wash for your dry skin if the lather isn’t that great. Body washes and shower gels that have too much foam actually strip the skin of its natural oils and will leave your skin feeling dry and uncomfortable.
2. Water Temperature Matters
Most of us enjoy a nice warm and soothing shower, which is actually best for applying body wash. However, here’s a little tip. Blast some cold water after the body wash has been rinsed to close your pores—this will lock in the moisture.
3. Body Wash Is More Hygenic than a Bar of Soap
While we all may think that a bar of soap is self-cleaning, that old bar of soap that is passed from family member to family member that sits on the shower shelf can collect a lot of bacteria over time. Yeah…we were pretty grossed out thinking about this too. So, it may be time to switch to a bottled body wash.
Product FAQ
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We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions for all of our skin care enthusiasts to help them find the best body wash for their skin types and budgets.
1. What’s the Difference between a Body Wash and Shower Gel?
To be honest, there really is not a significant difference between the two. While body wash typically has a creamy and smooth texture that is slightly more moisturizing, shower gels normally have a thinner consistency. Both offer the same amount of strong cleaning power, but it really all depends on the individual’s skin type.
2. Is It Fine If I Use a Soap Bar?
Most people find that your average soap bar can be extremely drying to this skin and prefer body washes and shower gels. This is because most body washes and shower gels contain emollients that help soften the skin. If you have a dry or normal skin type, using a soap bar can significantly dry out your skin and cause you to spend even more money on expensive lotions to counteract the dryness.
3. Are There Specific Body Washes for Every Skin Type?
While each body wash may not be labeled for every single skin type, there are certain types of body washes you can look for depending on your skin type and your skin needs. If you have dry skin, finding a highly moisturizing body wash can help add moisture to the skin. If you have normal or dry skin, you may want to stick to a shower gel. If you have oily skin that tends to break out, it may be best to look for a shower gel that contains acne fighting ingredients.
4. Should I Use a Washcloth When I Shower?
Yes! Even if you have found the best body wash for your skin, using a soft washcloth will only make things better. Scrub away dead skin cells and get a great lather on your body wash by keeping a clean washcloth in your shower. Using a washcloth will also help you use less of your body wash and will help you save money!
5. Are Ingredients Important?
The ingredients in your body wash are super important. “Bad” ingredients are harsh chemicals and preservatives. Most of these ingredients are harsh on the skin and can even be toxic to the body.
How We Reviewed
The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters: Price, Where to Buy, if the body wash is scented, key ingredients and what skin types each body wash is best for.
Overall Price Range
While we all know body washes can range from a few bucks to well into the 20s and maybe even 30s, we may not really know why. Most of the more expensive products on the market typically contain organic and non-toxic ingredients that are safer to use than your average cheaper body wash that may contain harsh chemicals and preservatives.
What We Reviewed – The Best Body Wash
- Burt’s Bees Extra Energizing Body Wash
- Every Man Jack Body Wash
- Dove Body Wash
- Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash
- CeraVe Body Wash for Dry Skin
- Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash
- Beessential Body Wash
- St. Ives Purifying Sea Salt & Pacific Kelp Exfoliating Body Wash
- Caress Tempting Whisper Body Wash
- NIVEA Men Active Clean Body Wash 16.9 fl. oz.
Burt’s Bees Extra Energizing Body Wash
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Summary
If you are looking for the best body wash with a great lather and that contains mostly natural ingredients, then Burt’s Bees Extra Energizing Body may be the perfect choice. Start the morning off with this coconut-infused energizing body wash that is loaded with citrus and ginger root extracts. It is also free of paraben, petroleum, phthalates, and is also sulfate free.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
This body wash is infused with an energizing orange oil that is packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants. It has a refreshing and invigorating scent that will help you get your day started.
Key Ingredients
- Citric acid
- Ginger root
- Coconut oil
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for normal and oily skin types.
Every Man Jack Body Wash
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Summary
If you’re a man looking for a body wash that doesn’t smell too flowery and is naturally made, then Every Man Jack may be the best body wash for your normal to dry skin. This vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free body wash is a great option that won’t dry out the skin.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
Natural hints of cedarwood and essential oils make this an excellent scent option for men.
Key Ingredients
- Coconut
- Rosemary and sage
- Glycerin
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for normal or dry and itchy skin.
Dove Body Wash
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Summary
Want a gentle body was that will exfoliate the skin leaving it brighter and smoother? Dove Body Wash does just that. This sulfate-free cleanser is a NO. 1 dermatologist recommended brand that helps deliver natural ingredients into the skin to lock in moisture.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
This body wash comes in a variety of fragrances.
Key Ingredients
- Blend of deep moisturizers
- Soy and sunflower seed oil
- Citric acid
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for itchy and dry skin types.
Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash
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Summary
Dealing with body acne can feel like a losing battle. However, using this dermatologist recommended acne body wash that contains glycerin for moisture and salicylic acid for acne will help balance the skins pH levels and keep acne under control.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
Contains fragrance.
Key Ingredients
- Glycerin
- Salicylic acid
- Aloe leaf extract
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for oily and acne-prone skin types.
CeraVe Body Wash for Dry Skin
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Summary
CeraVe has been a trusted eczema brand for many years and can help soothe dry and irritated skin. This gentle cleanser is the best body wash for eczema-prone skin that needs extra hydration. It is free of paraben, phthalates, soap, ceramide, and sulfates.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
Naturally scented.
Key Ingredients
- Hydraulic acid
- Soybean oil
- Stearic acid
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for normal, dry and eczema-prone skin.
Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash
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Summary
Ease irritated skin with this fragrance-free body wash packed with natural ingredients that are also dermatologist approved. The soothing oatmeal will help ease irritation and dryness and also lock in moisture.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
Fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin types.
Key Ingredients
- Oatmeal
- Dimethicone
- Shea butter
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for very dry and sensitive skin types.
Beessential Body Wash
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Summary
Lather up with this calming lavender and bergamot natural shower gel. This shower gel is made in small batches to ensure product quality. It contains hydrating oils and is free of paraben, GMOs, and gluten; It is also sulfate free, alcohol-free, and is even beekeeper made!
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
This product is naturally scented.
Key Ingredients
- Honey
- Lavender and bergamot
- coconut, olive and hemp oil
Best for Which Skin Type?
Perfect for all skin types, but specifically made with sensitive skin types in mind.
St. Ives Purifying Sea Salt & Pacific Kelp Exfoliating Body Wash
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Summary
Looking for a deep clean that leaves you feeling renewed after every shower? Then, this may be the best body wash for you. Allow the natural sea salt and kelp exfoliating particles to wash away all impurities and balance your skin’s pH level.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
This product contains perfume.
Key Ingredients
- Sea Salt
- Kelp exfoliating agents
- Glycerin
Best for Which Skin Type?
Perfect for all skin types and safe enough for sensitive skin.
Caress Tempting Whisper Body Wash
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Summary
This ultra-feminine body wash has the delicate scent of beautiful wild peony and red plum to help you start the day off fresh. You can even go without perfume after using this sweet smelling body wash.
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
This product contains fragrance.
Key Ingredients
- Glycerin
- Wild Peony
- Red Plum
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for normal skin types
NIVEA Men Active Clean Body Wash 16.9 fl. oz.
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Summary
This product is a great option for any hardworking man. It contains activated charcoal that draws out dirt and sweat like a magnet and deeply cleanses without drying out the skin. Its amazing fresh scent lasts up to eight full hours!
Where to Buy
This product is available on Amazon.
Scented?
This product contains fragrance.
Key Ingredients
- Natural charcoal
- Caster oil
Best for Which Skin Type?
Best for normal skin types
Verdict
Image by Engin Akyurt via Pexels
After much research and debate over which was the best body wash, we came to a conclusion. We decided that not everyone has the same needs, so choosing just one was nearly impossible. This is why we narrowed it down to the best body wash options for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and dry skin.
Sensitive Skin
For our readers who suffer from sensitive skin, we truly thought the Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash was the best option. It contains calming and natural ingredients that are dermatologist approved. This product is also fragrance-free and does not contain harsh chemicals, making it a safe option for almost anyone.
Acne-Prone Skin
For our readers with oily or acne-prone skin, we felt the Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash was their best body wash option. This body wash is a shower gel that foams and does not leave too much oil on the skin that will develop into bacteria that could contribute to acne. It contains glycine to help keep the skin hydrated but also contains salicylic acid to assist in keeping acne-prone skin free of blemishes.
Dry Skin
Image by bruce mars via Pexels
For our readers with extremely dry and irritated skin, CeraVe Body Wash for Dry Skin is an excellent choice. It is a soap-free and a safe option that does not contain strong fragrances, which makes it a perfect option for both men and women who suffer from dry skin.
Whatever your skin care needs are, check out all these options to find the perfect fit for your unique needs. With so many options, you are sure to find one or more that you love. If you have a normal skin type, rotate through a few of these options and see which ones work best since you have the ability to test out several options and scents. Almost all of these products are sold on Amazon or can be found at your local retail store where you live.
