When it comes to our skincare routines, so many of us put so much thought into using beauty products designed specifically for our skin type and biggest skin concerns. But when it comes to our shower routine, that sort of attention to detail often goes out the window, with many of us opting for whatever cheap bar of soap is on sale.
But just like facial skincare products, body care should also be tailored to your skin type. Whether you're prone to dry skin, body acne, or you have super sensitive skin, there's a body wash for that. Ready to up your shower game with a personalized formula? Continue reading below to discover 24 of the best body washes that will leave your skin feeling clean, baby-soft, and perfectly pampered.
1. Best for Sensitive Skin:
DRUNK ELEPHANT Kamili™ Cream Body Cleanser
This ultra-mild, fragrance-free formula comes infused with a long list of good-for-you ingredients like fatty-acid-rich marula oil, sweet almond oil, sacha inchi seed oil, and maracuja oil. It even packs in amino acids, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants. If you're looking for a clean formula that won't irritate your sensitive skin, this bottle's the move.
2. Best for Body Acne:
NEUTROGENA Body Clear® Pink Grapefruit Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Body Wash
Dealing with "bacne" is never fun. Thankfully, there’s a way to fight it. Enter: This classic formula from NEUTROGENA. It contains 2% salicylic acid (a fan-favorite exfoliant for combating acne), which clears away any breakouts you may have on your back, shoulders, chest, or anywhere else without over-drying your skin. Plus, the fresh grapefruit scent makes this acne treatment feel like a real treat to use.
3. Best Drugstore Body Wash:
CERAVE Hydrating Body Wash
If you fall somewhere between a dry to normal skin type, this gentle cleanser could be a great way to keep your skin super healthy and nourished without breaking the bank. Made with hydrating hyaluronic acid and moisture-locking ceramides, it strikes the perfect balance of hydrating the skin while also deeply cleansing.
4. Best Firming Body Wash:
OLAY Cleansing & Firming Body Wash Vitamin B3 and Collagen
For those with mature skin, the right body wash can be an opportunity to firm up the skin even before body butters come into play. This body wash infuses the skin with ingredients like plumping collagen and a vitamin B3 complex, which promotes faster cell turnover. While these anti-aging ingredients work their magic, the cleansing agents leave your skin feeling soft and clean, never oily or stripped.
5. Best Smelling Body Wash:
SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel
Now don't get us wrong, there are some great-smelling body washes on this list. But this formula is one that we just can't wait to use time and time again, not only because it makes our skin feel super soft, but because it smells divine— like pistachio, sandalwood, and salted caramel.
6. Most Invigorating Body Wash:
BEAUTYCOUNTER Body Wash in Citrus Mimosa
Are you a morning shower person? On days when you find yourself under running water but still fantasizing about being back in bed, it may help to reach for a body wash that can wake you up—like this formula that's packed with an energizing citrus mimosa scent. Follow your shower with a strong cup of coffee and you've got an invigorating morning routine that rivals the best of 'em.
7. Best for Oil-Prone Skin:
NÉCESSAIRE The Body Wash
If you have oily skin, this cult-favorite gel cleanser may be a total game-changer for your skin type. One of this formula's hero ingredients is niacinamide, which is particularly great at controlling oil production. Pair that with vitamin E, vitamin C, and skin-loving omega fatty acids, and you've got an antioxidant-packed body wash that may just help to keep shine and greasiness at bay.
8. Best Bar Soap:
DOVE Go Fresh Cool Moisture Beauty Bar
While bar soap often gets a bad rap, not all formulas will strip the skin. For example, take this nourishing formula from DOVE which actually has moisturizing cream formulated into the body soap to hydrate as you cleanse. And with a fresh cucumber and green tea scent, it'll make your shower smell extra fresh.
9. Best AHA Body Wash:
KOSAS Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash
You may already be using AHAs in your skincare routine, but did you know that these mega multitaskers can have a place in body care? This formula is loaded with glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid as well as exfoliating fruit enzymes to gently exfoliate the skin every time you cleanse. The result: your smoothest, most radiant skin yet.
10. Best for Irritated Skin:
EUCERIN Skin Calming Body Wash
If you're currently dealing with skin irritations like eczema, rosacea, or general dryness, you'll want to look for a super gentle, calming formula. This soap-free formula hits the mark. Enriched with omega oils and other natural lipids, it calms, nourishes, soothes, and hydrates irritated, itchy skin in no time.
11. Best Luxury Body Wash:
AĒSOP A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser
Whenever you see AĒSOP gracing a sink or shower, you know you’re in for a treat. Celebrities, influencers, and basically everyone else is obsessed with this cleanser—and if you try it, you’ll see why. The barely-there foaming action leaves skin clean and soft—not dry and stripped—and the rose-and-cardamom fragrance is next-level (like all of AĒSOP’s fragrances!).
12. Best Balancing Body Wash:
OUAI Body Cleanser
Genius haircare brand OUAI went and worked their magic on this body cleanser, and the result is a luxe blend of citrus, musk, rose, and more that’s perfectly fragrant without being overpowering. But the sensory experience continues way past your wash because this sulfate-free formula contains rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and probiotics, which keep your skin's microbiome expertly balanced so that when you dry off the skin is soft and hydrated, never dry or stripped.
13. Best for Dry Skin:
SHEAMOISTURE Coconut & Hibiscus Illuminating Body Wash
Oh, coconut oil, what would we ever do without you? The beloved ingredient takes the spotlight in this nourishing body wash, which is rich in vitamins E and K, as well as iron and fatty acids. In fact, it’s so moisturizing, you may even be able to skip body lotion—but why sacrifice that extra moment of “me” time?
14. Best Soap-Free Body Wash:
FRANK BODY Clean Body Wash in Sunday Brunch
We may typically associate a sudsy lather with a good clean, but often those tiny bubbles are sulfates which can strip away our skin’s natural oils. This latherless formula still cleanses like the best of them, but it’s able to leave skin extra soft and hydrated, even without the added bubbles. If you have sensitive skin, this is the body wash you want in your shower caddy.
15. Best Body Wash + Body Scrub Hybrid:
AVEENO Positively Radiant® Exfoliating Body Wash
Love a multitasker? We're right there with you. This body wash cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates all in one. But unlike a harsher body scrub, it can be used every time you shower as it won’t strip away your skin’s natural moisture barrier. In true AVEENO form, this formula is ultra-effective while still being incredibly gentle.
16. Best Refillable Body Wash:
KIEHL’S Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser
This gentle body wash was already a forever favorite thanks to its subtle fragrances (like lavender, coriander, and grapefruit) and lightweight formulation. Even if you’re more of a bath person than a shower person, this formula has you covered, as it doubles as both a bubble bath and a body wash. And now, you can buy refill pouches to minimize waste—so what’s not to love?
17. Best for Baths and Showers:
FRESH Brown Sugar Bath & Shower Gel
Pair this sweet, citrus-scented body wash with some steam and warm water and you've instantly transformed a shower (or bath!) into a full aromatherapy sesh. With notes of lemon and caramel, it's both bright and sweet. It also features skin-softening shea butter and vitamins C and E for super soft, nourished skin.
18. Best Oil-Based Body Wash:
GLOSSIER Body Hero Daily Oil Wash
Designed to emulate an oil-based face wash, this skin-softening formula puts hydration first. And don’t worry, it doesn’t feel greasy at all: When you mix a couple pumps with water, a creamy emulsion forms to simultaneously nourish and cleanse without drying out your skin. There goes GLOSSIER saving the day once again.
19. Best Sweet Scent:
CAKE BEAUTY Strawberry & Cream Supremely Rich Body Wash
If your skin craves hydration, deep moisture, and a scent profile that rivals dessert, this is the moisturizing body wash for you. It’s formulated with coconut oil and aloe vera, both of which help dry skin retain moisture and stay soft and flake-free throughout the day. Plus, this cruelty-free, vegan body wash also smells like strawberries and cream, giving you a quick sweetness fix to brighten your day.
20. Best for Sore Muscles:
ELEMIS Aching Muscle Super Soak
Go a little too hard on that run or at your fave workout class? If you're feeling super sore, this body wash is designed to help soothe aching muscles and joints. Antioxidant-rich rosemary, thyme, and clove work together to relieve, recharge, and transform your shower time into a sensorial experience.
21. Best for a Zen Shower Experience:
H2O+ Revitalize Eucalyptus + Aloe Body Wash
After a long day, sometimes a warm shower is the perfect way to kick off your wind-down routine. To create the ultimate zen environment, you'll need a body wash that fits the chill vibe. Enter: this formula that instantly makes your bathroom smell like a luxury spa (thanks, eucalyptus), transforming your daily shower into a mini-retreat.
22. Best Floral Body Wash:
MARIO BADESCU Rose Body Soap
Are you a sucker for a good floral fragrance? Lucky for you, it's easy to bring this scent family into your shower routine. This body wash from MARIO BADESCU goes all in on rose. Not only does it smell like a fresh-cut bouquet, but rose can also be great for the skin. Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals it can help with everything from dry skin to acne, redness, and inflammation.
23. Best Brightening Body Wash:
KOPARI Vitamin C Sudsy Shower Oil with Hibiscus and Avocado Oils
Intrigued by the GLOSSIER shower oil? Here's another transforming cleansing oil you may want to consider. When this oil comes into contact with water, it magically turns into a luxurious foam—but not just any foam, as this foam is infused with brightening vitamin C, antioxidant-rich hibiscus, and nourishing avocado oil.
24. Best Cream Body Wash:
HEMPZ Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Creme Body Wash
Ready to ditch your loofah? This ultra-creamy body wash can be applied like a lotion. As you massage it into damp skin, you'll be infusing your skin with moisture-locking hemp seed oil, vitamin E-packed shea butter, and firming yangu oil. It also doesn't hurt that this grapefruit and peach-scented body wash is paraben-free, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
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