The Best Body Washes for Dry Skin
Tight, itchy skin after every shower? These gentle body washes clean without stripping, plus the shower habits that make dry skin worse.
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In this guide
If your skin feels tight or itchy after a shower, your body wash may be stripping away the oils that keep it comfortable. Swapping to a gentler cleanser, and changing a couple of shower habits, can make a big difference within days.
What to look for in a body wash for dry skin
- Gentle cleansers: "soap-free" or "sulfate-free" formulas tend to strip less oil than traditional soaps.
- Moisture-supporting ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and colloidal oatmeal help skin hold onto water.
- Fragrance-free if you're sensitive: fragrance is a common irritant. Note that "unscented" isn't always the same as "fragrance-free."
- Less lather isn't worse: rich foam often comes from harsher cleansers. Gentle washes can feel underwhelming and still clean perfectly well.
The best body washes for dry skin
Best overall
CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
Best for Dry or tight-feeling skin after showering
A creamy, fragrance-free wash made with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, two ingredients that help skin hold on to moisture. It cleans without that squeaky, stripped feeling.
Why we like it
- Ceramides and hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free
- Affordable large bottles
Worth knowing
- Doesn't lather much
- No scent, if you like a fragrant shower
The ingredient list reads like a moisturizer, and that's the point. It's fragrance-free, affordable and gentle enough for daily use, which makes it our default recommendation for dry skin.
Best budget
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
Best for A budget body wash that doesn't dry you out
The drugstore classic. It's a rich, sulfate-free formula that leaves skin feeling soft, with a pleasant, light scent, and it's a big upgrade over harsh bar soaps for very little money.
Why we like it
- Inexpensive
- Sulfate-free, creamy lather
- Pleasant scent
Worth knowing
- Contains fragrance
- Not ideal for eczema-prone skin
Best for sensitive skin
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
Best for Sensitive, easily irritated skin
A mild, sulfate-free wash that's hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested. It's a safe choice when your skin reacts to almost everything.
Why we like it
- Sulfate-free and hypoallergenic
- Very gentle
- Widely available
Worth knowing
- Some versions are lightly scented, so choose the fragrance-free one if you're sensitive
- Mild cleansing may not feel "clean enough" after workouts
Best for eczema-prone skin
Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Wash
Best for Eczema-prone skin
A soap-free, fragrance-free cleanser designed for eczema-prone skin. It's a smart, gentle default if you deal with flare-ups.
Why we like it
- Soap-free and fragrance-free
- Made for eczema-prone skin
- Gentle enough for daily use
Worth knowing
- Pricier per ounce
- Minimal lather
Best for itchy skin
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
Best for Itchy, dry winter skin
An oat-based wash made for itchy, dry skin. Colloidal oatmeal is a classic soothing ingredient, and this is one of the easiest ways to get it into your daily routine.
Why we like it
- Soothing oat formula
- Gentle, low-lather
- Easy to find
Worth knowing
- Fragrance status varies by version, so check the label
- Thin texture
Shower habits that make dry skin worse
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests a few simple changes for dry skin:
- Shorter, warm (not hot) showers. Hot water strips natural oils. Five to ten minutes is plenty.
- Moisturize within a few minutes of drying off, while skin is still slightly damp, to lock in water.
- Pat dry instead of rubbing.
- Go easy on scrubbing. Rough loofahs and washcloths can irritate dry skin. Your hands work fine.
- Use a humidifier in dry winter months.
FAQ
What body wash do dermatologists recommend for dry skin?
Dermatologists generally favor gentle, fragrance-free, soap-free cleansers with moisture-supporting ingredients like ceramides, glycerin or colloidal oatmeal. CeraVe, Cetaphil, Eucerin and Aveeno all make options in that style.
Is bar soap bad for dry skin?
Traditional bar soaps can be drying because of their high pH. Gentle "beauty bars" and soap-free cleansers are usually better tolerated.
Should I use body wash every day?
Many people only need cleanser on sweaty or odor-prone areas (underarms, groin, feet) daily. Rinsing the rest with water can help if your skin is very dry.