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If your skin feels tight, stripped, or otherwise uncomfortable after a shower, it’s a sign it needs a little extra TLC. Luckily, the best body washes for dry skin do more than just rinse away dirt and sweat—they leave your skin feeling softer, smoother, and more hydrated before you even reach for body lotion.
The right formula is often packed with the kind of nourishing ingredients, like shea butter, ceramides, and glycerin, that attract and lock in moisture, so you get clean without the tight, squeaky aftermath (because that never really means your skin is truly clean). And for sensitive or eczema-prone skin, moisturizing cleansers that skip common irritants like dyes and fragrances, and even carry the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval, can offer a gentler cleanse and a little extra relief. A great moisturizing body wash saves you from that dry, itchy post-shower feeling, so you can trust these formulas aren’t your average suds.
Our Top Moisturizing Body Washes
- Best Overall: OSEA Undaria Algae Body Wash, $32
- Best for Mature Skin: Dove Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash, $13
- Best Scent: Each & Every Day Dream Body Wash, $32
- Best for Body Acne: Nécessaire The Body Wash, $28
- Best for Eczema: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash, $20
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizing body wash?
- What should I avoid in a body wash for dry skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
From oil-based cleansers that leave a post-shower glow to soothing formulas for itchy, eczema-prone skin, these body washes make all of the difference for dry skin. Here, we rounded up the editor-vetted and dermatologist-recommented cleansers that turn a simple shower into a moisturizing moment.
Best Overall: OSEA Undaria Algae Body Wash
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Osea
Undaria Algae Body Wash
Amazon
Nordstrom
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Why it’s worth it: If you’ve tried the Best of Beauty-winning OSEA Undaria Body Oil, you know just how lovely and delicious-smelling and skin-softening this formula is. Well, good news: The Undaria Body Wash smells just as good and offers the same level of luxurious formula, just in the form of a foaming cleanser. Like the body oil, this body wash is boosted with undaria seaweed, a natural moisturizer packed with amino acids and antioxidants that replenish the skin’s barrier. The formula also uses glycerin to draw water to the skin and lock it in, as well as plant-based surfactants to gently cleanse—creating a light foam that doesn’t strip the skin. Top it all off with nourishing jojoba and avocado oils, which leave skin feeling silky, hydrated, and supple post-shower.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I won't lie: The scent is the selling point for me. The grapefruit and lime notes feel like a gentle wake-up call and boost my mood every time I use it. The formula itself is so silky and has the perfect amount of slip, and of course, it's filled with moisturizing powerhouses, like the brand's signature undaria seaweed, aloe, glycerin, and jojoba oil that leave my skin feeling as soft as a baby's bum. Once I'm out of the shower and dried off, I follow up with the Hyaluronic Body Serum because it's one of the few nonsticky body-care products my impatient self tolerates. It's the perfect recipe for long-lasting hydration.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: seaweed, glycerin, jojoba oil, coconut oil, avocado oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents: 1
- Size: 8 oz.
Best for Mature Skin: Dove Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash
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Dove
Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash
Amazon
Why it’s worth it: Fine lines and wrinkles aren’t the only changes that come with age—our bodies can get a little thirstier, too. Enter the Best of Beauty-winning Dove Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash, which offers plenty of perks for dry, mature skin, thanks to hydration-heavy glycerin making up 50% of its formula. “It helps cleanse the skin without leaving you with that dry, tight feeling afterward,” says Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jojoba seed oil and monoi flower further soften and help replenish the lipids we lose as we age. So even before you slather on moisturizer, this cleanser is giving your skin a head start on hydration—and at just $13.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"Dove Serum+ Radiance Oil Body Wash starts as a lightweight oil and turns into a milky foam that cleanses and leaves my skin noticeably softer. It helps with glide as I shave, has a warm scent that lingers long after I’m done showering, and makes the experience of showering that much more indulgent. Bonus: Despite being so emollient, it still easily washes clean off my shower floor, never leaving it slick and greasy." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, jojoba seed oil, monoi flower
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents: 1
- Size: 15.3 oz.
Best Scent: Each & Every Day Dream Body Wash
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Each & Every
Day Dream Body Wash
Amazon
Why it’s worth it: Fragrance can be tricky for sensitive or dry skin, but Each & Every’s Day Dream Body Wash swaps synthetic perfumes for essential oils and plant extracts that smell just as good as they feel. Its bright citrus scent—which earned it a Best of Beauty Award—springs from orange, lemon peel, and vetiver root oils for an instant mood boost. There’s an Each & Every scent for everyone, whether you prefer something lighter (Sunday Morning, a lavender and lemon scent) or on the sweeter side (After Glow, a raspberry and mandarin scent). While we could talk about scents all day, the formula deserves its own spotlight: Plant-based cleansers work alongside plant oils (macadamia and moringa), glycerin, and ceramides to intensely nourish with every wash. Lactic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) exfoliates while also attracting moisture, leaving skin feeling softer and smoother than ever.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Madison San Miguel
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"My dry skin was mighty happy after rinsing—I stepped out of the shower with a nice ‘slip’ that signaled to me it drank up the hydrating and exfoliating actives in this formula. To my surprise, the scent lingered in the shower mist and clung to my skin long after—unlike some body washes whose fragrances seem to go straight down the drain. While it wouldn’t be my first choice, its crisp citrus scent is perfect for anyone who prefers something bright and airy—it reminded me of a tall, refreshing glass of orange juice." —Madison San Miguel, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: macadamia oil, moringa oil, glycerin, ceramides, lactic acid, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, vetiver root oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents: 5 (Day Dream, After Glow)
- Size: 16.5 oz.
Best for Body Acne: Nécessaire The Body Wash
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Nécessaire
The Body Wash
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Nordstrom
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Why it’s worth it: Nécessaire’s The Body Wash is a quiet hero in the acne-fighting category. Alabama-based dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, says this non-comedogenic formula—meaning it won’t clog pores—is ideal for oily or acne-prone skin. For instance, it’s packed with niacinamide, which Dr. Hartman says “helps clear active acne, keeps pores clean, and reduces inflammation.” To keep skin happy, glycerin and omega-rich oils—cacay, marula, and meadowfoam—prevent moisture loss and protect the barrier, while plant-based surfactants transform the gel into cloud-like suds (a bonus compared to other acne-targeted cleansers). It does all this while staying at a consistent pH level of 5.5 to 5.6, which New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, says is ideal for “maintaining skin’s natural pH” (which rings in at 5.5), helping skin feel soothed and never tight.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I hoard Nécessaire's body washes for one reason: They're good! But the Hinoki is my favorite, especially in the summertime when my skin is peppered with mosquito bites—which inevitably lead to dark spots. The exfoliating acids help them fade more quickly (think weeks, not months) and I love the sheer convenience of having a potent exfoliant and body wash in a single step.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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“I’m a certified Hinoki Head™. As evidenced by my well-loved bottle, I adore it, but I'd still be hoarding these body washes even if they hadn't added my favorite woody, slightly spicy fragrance to it. It forms a nice, medium lather, and the trio of exfoliating acids—AHA, BHA, and PHA—smooth out rough patches of skin—has definitely made a difference in the KP on my upper arms. I am not an early riser at all, but having my morning shower smell like a lush, tree-lined spa makes waking up with my alarm a little easier.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, cacay, marula, and meadowfoam oils
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents: 4 (Eucalyptus, Santal)
- Size: 8.4 oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel
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Soft Services
Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel
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Sephora
Why it’s worth it: Your body wash doesn’t need a script full of cleansing agents to do its job well. Case in point: the Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel. If your skin flares up at the mere thought of showering, this irritation-relieving formula will immediately put your skin at ease with a simple, short list of ingredients, including two gentle cleansing agents (lauryl glucoside and sodium cocoamphoacetate) to reduce the "squeaky clean” or “tight feel,” to wash away dirt and sweat—minus the fragrance and harsh surfactants (looking at you, sulfates!) that could easily shake up sensitive skin. Glycerin locks in moisture long after you dry off and lends the formula a water-oil texture—silky enough to create for shaving. Bye-bye, razor bumps and dry, irked skin.
Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo
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“I’m a huge Soft Services girly, and not only because the packaging is always beautiful. This shower gel in particular is so silky and gentle on my skin—I have dry skin all over, but this is good at not stripping away all oils and leaving my skin feeling hydrated. I also love how it can be used as a shaving oil!”—Briana Rengifo, designer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 10 oz.
Best for Eczema: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
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La Roche-Posay
Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Take it from New York-based dermatologist Jane Yoo, MD, who has suffered from eczema for years: La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash is a personal favorite that simply won’t cause flare-ups. The reason why? It stars a soothing blend of lipid-replenishing glycerin and shea butter, anti-inflammatory niacinamide, and the brand’s antioxidant-rich thermal spring water to replenish and protect the moisture barrier. “I used to purchase this in half-gallon bottles and lug it back from City Pharma in Paris for years until it finally came to the States,” Dr. Yoo attests. While it lathers into a light foam, Dr. Yoo says it doesn’t leave behind any tightness. “It’s also fragrance-free and suitable for babies, kids, and adults,” she adds.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“The fragrance-free milky gel removes all traces of my (granted, relatively light) makeup while also leaving my skin softer than it was pre-wash. The second ingredient in the formula is glycerin, a humectant that pulls water from the air to keep skin hydrated for hours. It also includes niacinamide to rebuild the skin’s lipid layer and shea butter to soften. A little dab’ll do ya (dime-size for your face, a couple of quarters for your entire body), and you still get just enough foaminess to tell your brain you’re getting clean. This wash started out in my kids’ bathtub—where it soothed rough patches on my eczema-prone son—before it migrated to my own shower and became my go-to.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, BHA, vitamin C, vitamin E, collagen peptides
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 13.5 oz.
Best for Very Dry Skin: L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
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L'Occitane
Almond Shower Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: L’Occitane’s Cleansing & Softening Almond Oil is a favorite of Allure editors past and present. Not only can we sniff its sweet, nutty scent for hours, but it does wonders for relieving dry to very dry skin of that familiar tight and stripped feeling from other cleansers. The experience is satisfying from start to finish: Like a cleansing oil for the face, the formula starts as a thick, silky oil before transforming into a light, sudsy lather when activated by water. A trio of highly moisturizing plant oils— grapeseed, sweet almond, and sunflower seed—delivers a triple dose of moisture without the greasy residue. Hello, deliciously soft and smooth skin.
Pro tip: For extra dry skin, Dr. Engelman recommends pairing a hydrating, non-stripping body wash with a shower oil to seal in moisture immediately afterward.
Tester feedback from former commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“Oil and suds usually don’t go together, but L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Oil proves otherwise. Thick and creamy in the bottle, it transforms into a rich, foamy lather the second it hits water, gliding effortlessly over the skin. It hydrates like an oil without leaving any greasy residue, leaving skin soft, supple, and touchable. Some days, I skip body lotion entirely—it’s that moisturizing. And the almond scent is pure spa vibes with every shower. I can’t get enough!”—Lily Wohlner, former commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Scents: 1
- Size: 8.4 oz.
Best for Face & Body: Cocokind Milky Soft Face & Body Cleanser
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Cocokind
Milky Soft Face & Body Cleanser
Amazon
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Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: When a formula is gentle enough for both your face and body, you can trust it won’t strip your skin bare. (After all, our facial skin is thinner than body skin!) Cocokind’s Milky Soft Face & Body Cleanser blends five sulfate-free surfactants with saccharides (a plant-derived carbohydrate), glycerin, and a handful of ceramides to remove makeup, dirt, and grime while keeping dry, sensitive skin soft and comfortable. It’s gentle enough to have earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, too. And while we appreciate the generous bottle, its creamy, milky-to-foam texture makes every cleanse feel luxurious and sensorial. (Who would guess it’s only $18?)
Tester feedback from Han
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“I’m not super picky about body washes since I don’t have any big flags to address, e.g. acne, psoriasis, etc., which is why I can’t really justify spending (or theoretically spending, thanks to this job) a lot of money on one. I’ve always admired and praised Cocokind, not just because it’s affordable, but because it prioritizes all skin types (including sensitive), community building (Cocokind recruits customers/followers for campaigns, sends them on brand trips over traditional influencers, etc.), and formula transparency. Of course, this face and body wash is just really darn good. It feels far more expensive than it is and leaves my skin feeling soft and soothed well after rinsing. It’s great all year round, but I’m especially looking forward to using it a ton in the wintertime.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, ceramides, saccharides
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Size: 13.5 oz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizing body wash?
Cincinnati-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos recommends looking for ingredients that hydrate and support the skin barrier, like niacinamide (a.k.a. vitamin B3), key for brightening, boosting ceramide production, and delivering antioxidant benefits. "Niacinamide is an ingredient with numerous advantages; as a cosmetic chemist, I love its versatility in formulations," Dobos says. And don’t forget your ceramides, either. New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure that they help fill in the cracks between skin cells, thus helping skin repair itself—which makes a huge difference in the feel (and overall health) of dry, irritated skin. Shea butter, jojoba oil, and algae extracts are also top picks for lasting softness, while hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and clear, adds Dr. Engelman.
Synthetic compounds are also crucial to a good body wash—even the ones you can't pronounce. "Combinations of two to three synthetic surfactants are essential for good cleansing and foaming, and increasing mildness. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and cocamidopropyl betaine are examples of mild secondary surfactants," says Dobos. "One ingredient that is particularly useful in body wash is guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, a conditioning polymer with many positive charges that make it substantive to dry skin,” adds Dobos “It can help deposit other ingredients on the skin too."
What should I avoid in a body wash for dry skin?
While not everyone is sensitive to fragrance in body washes, picking a fragrance-free option minimizes the risk of irritation and, in turn, a weakened barrier and dryness. "Try to avoid fragrances, cleansers with a high pH, or soap-based cleansers," Dr. King attests. She notes that "soap" doesn't always refer to bar soap, but rather cleansers with a high pH. "Skin has a neutral to slightly acidic pH, so you want cleansers that mimic that and support barrier health, Dr. King explains. “If it has tons of ingredients, ditch it. Keep it simple!" It’s a good idea to avoid harsh, skin-stripping detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to more dryness.
If you have eczema, avoid formulas that feature acne-targeting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, previously told Allure, as they can be particularly drying and irritating. The safest option, however, if you have acne-prone and very dry skin, is to talk to your dermatologist before buying a new body wash.
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, AL
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Jane Yoo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
- Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati
- Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best body washes for dry skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
