Katie Berohn
I don’t know about you, but I take my shower routine seriously. (Actually, I hope you do, too.)
Though I fly through different shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and face washes to give you the best recommendations on the market, I find myself religiously sticking to one or two bodywashes at a time to get the most out of their dreamy scents and skin-softening benefits. It also doesn’t hurt to have a team of beauty editors surrounding me who are equally as obsessed with their self-care shower regimes, too.
The markers of a good bodywash seem simple: Does it smell good, and does it clean your skin well? While these boxes sound easy enough to tick, anyone who takes a moment to read the fine print on their favorite bottles will know that the most pertinent benefits come from the contents of their ingredient lists.
“An ideal bodywash maintains the skin's natural barrier with gentle surfactants while cleansing effectively,” says board-certified dermatologist Pooja Rambhia. “It should contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid to prevent dryness, while avoiding potentially irritating ingredients such as strong fragrances and harsh preservatives.”
In 2025, I’m looking for more than just a lingering heavenly scent in my most-used shower product—I want my bodycare to be just as nutrient-pumped as my facial cleansers. (But let’s be honest, I took fragrance into great consideration when crafting this list.) Below, the best bodywashes my fellow editors and I have scrubbed and loved this year.
The Best Bodywashes, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Salt & Stone Saffron & Cedar Body Wash
- Best Overall, Runner-Up: Nécessaire The Body Wash
- Best Luxury: Byredo Mojave Ghost Body Wash
- Best Budget: Method Simply Nourish Body Wash
- Best Natural: Nerra The Body Wash
Best Overall: Salt & Stone Saffron & Cedar Body Wash
Pros: Smells rich, lathers well, and effectively hydrates skin
Cons: Pricey for a bodywash
Size: 15.2, 32 oz. | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Benefits: Hydrating, smoothing | Skin type: All, but especially dry
If you want to smell like Baccarat Rouge at skin level, you’ll want to get your hands on this woody-clean scent from Salt & Stone. Infused with two of the heavy hitters in the timeless Maison Francis Kurkdijan scent, saffron and cedar, the fragrance of this bodywash instantly reminded me of the cool girl perfume with a cult following. But what keeps me coming back to this bodywash is its sensitive-skin friendly formula that smooths, refreshes, and revitalizes my eczema-prone skin—never leaving my skin dry or tight post-shower.
No matter if I’m washing off after a day at the beach or a sweaty workout class, I know I can rely on this frothy shower gel to wash the day away (and leave me smelling like a chic Upper East Sider).
Customer review: “Cannot say enough good things about this bodywash. It’s literally my new favorite. I love the scent and always get compliments. It’s not super girly or overpowering.”
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Nécessaire The Body Wash
Pros: Hydrating, rich lather, softening
Cons: Scent is lighter than some other bodywashes
Size: 3.4, 8.4, 16.9 oz. | Key ingredients: Marula, meadowfoam, and cacay oils, niacinamide, pure eucalyptus oil | Benefits: Hydrates, evens skin tone and texture | Skin type: All, especially dry
Nearly every single beauty editor on our team is obsessed with this vitamin-rich bodywash from Nécessaire. Not only is it chock-full of vitamins A, B, C, and E and omegas-9 and -6, but it's also made with marula, cacay, and meadowfoam oils for a supremely hydrating cleansing experience. Pure eucalyptus oil rounds the formula out on a soothing note with an earthy scent that makes you want to dive into the bottle.
Customer review: "I have sensitive, dry skin and am acne prone on my chest and back and this bodywash has literally cured all of it. Blown away by how great this is. It even took care of some eczema I get occasionally."
Best Luxury: Byredo Mojave Ghost Body Wash
Pros: Cult-favorite scent in bodywash form
Cons: May be too fragranced for sensitive skin
Size: 7.6 oz. | Key ingredients: Magnolia, sandalwood, ambrette | Benefits: Hydrating, exquisite fragrance | Skin type: All (patch-test on sensitive skin first)
Known for its collection of highly regarded fragrances, the fan (and editor) favorite scent Mojave Ghost from Swedish brand Byredo comes in a bodywash, so of course, senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider had to add it to her shower lineup. With nearly eight ounces of product ringing in at $60, this bottle is no small splurge, but its enchanting after-effects make the money well worth it. The crispy woody scent lingers far past the shower, but under the water is where this hydrating elixir goes to work, leaving you with buttery-soft, expensive-smelling skin every time you emerge.
Customer review: “A soft, warm floral with woody undertones that smells sophisticated and unique. It’s not too overpowering and wears well throughout the day. I have the perfume and feel doesn’t last as long on the skin as I’d like, and you may need to reapply—but it works 2X better when you have a bodywash base with the same scent!”
Best Unscented: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
Pros: Gentle formula, soothes dry, irritated skin
Cons: Not the most luxurious (if that’s your goal)
Size: 33 oz. | Key ingredients: Oat flour, extract, and oil | Benefits: Relieves dry, itchy skin | Skin type: All, but especially dry and sensitive
Not only one of the most wallet-friendly, this classic drugstore buy was named the best unscented bodywashes by Who What Wear editors thanks to its basic, irritant-free formula that smooths and hydrates dry, flaky skin. If you prefer to stay away from scented bodywashes due to skin sensitivity, this gentle formula may be your best bet.
Customer review: “The Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash with its Triple Oat Formula is a lifesaver for anyone dealing with dry, itchy skin. This bodywash is designed to provide deep hydration and gentle cleansing while soothing irritation, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types. With the power of oatmeal, it helps lock in moisture and leaves your skin feeling soft, comfortable, and refreshed.”
Best Budget: Method Simply Nourish Body Wash
Pros: Calming, long-lasting scent; hydrating, gentle formula
Cons: None
Size: 18 oz. | Key ingredients: Coconut, rice milk, shea butter | Benefits: Moisturizes and smooths skin, paraben- and phthalate-free | Skin type: All
When I need a bodywash that’s kind to my skin (and bank account) at the drugstore, I beeline straight for Method’s collection of soothing bodywashes. Available in mood-setting scents like fresh coconut, calming chamomile, and sweet peony, each offers a moisturizing, easy-to-lather gel that never leaves my dry skin feeling stripped. As someone who’s tried the really expensive stuff, this meek $9 bottle outshines some serious competitors.
Customer review: “The Method Body Wash has been a great addition to my shower routine! The formula is gentle, lathers well, and leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated without any residue. I also love that it’s made with naturally derived ingredients and is free from harsh chemicals. A little goes a long way, making it a great value. Definitely one of my favorite bodywashes!”
Best Natural: Nerra The Body Wash
Pros: Detoxifies the skin, relies heavily on natural ingredients
Cons: Expensive for the amount of product
Size: 9.3 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, pink clay, algae probiotics, squalane, vegan collagen | Benefits: Firms, hydrates, and detoxifies skin | Skin type: All
Inspired by the ancient luxuries of Roman bathhouses, Nerra’s jasmine-scented bodywash is the bodycare step I look forward to every single day. This lightweight gel lathers up nicely between your hands and on a loofah, offering nourished, glassy skin after the first wash. Its spa-scented formula invigorates the skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid and squalane for moisture, vegan collagen and algae probiotics for a stronger, firmer skin barrier, and pink clay to detoxify and refine your pores (yes, they’re on your body, too).
Customer review: “I have very sensitive skin, so I prefer to use fragrance-free products, including bodywash. A lot of fragrance-free bodywashes are super basic and unremarkable, but using this one is a genuinely pleasant experience—it lathers well and cleanses perfectly without stripping the skin. I'm on my third bottle! I love it.”
Best Exfoliating: Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Wash
Pros: Clears stubborn acne
Cons: Can be drying
Size: 8 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, grapefruit extract | Benefits: Exfoliates | Skin type: Normal, oily, acne-prone
Glycolic acid is one of the trendiest ingredients among face skincare products for its exfoliating benefits, which gently reveal the bright, glowing skin hiding beneath your dead skin cells. While we often reach for serums with this ingredient to treat our faces, we often forget to give our bodies the same love, and editors fell for this budget-friendly glycolic bodywash that helps clear acne (and smells divine).
Customer review: “I’ve tried a lot of bodywashes—some fancier than others. I always come back to this one. My skin is dry but I’m prone to occasional body acne on my bikini line/armpits/butt. This keeps that at bay without drying out the rest of my body. Smells light and pleasant. Never found something I like more than this.”
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: CeraVe Body Wash With Salicylic Acid
,Pros: Exfoliates without irritating microbeads, hydrates and soothes skin
Cons: Some reviewers cite dryness
Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Fragrance-free, gently exfoliates, hydrates resurfaced skin | Skin type: All, but especially dry, rough skin
We rely on CeraVe products for everything from rosacea-friendly moisturizer to face washes for acne, but Rambhia asks us to consider its bodywash for KP, too. Keratosis pilaris is the technical term for tiny, rough bumps that can develop on your skin, which can feel itchy or scaly. “This fragrance-free bodywash is formulated with salicylic acid, making it ideal for exfoliating rough and bumpy skin,” she says. “It helps to gently slough away dead skin cells while hydrating the skin, promoting a smoother texture without irritation.”
Customer review: “Stepping into the shower with CeraVe Body Wash with Salicylic Acid has become a refreshing and transformative experience for me. This fragrance-free bodywash is not just a cleanser; it's a symphony for the skin. This bodywash gets the job done, clearing away impurities and leaving my skin feeling truly clean. It's a powerhouse in the realm of skin cleaning agents.”
Best Refreshing: Ouai St. Barts Gentle Body Wash
Pros: Cult-favorite scent in a bodywash
Cons: We wish it had a pump dispenser
Size: 3, 10 oz. | Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, vitamin A, vitamin C, jojoba oil | Benefits: Hydrates, moisturizes, brightens | Skin type: All
For a scent that whisks you away on vacation, look no further than the Ouai St. Barts Body Wash. Infused with the brand’s beloved St. Barts scent, with notes of dragonfruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and musk pluming with the steam of your shower, each sudsy wash is a tropical getaway with hydrating, supple-skinned results.
Customer review: “Ouai St. Barts Gentle Body Wash lathers beautifully, leaving skin soft, clean, and refreshed. The tropical scent is light yet luxurious, making every shower feel like a mini getaway. Love it!”
Best for Dry Skin: Dove Serum Body Wash
Pros: Great price for the quality
Cons: No lingering fragrance, if that’s what you’re after
Size: 18.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalene | Benefits: Hydrating, smoothing | Skin type: Dry, normal
A classic drugstore buy, this thin bodywash from Dove is a person with dry skin’s dream. Schneider relies on this timeless formula for its hydrating properties, courtesy of hyaluronic acid and squalene, which impart up to 24 hours of moisture post-shower. But don’t be fooled by its serum-like texture—each pump lathers up into a bubbly dream, making your cleanse deep and satisfying.
Customer review: “This bodywash leaves my skin so soft and hydrated! I also have very sensitive skin, and this does not irritate at all. Please keep this one around!”
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Wash
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Wash
Pros: Very hydrating, gentle enough for reactive skin
Cons: Honestly, nothing
Size: 6.76, 13.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, glycerin | Benefits: Offers up to 24 hours of moisture | Skin type: All, but especially dry and sensitive
This potent bodywash loves hard on very dry skin and comes highly recommended by both Rambhia and board-certified dermatologist Naana Boakye. “This gentle, lipid-replenishing formula is perfect for very dry and sensitive skin,” says Rambhia. “It contains prebiotic ingredients to help rebalance the skin's microbiome and is free of harsh soaps, leaving the skin feeling soft, moisturized, and comfortable,” she adds.
Customer review: “I have sensitive skin and have had no issues with this body/face wash! Plus, double bonus that you can use this on your face and on your body. Clean ingredients and helps me with any body acne that pops up from time to time. I always buy this when there are coupons to make it more affordable. Highly recommend.”
Best for Eczema: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
Pros: Soft, unscented formula, cleanses skin without stripping it
Cons: None
Size: 12 oz. | Key ingredients: Water, glycerin, coco-gluside | Benefits: Intensely hydrating, very minimal ingredients | Skin type: All, but especially dry and eczema-prone
Voted one of the best bodywash brands by dermatologists and editors, Vanicream is a go-to name for people who experience dry, bumpy, or scaly skin outbursts. Boakye hails this cleanser for eczema-prone and reactive skin because of its “very minimal” formula that consists of “no dyes, fragrance, or common irritants,” plus, it’s earned a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.
Customer review: “Works very good for sensitive skin. I have cancer so I have to watch very carefully on what I use on my skin. I have had chemo and radiation, [and] Vanicream products work very well for me.”
Best Smoothing: Saltair Salt Water Vanilla
Pros: Great value, stunning scent, array of fragrance options
Cons: Scents may not be suitable for sensitive skin
Size: 17 oz. | Key ingredients: Monoi oil, kukui oil, cupuaçu butter, niacinamide | Benefits: Hydrating, evens tone and texture, brightens skin | Skin type: All
Beauty director Erin Jahns and editor Kaitlyn McLintock praise this bodywash for its smoothing results, cleansing properties, and lavish scent. The formula is a cocktail of nourishing monoi and kukui oils that hydrate and plump the skin, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles or aging, and niacinamide helps to brighten the skin, simultaneously smoothing tone and texture.
Customer review: “Y’all, if you’re on the fence, just buy it!! I’m a black woman with eczema who doesn’t play about her skin. I have super sensitive skin, I switched from dove to natural soap only about 3 years ago because my skin would get so itchy. And after using Saltair, I’ve had NO REACTION! I was concerned because of the fragrance, but nothing! I’m officially adding this to my rotation! #aforevercustomer”
Best Brightening: Iota Oishii Berry Body Wash
Pros: Intensely nutrient-dense, great for all skin concerns
Cons: Expensive (but TBH, very worth it)
Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredients: Oishii omakase berries, vitamins B and C (to name a few), pre and postbiotics, aloe leaf | Benefits: Evens tone and texture, boosts radiance, hydrates and strengthens barrier | Skin type: All, including acne-prone and KP
Both Schneider and McLintock swear by the Iota Oishii Berry Body Wash, which leans on its fruity makeup for the antioxidant properties rather than the scent. Its multi-enzyme brightening formula has such a laundry list of vitamins and plant extracts that we’d be here all day if I listed them all, but the results don’t lie—glowier, healthier skin with healed body acne, smoothed KP, and hydrated dry spots are the results of this nutrient-packed bodywash.
Customer review: “I almost never use bodywash, sticking to exfoliating gloves instead. I decided to look for a fitting bodywash and came across this one. The fragrance is so nice, like creamy raspberries and strawberries. The musk scents aren't too strong. The bodywash is also very hydrating and not stripping at all, and it also lathers easily. My skin type (body) is quite dry and easily gets blemished and ingrown hairs, so if you have a similar skin type, this bodywash is perfect.”
Best Cleansing Oil: L'Occitane Cleansing and Softening Refillable Shower Oil
Pros: Clears acne, moisturizes, and softens skin
Cons: High price
Size: 2.5, 8.4, 16.9 oz. | Key ingredients: Sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil | Benefits: Helps acne, softens skin, adds radiance | Skin type: Normal, dry, combination, oily
If you’re not familiar with shower oils, they make sound greasy or like a slipping hazard (we still think you should avoid too much of a shower performance when you use this one). That said, editors named this skin-softening shower oil as one of the best because of its fast-absorbing and easy-to-lather formula, acting as a great shaving base and leaving the skin noticeably softer than before.
Customer review: “After looking for years, I have finally found exactly what I have been wanting to end my shower routine. For reference, I have very dry skin. I apply this shower oil as the final step in my routine. I rinse off, and I'm left with smooth, supple skin every time. I have recommended this product to everyone I know in real life. It's worth the money and a little good a long way.”
Pros: Gently treats body acne and dull skin
Cons: May be too dehydrating for dry skin
Size: 9 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, tropical fruit enzymes, mandelic acids, allantoin | Benefits: Exfoliates, evens tone and texture, brightens | Skin type: Oily and acne-prone
Made with acne-prone and oily skin in mind, the Good Body Skin bodywash from Kosas is wiz when it comes to unclogging pores and evening texture. It comes in two scents—Juicy Clean, a citrusy vanilla, and Beachy Clean, tropical bliss—with one sensitive-skin friendly formula that exfoliates and rejuvenates dull skin, battles blemishes, and moisturizes freshly-scrubbed skin. Though this sounds like a spa treatment itself, the formula is gentle enough for everyday use.
Customer review: “I like the scent of the pink bottle—it smells fresh without being too overwhelming. I also like having some exfoliant and acids to help get rid of dead skin especially on days that I shave my legs! I think it helps to keep from getting in-grown hairs.”
FAQ
What should I look for in a bodywash?
Boakye: A good bodywash should do more than cleanse—it should protect and support the skin barrier. I always emphasize using pH-balanced formulations that don’t strip the skin.
Ingredients matter: I look for humectants like glycerin, barrier-supporting ceramides, and emollients like shea butter. The goal is to cleanse effectively while maintaining hydration and minimizing transepidermal water loss. Personally, I also prefer fragrance-free options, especially for anyone with sensitive skin.
Is bodywash better than soap?
Boakye: It depends on the formulation. Traditional bar soaps tend to be more alkaline, which can disrupt the skin barrier—especially for those with dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin. That said, there are newer bar soaps that are pH-balanced and more gentle. But generally, bodywashes offer more room for hydrating ingredients like humectants and emollients. So I often lean toward bodywash for barrier support and hydration.
Bodywash vs. Bar Soap
According to Rambhia
- Bodywash: Generally, bodywashes are formulated with moisturizing ingredients that can help hydrate the skin, making them a good option for individuals with dry or sensitive skin. Many bodywashes are pH-balanced and designed to be gentler on the skin, which can help maintain its natural barrier. Additionally, liquid formulations can be easier to apply and rinse off, and they often come in a variety of formulations (cream, oil, foaming).
- Bar Soap: Traditional bar soaps can sometimes be harsher on the skin, especially if they contain high levels of alkaline ingredients, which can disrupt the skin's natural pH. However, there are many moisturizing bar soaps available that are formulated with skin-friendly ingredients, making them suitable for various skin types.
How to Choose the Right Bodywash for Your Skin Type
Dry Skin
Rambhia: Look for gentle cleansers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides in a cream or lotion texture. Cream cleansers gently cleanse using natural oils and emulsifiers, making them ideal for sensitive or dry skin.
Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Boakye: A gentle wash with salicylic acid can help with congestion. Just avoid anything overly drying—balance is still key.
Rough and Bumpy or KP Skin
Rambhia: Exfoliating bodywashes with targeted acids deliver the best results. Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic or lactic acid work on the skin’s surface to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, effectively smoothing texture and improving tone.
For deeper concerns like body acne or persistent keratosis pilaris, beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) formulations featuring salicylic acid are particularly effective because they penetrate oil-filled pores to clear blockages from within. Look for products that balance these active ingredients with soothing components like allantoin or panthenol to prevent irritation, and always follow with moisturizer to maintain your skin barrier while the acids work to refine texture.
Eczema-Prone Skin
Boakye: Choose fragrance-free formulas with minimal ingredients. Colloidal oatmeal, sunflower oil, or niacinamide can be helpful here.
Mature Skin
Boakye: Look for washes with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or fatty acids to support hydration. Antioxidants are a plus to support skin vitality.
Sensitive Skin
Rambhia: Opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers that avoid potential irritants. Sensitive skin is especially prone to irritation from allergens, so it’s best to steer clear of products with fragrances and dyes.
Normal/Combination Skin
Boakye: You’ve got a little more flexibility. Aim for a pH-balanced wash that includes hydrating ingredients without being too rich.
Who's Who:
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based between New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut
- Naana Boakye, MD, is a New Jersey–based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Naana Beauty
