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True story: I spent several years scrubbing my body with a bar of Irish Spring and not understanding why my skin was always red and raw. As it turns out, I am the proud owner of very dry, sensitive skin (except for the skin on my face, which is exceptionally oily...but that's another story). IMO, everyone should probably avoid using cleansers with sulfates for the sake of their skin barrier (regardless of their skin type), but when it comes to the best body wash for dry skin, I have more requirements than just a sulfate-free formula.
Even if they don't contain sulfates, many body washes are formulated with harsh surfactants and cleansing agents that leave your skin squeaky clean but also stripped of its natural oils...which is a major issue if your skin is on the dry side. If your skin feels tight, itchy, or irritated after a shower, you may need a body wash specifically formulated for dry skin (because following up with a moisturizer can only do so much!). Lucky for you, I tested dozens of hydrating body washes and have found the very best ones for your thirsty AF, dry skin. You're welcome!!
Our top picks for the best body washes for dry skin of 2024:
Keep scrolling for all the moisturizing body washes that can help transform your dry skin, as well as expert tips for repairing your damaged skin barrier ('cause itchy skin is just not the vibe).
Pros
- Free from soap and sulfates, so incredibly gentle on skin
Cons
- Can be difficult to dispense, according to reviewers
NGL, I am a CeraVe girlie through and through...and while the Renewing SA Cleanser will always be my number one fave product, this gentle soap-free cleanser is a close second. It uses a combination of ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help improve skin barrier function—plus, it contains water-loving glycerin to give you a shot of intense hydration.
- Size: 10 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Scent: Unscented
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I have such dry skin it's like I have body dandruff when I take off dark clothes. My dermatologist recommended this body wash. It foams up nicely on a body puff and rinses off easily, leaving my skin feeling silky, not dry and tight, like some of the big name body washes."
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Pros
- Approved by those with eczema and other dry skin conditions
Cons
- Not as moisturizing as other options
Calling all folks with super-dry, super-reactive skin: This one's for you. Soap-free and increeeedibly gentle, this derm-approved formula (which has a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, btw) is ideal for those who want to keep it simple, since it's packed with skin-loving ingredients like glycerin and panthenol and free from potential irritants.
- Size: 12 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol
- Scent: Unscented
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This quickly became a favorite of mine. I like how creamy it is and how the scent is nonexistent. After using this, I add my moisturizer and my skin feels calm and smooth. Perfect for dry, sensitive skin."
Pros
- A great choice for those with sensitive skin, thanks to simple, clean ingredients
Cons
- Scent can be a tad overpowering (but doesn't linger on skin)
I keep this body wash in my guest bathroom and legit everyone who stays the night is obsessed (and not just because of the chlorophyll-spiked formula, which makes it a cool green color). Why I love it: It's made from 90 percent naturally-derived ingredients, like aloe leaf juice and avocado oil, and it leaves my parched skin looking plump and smelling delish.
- Size: 12 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Chlorophyll, aloe leaf, avocado oil
- Scent: Sweetgrass and fig
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "Very happy with this body wash. The wash has an amazing scent—very coconut citrus-like, which I love. The body wash is very creamy and easily lathers up on my body. My skin felt clean and moisturized after use, plus the fantastic scent lingered as well. Definitely a plus that it uses natural ingredients."
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Pros
- Really works to deeply moisturize and soften skin
Cons
- Formula is a lil too watery for some testers
SheaMoisture products have no business being as affordable as they are, but I'm not mad about it!! This budget-friendly cleanser is particularly great for us dry-skinned folks, as it relies on heavy-duty moisturizers like shea butter and coconut oil to soothe and smooth dull-looking skin, leaving it softer and silkier than it was before.
- Size: 13 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, shea butter, coconut oil
- Scent: Shea butter
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This is truly an amazing product!!! I have very dry skin and also a few patches of psoriasis. Since I started using this body wash, both my skin dryness and psoriasis have improved significantly. I always prefer to use natural products, and this one is a real winner!"
5
Best Smelling Body Wash for Dry Skin
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Body Wash
Pros
- Ingredients help skin feel moisturized and smooth
Cons
- According to some testers, consistency is a bit runny
If you <3 a warm gourmand fragrance, you absolutely need to add this moisturizing body wash from Sol de Janerio to your lineup. It's packed with nourishing cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açai oil to make your skin feel silky smooth—as well as yummy notes of vanilla and salted caramel (aka the signature Cheirosa '62 scent).
- Size: 13 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, açai oil
- Scent: Vanilla and salted caramel
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This is the best body wash ever. I have really sensitive & dry skin, and I have to be careful which body washes I use. This wash has never given me a rash. It's super moisturizing but still has me feeling clean & refreshed after showering. It also smells amazing!"
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Pros
- Oil-based formula can better penetrate the skin barrier
Cons
- Works better on skin that's not wet (since oil and water don't mix!)
ICYDK, French pharmacy products are all le rage, and after trying this Bioderma shower oil, I understand why. Coming in at $30 for a G-I-A-N-T one-liter container, this luxe formula is formulated with vegetal biolipids to deeply penetrate and soothe dry, irritated, and sensitive skin...but without leaving you feeling like an oily mess. Bless!!
- Size: 33.8 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, vitamin E
- Scent: Unscented
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "As someone with dry, sensitive skin, finding a product that delivers deep nourishment without causing any discomfort is essential, and this body oil ticks all the boxes. From the moment it touches my skin, I can feel the instant relief from any skin discomfort."
Pros
- Packed with oats for calming inflamed skin
Cons
- A few testers noticed a slight "medicinal" scent
Tired of feeling itchy all over? I feel ya! Whenever I get the urge to itch, I always suds up with this Lubriderm cleanser for instant relief. The anti-inflammatory oats in this one provide calming relief for angry skin, while panthenol soothes and helps skin lock in moisture. It may not be the most aesthetic bottle, but it really gets the job done, trust.
- Size: 16 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, oat kernel extract, panthenol
- Scent: Unscented
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I have tried so many moisturizing body washes. I thought this stuff would be like all the rest...[but] I was so wrong. My skin felt better after the first time using. When I run my finger across my skin, there’s no more white flakiness. It just looks better and feels better."
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Pros
- Sooo creamy and moisturizing
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for eczema-prone skin
Ideal for *super* dry skin types (aka those who are prone to cracking and flaking), this fresh, floral body wash contains a whole bunch of moisturizing heavy-hitters, including marshmallow root extract, shea butter, and cocoa seed butter. Tbh, it's so moisturizing that you may even be able to skip body lotion after using it.
- Size: 10 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Marshmallow root extract, shea butter, cocoa seed butter
- Scent: White musk and vanilla
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I have tried almost every generic, non-generic, inexpensive, and expensive body wash on the planet. I constantly struggle with my dry skin. With this, it's no longer a problem. My skin is so smooth after every use and the scent is PHENOMENAL."
9
Best Exfoliating Body Wash for Dry Skin
Oui the People Clean Slate Restorative Lactic Acid Body Wash
Pros
- Uses gentle acids to help improve skin texture
Cons
- Not everyone is a fan of the strong citrus scent
The standout ingredient in this one: lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can help resurface skin and improve its texture. AHA exfoliants are particularly beneficial for dry skin, with lactic acid being a gentler alternative to glycolic acid and ideal for encouraging cell turnover (all without leaving your already-dry skin feeling totally stripped).
- Size: 5.5 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Lactic acid, purple sea moss, purple rice fermentation
- Scent: Citrus and geranium
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I absolutely love using this body wash for my sensitive skin! It gently exfoliates my body without leaving it dry or itchy. The orange blossom fragrance is so nice [and] not too strong. After using it, my skin feels amazingly smooth and nourished."
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Pros
- A little goes a long way with this one
Cons
- Could be a bit more moisturizing, according to a few reviews
Want an exfoliating body wash that won't absolutely destroy your dry, flaky skin? Pls turn your attention to this gentle scrub, which I use once a week for the most satisfying skin-buffing imaginable. Rather than microplastic beads (ick), it relies on cellulose to lift away dead skin cells, leaving you with brighter skin and a citrusy, woody aroma.
- Size: 6.8 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Cellulose, squalene
- Scent: Cedar and cypress
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I have extremely dry skin, and the results are immediately noticeable. I can really tell a difference in how soft my skin is now, and it also appears healthy and hydrated. This body cleanser is great, since it exfoliates without being too harsh on the skin."
11
Best Body Wash for Dry, Dull Skin
Isle of Paradise Brilliantly Bright Body Cleanser
Pros
- Uses a combo of niacinamide and vitamin C to brighten dull skin
Cons
- Doesn't lather as well as some testers like
Other than just looking cute AF, this cleanser contains one of my fave skincare ingredients of all time: niacinamide, which is great for visibly shrinking the appearance of pores and improving uneven skin tone (as well as enhancing the skin's barrier function). And while you may have heard that niacinamide and vitamin C don't mix, these ingredients actually have incredible skin brightening benefits when used together.
- Size: 11.15 fl oz
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
- Scent: Grapefruit and pineapple
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This cleanser smells amazing!! It is very tropical and the scent lasts a while. I use it as just a body wash, and it makes my skin feel hydrated and very glowy. I have dry skin and noticed that it helps my dry skin patches a lot."
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Does body wash help with dry skin?
If you're someone with dry skin (hi, same!), you don't want a body wash that's simply going to, ya know, wash your skin. Ideally, you want a hydrating cleanser that will 1) give dry skin a hydration boost and 2) repair the skin barrier so it can better retain moisture. Humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid) are great for relieving dry skin, while emollients (like ceramides) help repair and protect your skin barrier.
And while you should always follow up your shower with some body lotion (or body butter), a hydrating cleanser will def help to counteract the moisture you lose while showering.
Is a body wash or bar soap better for dry skin?
So, here's the thing: Bar soaps often get a bad rap for being too alkaline, but believe it or not, bar soap is just as effective at cleansing your skin as liquid body washes. As Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Cosmo, "Both liquid and bars are equally effective—the choice in formula depends on personal preference."
That being said, body washes may be the better choice if you're someone with dry skin, since soap can sometimes dehydrate and strip the skin of its natural oils. Likewise, body washes tend to include more hydrating ingredients (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) and moisturizing ingredients (such as ceramides, butters, and oils).
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How to choose the best body wash for dry skin
Stick with a sulfate-free formula
Sulfates (typically noted as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate on ingredient lists) are foaming surfactants that help remove oil and debris from your skin. They help make your body wash super sudsy—but sulfates can also strip away your skin’s natural oils and compromise its protective skin barrier. As dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, explains, "They can be problematic if you have dry skin since dry is already void of skin oils and natural moisturizers."
Simply put, using a body wash with sulfates can make dry skin even more dry. So just you do your skin a favor and stick with a sulfate-free formula, mmmkay?
Look for moisturizing ingredients
In addition to being sulfate-free, the best body washes for dry skin are made with skin-loving ingredients like glycerin, stearic acid, and petrolatum, says Dr. Lal. "Both glycerin and petrolatum will help moisturize your skin," he says, "and stearic acid is a magical ingredient—is both an emulsifier and surfactant, so it cleans skin and helps it retain water at the same time."
Stearic acid can be found in a number of natural sources, such as shea butter and coconut oil, while petrolatum (better known petroleum jelly) acts as an occlusive emollient, which means it does a stellar job of sealing in moisture.
Consider the texture
Body washes with a creamy texture often have more oil-containing ingredients that help moisturize the skin, making them a safe choice for dry skin types. On the other hand, foam and gel body washes tend to have more surfactants, which remove oils from your skin. "If you like using a foaming or gel body wash, don’t fret—just aggressively moisturize after showering," Dr. Lal suggests.
Meet the experts:
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.
- Karan Lal, MD, is a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.
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Why trust 'Cosmo'?
Corinne Sullivan is an editor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news, including the best exfoliators for sensitive skin and best shampoos for dry scalps. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but an expert when it comes to body washes for dry skin. She regularly tests and analyzes body cleansers for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and estheticians to assess new formulas, brands, and technologies.
Corinne Sullivan
Editor
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.