After Testing 25+ Body Washes, These Are the 14 Worth Stocking in Your Shower

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 body washes 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 body wash 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 body wash maintains the skin’s natural barrier with gentle surfactants while cleansing effectively,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. 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 body washes my fellow editors and I have scrubbed and loved this year.

The Best Body Washes, 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

Best Overall, Runner-Up: Nécessaire The Body Wash

Best Luxury: Byredo Mojave Ghost Body Wash

Best Unscented: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

Best Budget: Method Simply Nourish Body Wash

Best Natural: Nerra The Body Wash

Best Exfoliating: Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Wash

Best for Keratosis Pilaris: CeraVe Body Wash with Salicylic Acid

Best Refreshing: Ouai St. Barts Gentle Body Wash

Best for Dry Skin: Dove Serum Body Wash

Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Wash

Best for Eczema: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash for Sensitive Skin

Best Smoothing: Saltair Salt Water Vanilla

Best Brightening: Iota Oishii Berry Body Wash

Best Cleansing Oil: L’Occitane Cleansing and Softening Refillable Shower Oil

FAQ

What should I look for in a body wash?

Dr. Boakye: A good body wash 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 body wash better than soap?

Dr. 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, body washes offer more room for hydrating ingredients like humectants and emollients. So I often lean toward body wash for barrier support and hydration.

Body Wash vs. Bar Soap

According to Dr. Rambhia

• Body Wash: Generally, body washes are formulated with moisturizing ingredients that can help hydrate the skin, making them a good option for individuals with dry or sensitive skin. Many body washes 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 Body Wash for Your Skin Type

Dry Skin

Dr. 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

Dr. 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

Dr. Rambhia: Exfoliating body washes 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

Dr. Boakye: Choose fragrance-free formulas with minimal ingredients. Colloidal oatmeal, sunflower oil, or niacinamide can be helpful here.

Mature Skin

Dr. Boakye: Look for washes with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or fatty acids to support hydration. Antioxidants are a plus to support skin vitality.

Sensitive Skin

Dr. 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

Dr. 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:

• Dr. Pooja Rambhia is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based between New York City and Greenwich, CT.
• Dr. Naana Boakye is a New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Naana Beauty.