The Best Body Washes on the Market, Period

Updated on Sep 24, 2024 at 7:15 PM

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The right body wash cleanses your skin, yes, but it can also completely elevate your entire shower experience. Shopping for one may seem like one of the simpler beauty choices, but there are a lot of factors to consider before adding to cart. You’ll want to take into account the smell, the price point, whether you need a formula gentle enough for sensitive skin, and if it has specific active skin-care ingredients like niacinamide for extra hydration or the acne-fighting salicylic acid.

Still, there are hundreds of options out there to choose from, so narrowing it down can be a feat. That’s why we curated this list of a few dozen body washes that stand out above the rest. Some feature scents so heavenly that one lather will make you feel like you’re sitting beachside on a tropical vacation, while others get the job done without any added fragrance. There are also the cleansers specially made to treat issues like acne and eczema or multitasking products that be used on the hair, face, and body.

If you’re looking for the best body wash to suit your needs — whatever they may be — you can start by checking out our curated guide of favorites ahead.

GettyBest Multi-Use Body WashGntl Skin Wash ($38)

The Gntl Skin Wash is the perfect pick for anyone who wants a body wash that can do it all. No, this isn’t your ex’s 6-in-1 soap, shampoo, and therapist, it’s a skin wash that can be safely used on any part of your body, from your face to your toes. The gel texture is ultra smooth, and it’s pH balanced, so you can achieve that clean feeling without stripping your skin.

target.comBest Drugstore Body Wash For AcneNeutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash With Glycerin ($13)

There’s a reason dermatologists recommend this body wash to acne-prone patients regularly: the Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash With Glycerin is packed with 2% salicylic acid to fight breakouts effectively but gently — and you can’t beat that price.

target.comBest Conditioning Body WashOlay Nourishing Body Wash ($9)

Hyaluronic acid has always been a standout ingredient in skin-care products thanks to its hydrating abilities, but it’s the star of the show in the Olay Nourishing Body Wash, which also features niacinamide to help moisturize and soothe the skin, among a handful of other things.

amazon.comBest Body Wash For Dry, Sensitive SkinCeraVe Body Wash For Dry Skin ($12)

A tried-and-true product for a reason, this CeraVe body wash contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to quell any dryness and leaves out any potentially irritating ones like sulfates and fragrance.

GettyBest Natural Body WashNative Body Wash ($15)

The Native Body Wash is sulfate free, paraben free, and phthalate free. It’s made with naturally derived ingredients, and the eucalyptus and mint scent is one of our all-time favorites. It comes in four other scents as well, and we truly love them all.

ulta.comBest Body Wash For AcneMurad Acne Body Wash ($48)

This sudser from Murad works triple duty to treat body breakouts fast: salicylic acid helps keep pores clear, glycolic acid exfoliates the skin, and green tea extract soothes any irritation and redness.

nordstrom.comBest Fragrance-Free Body WashNécessaire The Body Wash ($25)

This Nécessaire body wash features star ingredient niacinamide to reduce inflammation and cleanse the skin without stripping it of natural oils. The best part? It contains no fragrance, so you can suds up without the scent.

target.comBest Body Wash For Dry SkinDove Purely Pampering Coconut Butter & Cocoa Butter Body Wash ($10)

Ever used a cleanser that made your skin feel like silk? That’s the feeling you’ll get from using the Dove Purely Pampering Coconut Butter & Cocoa Butter Body Wash, as it’s made with not one but two types of butters to keep skin hydrated even after you step out of the shower.

sephora.comBest Body Wash For Keratosis PilarisKate Somerville ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub ($56)

Keratosis pilaris, or KP for short, is a common skin condition that manifests in tiny red bumps on body parts like the backs of arms and legs. To treat them, you need a specially formulated body wash that exfoliates, which is exactly what you get with the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub. It combines chemical exfoliants (lactic acid and salicylic acid, plus fruit enzymes) with physical exfoliants (pumice beads) for an as-good-as-it-gets body buff.

sephora.comBest Scented Body WashOuai Body Cleanser ($28)

Yes, we love the Ouai Body Cleanser for it’s hydrating, jojoba-rich formula, but we also love that it smells like fresh citrus and a luxurious bouquet of flowers. Trust us when we say everyone will be asking why you smell so good.

target.comBest Body Wash For EczemaUnscented Curel Itch Defense Body Wash ($9)

If you have eczema, you’ll love the Curel Itch Defense Body Wash. Not only is it completely unscented, but its main purpose is also to reduce itching and skin irritation, and it gets to work fast.

amazon.comBest Body Wash For Sensitive SkinAveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash ($11)

Aveeno has mastered the art of creating gentle products that don’t irritate even the most sensitive sets. The Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash is no different, and will cleanse your skin without making it feel dry or leading to irritation.

ulta.comBest Gentle Body WashDrunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser ($22)

There are plenty of body washes out there that let the fragrances do all the talking, but the Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser actually features a creamy, clean, fragrance-free formula meant to cleanse and balance supersensitive skin.

amazon.comBest Antioxidant-Rich Body WashThe Seaweed Bath Co. Hydrating Body Wash ($8, originally $13)

The organic The Seaweed Bath Co. Hydrating Body Wash creates a moisturizing lather with antimicrobial oil to protect your skin and is formulated with antioxidant-rich spirulina (a type of algae).

ulta.comBest Luxurious Body WashFresh Body & Hand Wash ($27)

Luxury doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and the Fresh Body & Hand Wash is the perfect example of that. It’s infused with glycerin and vitamins C and E for added hydration. This body wash features a simple blend of lemon and warm sugar fragrance that’s so good, it’ll leave your bathroom smelling fresh and zesty.

GettyDanielle Jackson was a former assistant editor for PS Beauty.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.