If you’re suffering from dry skin, you may find that showering too much or too often can make your skin problems worse. Hydrating your skin starts in the shower, and choosing the best body wash for your specific moisturizing needs will be important since you’ll need to keep your shower time short. A soothing, hydrating body wash made especially for people with dry skin will be your best friend in the long run.
- Important Factors to Consider in Body Wash for Dry Skin
- Top 11 Best Body Wash for Dry Skin 2026
- 1. Best Overall Body Wash: Puracy Natural Body Wash
- 2. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Moisturizing Body Wash
- 3. Best Premium Body Wash: Alba Botanica French Lavender Bath & Shower Gel
- 4. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
- 5. Best Budget Body Wash: NIVEA Nourishing Care Body Wash
- 6. Best for Eczema: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
- 7. Good for Makeup Removal: Eucerin Body and Face Cleanser
- 8. Best for Itchy Skin: Curél Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Body Wash
- 9. Best Lather: Bliss Lemon & Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash
- 10. Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash
- 11. CeraVe Soothing Body Wash
- Guide to Buying the Best Body Wash for Dry Skin
- Pro Tips for How to Care for Dry Skin
Important Factors to Consider in Body Wash for Dry Skin
When buying a body wash to combat your issue with dry skin, there are some important factors you should look out for when choosing the product for you. If you’re comfortable with what you’re looking for already, then you can jump straight to the products we’ve chosen and find something. For a primer, read on.
Pay Attention to the Ingredients Label
Any dermatologist will recommend that you choose a body wash with soothing ingredients like natural oils, hyaluronic acids and aloes that help to hydrate and rejuvenate dry skin. So be sure to pay attention to the ingredients on the label. If you see ingredients like those mentioned above, you’re on the right track.
Consider Going Fragrance-Free
The first thing you may check before picking out a body wash is how it smells. If you’re washing your body with it, the chances are that’s how you’ll smell for the rest of the day, right?
However, if you have particularly sensitive or dry skin, you may find that added fragrances will make your skin problems worse. Instead, look for a body wash that is hypoallergenic in nature and free of harmful ingredients like sulfates, dyes and parabens that will exacerbate dry skin.
Look at the Labels
Look out for the word “sensitive” and any related words on the body washes you’re thinking about buying. It’s likely that it will have less drying qualities on your skin than other products without these types of labels.
If a body wash is marketing to people with skin sensitivities, they will most likely contain skin-soothing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and plant butters. They may also have a more creamy or milky lather as opposed to a sudsy one when wet.
Body Washes like Curél Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Body Wash and Puracy Natural Body Wash are made with particularly sensitive skin in mind.
Ingredients that Dry Skin Out
Ingredients like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and methanol can make body washes feel lighter and can help other ingredients properly soak into your skin. However, they can also cause dryness, itchiness and irritation.
Retinoids are often credited with relieving issues related to skin redness, wrinkles and fine lines. However, retinoids may also cause dry skin, redness, peeling and inflammation in the first few weeks you use it.
Body washes that contain lye will mess with your skin’s pH balance. If it gets too low (below pH 5), it will lead to extra skin dryness. Sulfates like sodium lauryl and sodium laureth help body washes to foam and remove oils from your skin. If you have dry skin though, this ends up stripping away too much of your skin’s natural oils.
Ingredients that Soothe and Hydrate Skin
Aloe is an antioxidant and antimicrobial that soothes and hydrates skin. Ceramides help to lock in moisture in the skin by creating a barrier that prevents permeability, and they also have anti-aging effects.
Glycerine traps moisture and also helps to bring moisture up to the top layer of your skin. Hyaluronic acid relieves dry skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Lavender is a great ingredient for reducing inflammation, and it has antiseptic properties.
Oils like borage seed, argan, and evening primrose are all excellent non-fragrant plant oil options that help to rejuvenate and hydrate dry skin. If you see omega oils and natural lipids on the label, you can be sure that they will soothe your skin and help ease the feeling of dry, itchy skin through excellent hydration. Shea, cocoa and jojoba are super luxurious butters that also help to hydrate and nourish dry skin.
We go into extensive detail on the ingredients to be looking for and what they do in our full guide below, but with that brief overview in mind, here are some great body washes that will help minimize your issues with dry skin and help you feel fresh.
Top 11 Best Body Wash for Dry Skin 2026
1. Best Overall Body Wash: Puracy Natural Body Wash
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
Puracy is a coconut-based body wash made for men and women. It creates a rich, lathery foam that rinses away completely without harming the corneum layer of your skin. This means that your skin will remain free of irritation, dryness and redness.
Puracy body wash is gentle enough for people with eczema or dermatitis to use safely, and it works well on a wide range of skin types. It is also safe and gentle enough to use on your entire body as a shower gel or in a bubble bath.
Some have found that their skin felt so hydrated after using this body wash that they didn’t need to moisturize with lotion afterward. However, if you’re looking for a body wash that will leave a long-lasting, pleasant aroma on your skin after showering, this particular body wash isn’t the one. Instead, think about going for this one instead.
Recommendations for Use
Be sure to rinse your skin thoroughly with fresh water before applying this body wash. Less is more with Puracy: you only need to apply a small amount on your skin (using a loofah or washcloth unless your skin is extremely dry). Massage the liquid into a rich lather on your skin. Then rinse it off thoroughly with fresh water.
Ingredients
You can rest assured that there is no triclosan, formaldehyde, parabens, phosphates, SLS, SLES, MEA, DEA, TEA, petroleum-based ingredients, animal by-products, chlorine, dyes or caustics in the Puracy Body Wash formula. This ensures that you are using a product that is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, all-natural and vegan.
The Himalayan sea salt in it naturally exfoliates and hydrates your skin while the citrus aromas help you feel more energized. You can even use Puracy Body Wash on your pets and young kids; it’s that safe!
Extras
Puracy Body Wash is never tested on animals and their ingredients are naturally biodegradable and the bottles are recyclable. You can purchase refill pouches of this body wash to help save on plastic waste, and the artwork on their products supports local artists. If that’s not enough, the company also makes donations to the less fortunate with every purchase you make of their product.
Pros
- Vegan-friendly, all-natural body wash that is safe to use on adults, young kids and pets
- Ingredients are naturally biodegradable
- Can purchase refill packages to avoid additional plastic waste
- Make donations to the less fortunate when you purchase their product
Cons
- Won’t leave a pleasant and lasting scent on your skin after use
2. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Moisturizing Body Wash
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
Mrs. Meyer’s body wash is dermatologically-tested and will leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. It is meant for cleansing your whole body and will leave a pleasant scent in your bathroom after using it without causing breakouts.
Your skin will also feel clean and soft without any leftover residue or a feeling of stickiness. If you struggle with psoriasis or eczema, Mrs. Meyer’s body wash will help prevent flare-ups. However, it doesn’t lather up as well as other body washes.
Recommendations for Use
You can use Mrs. Meyer’s as either a body wash or a super moisturizing hand soap. You can even use it to wash any delicate clothing items you have at home. Simply lather it on your hands (or with a loofah or washcloth if your skin isn’t too sensitive) and wash all over.
Ingredients
You can find enriching, fresh ingredients like aloe vera gel, essential oils and flaxseed oil. The honeysuckle in it gives the body wash the pleasing aroma of a fresh bouquet of different flowers.
Extras
You can purchase Mrs. Meyer’s body wash in four different scents: Basil, Honeysuckle, Lavender and Lemon Verbena. They are also cruelty-free and vegan, meaning that none of their products are ever tested on animals. If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it within thirty days of receipt.
Pros
- Dermatologically-tested and vegan-friendly
- Doesn’t leave behind any leftover residue or feelings of stickiness
- Comes in four different scents
- Can be returned within 30 days of receipt
Cons
- Doesn’t lather up as well as other body washes
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
Alba Botanica body wash gently cleans your skin and leaves it feeling super smooth. The lavender scent provides an overall calming effect. It’s even safe to use in areas of your body that are commonly easy to irritate. It’s not likely to upset your allergies or sensitive skin that easily gets itchy or dry. Additionally, Alba Botanica body wash has a nice, silky consistency that suds up well. It does not leave behind a filmy feeling on your skin after use.
Recommendations for Use
Smooth the shower gel over your entire body while in the shower or bath. Massage it into a lather and rinse off with fresh water. If you’re using it in a bubble bath, be sure to add a generous amount of the liquid to running water to create enriching soap bubbles.
Ingredients
Alba Botanica Fresh Lavender body wash is made with botanical extracts like lavender, aloe leaf juice, lemon balm and chamomile. It does not contain any parabens, phthalates or harsh sulfates. The ingredients are 100% vegetarian, hypoallergenic and never tested on animals. The coconut oil leaves your skin feeling super supple.
Extras
You can purchase Alba Botanica in four other scents that hydrate dry and sensitive skin: Honey Mango, Sparkling Mint, Island Citrus and Midnight Tuberose. However, some have found that the scent is overpowering.
The company is focused on being ethical and compassionate in their treatment towards all living things. None of their products are made with or tested on animals. They believe in being environmentally conscious with what they use inside and outside their products, so they make it a point to use sustainably sourced packaging their goods.
Pros
- Safe to use on all sensitive, irritation-prone parts of your body
- Does not leave behind a filmy feeling on your skin
- Ingredients are 100% vegetarian
- Comes in four other scents
Cons
- Some scents may be overpowering
4. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
Aveeno Skin Relief has a lovely coconut scent and cleans off dirt, oil and bacteria from your skin gently. It can be used daily without damaging your natural moisture barrier, leaving your skin feeling smooth, soft and looking healthy.
It is dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, soap-free and dye-free. This means that it will be as super gentle on sensitive skin as a fragrance-free body wash. Even though it is soap-free, it still lathers up nicely, and it won’t irritate your skin.
Just ensure that you don’t use an exfoliator with it. For some, this will leave an oily feeling on your skin’s surface and could potentially cause acne breakouts.
Recommendations for Use
Gently lather the body wash on your skin’s problem areas with your fingertips. If you want to lock in moisture for a period of up to 24 hours after using this body wash, make sure to use a moisturizer after showering or bathing.
Ingredients
Aveeno body wash is made with a soothing oat formula that gently moisturizes your skin. It is enriched with a lovely coconut scent. It is soap-free and dye-free and contains nourishing ingredients like glycerine, cocos nucifera oil and avena sativa kernel oil. Please be aware that this formula does contain sodium laureth sulfate which may irritate certain types of dry skin sensitivities.
Extras
Aveeno has been a dermatologist-recommended skincare brand for over sixty-five years. It has a light coconut scent that leaves a pleasant, long-lasting smell on you after using it. If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it within thirty days of receipt.
Pros
- Dermatologist-recommended brand for over sixty-five years
- Can be used daily without damaging your skin’s natural moisture barrier
- Soap-free, dye-free and allergy-tested
- Can be returned within 30 days of receipt
Cons
- May leave an oily feeling on your skin and/or cause acne breakouts
- Does contain sodium laureth sulfate which may irritate certain types of dry skin
5. Best Budget Body Wash: NIVEA Nourishing Care Body Wash
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
NIVEA body wash has a nice, creamy lather that leaves your skin feeling super soft without drying it out. The formula locks in moisture for up to 48 hours, leaving your skin looking healthier and feeling more hydrated. It is gentle enough on your skin to use daily. Some have even forgotten to use a moisturizing lotion after showering because their skin already felt so soft and smooth!
Recommendations for Use
Squeeze this body wash onto wet hands (or a washcloth or loofah if your skin is not too sensitive). Massage until it turns into a creamy lather on your skin. Rinse it off with fresh water when done. Make sure to moisturize with lotion, ointment or cream after your shower for the best effect.
Ingredients
NIVEA Nourishing Care Body Wash contains a lovely, hydrating serum that is enriched with oils derived from plants, essential skin lipids and vitamins. There are no parabens or microplastic particles in it.
Extras
You can use this body wash for shaving as well as showering. It has a floral scent to it, but it may be unpleasant for people who have a sensitive sense of smell. If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it within thirty days of receipt.
Pros
- Locks moisture in for up to 48 hours
- You can use it to shave
- Can be returned within 30 days of receipt
Cons
- Some may find the smell unpleasant
6. Best for Eczema: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
Vanicream is dermatologist-tested and gently removes dirt and oils from your skin without drying it out. It can lather up in soft or hard water, leaving your skin feeling squeaky clean and smooth. However, many have found that it is more of a light foam than a thick one. It’s effective for people who have a history of eczema and atopic dermatitis from birth. The smell may be off-putting for some people.
Ingredients
Vanicream Gentle Body Wash is formulated without ingredients that are common chemical irritants found in everyday cleansers. It is free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens formaldehyde, and formaldehyde releasers. Additionally, it is soap-, oil-, sulfate- and gluten-free.
Extras
If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it within thirty days of receipt.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Excellent choice for people who struggle with eczema and atopic dermatitis
- Can be returned within 30 days of receipt
Cons
- Foam is lighter in feel than other body washes
- Smell may be strong for some people
7. Good for Makeup Removal: Eucerin Body and Face Cleanser
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
Eucerine’s soap-free formula helps keep your skin from drying out without damaging its natural protective barriers. It rinses off clean from your skin without leaving any residue behind, is gentle enough to use on your face and works as a great makeup remover.
Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body and Face Cleanser is non-comedogenic, extra mild and keeps your skin at its natural pH balance of 5. Though this body wash is an excellent skin soother, it can cause breakouts on extremely sensitive skin.
Recommendations for Use
To get a decent foam, make sure to rub the body lotion between your hands after wetting them with warm water. Then, gently massage the body wash foam onto wet skin in a circular motion. Rinse it off and pat your skin dry afterward.
Ingredients
Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body and Face Cleanser is fragrance-, soap- and dye-free. It is made with gentle ingredients like surfactants, citric acid and hydrogenated glycerin.
Extras
This body wash is gentle enough to use on your face and body. It is unscented but does have a natural smell from the ingredients it contains. If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it within thirty days of receipt.
Pros
- Gentle enough to use on your face and easily removes makeup
- Fragrance-, soap- and dye-free
- Can be returned within 30 days of receipt
Cons
- Can cause breakouts on extremely sensitive skin
8. Best for Itchy Skin: Curél Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Body Wash
Editor’s Rating:
Soothing Qualities
Curél is a safe body wash to use on eczema-prone skin and helps to relieve dryness and itchiness for up to 24 hours. It is so gentle on skin that you can use it on babies from the age of six months and up. The formula creates a wonderfully rich lather that gently cleans your skin. However, if you have extremely dry skin issues, you may not find this body wash as soothing as others.
Recommendations for Use
Pour the body wash onto your hands when they are wet to generate a lather and then gently apply it to your wet skin. Rinse with fresh water afterward.
Ingredients
Curél is a soap-free formula that works wonderfully for dry, itchy skin. There are no added fragrances. It has hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, olive oil, ceramide and shea butter.
Extras
Curél Hydra Therapy body wash was granted the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. This means that people who have eczema or severe skin conditions will be safe to use this body wash.
Pros
- Great for Itchy Skin
- No irritating fragrances
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- No fragrance
- Not effective for those with extremely dry skin
9. Best Lather: Bliss Lemon & Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash
