21 Best Body Washes 2024 for Head-to-Toe Moisture, According to Editors

Never underestimate the power of the best body wash: It can leave your skin softer — and possibly healthier — after a couple of uses, impart a can’t-get-enough-of-it scent, and tackle everything from bacne to errant bumps. (Not to mention, body wash can double as a shaving cream in a pinch.)

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Unlike your average bar soap, a body wash can also pack active ingredients, and therefore work wonders for issues like eczema and dryness. Finding the suds needed for your skin type only requires a careful read of the label, Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, PA tells Allure. “Patients who have acne can use products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide,” she says. “Patients with eczema should avoid those same ingredients due to their irritating effect and instead look for moisturizing ingredients, such as natural oils, ceramides, and glycerin.”

Melissa Piliang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cleveland, Ohio suggests steering clear of washes with fragrance, as these can potentially irritate the skin. “They do not enhance the cleansing ability of the body wash, so it is best to avoid fragrance,” she explains.

While it’s tempting to cover yourself in soap, Dr. Pilang says that it is possible to overdo it on the body wash. Overuse can lead to dry, irritated skin, especially during the winter months when skin is already stripped of moisture. “Taking hot showers and baths can magnify the problem as the hot water removes even more of the skin’s natural oils,” she explains.

To prevent further overdrying of the skin, stick to once-daily showers with lukewarm water and use a moisturizer after cleansing, Dr. Bunimovich recommends. Also, pay special attention to washing the folds of your skin, as bacteria likes to hang out there. Don’t attempt to use body wash as face wash, though, as it could clog pores and worsen acne.

Ready to revamp your washing routine? We turned to the experts and sifted through a plethora of products from drugstore buys to deluxe splurges to find the best body wash out there.