The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (2025)

  • Beauty Director Pick
  • Best for Skipping Lotion
  • Derm Pick
  • Best Gentle Body Wash
  • Best Fragrance-Free
  • Best Multi-Purpose
  • Best for Soft Skin
  • Best Smelling Body Wash
  • Best Viral Body Wash
  • Best Oil-Infused
  • FAQs
  • When you have dry skin, washing up can be a tedious task. By their very nature, soaps and body washes are designed to remove dirt, oil, sunscreen, and more from our skin. But in some cases, those qualities can go too far, which is why you need a formula that's made for dry skin.

    "It sounds like a contradiction to have a soap that hydrates, but certain body washes can cleanse the skin while not stripping it of necessary and helpful oils and can even add back lipids to the skin during the [cleansing process]," explains Nava Greenfield, a board certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.

    The Best Body Washes for Dry Skin

    The right body wash will not only keep you clean, but it will also help protect, hydrate, and soften skin. Keep reading for the 10 best body washes for dry skin, including derm recommendations and picks from dryness-prone Bazaar beauty editors.

    Beauty Director Pick

    Olay Super Serum Body Wash for Extra Dry Skin

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (7)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (8)Luxe coconut-vanilla scent

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (9)Some reviewers had issues with the pump dispenser

    Bazaar Beauty Director Jenna Rosenstein calls this her "new favorite body wash for dry skin." How did the serum-infused formula earn the distinction? "Because it doesn’t just offer gentle cleansing and hydration, but it also infuses skin with skincare ingredients like vitamin E, collagen peptides, niacinamide, BHA, and shea butter to leave it radiant and smooth."

    Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, BHA, collagen peptide, vitamin E, shea butter
    Size: 18.5 oz

    Customer Review:

    "I love this cleanser! I have extremely dry skin and this is a game-changer for me. My skin not only feels really clean but hydrated as well. The lather is luxurious and smells heavenly! I really want to know if they make a lotion with this scent!" —Tess

    Best for Skipping Lotion

    Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (10)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (11)The large bottle will last you forever

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (12)Reviewers wish there were more fragrance options

    ICYMI: Dove recently reformulated their iconic body wash for 24-hour hydration. "I’m a long-time Dove fan, and the brand’s newly updated Deep Moisture body wash is a must-have to lock in hydration in-shower and beyond," says Bazaar beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson. "Plus, the formula leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft before I even reach for my body lotion."

    Key Ingredients: Glycerin
    Size:
    30.6 oz

    Customer Review:

    "I love this product. When I come home after a long day, using this centers me because it’s a very familiar fragrance. My skin always feels more moisturized afterwards and taken care of. I will be purchasing it again!" —Litty

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    Derm Pick

    GROWN ALCHEMIST Energize Body Cleanser

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (13)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (14)The sleek packaging doesn't take up too much shower space

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (15)Some people may want a richer lather

    Greenfield likes this sulfate-free cleanser, which she says has a "subtle foam and soft fragrance," courtesy of chamomile, bergamot, and rose. She adds that "it is lovely to use while cleansing and refreshing the skin while preserving the skin's natural defense and hydration system."

    Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E
    Size: 10.1 oz

    Customer Review:

    "This isn't formulated with a lot of high foaming ingredients, which is actually why it's good for hydrating skin. You will get clean soft skin without stripping you skin barrier. If you have dry sensitive skin, something like this can really help. I personally love how my skin feels when using this. I still use lotion because where I live it's insanely dry, but in other climates you could get away with skipping." —Jennifer

    Best Gentle Body Wash

    Lubriderm Daily Moisture Body + Face Wash

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (16)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (17)Hypoallergenic

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (18)The scent isn't very long-lasting

    The lotion you've used since you were a kid? There's now a body wash version—and it's just as gentle. (It's so gentle that it can also be a face wash, but you know we have plenty of more targeted recommendations on that front.) With a formula designed to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, it's a great option if your skin is extra dry and sensitive.

    Key Ingredients: Pro-ceramide, shea butter
    Size:
    16 oz

    Customer Review:

    "I have sensitive skin, and this hasn't caused any reactions. The body wash cleans and moisturizes but doesn't feel heavy (like a film) on your skin afterwards like some of the other brands. The scent is light and refreshing."

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    Best Fragrance-Free

    Naturium The Booster Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (19)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (20)Reviewers said it helped with KP too

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (21)Some people may want a richer lather

    Hyaluronic acid may take top billing in this body wash, but it also boasts 30 percent glycerin (in other words: It's a sponge for hydration). It's also fragrance-free, if you're sensitive or just want something more straightforward.

    Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, vitamin B5, vitamin B12
    Size: 16.9 oz

    Customer Review:

    "Every winter, I always end up with extremely dry skin to where I can scratch until I break skin. I use a hyaluronic acid in my daily face skin routine and though that this may be just as good as that. This has been a savior for me, I recently bought it and I love how hydrated my skin feels." —Kymmy

    Best Multi-Purpose

    Soft Services Comfort Cleanse

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (22)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (23)Suitable for sensitive skin

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (24)If you want a scented body wash, you'll want something else

    Made with 25 percent glycerin—a powerful humectant—this hydrating body wash is slick enough that it also works as a shave gel. Plus, it's unscented and safe to use on your full body, including intimate areas.

    Key Ingredients: Glycerin
    Size
    : 10 oz

    Customer Review:

    "I love this for an oil like shave gel, and also appreciate how it is PH-balanced and unscented. One bottle lasts forever and is aesthetically pleasing in my shower." —lashesplease

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    Best for Soft Skin

    eos Shea Better Cashmere Body Wash

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (25)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (26)Dermatologist-recommended formula

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (27)Better for fans of sweet scents

    If you like a luxe, creamy lather that feels truly clean, you'll be a fan of this body wash from Eos. Infused with shea, argan, and cocoa butters, it has an almost whipped texture that gets rich and foamy in the shower without stripping skin of much-needed moisture.

    Key Ingredients: Shea butter, argan butter, cocoa butter
    Size: 16 oz

    Customer Review:

    "This is one of the best lotions I've ever used. Smells soo good. Like a cupcake. Leaves your skin feeling so soft and hydrated." —julief

    Best Smelling Body Wash

    Cyklar Sensorial Body Wash

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (28)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (29)Feels gentle on skin

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (30)Pricey

    This oil-infused body wash not only feels amazing as you wash up, it smells just as good: the vanilla is rounded out with notes of green cardamom, amber, musk, and more. It'll make you excited to jump in the shower every day.

    Key Ingredients: Glycerin, fatty acid water, sodium PCA
    Size:
    16.5 oz

    Customer Review:

    "I've used other body washes that are infused with shea butter and aromatherapy but none of them work like this! Not only was my skin so soft, I smelled like the body wash the ENTIRE day and I haven’t even purchased the perfume oils yet. 10000000/10 recommend!" —Lis

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    Best Viral Body Wash

    Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Play Body Wash

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (32)Also available in a 33 oz jumbo size

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (33)May be too rich for sensitive skin

    With over 9,000 reviews (!) on Ulta, this creamy shower gel lives up to the hype. Packed with moisturizing ingredients like cupuaçu butter and coconut oil, it keeps skin ridiculously soft and leaves it scented with the same scent as the brand's iconic Bum Bum Cream.

    Key Ingredients: Cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, açai oil
    Size:
    13 0z

    Customer Review:

    "I absolutely love this body wash! It's so soft and leaves you feeling so hydrated, plus you smell delicious." —Daniel D.

    Best Oil-Infused

    Saltair Oil-Infused Nourishing Body Wash

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (34)

    Pros

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (35)Fresh tropical fragrance

    Cons

    • The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (36)Some reviewers said it made their shower floor slick

    Model Iskra Lawrence's line of body-care products has gained a huge following thanks to its fresh fragrances and cute aluminum packaging—and this body wash is a particular favorite. It's packed with moisturizing oils (but doesn't feel greasy), so your skin will feel soft, and stay that way.

    Key Ingredients: Passion fruit seed, kukui, argan, coconut and buriti oil blend, vitamin E

    Size: 17 oz

    Customer Review:

    "My elbows and heels love this brand. I just wish there was a body lotion in this fragrance. I love layering the scents. I get so many compliments wherever I go." —Roxie68

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (37)

    What Ingredients Should You Look for in a Body Wash for Dry Skin?

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (38)

    A body wash for dry skin should be rich in ingredients that reintroduce moisture back into the skin. "Look for ingredients that calm, nourish, and hydrate like naturally derived oils, chamomile, and glycerin," recommends Greenfield.

    Equally important is what should not be found in the formula: "Avoid sulfates—these are usually found in the very foamy washes—and harsh preservatives and strong fragrances, which typically add alcohol and can dry the skin," says the derm.

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    What Should You Use If You Have Eczema?

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (39)

    When you have eczema, or chronic dry, itchy skin that's prone to scaling and flaking, you should be even more careful when choosing a body wash (or any skincare product). In addition to looking for sensitive-skin-safe products, it's best to use a product that's fragrance-free. When in doubt, look for products with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

    Looking for More Recommendations for Dry Skin?

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (40)

    • Here Are the 15 Best Moisturizers to Try If You Have Dry Skin
    • The 10 Best Face Moisturizers for Your Sensitive Skin
    • The 10 Best Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizers for Major Hydration

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    Meet the Expert:

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (41)

    • Dr. Nava Greenfield is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.

    Why Trust Harper's Bazaar?

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (42)

    For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

    The 10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists (2025)

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