Key ingredients: glycerin, goat milk, jojoba, meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter | Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: people looking for a multipurpose product
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I choose a body wash for dry skin?
“Look for body washes or beauty bars that contain gentle surfactants to thoroughly cleanse, as well as humectants and emollients to hydrate the skin and support the skin barrier,” Dr. King explains. Dobos suggests looking for ingredient lists that feature niacinamide (a.k.a vitamin B3), which is key for its antioxidizing, ceramide-boosting, skin-brightening effects. “Niacinamide is an ingredient with numerous advantages; as a cosmetic chemist, I love its versatility in formulation.”
Synthetic compounds are also crucial to a good body wash—even the ones you can’t pronounce. “Combinations of two to three synthetic surfactants are essential for good cleansing and foaming and increasing mildness. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and Cocamidapropyl betaine are examples of mild secondary surfactants,” says Dobos. “One ingredient that is particularly useful in body wash is guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride. This ingredient is a conditioning polymer with many positive charges that make it substantive to dry skin. It can help deposit other ingredients on the skin too,” she adds.
Remember your ceramides, too. Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously told Allure that “Skin-repairing ceramides, which fill in the cracks between skin cells and help the skin heal itself,” are hugely helpful in body care.
What should I avoid in a body wash for dry skin?
While not everyone is sensitive to fragrance in body washes, picking a fragrance-free option minimizes the risk of irritation. “Try to avoid fragrances, cleansers with a high pH, or soap-based cleansers.” She notes that “soap” doesn’t refer to bar soap, but rather cleansers with a high pH. “Skin has a neutral to slightly acidic pH so you want cleansers that mimic that and support barrier health. If it has tons of ingredients, ditch it. Keep it simple!” According to Dr. King, you should also avoid harsh, skin-stripping detergents like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), which can dry the skin of its natural oils, leading to more dryness.
If you have eczema, avoid formulas that feature anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, PA, previously told Allure. She explained that these ingredients can be particularly drying and irritating. So, if you have acne-prone and very dry skin, talk to your dermatologist before buying a new body wash bottle.
Meet the experts
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
- Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, PA
- Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.