Stop dry, itchy skin in its tracks with these body washes.
Winter is here, which means that finding solutions for dry skin is at the top of almost everyone’s mind. If you’re dealing with dry skin this season (or any time of year), then using a moisturizing body wash can help soothe that itchiness, flakiness or even eczema. Not all body washes are created equally: “Body wash formulated specifically for dry skin typically has more natural and hydrating ingredients to combat dehydration,” explains Kim Nichols, M.D., a Greenwich, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of NicholsMD. The milder, more emollient formulas help “replenish the oils that are washed away,” adds Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.
Institute Beauty Lab has a century-long history of testing products, including body washes. In the Lab’s most recent body wash test, our scientists spent more than 90 hours completing in-Lab testing and evaluated 520 consumer surveys to find the best picks available. This list includes top-performing products from in-Lab testing, as well as editor-loved and dermatologist-approved additions. Ahead, the 10 best body washes that’ll turn dry skin into glowing skin, including natural, organic and drugstore cleansers.
1
Best Overall Body Wash for Dry Skin
Dove Dryness Relief Nourishing Body Wash
Like a body wash and moisturizer in one, this nourishing pick from Dove softens dry skin after just one wash, according to GH Beauty Lab testing. “My skin was as smooth as if I’d applied a moisturizer,” a tester raves. “I used it at night, and my skin still felt moisturized in the morning,” another says. This body wash moisturized skin for four hours in Lab testing with no additional lotion required. Note that the scent of this wash is polarizing to some reviewers.
Key ingredients | Jojoba oil, prebiotic blend |
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Size | 22 fl oz |
2
Best Value Body Wash for Dry Skin
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash
GH Lab testing found that Aveeno’s creamy body wash is one of the most hydrating, in addition to coming out on top for best lather. It features a light scent that testers enjoy. “I loved the smell,” a tester raves. “I am very sensitive to strong florals and fruits — this wash was light, fresh, clean and very pleasant. The lather was creamy without being too heavy.” Some reviewers report that the wash leaves a residue on their skin, so watch out for that.
Key ingredients | Prebiotic oats, glycerin |
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Size | 18 fl oz |
3
Best Drugstore Body Wash for Dry Skin
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
This cleanser is the ultimate gentle choice: it’s safe for body and face on babies and adults. Dr. Nichols recommends this soothing body wash as its ingredients help reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin. “As a rule of thumb, any time a cleanser is suitable for both the face and the body, it is a good indicator that the product is formulated to be sensitive enough for dry skin,” she advises. Many reviewers find the pump to be finicky, making it difficult to dispense product.
Key ingredients | Shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin |
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Size | 13.52 fl oz |
4
Best Body Wash for Dry, Itchy Skin
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Smoothing Oil-to-Foam Body Cleanser
If you have dry skin that’s also itchy, try an oil-based cleanser. This silky, vanilla and almond-scented wash from Kiehl’s is a favorite of GH Beauty Director April Franzino. “True to its name, it slightly foams on skin in contact with water and cleanses well yet feels coddling and luxurious, with no parched skin left behind,” she says. Take note that this body wash is on the pricier side.
Key ingredients | Plant oils (avocado, coconut, grape seed, rice bran, sunflower seed) |
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Size | 8.4 fl oz |
5
Best Glowy Body Wash for Dry Skin
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
L’Occitane’s luxurious shower oil turns to a light milky wash upon contact with water. A blend of natural oils gently cleanses skin without leaving it tight, dry or itchy, Franzino reports. “It feels so pampering when applied and smells lightly sweet thanks to sweet almond extract,” she says. This shower oil is pricey, but as one of the brand’s bestsellers, many believe the price is worth it.
Key ingredients | Grape seed oil, sweet almond oil with omega-9 fatty acids |
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Size | 16.9 fl oz |
6
Best Exfoliating Body Wash for Dry Skin
CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Even dry skin needs to be exfoliated. As with any CeraVe formula, this body wash features ceramides, so you can get that exfoliation without stripping the skin. Highly rated on Amazon, reviewers like using it on keratosis pilaris, body acne and other sensitive skin conditions. “I saw improvement in my bumpy skin within just two uses,” a reviewer raves. However, not all users have found it to be effective on their skin. If you like a ceramide-filled body wash sans exfoliation, Dr. Nichols recommends the CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash.
Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, ceramides |
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Size | 10 fl oz |
7
Best Dermatologist-Recommended Body Wash for Dry Skin
Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
Eucerin’s calming body wash is simply formulated to minimize itchiness and irritation. Dr. Nichols likes this gentle cleanser for its skin softening and smoothing abilities, thanks to nourishing seed oils. “This wash is soap-, fragrance- and dye-free to help minimize the chance of further irritation to the skin,” she explains. Franzino also likes how calming the formula is. Because the wash is fragrance-free, it doesn’t have anything added to make it smell more pleasant; many reviewers don’t love the scent.
Key ingredients | Omega oils, lipids |
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Size | 16.9 fl oz |
8
Best Nourishing Body Wash for Dry Skin
MyKirei by Kao Yuzu & Rice Water Nourishing Body Wash
For the eco-conscious consumer, this great-smelling body wash from MyKirei by Kao comes in first-of-its-kind air-inflated packaging to reduce waste. But the 2022 GH Beauty Award winner isn’t just eco-friendly — in a clinical study, the cleanser didn’t irritate even sensitive skin, and testers found that it lathered well and rinsed clean without overdrying skin. GH Beauty Lab assessment also confirmed that the packaging has up to 47% less plastic than that of similar size products. “The light and foamy lather feels soft,” a tester reports. Some reviewers feel the price is a little too high.
Key ingredients | Rice water, yuzu extract |
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Size | 16.9 fl oz |
9
Best Body Wash for Dry Skin and Eczema
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash (Pack of 3)
A fragrance-free body wash is key for dry skin, especially for those with eczema. Cetaphil’s super gentle cleanser is GH Associate Product & Reviews Editor Jacqueline Saguin’s favorite choice for her eczema. “It’s the only formula I’ve found that’s safe for my sensitive skin,” she says. “Though you miss out on the lather, its creamy gel formula cleanses without stripping my skin of moisture.” Some reviewers find the bottle shape and size isn’t very user-friendly.
Key ingredients | Aloe vera, vitamin B5 |
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Size | 16.9 fl oz |
10
Best Natural Body Wash for Dry Skin
Raw Sugar Moisture Loving Watermelon + Fresh Mint Body Wash
Made with organic and cold-pressed ingredients including shea butter extract, aloe vera and various other oils and extracts, this moisturizing, natural body wash also smells amazing. “The fresh watermelon scent is a great pick-me-up no matter the time of day,” our Beauty Assistant says. “It cleanses well and rinses off easily without leaving my skin feeling tight.” Though it doesn’t leave her skin dry or itchy, this pick may not be the best for those with extra dry or sensitive skin.
Key ingredients | Shea butter extract, aloe vera |
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Size | 25 fl oz |
How we choose the best body washes for dry skin
Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists constantly test skincare products to help promote glowing, hydrated skin, including face moisturizers and face serums. In the Lab’s quest to find the best body washes, our scientists complete in-Lab testing and work with consumer testers.
The testing in our Lab includes measuring skin hydration levels utilizing state-of-the-art skin imaging tools, and then consumer testers test the products to provide feedback on factors such as ease of application, lather, scent and, of course, the feel and appearance of skin after use. The picks on this list are a collection of GH Beauty Lab test winners, GH Beauty Award winners, editor favorites and dermatologist recommendations.
What to look for when shopping for the best body washes for dry skin
If you have dry, itchy or flaky skin, here are some things to take note of when purchasing a body wash:
✔️ Look for moisturizing ingredients: If you have dry skin, “your body needs added hydration to replenish and repair the skin’s barrier,” says Dr. Nichols. Look for nourishing, hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and natural oils and shea butters, she recommends. Butler also advises looking for emollients and occlusives in the ingredient list, including petrolatum, oils like soybean oil and sunflower seed oil and butters like cocoa or shea butter.
✔️ Avoid potential irritants: Dry skin can be prone to irritation more easily, so Dr. Nichols suggests avoiding added fragrance, alcohols, dyes and any common foaming agents.
✔️ Read the label: This may seem obvious, but while shopping, remember to look for key words like “moisturizing” and “dry skin” on the label, notes Butler.
How often should you use a body wash for dry skin?
Listen to your skin. While both Butler and Dr. Nichols agree that using a body wash for dry skin should be fine to use every day, it also depends on your skin type and the conditions that contribute to dryness.
If you find yourself still experiencing dryness with everyday use, “reducing shower frequency to every other day can be helpful for dry skin, because it reduces disruption to the oils that create the skin’s barrier function,” says Butler. She also recommends avoiding hot water in the shower to prevent stripping the protective oils from your skin.
Dr. Nichols recommends visiting a board-certified dermatologist for product recommendations based specifically on your skin.