Odds are you’ve been using the same soap for years. No shame in that, but have you ever stopped to think about trying the best body washes for women? Or if you already use one, have you wondered if there could possibly be a better one out there for you? They may be the most underrated product in your self-care routine; after all, it’s the first thing that touches your skin in your morning showers, and one of the few that you use every day. Plus, it basically functions as your signature scent. Don’t know where to start your search? We’ve got you covered (with suds). Ahead, see everything you need to know about choosing the best cleanser for your skin type, plus dermatologist-approved picks that our editors put to the test.
The best body washes for women, at a glance
Your body wash questions, answered
How to choose the best body wash for your skin type
The best body wash for your skin type depends on your skin’s needs, says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm.
For dry skin, opt for gentle cleansers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, in a cream or lotion texture. “Cream cleansers gently cleanse using natural oils, making them ideal for sensitive or dry skin,” she says. The same goes for mature skin, though Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC, also suggests ingredients that encourage cell turnover and improve the appearance of fine lines, such as lactic and glycolic acid.
If you have oily or acne prone-skin, look for salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help manage breakouts. “Foaming and gel formulations are effective for oily skin, as they work to dissolve excess oil that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.” If your skin is rough or bumpy, or you have keratosis pilaris, Dr. Rambhia recommends an exfoliating body wash with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to smooth texture.
For extremely sensitive skin avoid fragrances and potential irritants like dyes, she adds.
When should you apply body wash?
While there’s no hard-and-fast rule on the order, some dermatologists suggest shampooing and conditioning before body washing. “That way you can let it sit on your scalp while you clean the rest of your body,” he says.
Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, also recommends using gentle circular motions to avoid rubbing harshly or in any way that’s traumatizing to the skin.
Is body wash better than bar soap?
According to Dr. Rambhia, body wash isn’t necessarily better than bar soap, but if you have dry or sensitive skin it can help boost hydration. If sustainability is a concern, bar soaps have a longer shelf life. But keep in mind that they can harbor bacteria, so if you’re using bar soap, make sure it is yours exclusively and not shared with other members of the household, says Dr. Greenfield.
Is there a difference between body wash and shower gel?
“Although used interchangeably, body wash and shower gel are different skin care products,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “Both clean skin in the shower, but their consistency is slightly different, which means they can be better or worse for certain skin types.” A shower gel is a gel-consistency, and less lotion-y and hydrating. The gels are generally combined with lots of scents, perfumes, and although newer versions exist that can be tolerated by sensitive skin, they wouldn’t be the best choice for someone with dry, irritated, or sensitive skin. “Body washes, on the other hand, are classically a softer, more lotion-y, creamy product, which has the job of cleansing the skin in the shower, but also often leave moisturizing ingredients on the skin,” says Dr. Nazarian.
How we tested body washes
We tested body washes from a duration of one week up to six months, and even included picks that some of our editors have loved for years. We looked at how well the body washes lathered, how our skin felt after application (was it dry, or stripped, or did it feel fresh and moisturized?), and paid attention to the fragrance and long-lasting smell. We narrowed it down to the best body washes that lathered well, made us feel clean, and gave us smoother-looking skin.
Best Overall: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Board-certified dermatologists Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, and Marisa Garshick, MD, both highly recommend Dove’s nourishing body wash. “It’s simple and has a great ingredient profile and is tolerated by all skin types,” says Dr. Bhanusali. Dr. Garshick agrees. “This body wash is a great option for all skin types, especially those with dry skin, as it not only provides a gentle cleanse, leaving the skin feeling clean, but it’s now also formulated with moisturizing MicroMoisture Droplets to nourish the skin and improve the moisture barrier for a full 24 hours,” she says.
“I was extremely pleased with how fresh it smelled, how well it lathered, and most importantly, how clean I felt after using it. This wash made my skin feel soft, velvety and so smooth that there wasn’t even a need to apply moisturizer after my shower. I wouldn’t recommend this one for someone who doesn’t love fragrance as it’s quite strong and lasts a while, but if you love “feeling clean,” this is the one for you,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
- Key Ingredients: Plant oils, glycerin
- Scent: Fresh and clean
- Size: 30.6 fl oz
- Pros: Suitable for all skin types
- Cons: Won’t combat body acne
Best Drugstore: Cerave Hydrating Body Wash
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
If you’re looking for another dermatologist favorite, Dr. Bhanusali recommends this drugstore body wash to his patients at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in NYC; it features core essential ingredients like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. Lauren Penzi, MD, especially loves the hydrating ingredients. “A fantastic choice for those with dry skin, this wash contains powerful humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that help retain water and moisture inside the skin, leaving your skin hydrated and ready to soak in whatever moisturizer you choose to apply after the shower,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Size: 10 fl oz
- Pros: Hydrating; formulated for dry skin
- Cons: No exfoliation
Best Scent: Nécessaire The Body Wash
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
You’ve likely seen the Nécessaire body wash all over Tiktok. But could something so trendy really be worth the hype? According to Dr. Shirazi it is. “Formulated with niacinamide, vitamin B3, and plant-based surfactants, it’s gentle and effective without overstripping the skin,” she says. “It also uses multiple oils such as marula, meadowfoam, and cacay oils rich in vitamins A, C, and E and omegas 6 and 9 to support the skin barrier. It’s also free of sulfates and parabens.”
Glamour’s Kilkeary says: “This pick is a body wash I always find myself going back to over the years. It’s silky smooth and lathers gloriously, and I’m a huge fan of all the scents. It’s a little pricey but well worth it, it’s a luxury wash in a bottle that simply makes your shower feel like a spa, not to mention it also has salicylic and glycolic acids to help slough off dead skin cells and make your skin look bright and smooth. I reach for it every time I shower before a special occasion to make me feel nourished and fancy.”
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide
- Scent: 4 scent options including Hinoki, Santal, Eucalyptus
- Size: 8.4 fl oz
- Pros: Great for sensitive skin; hypoallergenic; sulfate-free; available in other scents like invigorating eucalyptus, bergamot, and smoky sandalwood
- Cons: On the pricey side
Best for Dry Skin: La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Both Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, and Dr. Garshick recommend this gentle cleanser to people with sensitive skin. “This moisturizing wash can be used on the face and body and is designed for those with extra-dry or sensitive skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s accepted by the National Eczema Association and can be used in babies to adults, as well as individuals undergoing chemotherapy. It incorporates La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal water, shea butter to help support the skin barrier, glycerin to draw moisture in, and niacinamide, which is soothing on the skin. Together this helps to gently cleanse while also protecting the skin and providing 24-hour hydration.”
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Size: 13.5 fl oz
- Pros: Good for sensitive skin
- Cons: Won’t combat body acne
Best Cleansing Oil: Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
“Transforming from an oil into a gentle lather, this cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural oils,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s formulated with glycerin, a humectant to draw moisture in, as well as a blend of linoleic-rich oils and plant-derived squalane, to keep the skin feeling soft and smooth.”
“I used this cleansing oil to remove body bronzer, and it didn’t disappoint. It lifted off my makeup in two lathers and I was left with clean, fresh and smooth skin. Although I liked the texture, I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t like the slippery feeling of oil-based cleansers. To remove makeup though, it was nothing short of stellar,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, lipids
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Size: 16.9 fl oz
- Pros: Suitable for sensitive skin; hydrating
- Cons: Does not exfoliate
Best Luxury Drugstore: Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
You don’t have to be a big spender if you’re looking for quality body wash. “This is a great option if you want a more luxurious feel at a drug store price point,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “I love the coconut esters and calming niacinamide.”
“I was hesitant to test this one at first because I sometimes deal with body breakouts, especially on my back. Much to my surprise, this lathered nicely and didn’t leave any acne behind, it actually just softly cleansed and left my skin smooth and bump-free. I found this to be particularly useful when washing off self-tanner as well because it was able to seep in and lift excess tan that my exfoliator didn’t catch. I’d definitely rely on this one again to help get stubborn self-tan off stat! Plus, it’s ultra-moisturizing,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, lipids
- Scent: Clean
- Size: 33.8 fl oz
- Pros: Hydrating; nonslippery; rich lather
- Cons: Lightly scented
Best for Body Acne: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
“The best OTC cleansers for oily and acne-prone skin are oil-free and contain salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid that travels down inside pores to keep them deeply clean and to reduce sebum buildup,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Her recommendation? Neutrogena’s Body Clear Body Wash. “It contains a combination of salicylic and glycolic acids to exfoliate and deeply cleanse pores,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid
- Scent: Clean, citrusy scent
- Size: 8.5 fl oz
- Pros: Combats body acne
- Cons: Not for sensitive skin
Best Moisturizing: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Both Dr. Garshick and Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology, recommend this sensitive-skin-friendly option for simultaneously cleansing and hydrating skin. “This body wash uses prebiotic oat to help soothe the skin while also nourishing the skin and boosting the skin’s moisture,” says Dr. Garshick. “It offers a light scent for those who prefer a scented option, while still being gentle on the skin.”
Pro-tip, this body cleanser also makes a great shaving gel if you’re in a pinch. “I’ve used it to help make my shaving routine a little faster and it’s also saved me on days that I’ve run out of shaving cream or gel. It lathers up just like a shaving cream and is thick enough to keep the skin moisturized as you shave with a razor. It will give you the silkiest, smoothest legs you’ve seen yet,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
