Protect yourself from itching and other common skin issues with the best body wash for sensitive skin. You don’t need a harsh cleanser or excessive lather to feel clean or smell good.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Body Washes for Sensitive Skin
When you choose soap for sensitive skin, you’ll avoid common irritants like alcohols and sulfates in favor of soothing moisturizers. And there are plenty of choices at accessible prices in today’s market.
Best Body Washes & Soaps for Sensitive Skin in 2024
Quick Overview: Our Top 10 Picks for Body Washes for Sensitive Skin
| Image | Brand | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick Ultra Gentle Sensitive Skin Body Wash For calm, clear skin, you must keep its acidic pH around 5.5. And that’s exactly why soapberry has been used for millennia. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (Hypoallergenic) Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleanser in a pump top bottle is one of the most popular body washes for sensitive skin. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Puracy Body Wash It lacks harsh ingredients like parabens, drying alcohols, triclosan, petroleum products, or synthetic dyes and perfumes. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil The Atoderm Shower Oil from Bioderma features water, glycerin, and vegetal bio lipids as its primary ingredients. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash Their Skin Calming wash doesn’t have an artificial fragrance as that is one of the top allergens in soaps. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash The Hydrating Body Wash does not have sulfates, parabens, or artificial fragrances, but it foams for easy rinsing. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Sanex Hypoallergenic Shower Gel The European brand Sanex offers a hypoallergenic shower gel that does not contain soap or dyes. | |
 | Kiss My Face Fragrance-Free Shower Gel First, the formulas are all vegan. But this shower gel is also free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, and synthetic fragrances. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Bliss Lemon & Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash If you need a pick-me-up for your morning shower, try the Bliss Lemon & Sage body wash. It has a cheerful citrus scent and lathers up well. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Human + Kind Normal to Sensitive Skin Body Wash This body wash is SLS-free and contains aloe and calendula to calm the skin. It has a mild apple scent but lacks harsh sulfates. | VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
1. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (Hypoallergenic)
Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleanser in a pump top bottle is one of the most popular body washes for sensitive skin. That fact is due to its fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formula.
Users who self-report as having psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea find that it leaves their skin soft. It doesn’t lather much, but it does remove dirt and excess oil. Also interesting, it doesn’t need to be rinsed off which makes it useful for campouts.
2. Puracy Body Wash
Puracy’s Body Wash is recommended for everyone in the family, even pets. That’s because it lacks harsh ingredients like parabens, drying alcohols, triclosan, petroleum products, or synthetic dyes and perfumes.
Instead, this gentle soap lathers nicely due to a safe surfactant called coco glycinate, a better alternative to SLS (sulfates). There’s also pink grapefruit oil to clarify skin and Himalayan Sea Salt as a healthy exfoliant.
3. Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil
The Atoderm Shower Oil from Bioderma features water, glycerin, and vegetal bio lipids as its primary ingredients. Instead of drying soaps, this body wash reinforces the skin’s protection. Also interesting is the fact that it prevents staph bacteria from sticking to the body.
4. Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
Eucerin is a trusted name in skin care. Their Skin Calming wash doesn’t have an artificial fragrance as that is one of the top allergens in soaps. Instead, it contains lipids from soy and castor seeds that protect the skin from dehydration. Unfortunately for some customers, it also has sulfates and propylene glycol.
5. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
Dermatologists often recommend CeraVe to patients with eczema and other types of sensitive skin. The Hydrating Body Wash does not have sulfates, parabens, or artificial fragrances, but it foams for easy rinsing. Plus, it includes ceramides that enhance the existing protective barrier of the skin.
6. Sanex Hypoallergenic Shower Gel
The European brand Sanex offers a hypoallergenic shower gel that does not contain soap or dyes. While this particular version contains a fragrance, there is another Sanex body wash for sensitive skin that does not. Customers who try this gel tend to write enthusiastic reviews.
7. Kiss My Face Fragrance-Free Shower Gel
Fans of Kiss My Face products already know that they can count on certain things from this brand. First, the formulas are all vegan. But this shower gel is also free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, and synthetic fragrances. Instead, you’ll find a rich soap comprised of olive oil and aloe with the anti-aging Vitamin E.
8. Bliss Lemon & Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash
If you need a pick-me-up for your morning shower, try the Bliss Lemon & Sage body wash. It has a cheerful citrus scent and lathers up well. Moreover, it avoids sulfates in favor of moisturizers like aloe and glycerin.
9. Human + Kind Normal to Sensitive Skin Body Wash
This body wash is SLS-free and contains aloe and calendula to calm the skin. It has a mild apple scent but lacks harsh sulfates.
10. Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash
Stop the itches with Aveeno’s Skin Relief body wash. It uses oats, a traditional remedy that soothes irritation. And if you moisturize after bathing with Aveeno’s Skin Relief lotion, you’ll get 24 hours of hydration.
11. Solimo Skin Calming Body Wash with Colloidal Oatmeal
If you like the Aveeno body wash but want a less expensive option, try a clone. The Calming Wash with colloidal oatmeal from Solimo is very similar to Aveeno’s product.
12. Dove Body Wash, Deep Moisture
Dove is a perennial favorite brand for soap shoppers, but this Deep Moisture wash might not be for everyone with sensitive skin. Most customers do love how soft their skin feels after a bath, though. And they say that the bottle with pump gives good value for the money.
13. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, Lavender
What about a body wash that consists of high quality ingredients? Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap line features products with organic components and delicious scents like soothing lavender, peppermint, almond, and citrus. Additionally, the soap is based on glycerin, pure water, and coconut, hemp, and olive oils. There is nothing artificial about it.
14. Everyone 3-In-1 Bath Soap, Lavender plus Aloe
The Everyone Soap with lavender and aloe is calming to irritated skin. But not only is it a body wash, but it can also serve as a shave cream and shampoo.
In place of SLS and SLES, this wash contains coco-sulfate which is safer for sensitive skin. Moreover, the formula also lacks parabens, synthetic fragrances, and disodium EDTA.
15. AHAVA Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash
The name alone is appealing. But the Velvet Cream Wash from AHAVA is the real deal. This vegan soap is anti-bacterial, free of sulfates, and it leaves skin super soft. The hibiscus and fig extract formula smells delicious, too.
16. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Neutrogena’s Body Clear Wash contains salicylic acid to exfoliate dead cells and clear out pores. While this is one of the gentlest treatments available—much better than abrasive scrubs—it might be too drying for very sensitive skin. On the other hand, if you’re prone to zits, try this body acne wash. It has a fresh citrus scent and reduces breakouts.
17. Olay Sensitive Skin Unscented Body Wash
Olay’s Sensitive Skin unscented wash has been tested by dermatologists and more than 8,000 women a year. It’s designed to cleanse dirt and oil while leaving the skin supple. However, be aware that “unscented” in this case only means it does not have an odor. The label reveals that there is a fragrance which probably exists to disguise smells from the other ingredients.
18. pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Body Wash
The Anti-Blemish Body Wash is best for oily, acne-prone skin because it contains salicylic acid to keep pores clear. But it’s also pH-balanced and lacks artificial dyes and irritating alcohols.
19. Mustela Cleansing Body Gel
Yes, this is a baby body wash. But babies have sensitive skin. Therefore their soaps tend to be gentler than adult formulas. Mustela puts Avocado Perseose and Schizandra to work protecting your skin’s protective barrier.
20. Remedy Olivamine Foaming Body Cleanser
What if you’re sensitive to water so that showering or bathing is out of the question? That’s when you need Remedy Olivamine’s Foaming Cleanser. It’s a no-rinse solution that cleanses and moisturizes in one step.
How to keep your sensitive skin happier
Having dealt with sensitive skin, we know what a hassle it can be to find the right body wash. But that’s not the end of the story. If you want to keep your sensitive skin happy, try these tips.
You may already know that hot water won’t do you any favors. It opens up the pores and dries out the skin. But did you know that showering is better than taking a bath if you suffer from breakouts?
Also, your choice of poof or loofah has a big impact on how your skin reacts. It can abrade too much, and it can harbor bacteria. It might be best to wash with a soft washcloth that you replace with a clean one each day.
Rinsing well with lukewarm or cool water is essential to remove any soap residue and close up pores. But toweling off is another dilemma. Use soft cotton or microfiber towels and pat, don’t scrub. Then change those twice a week or more often if you live in a humid environment.
After your shower, remember to moisturize. The best lotions for sensitive skin will keep you hydrated and protect the protecting barrier of your body. Stay away from petroleum derivatives, fragrances, and mineral oil.
Next, assess your wardrobe. There are several factors about clothing that could be causing rashes and irritation. It could be the fabric, the fit, or even the dye. Try wearing looser clothes made from materials like cotton and linen. Avoid black t-shirts and bright colors for a couple of weeks to see if that helps. And change your clothes as often as needed to keep dry and comfortable.
Finally, consider your diet. A visit to the doctor for allergy testing could reveal if your skin is reacting to foods or other influences in your environment. Also, drinking more water could help your body to eliminate toxins more effectively.
The best (and worst) ingredients to soothe sensitive skin
As you read labels, look for the following components that take good care of sensitive skin:
- Aloe—moisturizes and reduces itchiness
- Calendula—reduces redness and relieves inflammation
- Glycerin—attracts moisture
- Ceramides—strengthen the skin
- Chamomile—anti-inflammatory
- Oats, or Avena Sativa—lessens sensitivity
- Coconut oil—moisturizing
- Comfrey, or Allantoin–moisturizes
But then other common ingredients will irritate sensitive skin and possibly cause acne, too. Avoid these if you can:
- Artificial dyes and fragrances (also known as perfumes)
- Ammonium lauryl, sodium laureth or lauryl sulfate (sometimes called SLS and SLES)
- Parabens and Methylisothiazolinone which are preservatives
- Physical exfoliants like apricot or nut shell scrubs
- Benzoyl peroxide unless directed by a doctor
- Alcohols (denatured, et al., not fatty alcohols)
- Petroleum derivatives
Also, not all essential oils used in body washes and soaps are as safe as one would like to believe. In that case, try the product on one small area and wait a day or two to see what happens.
Conclusion
We hope that you discovered the ideal body wash for sensitive skin today. There are many good options available depending on what allergens you want to avoid. Moreover, many formulas are all-around mild but still cleanse effectively and even hydrate the skin.
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