The best body wash for dry skin is a gentle, mild one, ideally fragrance-free if your skin is easily irritated, with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, shea butter or plant oils. But the wash matters less than how you use it: keep showers to 5 to 10 minutes in warm (not hot) water, use a small amount only where you need it, pat dry, and put on a cream within a few minutes while your skin is still damp.
Every fall, as the air dries out, the same question lands in my inbox: "What should I wash with? My skin is so dry." It's a fair question, because the wrong soap can leave you itchy all day. Here's what I'd look for, and the shower habits that make an even bigger difference.
What to look for in a body wash
- Gentle and mild. Look for words like "gentle," "mild" or "for sensitive skin." You want something that takes off dirt and sweat without stripping your skin.
- Fragrance-free if fragrance bothers you. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests fragrance-free products for dry skin. Note that "unscented" isn't the same thing: unscented products can contain ingredients that mask odors, and those can still irritate.
- Moisturizing ingredients. Glycerin, shea butter, plant oils and lactic acid are all on the AAD's list of ingredients that help dry skin. In a wash they're a nice bonus, since most of it rinses away.
- A creamy, low-foam feel. A mountain of bubbles isn't a sign of a better clean. A softer lather is usually gentler.
What to skip
- Deodorant and antibacterial soaps. The AAD specifically calls out deodorant soaps as something to avoid on dry skin.
- Products with alcohol, or ones that sting. If it burns or tingles, it's not right for dry skin.
- Harsh detergents. Some people with dry or sensitive skin find SLS too stripping. I wrote more about it in what SLS is and why it's in so many soaps.
- Scratchy loofahs and rough scrubbing. Your hands are plenty. Save exfoliating for once a week.
Does bar soap or body wash work better?
Either can work for dry skin. What matters is the formula, not whether it comes in a bottle or a bar. A gentle bar can be kinder than a harsh liquid, and the other way around. If you're curious about the trade-offs, I compared them in bar soap vs. body wash.
The shower habits that matter more than the wash
This is the part I wish more people knew. You could buy the gentlest wash in the store and still end up itchy if the shower itself is drying you out.
- Keep it short and warm. The AAD suggests 5 to 10 minutes in warm, not hot, water. Closing the bathroom door helps keep the steam in.
- Use a little, and only where you need it. Dermatologists suggest washing just the areas that need it, like underarms and groin. Your shins and arms usually don't need much lather at all.
- Shave at the end, once your skin and hair are soft.
- Pat, don't rub. Blot dry with a clean towel.
- Moisturize right away, while your skin is still a little damp. A cream or ointment holds in more moisture than a thin lotion.
If your skin feels tight the minute you step out, I covered that in why skin feels tight after a shower.
A few more things that help
- Run a humidifier, especially in the bedroom at night, and clean it often.
- Wear gloves for dishes and in cold, dry weather.
- Choose soft cotton next to your skin instead of scratchy fabrics.
When to see a dermatologist: if your skin stays dry, itchy or cracked even after changing your routine, it's worth getting checked. Dry skin is sometimes a sign of a skin condition or another health issue that needs its own care. And tell your dermatologist if any product burns, stings or irritates.
Dry skin doesn't need a complicated fix. A gentle wash, a shorter, cooler shower and a good cream on damp skin will do more than any fancy bottle.
What we use in our house
The Routine
Goat’s-milk body bars with no SLS, plus a face bar and a shampoo bar. Handmade on our farm in small batches.
See the Routine →
Lauren Stewart makes Tyme Soap by hand on our family farm in Idaho, with milk from our own goats.
