We Tested the 16 Best Body Washes of 2024 for Baby-Soft Skin

Key ingredients: niacinamide, meadowfoam seed oil, marula oil | Skin type it's best for: all skin types | Size: 8.4 oz | Scent: eucalyptus, santal, fragrance-free

Best for Discoloration: Youth to the People Superfood + Niacinamide Body Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Inspired by the brand’s Superfood Cleanser—which has long been a favorite among Allure editors—Youth to the People's Superfood + Niacinamide Body Cleanser is like a green juice for your skin. It pairs a blend of superfoods like kale, spinach, and green tea with niacinamide to leave skin radiant and soft. While vitamin B hydrates, the plant-based fatty acid surfactants gently rid your skin of gunk in a rich lather.

Tester feedback: "I don't use body wash every day (unless I work out), but when I do, this is my go-to," says commerce editor Sarah Han. "It smells divine, lathers nicely, and makes my skin feel renewed." Once out of the shower, she follows up with the Glow Dream Body Butter while her skin is still damp to seal in all the hydrating goodness.

Key ingredients: kale, niacinamide, sodium PCA | Skin type it’s best for: people who want brighter, more even skin | Size: 16.4 oz | Scent: Elevated Self

Best Budget: Method Body Wash

Why it's worth it: For affordable, cheerful, and squeaky-clean suds, Method's Body Wash always deliver. Infused with peony, rose water, and pink sea salt for a fresh, yummy-smelling shower, the wash moisturizes and soothes skin with ease. The plant-based formula comes in a ton of scents such as Pure Peace, Mindful Matcha, and Coco Twist.

Tester feedback: "Method's body washes never fail me: They always build to a nice lather, leave my skin feeling hydrated, and, best of all, smell really good," attests Pai. "The one I'm using was a limited-edition scent, but I also love the light, floral scent of Pure Peace."

Key ingredients: peony, rose water, pink sea salt | Skin type it's best for: dry skin | Size: 28 oz | Scent: Pure Peace

Best for Sensitive Skin: Iota Supervitamin Body Wash+ Soothing

Why it’s worth it: The Best of Beauty-winning Iota Supervitamin Body Wash+ Soothing is packed with 15 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (shout out to chamomile flower and Indian gooseberry) to cocoon skin for long-lasting hydration. The formula's pH of 5.0-5.5 is ideal for irritated, dry, or acne-prone skin, and the fragrance-free formula means extra gentleness. What more could you ask for? Iota makes several versions of this body wash to target different skin goals. Try the Supervitamin Body Wash+ Brightening, which pairs a superfruit complex with niacinamide to reverse dull skin.

Tester feedback: "I love Iota’s gentle brightening formula for my sensitive skin. The vitamin C helps neutralize my KP and softens areas prone to roughness, and the soft lather is so pleasant," says commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann. "The new Oishii Berry scent is truly to die for, although, I have finished bottles of the Lemon Rind and fragrance-free versions in the past. They’re all a treat."

Key ingredients: reishi mushroom, chamomile flower, lotus seed, aloe leaf | Skin type it’s best for: everyone, sensitive skin | Size: 10 oz | Scent: fragrance-free

#1 Dermatologist-Recommended: Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash

Why it's worth it: According to Melissa Piliang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cleveland, Ohio, people with sensitive skin should reach for a body wash with a consistency more like a body lotion than gel or oil—take Dove's Sensitive Skin Body Wash, for example. Here, soybean oils and glycerin moisturize skin, while lauric acid helps reduce and treat acne-prone skin. Of course, even if you don't have sensitive skin, you can still use and adore this wash or the Deep Moisture version, which won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for its higher level of lauric acid. Intense exfoliation may be off the table for sensitive skin, but you can get similar benefits by squeezing this body wash onto a damp washcloth and gently scrubbing your skin.

Tester feedback: "I will not use another body wash other than a Dove body wash—mark my words—because it's the only soap that doesn't break me out or give me a rash," shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis shares. "My fiancé and I go through bottles and will literally fight for the last one if we're running low."

Key ingredients: soybean oil, lauric acid | Skin type it’s best for: people with very dry or sensitive skin | Size: 30.6 oz | Scent: fragrance-free

Best for Dry Skin: Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash

Why It's Worth It: We love low-price luxury, and at under $20, the Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash fits the bill. This hybrid shower oil builds into a gentle lather, smoothes and softens skin with squalane, and is made of 50% glycerin, a humectant that helps draw water into the skin. Let the wash sit on your skin for an extra minute to really reap its skin-nourishing benefits.

Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, jojoba seed oil, apple fruit extract, coconut extract | Skin type it’s best for: everyone | Size: 16.9 oz | Scent: vanilla/coconut

Best Body Wash to Smell Good All Day: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel

Why it's worth it: Infused with coconut oil, cupuaçu butter, and antioxidant-rich açai oil, Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel penetrates deep to hydrate dry skin. It's scented with the brand's signature Cheirosa '62 fragrance, which features notes of pistachio, salted caramel, and jasmine petals (also known as vacation in a bottle). FYI, the vanilla in this gel's fragrance can turn the product to a light brown color over time, but don't worry, this development won't affect its quality.

Tester feedback: In her review, Allure contributor AnaMaria Glavin wrote, "This cream-gel wash envelops your shower in a sweet-but-not-too-sweet aroma that lingers on the skin for hours, but what's most impressive is the formula. It has a beautiful lather, despite its sulfate-free status, providing a squeaky clean feel that doesn't strip your skin of natural moisture." Enough said.

Key ingredients: Coconut oil, cupuaçu butter, açai oil | Skin type it's best for: people who want moisture with a lightweight feel | Size: 13 oz | Scent: Cheirosa '62

Best Body Wash for Acne: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

Why it's worth it: For Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, PA, PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash is a go-to pick for patients with body acne. With benzoyl peroxide as its hero ingredient, you can rest easy knowing this Best of Beauty Award-winning wash will treat current pimples and prevent future ones. There's no need to worry about the wash drying out your skin either, thanks to moisturizing and exfoliating ingredients, including glycerin and lactic acid. Pro tip: Pat skin dry with a white towel after rinsing, as benzoyl peroxide can discolor fabric.

Key ingredients: benzoyl peroxide, glycerin, lactic acid | Skin type it’s best for: people with body acne | Size: 5.5 oz | Scent: fragrance-free

Best for Eczema: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash

Why it's worth it: The fragrance-free, non-comedogenic La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash has our backs and necks, torsos, arms, and legs. Philadelphia-based, board-certified dermatologist Michele Farber, MD, previously told Allure that the product is formulated with "shea butter to hydrate, glycerin as a humectant, and niacinamide to soothe." It's also approved by the National Eczema Association, and you can use it on your face. It's also suitable for babies two weeks and up, so if you have a little one, feel free to spread the wealth.

Tester feedback: “The fragrance-free milky gel removes all traces of my (granted, relatively light) makeup while also leaving my skin softer than it was pre-wash. The second ingredient in the formula is glycerin, a humectant that pulls water from the air to keep skin hydrated for hours. It also includes niacinamide to rebuild the skin’s lipid layer and shea butter to soften,” executive beauty director Jenny Bailly previously shared. "A little dab’ll do ya (dime-size for your face, a couple of quarters for your entire body) and you still get just enough foaminess to tell your brain you’re getting clean. This wash started out in my kids’ bathtub—where it soothed rough patches on my eczema-prone son—before it migrated to my own shower and became my go-to."

Key ingredients: shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin, probiotic thermal water | Skin type it’s best for: everyone, people with eczema | Size: 13.5 oz | Scent: fragrance-free

Best Splurge: Aesop A Rose by Any Other Name Body Cleanser

Why it's worth it: If you give any establishment with Aesop in the bathroom an automatic 5-star review on Yelp, it's time to invest in your own bottle. The Aesop A Rose by Any Other Name Body Cleanser is a clear, low-foam shower gel that leaves you feeling warmed up and refreshed. Washing away dirt and grime has never smelled so expensive. Pair this body cleanser with the Aesop Redemption Body Scrub for exfoliating goodness.

Key ingredients: rose petal, cardamom, black pepper | Skin type it’s best for: everyone | Size: 16.9 oz | Scent: rose

Best for Mature Skin: Mario Badescu A.H.A Botanical Body Soap

Why it's worth it: If you're constantly struggling with dull, flaky skin, give Mario Badescu's A.H.A Botanical Body Soap a shot. The natural fruit enzymes at the base of the formula gently lift dead skin cells to reveal significantly smoother and brighter skin, while glycerin adds a dose of hydration. The brand recommends applying this stuff using an exfoliating assist from a loofah, sponge, or washcloth.

Editor Tip: Since this body wash contains AHA, it can increase your skin's sensitivity to UV rays. So if you're using this product, be diligent with your sunscreen application during the day.

Key ingredients: glycerin, grapefruit extract, glycolic acid, ginseng root extract | Skin type it’s best for: people seeking light exfoliation | Size: 16 oz | Scent: botanical

Best for Deep Skin Tones: Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash

Why it's worth it: Reveal brighter, hydrated skin with Buttah Skin's Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash. Cocoa butter and shea butter combine for a powerful moisturizing body wash formulated with melanin-rich skin in mind. Thanks to marshmallow root extract and sweet almond and soybean oils, you don't have to worry about skin drying out post-shower. It smells like a dream, too; think white lily, rose, heliotrope, white musk, and vanilla. You can squeeze several pumps of this product into a warm bath for a rich, rewarding soak.

Key ingredients: marshmallow root, cocoa butter, shea butter | Skin type it’s best for: everyone, but especially those with medium to dark skin | Size: 10 oz | Scent: cocoa/shea

Best 2-in-1: Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Hand + Body Wash

Why it's worth it: A rare 2-in-1 that doesn't shirk either of its roles, the Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Hand + Body Wash is ready to cleanse every bit of your body. Especially good for sensitive skin types, this wash is formulated with eucalyptus and amino acids to purify and hydrate, while surfactants erase the day's grime. It leaves your skin smooth, clean, and smelling fresh as hell. This product is a notably non-drying hand wash, meaning nothing is standing between you and proper hand hygiene.

Key ingredients: amino acids, glycerin, eucalyptus | Skin type it’s best for: sensitive skin | Size: 16 oz | Scent: eucalyptus

Best for Redness: Augustinus Bader The Body Cleanser

Why it's worth it: When we want a luxe lather, we reach for Augustinus Bader's The Body Cleanser in all of its blue-bottled glory. The formula is packed with amino acids, peptides, and vitamins to cleanse and hydrate, all while soothing redness and strengthening your skin barrier. You'll be left with smoother, soothed, and delicious-smelling skin.

Key ingredients: Trigger Factor Complex Technology, amino acids, peptides | Skin type it's best for: everyone | Size: 6.7 oz | Scent: eucalyptus

Best for Skin Barrier: Salt & Stone Body Wash

Why it's worth it: Salt & Stone's Body Wash gets us (and our noses) going every time. Never mind the fact that this stuff smells amazing; it's also teeming with seaweed extracts, spirulina, probiotics, and niacinamide goodness for all the smoothing. The gel texture works wonders on dull skin, and the vitamin C from blueberry extract defends against free radicals and damage from UV exposure.

Key ingredients: seaweed extracts, spirulina, probiotics, niacinamide, blueberry extract | Skin type it's best for: weather-worn, dry, and dull skin | Size: 15.2 oz | Scent: santal/vetiver

Best for Glassy Skin: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Body Cleanser

Why it's worth it: Another strong, anti-acne option, the K-beauty brand Some By Mi brings us the many-lettered AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Body Cleanser. This cleanser is a star at combating excess sebum production that might lead to below-the-neck breakouts. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Y. Claire Chang, MD, pointed out that the powerful combination of salicylic, mandelic, and citric acids helps unclog pores and even out skin texture. Model Peter Clarkson is a years-long fan of the product for keeping his skin glassy in shirtless pics. “I don’t have any issues with body acne but found that this gives me just absolute butter skin,” he told Allure.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid | Skin type it's best for: people with body acne | Size: 13.5 oz | Scent: fragrance-free

Frequently Asked Questions

When choosing a body wash, consider your general preferences as well as your skin care goals and concerns. Keep in mind that, unlike your average bar soap, body washes can include active ingredients to target acne, eczema, and dryness. "Patients who have acne can use products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide," says Dr. Bunimovich. "Patients with eczema should avoid those same ingredients due to their irritating effect and instead look for moisturizing ingredients, such as natural oils, ceramides, and glycerin."

Dr. Piliang steering clear of washes with fragrance, as these can potentially irritate the skin. "They do not enhance the cleansing ability of the body wash, so it is best to avoid fragrance," she explains. However, if you know you tolerate fragrance in body care well, go for it.

While it's tempting to cloak yourself in that delicious, delicious soap, Dr. Piliang warns against overdoing the body wash. Overuse can lead to dry, irritated skin, especially during the winter months when the skin is already stripped of moisture. "Taking hot showers and baths can magnify the problem as the hot water removes even more of the skin's natural oils," she explains.

Dr. Bunimovich recommends that you stick to once-daily showers with lukewarm water and use a moisturizer after cleansing to prevent further overdrying of the skin. Also, pay special attention to washing the folds of your skin, as bacteria likes to hang out there. Don't attempt to use body wash as face wash, though, as it could clog pores and worsen acne.

As with any new skin-care product, finding a new body wash may require trial and error. And that error? A potential adverse reaction. Nothing dire, necessarily, but your skin could become irritated or itchy if it disagrees with the formula. Daniel Belkin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously explained that an allergic reaction to a body wash can be different than an allergic reaction to a beauty product. "Usually allergic contact dermatitis [caused by a beauty product] will present as a red, itchy rash at the site of exposure, but an allergy to body wash is an exception because body wash is used all over and washed off," he said. "It will, therefore, present as a patchy and diffused rash, probably sparing the face because most body wash is used from the neck down."

Still, just because you're noticing redness on your body doesn't always mean you're allergic. "Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis are different but can look the same," Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut, explains. "Irritant contact dermatitis is not allergic in nature. [It] can come from soap-based surfactants that have a higher pH than skin and create irritation to the barrier."

In any case, if you notice persistent redness or irritation after applying your body wash, stop using it immediately and consider calling your dermatologist to discuss what might be causing your skin's reaction.

Body washes, like most skin-care products, will expire—but that doesn't necessarily mean they're unsafe to use. "In general, it's best to discard products that are past their expiration date," Jim Hammer, a cosmetic chemist and the founder of Mix Solutions, previously told Allure. "Some products may actually last longer [than their expiration dates] and will still be effective for longer than that," he added. Still, just because they still work doesn't mean they'll be unchanged. “They may develop an off color, may not smell as nice, and may not be as pleasant to use.”

• Daniel Belkin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, CT
• Melissa Piliang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cleveland, OH
• Michele Farber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia, PA
• Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, PA
• Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Jim Hammer, a cosmetic chemist and the founder of Mix Solutions based in Sommerville, MA

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.