The Best Body Wash for Dry Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

the best body wash for dry

In our commitment to end all of your troubles related to dry skin, we have gathered and reviewed 5 of the best body washes for dry skin. We analyzed, tested and ranked the products based on their cleansing abilities, ability to lock-in moisture and affordability.

The Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter by Olay improves the skin condition with continued use. You also have to try this product if you want to see instant, impressive results.

For a dermatologist-recommended brand, try Dove’s Deep Moisture Body Wash. With a creamy lather, it effectively cleanses and moisturizes skin without leaving a soapy residue.

You have to try the Skin Calming Body Wash by Eucerin for something oil-based. Tested by dermatologists, it is free from any irritants so those with sensitive skin can also use this product.

Aveeno’s Positively Nourishing Purifying Body Wash has oatmeal as its key ingredient. Rich in antioxidants, it effectively soothes dry skin and can benefit those with sensitive skin as well.

The Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Wash by St. Ives uses the anti-itch and soothing properties of its two main ingredients. It effectively cleanses without stripping skin of its natural moisture.

2017’s Reviews of the Best Body Washes for Dry Skin

Rankings

Brands

Active ingredient/s

Consistency

Editor’s Rating

#1

Shea butter

Thick

#2

Seaweed and oatmeal

Thick

#3

NutriumMoisture technology

(Oil-based)

#4

Omega oils and other natural lipids

Thick

#5

Oatmeal and Shea butter

Thick

Here, the 5 best body washes for dry skin that can make you never want to get back to your old soap.

#1- Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter by Olay

Olay

Its Shea butter content makes this the best body wash for dry skin. Shea butter has a lot of moisturizing properties, so having this in your body wash is a huge plus.

This product claims to have the same amount of moisturizers as found in Olay creams. It can moisturize even the driest skin and, with continued use, your skin will improve significantly.

Olay claims that a bottle of this body wash moisturizes better than seven bottles of the leading brand. With a claim like this, you can now say goodbye to dull skin forever.

Another great thing is that it offers instant results. It conditions and cleanses skin after first use and promises to leave your skin visibly moisturized after a week and make it healthier after one bottle.

The brand has been in the skincare industry for more than 60 years. Aside from cleansing your skin, it is dedicated to improve your skin condition over time.

This is the best body wash for dry skin because it penetrates the skin surface layer by layer. It also provides long-lasting moisture, so skin is healthy not only outside but on the inside, too.

What We Like:

  • Moisturizes well
  • Has a rich lather
  • Great packaging

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not fragrance-free
  • Price can rise very quickly
  • Can be too thick

#2- Positively Nourishing Purifying Body Wash by Aveeno

Aveeno

This product’s colloidal oatmeal content makes this the best body wash for dry skin. A popular ingredient in skincare, it is known for its skin protectant properties and its skin soothing effects.

Colloidal oatmeal is also rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins and is known for its long history of use. These benefits make it suitable even for those with sensitive skin.

This product combines the ingredients of the sea with that of the land to flush away impurities. It is called Active Naturals which are expected to bring more visible results.

Aveeno has existed for more than 60 years and is trusted by pediatricians and dermatologists. If you’ve been on the search for products that can soother dry skin, I’m pretty sure you’ve encountered the brand already.

They take skincare seriously, so you’re surely in safe hands when using their products.

What We Like:

  • Great on sensitive skin
  • Relieves itchiness
  • Creamy texture

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not fragrance-free

#3- Deep Moisture Body Wash by Dove

Dove

The NutriumMoisture technology of this product makes this the best body wash for dry skin. It delivers natural nutrients to the skin by penetrating deep into its layers.

Great for everyday use, its mild formula gives you smoother and softer skin after the first wash. Dermatologist-recommended, it thoroughly cleanses skin without leaving a soapy residue.

This specially-designed body wash works by reducing skin damage and dryness. It is free from any harsh chemicals that can strip skin of its natural moisture to further damage it.

This product’s unique formula works in a creamy lather. Its natural moisturizers are then absorbed deep into the skin, the key to long-lasting softness.

What we really love is that the brand has launched the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. It continues to provide self-esteem tools to women and girls to reach their full potential.

What We Like:

  • A small amount goes a long way
  • Leaves skin super soft
  • Deeply moisturizes

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not fragrance-free
  • Lousy bottle design
  • Can be too thick

#4- Skin Calming Body Wash by Eucerin

Eucerin

What makes this the best body wash for dry skin is its oil-based formula. Infused with omega oils and other natural lipids, it moisturizes skin and relieves it from any discomfort.

Recommended by dermatologists, it is dye-, soap- and fragrance-free. Aside from cleansing, this product also guarantees to improve the condition of your skin.

Eucerin is a brand you could trust. Having been in the industry for more than 100 years, its products are designed to restore your skin tomake it more healthy and radiant.

This product also doesn’t lather up as much as other products but a little of this stuff goes a long way, so you really get your money’s worth with this body wash.

And because it is fragrance-free, it won’t interfere with your perfume, unlike the other brands. All you get is a clean scent and feeling, something that your skin will really thank you for.

What We Like:

  • Fragrance-free
  • Moisturizes well
  • Great for sensitive skin

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Can be very thin
  • Some found the smell intolerable
  • May make skin itchier

#5- Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Wash by St. Ives

St. Ives

What makes this the best body wash for dry skin is its oatmeal and Shea butter contents. When combined, they can restore your natural glow while cleansing skin after every wash.

An excellent emollient, Shea butter is known as a great moisturizer and has soothing qualities. It also helps in tissue cell regeneration, and can help increase the production of collagen.

Nature’s peacekeeper, oatmeal is a natural neutralizer and a soother. It also has anti-itch properties and saponins, which help calm irritated skin and remove oil and dirt from pores.

Aside from these, this body wash also contains glycerin and Vitamins A E, and F. Along with other fatty acids, they help protect and nourish skin without leaving it dry and tight.

Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic, this product does not contain any parabens and is non-irritating. It has a creamy and rich formula which is gentle enough for daily use.

I find it interesing that this body wash uses 100% natural exfoliants. It can cleanse, soothe and moisturize itchy and dry skin

What We Like:

  • Relieves itchy skin
  • Very soothing
  • Great for sensitive skin

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Is not fragrance-free
  • Can be watery
  • Can be a bit greasy

Reviews and Comparisons of the Best Body Washes for Dry Skin

Rankings

Best Overall

2nd choice

3rd choice

4th choice

5th choice

Top-Rated Body Washes for Dry Skin 2017

Olay
Aveeno
Dove
Eucerin
St. Ives

Brand

Olay

Aveeno

Dove

Eucerin

St. Ives

Content

13.5 ounces

16 ounces

22 ounces

8.4 ounces

24 ounces

Lathery

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Fragrance-free

No

No

No

Yes

No

Get Started

Finding the Right Body Wash for Dry Skin

Body washes are basically divided into two formulas: shower gels and moisturizing body washes. Equally as effective, their difference goes down to which skin type you’re using it for.

But for issues involving dry skin, let’s focus on the latter for now.

Body washes contain a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients. This causes them to be less drying and less likely to leave a soapy residue compared to traditional soaps.

Comparable to lotions, moisturizing body washes are thick and creamy and go by various names like nourishing, deep moisture, and cream oil.

They are made of detergents and water like shower gels, but has an added benefit of moisture and contain petrolatum and/or high levels of oil.

They “stick” well to the skin even after being rinsed off, leaving skin feeling moisturized and slick after every use. They are also less drying than shower gels, but can also be more expensive.

Certain body washes contain salt, sugar, or beads that keep skin smooth by removing dead skin.A mild detergent, those with dry or sensitive skin must opt for body washes containing SCI.

SCI, or sodium cocoyl isethionate, is a gentle surfactant and is commonly used in higher-end body washes. The drawbacks are it is not aesthetically-pleasing and is rather expensive.

Shea butter is another excellent choice.

For dry skin, always go for creamier formulas. Choosing fragrance-free products is also a good idea.

Fragrances are known skin irritants, and can cause discomfort to dry, sensitive skin.

Here’s the deal: not all moisturizing body washes are “moisturizing.” To get the most out of your experience, check if your body wash lists oil or petrolatum as one of its first three ingredients.

Conclusion

It is a no-brainer that dry skin needs the help of body washes. A great tool to lock-in moisture, body washes also help relieve us from the flaking and discomfort dry skin brings.

But it becomes harder to choose because the options are now getting bigger and bigger. We totally get this, and we’re here to hopefully put an end to your frustration.

We’ve chosen Olay’s Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter as the best body wash for dry skin. It has the most superior moisturizing abilities which we think will benefit dry skin a lot.

It also lists petrolatum as one of its first three ingredients. As mentioned above, this is important because it’s a way of testing if your body wash is indeed moisturizing.

Another plus is it contains Shea butter. It is known to be super nourishing, and combining these two means the product is working twice as hard to give you the skin you’ve always wanted.

Related Post

Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

Leave a Comment

7 Shares
Tweet
Share5
Share
Pin2