Beauty

Experts Weigh In On the Best Body Washes for Every Skin Issue

Buh-bye, bacne.

By Caitlin Clark
iskra-wake-up-call

Compared to how intense I am about the ingredients, serums, and masks that touch my face, I’m pretty laissez-faire about what goes on my body. I’ll invest in a fancy lotion from time to time, but it’s the shower where things really go awry. Instead of honing in on the best body wash for my skin type, I’m guilty of using leftover hotel samples. Or that good old standby: Dove Body Wash.

In an effort to set my shower game straight, I tapped two skincare experts —Dr. Heather D. Rogers, dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and founder and CEO of Doctor Rogers; and celebrity aesthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar—to break down everything to know about finding the right body wash for you.

Whether you’re struggling with eczema, acne (including the dreaded “bacne”), or want to find something solid to count on every day, the best body wash is just a quick scroll away.    

Feature image by Michelle Nash

What ingredients should be a priority when it comes to body wash?

I was assured that I’m not alone in my less-than-diligent approach to buying body wash, but I was also reminded of its importance.

“I believe that our body products should be the most selective regarding the ingredients used because they’re the ones we cover our bodies in and wash down the drain in the most significant quantities,” Dr. Rogers shares. “We expect to pay $250 for 0.5 fluid ounces of eye cream but suddenly become very price sensitive if a body product costs more than $50. This paradigm needs to shift. I regularly educate my patients to skip the eye cream and spend on body products that work safely for their skin, body, and our world. They save money and get better results!”

In general, look for ingredient lists that are simple and minimal. A few crowd-pleasing body wash ingredients to keep an eye out for:

  • Probiotics and Prebiotics
  • Olive Oil
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Glycerin
  • Shea Butter
  • Squalane
  • Gentle Surfactants (sodium cocoyl isethionate and betaine)

And body wash ingredients to avoid:

  • Limonene
  • Linalool
  • Sandalwood
  • Citrus Oils
  • Coloring
  • Ethanolamines
  • Parabens
  • PEGs
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Doctor Rogers Restore Restore Face Wash

u003cpu003eu0022If your budget can stretch, our body wash is made with face-quality, 100% readily biodegradable ingredients, including gentle, sulfate-free cleansing agents, powerful humectants, and clinically-proven moisturizing oils.u0022 u003cemu003e— Dr. Heather D. Rogersu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e
Image by Belathée Photography

What body wash is best if you’re struggling with issues like acne or bacne?

Any congestion on your back—be it your back, butt, or thighs—is very common, according to Dr. Rogers. The solution: use a body wash with an active chemical exfoliator like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid. Aguilar also loves body toners and lotions with gentle chemical exfoliants like AHAs. 

Stick to an every-other-day routine (to avoid drying out the skin) and be sure to hydrate with a great body lotion along the way.

DMK Skin, Hydra Louffa Body and Bath Wash

u003cpu003eu0022I see a lot of success with DMK Skin. Not only do they have a purifying yet hydrating body wash, but they also have great products to meet all different lifestyles such as acne lotions, mists, and powders to combat bacne.u0022 — u003cemu003eNatalie Aguilaru003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e
Renee Bargh drinking tea_best body wash
Image by Teal Thomsen

For those with eczema or dry skin, what kind of ingredients should you look for?

For a body wash that’s ultra-hydrating, look for ingredients like:

  • Ceramides
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Oatmeal Extracts
  • Glycerin
  • Hydrating Oils

For those who are quick to develop eczema, be sure your body wash is at or below a pH of 7, and avoid ingredients that could inflame the skin, like fragrances, alcohol, essential oils, and physical exfoliators.

Native Unscented Body Wash

u003cpu003eFor sensitive skin types, Dr. Rogers loves Native’s fragrance-free body wash. u003c/pu003e

Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil

u003cpu003eDr. Rogers also recommends this soap-free option for those who prefer oil cleansers. u003c/pu003e
Jen Pinkston bathroom_best body wash
Image by Michelle Nash

How often should you be exfoliating? Is there an ingredient or a tool that works best for exfoliating the body?

Cell turnover is slower on your body than it is on your face, so it’s important not to overdo it in the exfoliating department. Every other day or three times a week should work for most, especially when interspersed with a moisturizing body cream.

In terms of loofahs or any physical scrubs, Dr. Rogers warns against them entirely. “You are literally just scratching your skin, causing micro and some not-so-micro tears and ultimately damaging the skin barrier,” she notes.

Kely Leveque morning skincare routine dry brush_best body wash
Image by Claire Huntsberger

What drugstore brand would you recommend?

Though we should be willing to shell out more for our body wash, great quality doesn’t always have to mean a high price tag. Case in point: all of the following options.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Surgras Cleansing Bar

u003cpu003eu0022La Roche-Posay Lipikar Surgras—formulated with minimal fragrance—is a great affordable option.u0022 u003cemu003e— Dr. Heather D. Rogersu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e

Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash

u003cpu003eu0022Naturium does a great job with clean, cruelty-free, and versatile, ingredients.u0022 u003cemu003e— Natalie Aguilaru003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e

Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar

u003cpu003eu0022A well-formulated syndet (“synthetic detergent”) bar is an option, including Dove’s Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar.u0022 u003cemu003e— Dr. Heather D. Rogersu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e

Dr. Bronner’s – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap

u003cpu003eDr. Rogers also loves this drugstore staple for a well-formulated body wash. u003c/pu003e

Vanicream Cleansing Bar, Fragrance Free

u003cpu003eu0022A well-formulated syndet (“synthetic detergent”) bar is an option, including the Vanicream Cleansing Bar.u0022 u003cemu003e— Dr. Heather D. Rogersu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e
woman sleeping in bed_best body wash
Image by Riley Reed

In general, how much body wash should you be using each time? 

Our experts agree that a nickel-sized amount of body wash should be enough to cover most of the body.