Best Body Washes That Are Gentle Enough for Sensitive Skin

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Body wash may appear to be a minor purchase, but it is critical for people with sensitive skin. You could end up with itchy, scaly, and irritated skin if you use the wrong formula.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab is constantly testing the best body care for sensitive skin, including body wash, body scrubs, and nourishing moisturisers, so our experts know which products are right for them. They recommend avoiding added fragrance and any mention of "antibacterial" when choosing a body wash for sensitive skin. Instead, look for skin-soothing and hydrating ingredients like dimethicone, glycerin, and petroleum, and keep in mind that the fewer ingredients the better when it comes to sensitive skin.

The best body washes for sensitive skin are listed below, along with products that have been tested in the Beauty Lab, editor favorites, and rave online reviews (all of which are fragrance-free!).

Best Body Wash For Sensitive Skin:

EUCERIN: Skin Calming Body Wash

This great value body wash is one of Beauty Director April Franzino's favourites because it is both calming and cleansing. "A body wash based on nourishing plant oils like soybean and castor seed, rather than soap, which can dehydrate and irritate skin," she says. "This formula is also free of fragrance and cleanses well while not leaving skin feeling dry, tight, or itchy."

CETAPHIL: Ultra Gentle Body Wash

This gentle body wash was created with sensitive and dry skin in mind, and it leaves skin feeling hydrated after showering. It also contains skin-friendly ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin, which moisturise and soothe.

VANICREAM: Gentle Body Wash

When Beauty Lab chemist Sabina Wizemann's skin became itchy from her regular body wash, she switched to this dermatologist-tested, sensitive-skin-friendly wash.

Wizemann says, "It leaves my skin smooth and soft, and most importantly, comfortable." "I like it because it's a simple body wash with no frills; it's packed with glycerin and uses a mild coco-glucoside surfactant."

CERAVE: Hydrating Body Wash

This body wash hydrates skin while it cleans, thanks to ceramides and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid. One reviewer says, "I bought this because my eczema was flaring up."

"This one is... very thick, so it's easy to use without wasting much, it doesn't have a scent that irritates my sensitive skin, and the moisturisers actually work."

NÉCESSAIRE: The Body Wash

Niacinamide, the star ingredient in this body wash, brightens and clarifies skin while also strengthening the skin barrier. "Every time I use this in the shower, it feels like I've stepped into a spa," one reviewer says. "It smells amazing and instantly relaxes my mind; washing with it feels so luxurious." This wash is available in eucalyptus and sandalwood scents, with the fragrance-free option being best for sensitive skin.

LA ROCHE-POSAY: Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash

This body wash is gentle enough to use on both your body and your face, thanks to the addition of shea butter and thermal water. One reviewer says, "I love it because it actually keeps my skin hydrated all night."

SKINFIX: Eczema+ Foaming Oil Body Wash

If your sensitive skin is also prone to eczema, this body wash was created with eczema in mind. "I am not covered in hives after a shower or bath for the first time in years," one reviewer says. "The smell isn't great, but scented products usually irritate my skin. It doesn't lather up very well, but you don't need a lot of it."

ALAFFIA: EveryDay Shea Body Wash

Alaffia's body was a winner in this year's Good Housekeeping Beauty Awards, and it's made with six simple, gentle ingredients like shea butter and coconut. The fact that the skin didn't feel tight after showering astounded the testers.