body wash for dry skin

12 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin That’ll Soothe and Moisturize 

You’ll love to lather on these luscious body washes. 

A vital PSA to share here is that if you suffer from dry skin due to dry air, wintry weather, or indoor heat, there’s a body wash specifically designed for you.

The main problem is that most body washes are made with harmful cleansing agents and harsh surfactants that leave skin squeaky clean but strip it of its natural oils. The end result is a critical problem if your skin is on the dry side. 

Best Body Washes For Dry Skin

Check out our curated list of the 12 best body washes for dry skin that’ll soothe and moisturize. 

Best Value Body Wash for Dry Skin: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash 

Dove Body Wash with Pump with Skin Natural Nourishers Instantly Soft Skin and Lasting Nourishment Deep Moisture Cleanser Effectively Washes Away Bacteria

The multitasking sulfate-free Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash works as a body serum all rolled into one.

This creamy cleanser is enriched with a prebiotic serum designed to completely nourish your skin and revitalize its protective barrier as you wash.

The bottle holds a lot of product and seamlessly distributes a good amount.

Best Fragrance-Free for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash

La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Body & Face Wash with Pump, Gentle Daily Cleanser with Shea Butter & Niacinamide for Extra Dry Skin, Allergy Tested

If you don’t like scented skincare, opt for the fragrance-free body wash from La Roche-Posay.

The gentle but effective formula cleanses without stripping your skin dry and quenches its thirst by providing the ultimate hydration.

It’s expertly formulated with a fine blend of shea butter, glycerin, and La Roche-Posay’s exclusive thermal spring water enriched with nourishing and soothing minerals.

It’s truly a hero product, especially for those who suffer from keratosis pilaris on both arms and legs.

Best All-Natural Body Wah for Dry Skin: Josie Maran Skin Dope Nourishing Daily Body Wash

Josie Maran Skin Dope Ultra Nourishing Daily Hand & Body Wash - Sulfate-Free and Non-Irritating

Let the revitalizing scent of argan, coconut, and hemp seed oils inevitably ground you every time you use this body wash.

Josie Maran’s all-natural Skin Dope Nourishing Daily Body Wash is the perfect hybrid between oil-based body washes and traditional-based body washes to ensure your skin is smooth and squeaky clean.

The chilling cherry on top is the super-softening marshmallow root extract.

Best Body Wash for Super Dry Skin: Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash

Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud Buttah Body Trio for Melanin Rich Skin | Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash 10oz | Black Gold Polishing Bar 120g | Whipped Body Butter

It’s not just about hydration here, it’s about the refreshing scent that brings a moment of indulgence to any bathroom.

Deliciously fragranced with the classic cocoa seed butter, shea butter, sweet almond oil, and glycerin scent is none other than the nutrient rich Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash from Dorion Renaud.

Developed with aromatic oils, natural emollients, and bio-actives to soothe, refresh, and protect and a gentle coconut, shea butter blend to cleanse the skin without stripping the body’s natural oils, make it an excellent choice for all skin types.

However, it is specifically made for those that suffer from dry skin that tends to flake and crack.

It’s ultra-moisturizing so that you can skip the body lotion step altogether.

For the best results, pair it with the luxurious Black Gold Polishing Bar and the Whipped Body Butter. 

Best Body Wash for Dry, Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash with Triple Oat Formula Soothes Itchy, Dry Skin, Formulated for Sensitive Skin, Fragrance-, Paraben-, Dye- & Soap-Free

You’ll want to drown in the Skin Relief Body Wash by Aveeno.

It’s a kind-to-skin body wash with healing benefits.

If your skin type is also sensitive and prone to irritation, follow the founder’s lead and look to the antioxidant properties of the key ingredient, the ultra-protective skin savior, colloidal oatmeal, thanks to this wonder’s hydrating, soothing, and nourishing formula.

Best Body Wash for Dry, Sensitive Skin, Runner-Up: Necessaire The Body Wash Bergamot

Necessaire The Body Cleanser

The aroma strikes the perfect balance between bitter fruits and floral freshness.

Necessaire draws inspiration from the orchards of Southern Italy to create its Body Wash Bergamot.

The cleansing gel lathers into a fragrant foam under running water, refreshing, and purifying your skin to leave you feeling rehydrated and reinvigorated, fully ready for the day ahead.

It’s infused with the star of the formula, bergamot, which awakens the senses, providing an olfactive revival perfect for your morning shower.

Best Foaming Body Wash for Dry Skin: Maude Wash Body Wash and Bubble Bath

Maude pH Balanced Body Wash + Bubble Bath No. 0 - Gentle Body Wash & Bubble Bath Soap - Omega 3, 6, 0 + Vitamin B3, B5, C, and E

The bottle’s pared-back packaging seamlessly blends into any bathroom interior.

Maude’s products are rooted in skincare science, founded in 2018. Its professional-grade formulas offer healthy skin for all, no matter your unique complexion requirements.

Suitable for all skin types, the Body Wash and Bubble Bath nourishes, invigorates, cleanses, and conditions every use.

Adding nutrient-rich formula of omega fatty acids, vitamin E, panthenol, and niacinamide protects your skin from drying out. 

Best Body Wash for Dull, Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant Scrubbie Bamboos Body Cleanser

Drunk Elephant Scrubbi Bamboes Body Cleanser - Moisturizing, Exfoliating Bamboo Beads

Drunk Elephant leads the way to silky smooth skin with the Scrubbie Bamboos Body Cleanser.

Scrub, cleanse, polish and buff away dead skin cells and flakes to reveal the radiance below with the help of this 2-in-1 formula that gently exfoliates and cleanses your skin.

It’s enriched with vanilla fruit extract with very antioxidant-rich, skin-soothing benefits and mild surfactants that clean skin without drying it out. 

Best Smelling Body Wash for Dry Skin: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4-Play Moisturizing Body Wash

Create a decadent bathing ritual with this rejuvenating, and luxurious body wash with the famous Brazilian scent.

Create a luxurious lather with the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel infused with the signature creamy salted caramel, rich pistachios, and decadent vanilla bean scent with the added blend of sandalwood, coconut oil, and acai oil.

Formulated with decadent oils to invigorate and rejuvenate, it works to protect and cleanse your skin while leaving it feeling sumptuously soft and silky smooth. Work up a warm and woody lather with this wonder.

Best Barrier-Repairing Body Wash: Josh Rosebrook Biome Body Cleanse

Josh Rosebrook Biome Body Cleanse.

Lather up and indulge in the ultra-nourishing, skin-repairing Josh Rosebrook Biome Body Cleanse.

It’s infused with precious materials such as pre-and-postbiotics, fermented rice water, and ceramides.

This thorough yet gentle cleanser strengthens the skin’s protective barrier so it can seamlessly seal in moisture.

Best Body Wash for Itchy Skin: Curel Itch Defense Body Wash

Curel Itch Defense Calming Daily Cleanser, Body Wash, Soap-free Formula, for Dry, Itchy Skin, 10 oz, with Hydrating Jojoba and Olive Oil

This Curel Itch Defense Body Wash might not seem special at first. However, the gel-like texture instantly feels soothing once you use it.

The lather is good, granted not so special. The end result, the skin feels less itchy and irritated.

The soap-free wash is perfect for winter, as it’s non-drying.

It’s enriched with natural jojoba oil and olive oil to ensure super-soft skin. 

Best Soap-Free Body Wash: OLAY Rough Dry Skin Total Moisture Body Wash

OLAY Rough Dry Skin Total Moisture Body Wash

Opt for the OLAY Rough Dry Skin Total Moisture Body Wash for an ultra-hydrating pick in the dead of winter.

It’s enriched with cocoa butter, and vitamin B3 leaving skin silky smooth, and radiant.

It’s the perfect option for daily pleasure that protects your skin’s barrier.


Final Verdict


At the end of the day, you need a good body wash that caters to your needs.

Our favorite is the Buttah Skin Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash, thanks to its thick lotion-like texture infused with cocoa butter, shea butter, and marshmallow root extract to help keep your skin refreshed all the time. Not to mention, it’s cruelty-free.

However, if you’re looking for an affordable and effective one, pick the lotion-like OLAY Rough Dry Skin Total Moisture Body Wash. This one won’t feel like soap, yet it keeps you clean while protecting your skin’s barrier.