8 Moisturizing Body Washes for Dry Skin, From OSEA to La Roche-Posay

A good body wash for dry skin should leave you feeling clean without the tight, squeaky finish that can follow a shower. These eight picks take different routes to that softer-after-rinsing feel: some rely on glycerin and barrier-supporting ingredients, others bring in rich plant oils, and a few make room for fragrance or exfoliating acids. The best fit depends on what you want from your shower, and what your skin tends to tolerate.

Ingredients such as glycerin attract water, while oils and emollients help leave skin feeling softer. Ceramides support the skin barrier, and mild surfactants can cleanse without the stripped sensation many people dislike. For easily irritated skin, a fragrance-free formula with a short ingredient list may be a sensible place to start. Those who enjoy a scented shower can find that, too, among these editor-tested options.

At a glance

• Best overall: OSEA Undaria Algae Body Wash, $32
• Best for mature skin: Dove Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash, $13
• Best scent: Each & Every Day Dream Body Wash, $32
• Best for body acne: Nécessaire The Body Wash, $28
• Best for sensitive skin: Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel, $32
• Best for eczema-prone skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash, $20
• Best for very dry skin: L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, $30
• Best for face and body: Cocokind Milky Soft Face & Body Cleanser, $18

For a soft, scented finish

OSEA Undaria Algae Body Wash — $32

OSEA’s foaming cleanser brings the brand’s Undaria Body Oil experience into the shower. Undaria seaweed, which contains amino acids and antioxidants, features alongside glycerin, jojoba oil and avocado oil. Glycerin attracts water, while the oils help leave skin feeling supple after rinsing. Plant-based surfactants create a light foam that cleanses without the pronounced stripped feeling that can make dry skin uncomfortable.

The scent is a major part of its appeal. Commerce editor Sarah Han describes grapefruit and lime notes as an energizing start to her shower, and says the silky texture has enough slip to feel comfortable on skin. She follows with the brand’s Hyaluronic Body Serum, which she likes for its lightweight, nonsticky feel. The wash is not fragrance-free, so people who are sensitive to scent may prefer one of the unscented options below.

• Key ingredients: seaweed, glycerin, jojoba oil, coconut oil and avocado oil
• Fragrance-free: no
• Size: 8 oz.

Each & Every Day Dream Body Wash — $32

For a bright citrus shower, Each & Every’s Day Dream uses orange peel oil, lemon peel oil and vetiver root oil for its scent. The formula also contains macadamia and moringa oils, glycerin, ceramides and lactic acid. The oils and glycerin contribute to a moisturized feel; ceramides support the skin barrier. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), included here for gentle exfoliation as well as its moisture-attracting properties.

Commerce editor Madison San Miguel says her skin felt soft after rinsing, with a noticeable slip. She found that the citrus scent lingered in the shower and on her skin, and describes it as crisp and airy. The range includes other scent profiles, too: Sunday Morning pairs lavender and lemon, while After Glow combines raspberry and mandarin. Day Dream is the featured pick for citrus lovers, but scented essential oils can still bother some sensitive skin.

• Key ingredients: macadamia oil, moringa oil, glycerin, ceramides, lactic acid, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil and vetiver root oil
• Fragrance-free: no
• Scents: five; Day Dream and After Glow are among them
• Size: 16.5 oz.

L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil — $30

This cleanser starts as a thick, silky oil and becomes a foamy lather when water is added. Grapeseed, sweet almond and sunflower seed oils give it an emollient feel, designed to help dry to very dry skin feel softer after cleansing. It rinses clean without the greasy residue some people expect from an oil-based wash.

Former commerce writer Lily Wohlner likes the rich lather and the soft, supple feel it leaves behind. The sweet almond scent gives the shower a spa-like quality, although this is not a fragrance-free choice. For extra dry skin, dermatologist Dendy Engelman recommends following a hydrating, non-stripping body wash with a shower oil to seal in moisture.

• Key ingredients: grapeseed oil and sweet almond oil
• Fragrance-free: no
• Size: 8.4 oz.

For dry skin with particular needs

Dove Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash — $13

Dove’s Best of Beauty-winning cleanser is a budget-friendly option for skin that feels thirstier with age. Glycerin makes up 50% of the formula, while jojoba seed oil and monoi flower help soften skin and replenish lipids. Dermatologist Dara Spearman says the wash cleanses without the dry, tight feeling that some formulas leave behind.

Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor says the product begins as a lightweight oil, then turns into a milky foam. She finds that it adds glide when shaving, leaves a warm scent behind, and rinses clean without making the shower floor feel slick. At $13 for 15.3 oz., it offers a generous size for a lower price than many specialty washes. It is fragranced, so it may not suit readers looking to avoid scent.

• Key ingredients: glycerin, jojoba seed oil and monoi flower
• Fragrance-free: no
• Size: 15.3 oz.

Nécessaire The Body Wash — $28

Nécessaire’s gel wash is aimed at those who want an acne-focused formula while keeping dryness in mind. Dermatologist Corey L. Hartman describes it as non-comedogenic, meaning it is formulated not to clog pores, and points to niacinamide as a featured ingredient. Glycerin and omega-rich cacay, marula and meadowfoam oils help limit moisture loss, while plant-based surfactants form a soft lather.

The formula’s pH is listed as 5.5 to 5.6. Dermatologist Dendy Engelman says that range is close to skin’s natural pH, which is around 5.5, and can help the wash feel comfortable rather than tight. The product’s scent options include Eucalyptus, Santal and Hinoki. Commerce editors Deanna Pai and Sarah Hoffmann favor the Hinoki version: Pai likes having exfoliating acids in a body wash, while Hoffmann says the AHA, BHA and PHA blend helps smooth rough patches on her upper arms. This one is fragranced and includes exfoliating acids, so it may not be the right pick for every dry or sensitive-skin routine.

• Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, cacay oil, marula oil and meadowfoam oil
• Fragrance-free: no
• Scents: four, including Eucalyptus and Santal
• Size: 8.4 oz.

Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel — $32

For sensitive skin, a simpler formula can be appealing. Soft Services uses two cleansing agents, lauryl glucoside and sodium cocoamphoacetate, rather than a long list of cleansing ingredients. The fragrance-free gel also skips sulfates, which can feel harsh or drying for some people. Glycerin helps the formula leave skin feeling hydrated, and its silky, water-oil texture gives it enough slip to use while shaving.

Designer Briana Rengifo says the gel feels gentle on her dry skin and doesn’t leave it feeling stripped. She also uses it as a shaving oil. At 10 oz., it is a straightforward option for someone who wants a fragrance-free wash with a smooth texture and no exfoliating acids.

• Key ingredient: glycerin
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Size: 10 oz.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash — $20

This fragrance-free wash is suitable for face and body, and dermatologist Jane Yoo says it is a personal favorite for her eczema-prone skin. Its formula includes glycerin, shea butter, niacinamide and the brand’s thermal spring water. Together, these ingredients are intended to support the moisture barrier and leave skin feeling comfortable after cleansing. Yoo says it creates a light foam without a tight finish and is suitable for babies, children and adults.

Executive beauty director Jenny Bailly says a small amount goes a long way: she uses about a dime-sized dab for her face and a couple of quarter-sized amounts for her body. She also found it removed light makeup while leaving her skin softer. Her family first used it in her children’s bath, where it suited her eczema-prone son’s rough patches, before she made it a regular shower staple. For readers who want one gentle wash for face and body, that versatility is part of its appeal.

• Key ingredients listed: niacinamide, BHA, vitamin C, vitamin E and collagen peptides
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Size: 13.5 oz.

Cocokind Milky Soft Face & Body Cleanser — $18

Cocokind’s creamy cleanser is made for use on both face and body. Five sulfate-free surfactants lift makeup, dirt and grime, while saccharides, glycerin and ceramides help keep the finish from feeling harsh. The milky formula lathers into a soft foam, and the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance makes it a considered option for people seeking a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.

Commerce editor Sarah Han says it feels more luxurious than its $18 price suggests and leaves her skin soft and soothed. She appreciates that the brand prioritizes different skin types and shares information about its formulas. The 13.5 oz. bottle adds value for a cleanser that can be used on face and body, especially for those who prefer to keep their routine simple.

• Key ingredients: glycerin, ceramides and saccharides
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Size: 13.5 oz.

Ingredients to look for in a moisturizing body wash

Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos recommends looking for ingredients that hydrate and support the skin barrier. Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a versatile option; Dobos notes its roles in brightening, supporting ceramide production and providing antioxidant benefits. Ceramides help fill gaps between skin cells, while shea butter, jojoba oil and algae extracts can contribute to softness. Engelman also points to hyaluronic acid as an ingredient that helps skin stay hydrated.

Surfactants matter, too. They are what help a cleanser lift away oil and grime and create foam, but a wash does not need to leave skin squeaky to do its job. Dobos says combinations of two or three synthetic surfactants can improve cleansing and mildness. She names cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and cocamidopropyl betaine as examples of mild secondary surfactants. Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride is another ingredient she highlights: this conditioning polymer can cling to dry skin and help deposit other ingredients.

What to avoid when skin is dry

Fragrance is not a problem for everyone, but choosing a fragrance-free wash can reduce one possible source of irritation. Dermatologist Hadley King advises avoiding fragranced products, high-pH cleansers and soap-based cleansers when dryness is a concern. In this context, “soap” can refer to a cleanser with a high pH, not only a bar. A formula that supports skin’s neutral-to-slightly-acidic pH may feel more comfortable for some people.

King also recommends keeping the ingredient list simple when skin is easily irritated. Harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can strip natural oils and add to dryness for some users. If you have eczema, dermatologist Olga Bunimovich advises avoiding acne-targeting ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which may be drying or irritating. When acne-prone skin is also very dry, she recommends discussing a new body wash with a dermatologist.

How these body washes were assessed

The editorial team considered ingredients and performance, packaging, fragrance or its absence, texture and wear. Editors and contributors used the products and assessed how they felt during and after cleansing, with dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist helping evaluate formulas and ingredients. The testing approach also considers the range of people who use beauty products, including differences in age, skin tone, hair texture, gender and background.

For a dry-skin routine, the practical choice is the formula you can use comfortably and consistently. Fragrance-free gels, oil-to-foam cleansers and richer washes each offer a different shower experience; checking the ingredient list against your own sensitivities is a useful final step.