The 12 Best Body Washes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
While a basic body wash gets you clean, chances are good that you're looking for more than that—maybe you want to maintain hydration, fight body acne, or lightly exfoliate your skin while you cleanse.
To find the best body washes, we tested 50 products over six weeks, evaluating effectiveness, active ingredients, scents, and price points. We also spoke to four dermatologists about what they recommend for their patients when it comes to cleaning your body's largest organ.
Our Experts for This Story
- Elaine Kung, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology
- Serena Mraz, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associate
- Annabelle Garcia, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with Sonterra Dermatology
- Suzanne Friedler, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology PC
Philosophy Amazing Grace Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath at Kohls.com
$35
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Aveeno-Skin-Relief-Body-Wash-7a5b3b2ded5d4d2ea916b53c2f59a0d0.jpg)
-
It hydrates skin and reduces redness.
-
Though it's fragrance-free, it does have a slight scent.
If you want a super gentle body wash, the Aveeno Skin Relief checks all our boxes. Its primary ingredient is an oat blend that moisturizes dry skin and soothes itching—and in our case, we noticed it eliminated flakiness and reduced redness. We found that a little product goes a long way, as it lathers well and spreads across your body.
Overall, it effectively cleansed our skin without stripping natural oils, leaving us smooth and refreshed without any residue or film left behind. The one thing to note is that while this body wash is technically fragrance-free, it does have a slight scent that's very light and pleasant.
Key Ingredients: Triple oat blend (oat flour, oat extract, oat oil) | Size: 18 ounces | Scent: None
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Method-Pure-Peace-Body-Wash--225171ccce534066903269eb4ed415ab.jpg)
-
It has a luxurious, floral scent.
-
It's not very moisturizing.
If you want a spa-like shower on a budget, Method Body Wash might be for you. We loved the floral scent, which made this body wash feel more luxurious even at its budget-friendly price. That said, the fragrance might be too potent for those with sensitive skin.
As for cleansing, this body wash sudsed up well and left our skin feeling smooth without residue. The main downside we noticed is that it didn’t necessarily add moisture to our skin. Instead, our skin maintained its original moisture levels without drying out. If you have dry skin, we recommend following up with a moisturizer or picking something with more hydrating active ingredients, like Soap & Glory’s Clean on Me.
Key Ingredients: Peony, rose water, pink sea salt | Size: 18 ounces | Scent: Floral
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rsp-body-washes-overall-test-method-abby-moore-2-179aa981dc8944beb004299e4caec653.jpeg)