Table of Contents
Body Washes are one of the most universal skincare products for our bodies. Regardless of our skin type or concerns, we all like a shower gel that provides us with a feeling of cleanliness and comfort at the same time.
Likewise, hydration is a universal care for the health and beauty of our body’s skin. This way, using a moisturizing shower gel helps us meet two needs at the same time.
These products are designed to not only clean the skin, but also replenish moisture, leaving it soft, smooth, and nourished.
In this article, you can find some of the best moisturizing body washes on the market, each offering its unique benefits for your skin.
What are the best moisturizing body washes?
1. Eucerin pH5 Sensitive Skin Shower Gel
This is a top-notch body hydrating wash because it gently cleanses the skin while also hydrating it.
This soap-free formula features a pH Balance System and mild surfactants. Together, they cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils and respecting its natural pH.
The unique blend of natural moisturizing agents in this formula, which includes vitamin E and dexpanthenol, helps to strengthen the skin barrier and protect it from external irritating agents.
As a result, 98% of consumers confirmed this product cleanses gently, protects the skin from drying out, and makes it feel smooth and soft.
But the best part of all is that this cleansing gel is suitable for the face and body of all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin and skin from babies as of 1 month.
2. A-Derma Shower Gel Hydra-Protective
This product is not just a body wash, but it is actually suitable for the hair, face, and body! Besides being versatile, it is also vegan and contains 93% of natural origin ingredients.
Its formula is enriched with Rhealba Oat Plantules Extract, known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, but also Clean Care® complex, with both cleansing and compensating agents.
Its lightweight and creamy texture lathers up easily, enveloping the skin in a delicate foam that provides immediate and long-lasting hydration, leaving the skin soft and nourished.
Actually, 97% of consumers claimed it does hydrate the skin, and 94% say it protects the skin.
If you are looking for a versatile cleanser for the whole family, including children from the age of 2, this one is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Plus, it doesn’t sting the eyes.
3. Jowaé Revitalizing Moisturizing Shower Gel
One of the best Korean body washes, this shower gel provides hydration, freshness, and a delicious fragrance.
It contains antioxidant lumiphenols derived from a rare plant found on the Korean Jeju Island. These help to protect the skin against environmental stressors, such as pollution and UV rays, contributing to luminous, youthful skin.
It also contains glycerin and bamboo water, which not only hydrate but also soothe the skin, preventing irritation.
With a vegan formula, containing 95% natural ingredients and a physiological pH, it can be used by all skin types and the whole family, including children from the age of 3.
4. Babé Balm To Oil Body Wash
This is not just your ordinary body wash – it is a luxurious and indulgent experience that will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated.
This innovative product transforms from a balm to a silky oil when massaged into the skin, providing a unique cleansing experience.
This rich formula is infused with prebiotics, which activates the natural defense mechanisms of the skin when the skin barrier is altered.
It also contains vitamin F, with a set of fatty acids that form a protective barrier on the skin, preventing dryness.
Last but not least, the chia and inca inchi oils contain a very high content of fatty acids, which improve the hydration and elasticity of the skin, reducing water loss.
Free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial colors and with 90% natural ingredients, this is a great option for all skin types, but especially for very dry or atopic skin.
5. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Surgras Shower Cream
With a creamy texture, this shower cream is great for hydrating the skin without irritating it.
It is formulated with a combination of niacinamide and shea butter:
- Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a soothing active ingredient that helps relieve itching and restore the skin’s lipid barrier, suitable for skin prone to atopic eczema.
- Shea butter is a key ingredient in all Lipikar formulas, due to its ability to restore the skin’s hydrolipidic film, with lipids similar to those of the skin itself.
This hypoallergenic, pH-neutral, soap-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free formula is suitable for dry, sensitive, or atopic skin of the face and body of the whole family, including the baby’s scalp.
Also, parents have 100% approved this product to use on their babies with dry, sensitive skin.
6. Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Gentle Shower Gel
This body, face, and hand wash cleanses the skin while reinforcing its natural barrier function, providing immediate relief from dryness and restoring optimal hydration levels to the skin.
With Skin Protect™ Complex, which thanks to its dual biological action, increases the skin’s moisture level by stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid.
It is also formulated with the patented D.A.F. Complex, which increases the skin’s tolerance and strengthens its resistance.
This formula is hypoallergenic, soap-free, and has a physiological pH, making it suitable for the whole family, except premature babies.
With a delicate fragrance, it is ideal for normal to dry, sensitive, and atopic-prone skin.
7. SVR Topialyse Cleansing Gel
Specifically designed for dry skin, and one of the best body wash for sensitive skin, the SVR Topialyse Gel cleanses without stripping away essential moisture.
This formula contains niacinamide, glycerin, and omegas 3, 6, and 9 for a calming, smoothing, and hydrating action that leaves the skin soft and comfortable for 24 hours.
According to 95% of consumers with sensitive skin, it provides comfort and alleviates itchiness and 92% claim it hydrates and relieves the feeling of tightness.
With a neutral pH, 89% ingredients of natural origin, and a soap-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free formula, it can be used on the face, body, scalp, and intimate zone.
It can also be used by adults and children, making it super versatile.
8. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash
Known for its gentle and nourishing products, Aveeno is a favorite for many people with sensitive skin.
With a commitment to using natural ingredients, they have developed one of the greatest hydrating body washes for dry, sensitive skin. It gently cleanses at the same time it deeply moisturizes the skin.
Its formula contains natural colloidal oatmeal, known for its skin-soothing properties. Together with rich oils, it helps to relieve itching and irritation caused by dryness, leaving the skin calm and refreshed.
Besides, it is also soap-free, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free, making it suitable for people with allergies or very dry and sensitive skin.
Read also: The best body wash and shower gel for black skin.
9. Mustela Bio Shower Gel
A top body hydrating shower gel from Mustela, it is specially formulated for the delicate skin of babies and children but it can be used by everyone.
It contains French organic olive oil, rich in omegas 8 and 9, which renews and moisturizes the skin. And Aloe Vera, which helps to soothe and calm the skin.
Its formula is organic, vegan, fragrance-free, and contains 97% ingredients of natural origin, which makes it suitable for all babies, from birth.
It can also be used to wash the hair and scalp with a tear-free formula that will provide an overall great experience.
10. Uriage Xémose Gentle Cleansing Syndet
The Xémose is a range from the remarkable Uriage and it’s known for helping to care for atopic skin.
This gentle sydney (soap-free synthetic detergent) is suitable for very dry, atopic skin or other sensitive skin conditions since it cleanses the skin without disrupting its natural balance.
With 30% thermal spring water, it soothes the skin, preventing itching and irritation. And the patented Cerasterol-2F Complex, containing specific superfatting agents, prevents the drying effect of water and provides comfort to the skin.
With a melting cream texture, this body wash is perfect for the whole family, including babies, children, and adults, and can also be used to cleanse facial skin.
If you have dry or atopic skin, definitely try this high-tolerance, soap-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free option.
11. Caudalie Thé Des Vignes Shower Gel
If you love a good-smelling shower gel that is still hydrating and suitable for sensitive skin, this one is for you.
It features the iconic fragrance created in 2011 by Mathilde Thomas, founder of Caudalie, with the help of the perfumer Jacques Cavallier and inspired by the vineyards of France.
With notes of white musk, ginger, and neroli flower, it will turn your shower routine into a spa-like experience while keeping your skin moisturized.
Containing a blend of Aloe Vera and Grape Seed Extract, this shower gel intensely hydrates and soothes the skin.
This soap-free formula respects the skin’s physiological pH, making it suitable for all skin types.
It is one of the Caudalie best-selling products with a vegan formula, 97% derived from natural ingredients, and with 100% recyclable packaging, created from recycled glass and plastic.
12. Ducray Ictyane Extra-Rich Dermatological Bar
For those who are looking for the best moisturizing body wash in a cleansing bar, this gentle yet effective body wash will work just as well.
The Ducray Ictyane Extra-Rich Dermatological Bar is ideal for daily cleansing care for dry and fragile skin on the face and body, reducing skin tightness and dryness.
It contains Acefylline, a hydration-generating active ingredient and Abyssinian Oil, derived from Crambe seeds, which is rich in omega 9 and 6, strengthening the cellular barrier and restoring the skin’s physiological balance.
Its ultra-rich texture gently cleanses without harming the skin, and protects against dryness, smoothing and moisturizing.
According to a consumer use test conducted on 85 subjects, 99% were satisfied with skin nourishment.
Looking for the top-rated solutions for your face? Read our post and find the best moisturizers for dry skin face.
13. Nuxe Men Multi-Use Shower Gel
Famous for its delicious and long-lasting fragrances, Nuxe designed this multi-use shower gel. Although initially targeted at men, it can be used by both men and women.
Men love this product for its fragrance but also its versatility, since it can be used on the face, body, and hair, leaving both the skin and the hair soft, hydrated, and smelling great all day long.
With its plant-derived cleansing base and physiological pH, this shower gel with natural oak and hornbeam extracts cleanses gently but effectively.
As usual with Nuxe, this formula is vegan and contains 95% ingredients of natural origin, no parabens or soap, and a physiological pH, making it ideal for normal hair and skin.
14. Ducray Kertyol P.S.O. Ultra-Rich Cleansing Gel
This specialized body wash is formulated with kerato-reducing properties that help to exfoliate dead skin cells and reduce flakiness, typical of dry or dehydrated skin.
This dermatologist recommended formula contains a trio of Celastrol, Verderine, and Glycerin.
- Celastrol is a soothing active ingredient that acts directly on keratinocytes to reduce the appearance of plaques and improve the appearance of the skin.
- Verderine promotes cell differentiation which helps plaques detach from the skin more easily.
- Glycerine moisturizes the skin and restores the skin’s protective hydrolipidic film.
The result is a soft gel that cleanses the skin of the face and body, preventing itchiness, irritation, and redness. According to 100% of the patients, the skin feels comfortable and soothed immediately after using.
This formula with 82% natural ingredients is perfect for very dry and psoriasis-prone skin.
15. Avène Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
This cleansing oil is a gentle yet effective body wash that provides deep moisturization and soothing relief.
This oil-based cleanser is formulated with Avène’s signature Thermal Spring Water, known for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties.
It also contains I-modulia Technology, a result of 12 years of research. It also contains the CER-OMEGA complex, which strengthens the lipid skin protective film.
This formula was developed to relieve the signs of atopic skin, such as itching, irritations, and extreme dryness.
This hypoallergenic, soap-free, and fragrance-free formula is ideal for dry or atopic skin and can be used on babies, children, and adults.
16. Apivita Bee My Honey Shower Gel Honey & Aloe
Apivita comes from the Greek word for “bee” so, naturally, this body milk is infused with honey extract. But it also contains aloe vera, hamamelis, propolis, and lavender extracts.
All these natural ingredients not only provide a delicious fragrance but also contribute to hydrating, smoothing and gently cleansing the skin of the body.
Honey is also known for its antioxidant properties, protecting the skin from external aggressors.
The rich texture of the body milk absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling velvety-smooth and smelling great.
This sulfate-free formula, rich in natural ingredients is ideal for all skin types.
17. Dr. Organic Bioactive Skincare Aloe Vera Body Wash
Last but not least, this Dr. Organic body wash offers a refreshing and hydrating cleansing experience.
Formulated with organic Aloe Vera, it contains soothing and moisturizing properties, which leave the skin soothed and balanced, but also fresh.
This option is also very practical since you can also use it on your hair and body, leaving both soft and hydrated at the same time.
So, if you are looking for a vegan and organic option suitable for all skin types, this is perfect for you.
How to choose the best hydrating body wash?
Choosing the proper body wash can make a significant difference in your well-being and comfort, especially if you have any skin condition or concern.
But how to choose a good body-hydrating body wash for your skin? Well, we have prepared a list of ingredients that you definitely want to look for and others you may want to avoid if you’re looking for a moisturizing shower gel.
What to look for
If the goal is to hydrate, let’s look for some ingredients you can also find in moisturizers, such as:
- panthenol
- hyaluronic acid
- glycerin
- urea
- shea butter
Ingredients that soothe the skin and strengthen the skin barrier are also welcomed since they help to retain moisture. Those can be:
- aloe vera
- ceramides
- honey
- olive
- avocado
- coconut
- other oils
What to avoid
On the other hand, some ingredients are not ideal when dealing with dry skin, such as sulfates (sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulfate) or simply soap, which is why most of these body washes are actually soap-free.
If your skin is also sensitive, you may want to avoid a lot of fragrances or even opt for a fragrance-free option.
Finally, remember that if you have dry skin, a simple moisturizing body wash is not going to be enough hydration. So, combine it with a good body moisturizer.