Having sensitive skin is a struggle. This prevents you from using just any skincare product, from acne to dryness to irritation! Instead, you should focus on using natural and organic ingredients to nourish the skin without being harsh. Our team scoured some of the best soaps and body wash for sensitive skin, including those listed in this post. As a result, you can have peace of mind knowing that these products will not result in any severe issues!
The 20 Best Sensitive Skin Body Washes & Soaps
The best skincare products are those that are sulfate-free. To make your life easier, we will list our top choices for the best body wash for sensitive skin that should be on your radar.
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Our Pick
Best Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
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Best Body Wash for Sensitive Skin - Reviews
This is an all-natural product that should be on the top of your list of best body washes. Rather than using chemical-based components, it contains plant-based, biodegradable ingredients. Even the fragrances are extracted from natural sources, such as citrus and sea salt.
The concentration of the formula is also good, thus making sure that one bottle lasts for a long time. So you can make the most of the rich and luxurious foam, along with the vegetable-derived and fruit-derived moisturizers that hydrate your skin thoroughly.
Pros
Cons
Men have tough skin and different needs compared to women. With that in mind, this specific body wash is designed for men.
It doesn't contain alcohol, an ingredient that can dry out your skin if used excessively. This product is versatile as a 3-in-1 moisturizing body wash, leaving your skin feeling amazing once you get out of the shower.
One of the key benefits of this product is a bamboo extract, which is excellent for both your skin and your hair.
Pros
Cons
The brand name in itself already gives you enough reason to have it chosen over others. It has an award-winning formula that makes it great for all skin types. In addition, the daily cleanser has been clinically proven to provide the hydration that your skin needs without drying.
Another great news is that the gentle body formula does not strip your skin of natural oils. Lastly, it does not clog the pores, making it a better choice for the face. So for gently cleaning, hydrating, and soothing skin, you can rely on Cetaphil.
Pros
Cons
People are sure to love this body wash for its irresistible scent, which is never overpowering. Aside from providing a refreshing scent, olive oil and aloe are also great for boosting hydration to make your skin feel smooth and soft.
To be honest, such cruelty-free, plant-based body washes are hard to stumble upon these days.
Pros
Cons
Among others, one of the best things about this body wash is the use of oats, which is known for being a soothing ingredient that does not get rid of your skin’s natural oils. It also provides a protective barrier that shields the skin from external elements that trigger its sensitivities.
Also, did you know that Aveeno is a dermatologist-recommended skincare brand? Suitable for daily application, this unscented skin irritation relieving body wash is also a great way of boosting moisture and hydration
Pros
Cons
For clean and moisturized skin, this is one of the best products you might want to consider. It is even approved for use by people who have eczema. And the secret of its effectiveness is using ceramides, remaining sulfate-free for excellent skin relief.
CeraVe also offers controlled-release technology, a patented feature that provides all-day moisture and protection. Then there’s hyaluronic acid that performs the same tasks. On top of that, the foaming action gently cleanses and refreshes dry, sensitive skin.
Pros
Cons
This is a 4-in-1 product, providing you the best bang for the buck as it can be used from your head to your toe.
The formula explicitly targets trans-epidermal water loss, which will help to keep the skin hydrated.
Pros
Cons
When you speak of the best body washes for sensitive skin, it is almost impossible not to mention Dove, which is why this product makes it on our list. It has the NutriumMoisture technology that nourishes deep into the layers of the skin without causing any form of irritation. The manufacturer also markets it as 100% gentle to provide you with peace of mind.
On top of that, it’s dermatologist-tested, scented, and hypoallergenic. So you know it’s a suitable choice for the best moisturizing body wash.
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Cons
Want to have skin that is as soft as silk? This is one body wash that has proven to live up to expectations. It’s a gentle body cleanser, so there is no need to worry even if you have sensitive skin.
You’re also very likely to appreciate the use of white peach and orange blossom. These two infuse a distinct fragrance sure to last throughout the day.
Pros
Cons
This is marketed as a shower oil and not just an ordinary body wash. As the manufacturer claims, it can provide moisture for up to 24 hours. The best thing is that it fights irritation, which is why it’s one of the best body washes. It also helps restore lipids, making it effective in promoting overall skin health.
Even though a shower oil, Bioderma Atoderm is non-greasy. It soothes dry to dehydrated skin. This unique soothing and hydrating formulation also increase your sensitive skin's tolerance threshold.
Pros
Cons
If you are sensitive to solid fragrances common in body washes, this is the right choice for you as it’s an unscented formula. It is also impressive because of the Lock-in-Moisture technology. All it takes is just a little bit to notice a significant difference in your skin.
Moreover, it’s clinically proven to cleanse your skin, leaving it feeling clean, smooth, and healthy. In addition, the creamy lather delivers long-lasting moisture. And this might appeal to those with dry skin issues as well.
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Cons
You are bound to love the fact that this body wash has a pH-balanced nature. One of its main benefits is glycerin, making the skin smoother without irritating.
It also has active ingredients that offer protection from germs. Upon lathering, the formula creates a thick foam that penetrates deeply into your skin to provide the moisture it needs.
Pros
Cons
One thing that makes Hempz stand out from the other body washes mentioned here is the use of 100% pure natural hemp seed oil. It calms and relieves the skin, even if you are prone to sensitivity. It also has an oatmeal complex to nourish sensitive skin.
It’s one of the best natural remedies for dryness. Plus, the body wash leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Pros
Cons
Many are well-loved because of lavender, which has a calming effect and a refreshing scent. In addition, this product is organic and vegan, making this a favorite for the best body wash for the eco-conscious. Even the packaging is eco-friendly since it is 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.
It’s a highly concentrated formula. Meaning you can mix a pea-sized amount with plenty of water for a single application. And still expect abundant lather for thorough cleansing. Even more enticing is the inclusion of organic oils and Fair Trade certified.
Pros
Cons
The use of activated charcoal makes it one of the best soaps to use if you have sensitive skin. It has a chemical-free nature, which also works for people dealing with psoriasis, eczema, and acne, among other skin problems.
The soap bar also contains lemongrass and lavender, responsible for the unique smell. Organic certified ingredients are less likely to aggravate your skin. It moisturizes your skin while the activated charcoal removes impurities and blemishes.
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Cons
This is yet another gentle soap that should be on your radar if you have sensitive skin. Even the fragrance doesn’t irritate as it’s derived from natural sources. Essential oils are used for the irresistible scent that isn’t overpoweringly or allergy-aggravatingly strong.
The liquid soap uses a combination of aloe and lavender. These nourish the skin while also providing a calming effect. There are coconut-based cleansers along with organic plant extracts and Vitamin B5 + E. And all combine to leave your sensitive skin feeling nothing but happy.
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One of the best things about this soap is that it's made using Certified Organic ingredients, making it great for your sensitive skin. It contains castor oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, goat milk, oats, and honey. They work together to provide nourishment to the skin without worrying about irritation.
The best part is that the soap suits all types of skin. And also that you can use it as body soap, shaving soap, and face soap.
Pros
Cons
The name itself is already indicative of how it uses natural ingredients that will be gentle on your skin. It has pure neem, which cleanses and detoxifies the skin.
It also contains turmeric, making it more effective when cleansing. In addition, the soap has been tested for its efficacy and purity for an assurance that it won’t cause any form of irritation.
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Cons
As the manufacturer claims, this is probably the purest soap for sensitive skin that you can find on the market. One of its main ingredients is shea butter, which has moisturizing benefits to relieve skin dryness.
Chamomile and aloe vera are also used in the soap to make it more effective for promoting skin health. Along the same lines, you’ll find no artificial fragrances, no alcohol, no parabens, no preservatives, and chemicals. Only plant-based, organic ingredients.
Pros
Cons
How about allowing your sensitive skin to reap the beautiful benefits of wild-grown soapberries. These, no doubt, leave your skin fresh and clean without triggering sensitivities. So do the organic healing botanicals. This list includes aloe vera, chamomile, cucumber, and coconut cleansers.
You come to know it’s a safe choice for sensitive skin once again because of its pleasantly unscented character. The gentle cleansing leather is a clear indicator of that as well.
The body wash is also suitable for women and men dealing with severe skin conditions like eczema.
Pros
Cons
How to Know If You Have Sensitive Skin
Several things can be done to test if your skin is sensitive. One of the simplest is to scratch the skin using your finger with light to moderate pressure. If it becomes red after a while, this is one of the sure-shot ways to tell that it is indeed sensitive.
If your skin often stings or gets red when you apply your usual skincare products, this is also an indication that you might have sensitive skin.
Another sign that you have sensitive skin is when your skin feels uncomfortable during extreme weather conditions, including swelling, redness, itching, and other signs of irritation.
What Causes Skin Sensitivities In Body Washes?
If you don’t buy carefully, then it’s likely that your body wash or soap will lead to an allergic reaction and dryness. The cause, more often than not, is the presence of soap-based surfactants in these formulations. These have a more excellent pH balance than your skin. The outcome of which is inevitable skin irritation.
The thing about such surfactants is that they do more than just leave your skin feeling itchy, dry, and irritated. They also destroy your skin’s natural moisture protection barrier.
Choosing Body Washes & Soaps Formulated for Sensitive Skin
While there are tons of available options on the market, this should not be an excuse for you to decide in haste. To avoid regrets, below are some of the most important things to consider.
a) Consider the Ingredients
The first thing you have to do is look at the list of ingredients and make sure that it does not contain harsh chemicals. For example, syntheticc fragrances and dyes are best to be avoided.
Then there are natural skin-soothing, and skin-calming ingredients specifically added to body washes and soaps crafted for sensitive skin. This includes bamboo extract and oatmeal. Both are very effective in nourishing the skin without destroying its natural protection.
In a nutshell, here is the list of the worst and best ingredients for sensitive skin…
The Worst Ingredients for Sensitive Skin:
- Artificial fragrances, dyes, and preservatives.
- SLS and parabens.
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Alcohol
- Petroleum derivatives
The Best Ingredients for Sensitive Skin:
- Oats
- Bamboo extract
- Chamomile
- Coconut oil
- Ceramides
- Calendula
- Aloe
- Glycerin
- Allantoin or comfrey
b) Look for a Moisturizing Benefit
Aside from being formulated for sensitive skin, it’s also highly advisable to choose a body wash or soap that comes with a moisturizing effect.
Often, such kinds of products have ingredients like essential ceramides. These maintain your skin’s moisture barrier.
c) Choose Fragrance-Free
As much as possible, the body wash or soap should not contain artificial fragrances. This is because fragrances are often the cause of sensitivity, so it’s only logical to avoid them altogether.
Along the same lines, choose soap-free, alcohol-free, hypoallergenic, pH-balanced, and dermatologist-recommended formulations.
Tips for Taking Care of Sensitive Skin
While soaps and body washes can indeed be effective in dealing with sensitive skin, there are other things that you can do, including those that are briefly mentioned below.
- Limit your time exposure to the sun, as heat is one of the most common external factors that trigger skin sensitivity. Avoid the sun from 10 am to 2 pm when it is peak. Make it a habit to apply sunblock for a strong layer of protection against the harmful UV rays.
- Use lukewarm water when you shower. It is also best to limit your shower time. When the water is too hot, this can be one of the triggers that make your sensitive skin irritated.
- Buy soft microfiber or cotton towels for drying off after your shower. And change them at least two times a week in the case of humid weather.
- Get rid of scents. It’s best to settle for unscented products since the fragrances used are often harsh chemicals that harm the skin. If there are fragrances, make sure they are derived from botanical sources, such as essential oils.
- Avoid using a loofah for washing your body. This tends to abrade your skin. Instead, use a soft, clean washcloth.
- Don’t forget to moisturize after your bath. But you should apply a body lotion specifically formulated for dry skin.
- Your diet also matters. Load up on fruits and vegetables, especially those that provide the vitamins your skin needs.
- Evaluate your choice of clothing as well. I mean to say that certain fabrics keep your skin from feeling irritated. Such as linen and cotton. Also, you might want to consider wearing clothes that aren’t too tight-fitting. Or too dark or too bright colored.
- Before using any skincare product, make sure to test it out on a small part of the skin first. If it develops sensitivity, this goes to show that you should stop using it.
What Ingredients Should I Look for in a Body Wash for Sensitive Skin?
a) Shea Butter
Sensitive skin body wash gives the body a calming effect that sensitive skin often needs. Shea butter is one of the important ingredients to have in a body wash. Shea butter increases the gentleness of a body wash, characterizing the ingredient as a calming choice. Shea butter is found in the kernels of shea trees. The anti-inflammatory features of shea butter make it a favorite ingredient in body washes for sensitive skin.
Shea has benefits that include healing cuts and scrapes on the surface of the skin. The fatty acids in shea butter help soften the scar tissue for accelerated healing. Shea butter helps fight acne when incorporated in body washes.
Shea butter is a favorite in the senior community because of the anti-aging properties that shea butter has. Shea butter is, therefore, one of the ingredients you should always watch out for when buying a sensitive skin body wash.
b) Aloe Vera
The aloe vera gel or wash is one of the most efficient and effective washes one can ever get. Aloe vera is an ingredient of choice that most people prefer because the ingredient makes the skin soft. The benefits of aloe vera are endless. Anyone with itchy skin and eczema-prone skin is bound to get healthy skin when aloe vera is part of their skin regimen. Body washes are meant for cleansing and clearing germs and dirt, and aloe vera does a great job in getting rid of unwanted layers.
Aloe vera is a moisturizer, and the naturally derived ingredients will make your body smooth and soft. Aloe vera is a skin-calming body wash that protects sensitive skin from dangerous rays. The epithelial layer of the skin gets a huge boost when you use aloe vera-based body washes. Aloe vera provides oil-free options that have a luxurious lather that will make the body wash relaxing and soothing.
Aloe vera does a good job of reducing acne on the body. Apart from the acne, aloe vera is a gentle body wash that reduces the occurrence of pronounced wrinkles on the face. Aloe vera is one of the most useful ingredients that the body needs in order to glow.
c) Natural Lipids
There is dirt and impurities all around us. Natural lipids help the body create a barrier that prevents the impurities from getting into the skin and causing infections. Sun damage is significantly reduced by lipids. Other natural lipids promote moisture retention that keeps the skin moisturized at all times. Natural lipids make the best body washes that are gentle and soothing for the body.
There are different forms of lipids in the body with different advantages. Cholesterol ensures the skin is elastic and natural, keeping a healthy body that does not look flaky. Healthy cellular behavior is promoted by fatty acids that encourage healthy and younger-looking skin. A plump skin that is not flaky looks attractive, and that is where ceramides come in.
d) Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is one of the ingredients you should always have in your skincare regimen. The best body washes have salicylic acid incorporated in the body wash because of the vast benefits that the ingredient has. From creating a soothing body wash to a sensitive skin-friendly option, salicylic acid is a must-have as one of the ingredients in your body wash.
Salicylic acid is one of the hydroxy acids that keep the skin healthy and attractive. When used correctly, salicylic acid provides minimal side effects on the user. Body washes with salicylic acid in them have been considered the best body washes in the market. Salicylic acid has a lot of functions, from keeping the acne away to exfoliating dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Dry skin will now be an issue of the past, and you no longer have to worry about chaffing when using body washes with salicylic acid.
e) Omega Oils
The omega-three fatty acids are found in certain foods and contain ingredients that are of great benefit to the skin. The acids soften dry skin, bringing back the softness and beauty the skin had before any attack. When you have sensitive and eczema-prone skin, the ultra-gentle body wash needs to have properties like omega oils to keep your skin from getting wild reactions.
f) Essential Oils
There is a myriad of essential oil advantages, and most benefits are skin-based. Scars are some of the most challenging things that the skin goes through. Regardless of the skin type, scars come in different forms, and one of the best ways to manage the scars is by getting body washes with essential oils to soothe the skin and reduce itchiness. Reduced itchiness translates to reduced scarring on the surface of the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
i) Are Fragrances and Dyes Bad for the Skin?
If they’re artificial, then the answer is yes. Because synthetic fragrances and dyes contain toxic chemicals that have a negative impact on skin health and appearance, most such fragrances generate scents with the help of a volatile reaction. And this reaction tends to aggravate all types of skin.
However, you can always switch to skincare products infused with natural oils.
ii) Should You Use Body Wash Daily?
As long as your body wash or soap formulation is moisturizing, you can use it every day for cleansing your skin and getting rid of impurities like dirt, sweat, excess oil, etc.
iii) What Is A Good Antibacterial Body Wash for Sensitive Skin?
These are the ones that include active ingredients triclocarban and triclosan. The former is a part of bar soaps, while the latter is found in liquid soaps. So as long as the formula is equipped with this particular active ingredient, you know it’s safe for your skin, just like these bacteria-fighting body washes and soaps.
iv) What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition resulting from roughness and patching of skin that may cause redness and itching. Swelling may be one of the symptoms of eczema. Depending on age and severity, the symptoms of eczema vary from person to person. For people without fair skin, eczema may appear as grey patches or dry skin that is itchy. Eczema can appear in infants as well. One way to tell that an infant has eczema is to see rashes on the cheeks or scalp. The rashes form bubbles and may end up leaking.
v) What are the Paraben Side Effects?
Methylparaben is included in some skin products as part of the ingredients. However, paraben has some side effects that prompt most skincare products to stay away from the formula. Parabens are often used as preservatives on a natural body wash. However, natural body wash may not have the right ingredients to ensure longevity. While the FDA allows paraben in somebody's washes for sensitive skin, the ingredient is not entirely safe.
Paraben may be linked with some cancerous side effects. Furthermore, paraben may cause allergic reactions in some people. In addition, paraben may cause swelling and itching. Finally, the burning sensation is another side effect that may result from paraben.
vi) Does Body Wash Expire?
Body washes for sensitive skin are a must-have for most people. However, what happens when a bottle you had never ran out when you tried out a new one? Every skincare product has an expiry date, and the body wash expires as well. Most body washes for sensitive skin are made up of natural ingredients. Unfortunately, natural ingredients spoil over time. While the body wash has preservatives like paraben, expiry is not the one thing that the product can escape.
Most body washes for sensitive skin expire after about three years after manufacture. Expired products are not safe to use at all costs. Gels expire at different rates. Be sure to check the expiry date before using the body wash for sensitive skin.
Wrap Up
Whether it is acne, itchiness, rashes, or irritation, among other issues, people with sensitive skin can suffer when they use the wrong products. That being said, keep an eye out for the best sensitive skin body washes and soaps that have been mentioned above. They have mild formulations that will prevent any adverse reaction!
