The Best Body Washes & Soaps for Sensitive Skin (2021 Reviews)
A soap or body wash in your arsenal can either make or break your shower experience. Choosing a formula that performs the task of cleansing your skin while also keeping it from feeling irritated or damaged is daunting these days because regular body washes and soaps are just too harsh for very delicate skin.
That’s the thing about commercial products; they’re packed with artificial preservatives, fragrances, and the like. In the case of soaps and body washes, mass-produced ones also contain harmful lathering and cleansing agents.
Now if your skin type can tolerate such kinds of additives, then good for you. But that’s just not happening with sensitive skin, right? So here are the best body washes and soaps for sensitive skin that keep at bay any form of skin irritation while also cleansing and moisturizing your skin.
Top Body Washes & Soaps for Sensitive Skin
1. Dove Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
Isn’t Dove a brand synonymous with gentle skincare? I mean Dove is a highly dermatologist-recommended brand that has garnered the attention of millions of men and women. Especially those with sensitive skin because Dove’s skin nourishing and moisturizing formulas are pH-balanced with no amount of sulfates.
As for this gentle body wash cleanser, it’s unscented with Moisture Renew Blend. The blend works toward protecting the natural moisture barrier of your skin. Then there are plant-based moisturizers too that keep your skin healthy and well-nourished.
The over 5,600 reviews on Amazon for this product are proof of what I’m saying.
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2. Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash
Aveeno is a favorite among clean skincare enthusiasts. Just use this colloidal oatmeal infused body wash once to see how it soothes and protects your sensitive skin with its rich antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
The body wash is an ideal choice for dry and itchy skin as well. Since it’s fragrance-free, the formula is gentle enough for daily use. Ask any dermatologist, and he/she will tell you the same.
As for getting rid of oil, bacteria, dirt, and other such impurities, Aveeno does that without disrupting the natural moisture layer of your skin.
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3. Nivea Men Sensitive 3-in-1 Body Wash
The 3-in-1 benefit includes shampoo, shower, and soothe. All thanks to the addition of bamboo extract. No doubt, this Nivea formula is specially crafted for men dealing with sensitive skin. It cleanses thoroughly without drying out the skin. On top of that, the lather forms and gets rinsed off easily.
What makes it suitable for sensitive skin? Apart from the inclusion of bamboo extract of course! That it’s not packed with dyes, soap, drying alcohol, or any such ingredient known to trigger skin irritation.
What’s more is the Active Comfort System that instantly soothes skin irritation and strengthens your sensitive skin’s defense.
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4. Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
Fragrance-free, dermatologist-recommended, and hypoallergenic; I already gave you three valid reasons to choose Cetaphil for your sensitive skin.
This gentle body wash is also enriched with Vitamin B5 and aloe vera, along with clean moisturizers. Together they leave your skin feeling replenished and soft long after your shower as well.
You know it’s a good deal when those struggling with eczema have also sworn by the effectiveness and gentleness of this very sought-after Cetaphil body wash.
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5. Suave Essentials Body Wash
As for a creamy body wash, you can’t go wrong with Suave and its mixture of Vitamin E and mineral-rich sea algae extract.
The powerhouse of nutrients that is algae combines with minerals, which draw toxins from your skin. Plus, it softens, detoxifies, and hydrates the skin. On top of that, Vitamin E moisturizes and calms while also providing anti-aging skin benefits.
The lather is rich and also easy to rinse off. But the best part is the uplifting scent of fresh sandalwood, sheer freesia, and watery hyacinth.
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6. Puracy Natural Body Wash
With plant-based ingredients, Puracy Natural Body Wash is sure to leave the skin feeling fresh, moisturized, and soft. The surfactant used is coconut-based, and not a harsh ingredient like sulfates, which tends to aggravate skin sensitivities.
Because of this naturally-derived surfactant, the formula cleanses the skin thoroughly without giving rise to any form or amount of redness, dryness, or irritation. Then there’s vegetable glycerin, yet another coconut-based element, for softening the skin.
And lastly, Pink Himalayan Salt hydrates and exfoliates your sensitive skin naturally and gently.
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7. Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil
It’s a super-nourishing cleansing oil specifically formulated for dry sensitive skin. The non-greasy texture does a swell of a job when it comes to not only cleansing but also providing long-lasting hydration. No doubt, it soothes extremely dry and sensitive skin, with its plant-based biolipids, Skin Barrier Therapy, and Vitamin B3.
Your sensitive skin’s tolerance threshold certainly benefits from a formulation like this. You can use it on a daily basis, even for your infants.
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8. Tree to Tub Gentle, Moisturizing Body Wash
This Tree to Tub body wash is another cult favorite. After all, it’s gentle for sensitive, dry, and oily skin. And made with organic healing botanicals. Speaking of which, the superstar ingredient is wild-grown soapberries. To cleanse and refresh your delicate skin.
As for organic botanicals, the list includes cucumber, chamomile, and aloe vera. These hydrate, nourish, and soothe. Even the fragrance is natural with its mild, calming lavender essential oil scent.
This soothing, balanced body wash is actually an effective remedy for winter dryness, flaking, eczema, redness, and blemishes.
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9. Everyone 3-in-1 Soap
The purpose of this 3-in-1 blend is to make your sensitive skin happy. Simply by cleansing and nourishing it thoroughly with plant extracts, such as chamomile, aloe vera, white tea, and calendula. Nutrients in the form of Vitamin E and Vitamin B5 are also infused.
Moreover, pure essential oils lend a natural scent. And, just so you know, the 3-in-1 action consists of shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath.
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10. Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
The name of this body wash includes the words Skin Calming. And, rest assured, there isn’t anything more skin-calming that this body wash specifically formulated to soothe dry and itchy skin. It’s a soap-free solution that cleanses gently with its natural lipids and nourishing omega oils.
Even the lather is mild and non-irritating. And to make matters even more delicate for sensitive skin, the formulation is fragrance-free.
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11. Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash
Let Sebamed here be one of your favorite secret skincare weapons. You’re highly likely to become a loyal fan of this body and face wash. The chances are you’ll find the cleanser both mild and hydrating. It gets rid of surface build-up and pore-clogging lipids. The presence of pentavitin and allantoin is also beneficial in that it moisturizes your skin from within.
The formula, needless to say, is hypoallergenic and dermatologist-recommended, and for all skin types. But mostly it’s for sensitive skin, acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis that dermatologists recommend this pH-balanced, paraben-free skin solution.
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12. Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Firstly, it’s dermatologist-tested. Secondly, it’s free of common skin irritants like fragrances, parabens, lanolin, sulfates, dyes, and formaldehyde. Thirdly, it’s a gentle formulation that removes oil and dirt from your skin without drying it out.
And if those reasons aren’t enough, then here’s some more. Vanicream body wash prevents body acne while also moisturizing the skin the most thoroughly. And once your wash off the rich, creamy lather, you don’t have to deal with any greasy residue.
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13. Earth Mama Pure Castile Body Wash
For the delicate skin of babies, Earth Mama is a very reliable brand. In fact, this body wash is safe and effective to use for your entire family. It has been clinically tested and dermatologist tested for skin irritation.
Formulated using only organic oils and herbs, the Castile-based liquid soap here soothes and cleanses like no other. And with no artificial fragrances, sulfates, triclosan, and preservatives, it’s sure to become your go-to hand soap as well.
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14. Kiss My Face Fragrance Free Moisturizing Shower Gel
Kiss My Face, a strange an unusual yet attention-grabbing brand name indeed, is responsible for this moisturizing shower gel that consists of aromatherapeutic properties. It cleanses your sensitive skin with a blend of Vitamin E, aloe vera, olive oil, and plant-based cleansers.
Aloe vera and olive oil soothe and moisturize. The former is packed with amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that nourish your skin. As for olive oil, its antioxidant character is enough for your skin to benefit from it.
And the fact that these powerful nourishing cocktail of ingredients are natural and that the body wash is fragrance-free makes it an ideal pick for even the most sensitive skin.
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15. Aspen Kay Naturals Oatmeal Soap Bar
Organic colloidal oats have been a part of the skincare industry for centuries. That’s because it treats and soothes irritated skin like no other ingredient.
Furthermore, this soap bar also contains unrefined shea butter to moisturize and goats milk to fortify your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
A thorough skin and beauty routine is essential in the case of sensitive skin. Meaning not only your skincare products but also cosmetics should be specifically formulated for sensitive skin.
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16. The Yellow Bird Activated Charcoal Soap Bar
If the product title isn’t enough to reveal the truth, then the list of ingredients certainly does. It includes activated charcoal, lavender, and lemongrass. Firstly, activated charcoal is the best for deep cleansing your pores both effectively and gently.
The next two power ingredients are lemongrass and lavender. Lemongrass, with its antifungal and antibacterial properties, treats skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, etc. As for lavender, it reduces acne, wrinkles, fine lines, and clears skin complexion.
And let’s not underestimate the calming scent of both lavender and lemongrass essential oils.
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17. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
Here’s another formula that has used only organic ingredients. Dr. Bronner’s is a very common brand name because of its Pure Castile Liquid Soap. It’s a solution you can use safely for your sensitive skin and pets, and for all-purpose home cleaning.
It’s a highly concentrated formulation that comes packed in 100-percent recycled plastic bottles. An all-vegan product with no added fragrances. But it’s the infusion of organic oils that’s the best part.
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Ingredients to Look for In Body Washes and Soaps for Sensitive Skin
One thing all dermatologists and skincare experts agree on is the simple fact that natural ingredients are far better than artificial, synthetic, or chemical ones. And that means no artificial fragrances either. You should be choosing a fragrance-free formula that is enriched with any one or even a set of the following ingredients
- Colloidal oatmeal – It soothes itchy, dry skin.
- Shea butter – Its healing and anti-inflammatory properties condition and soothe the skin.
- Cucumber – It calms skin irritation, boosts hydration, and aids acne-prone skin.
- Aloe vera – It also offers soothing and healing properties while moisturizing the skin.
- Coconut oil – Its antibacterial nature protects the skin from acne-causing bacteria.
- Bamboo extract – It makes the skin less likely to become inflamed or irritated.
- Soapberry – It produces a pH-balanced, gentle, moisturizing lather ideal for sensitive skin.
- Activated charcoal – It removes deep-seated impurities and dead skin cells to leave the skin feeling supple and smooth.
- Calendula – Its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties are very effective when it comes to soothing eczema and skin rashes.
- Chamomile – The antiseptic, calming properties of chamomile is like medicine for skin sensitivities, acne, and age spots.
Ingredients to Avoid In Body Washes and Soaps for Sensitive Skin
It’s simple; stay away from artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates, harsh exfoliants, chemical cleansers, phthalates, mineral oil, gluten, and the like. The list, as I understand, is quite long. So the best thing to do is to select a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula. That’s about it.
The Most Useful Tips for Taking Care of Sensitive Skin
It’s obviously not easy managing your sensitive skin. But there are certain simple measures you can take to keep your skin from becoming inflamed or irritated. And the best part about these instructions below is that you can incorporate them into your daily skincare routine quite effortlessly.
Always Do A Patch Test
No matter what the skincare or beauty product, first apply it on a patch of your skin. Does it trigger any irritation or discomfort? If not, then it’s safe for use. And if it does, then please move on to the next option.
Use Mild Skincare Products
By mild, I mean those are marked gentle or hypoallergenic. There shouldn’t be any harsh ingredients, such as artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and so on.
Avoid Unprotected Sun Exposure
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen at all times, even when indoors. And make sure the SPF rating is 30 or higher.
Don’t Over-Cleanse Your Skin
Now I know that it’s important to get rid of excess oil, impurities, dirt, and the like from your skin. But that doesn’t mean washing your face more than 2-3 times a day. This is actually a counterproductive measure.
Moisturize Your Skin
Even if your skin type is oily or acne-prone, it’s important to moisturize. Particularly in the case of sensitive skin. Gentle, hypoallergenic body lotions contain soothing and nourishing ingredients that boost overall skin condition and health.
Last Words
It goes without saying that a body wash or soap that works for your sensitive skin might not for someone else. And vice versa. But one thing’s for sure though that the formulations I’ve shortlisted are infused with all the right ingredients i.e. ingredients that don’t trigger skin irritation, itchiness, or discomfort.
Whatever you choose, make sure the list of ingredients doesn’t include artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates, etc. Because these are harsh components commonly added to commercial skincare products that not only aggravate sensitive skin but also cause breakouts.
In that case, you’re in safe hands as long as you select a product from this list. No acne, no redness, no itchiness; all that irritation is all in the past now!
