We Tested 26 Body Washes for Dry Skin—These 8 Kept Our Skin Hydrated for Hours (2025)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, açaí oil | Size: 13 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We’re giving top honors to this body wash from Sol de Janeiro because, simply put, it has it all. A creamy, luxurious texture, a satisfying lather, and amazing scent made this pick an easy winner with our tester—and the long-lasting hydration it provided was just the cherry on top. He found that he only needed a bit of product to create an efficient, foamy lather, and it left behind a soothing, nourishing feel upon rinsing. After each use, he noticed that his skin felt more and more hydrated—and that hydration lasted well throughout the day. This is due to the moisturizing formula, which contains naturally derived hydrating ingredients, like cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, and coconut oil to deeply nourish dry skin types. While the body wash felt gentle on the skin, it still cleansed well and removed sweat and oils without leaving residue. The decadent fragrance, which has notes of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla, just makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

Mikey, tester: “The Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Play Body Wash is an absolute dream. It provides a deep cleanse, works very well to hydrate the skin, and has a beautiful and bright fragrance.”

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vegetable glycerides | Size: 30.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A body wash that feels luxe and hydrating doesn’t have to break the bank—and we love this option from Dove that’s only $9 for over 30 ounces. It provides long-lasting moisture (up to 24 hours, according to the brand) while staying gentle on the skin—making it a great choice for all skin types. Our tester was a big fan of the rich and creamy texture and the clean, fresh scent that was subtle but lingered after rinsing. She has dry, sensitive skin and often gets rough patches in the winter, and she noticed that they were healing gradually with continued use of the body wash. It removed sweat and oils easily, but she thought it would’ve felt like a deeper clean if it lathered better. However, the mild formula didn’t cause any irritation and left the skin feeling moisturized—so we love it for those with dehydrated and sensitive skin. Another plus is that it comes with so much product, and a little goes a long way, so this pick should last you a while.

Brittany, tester: “This body wash does a great job of hydrating my skin—throughout the day, my skin felt moisturized and didn't dry out. I also like that it comes in a large bottle that makes me feel like I don't have to be precious with how much I need to use.”

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, rice extract | Size: 28 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Your daily shower—especially in the colder months—can lead to skin that feels stripped and more parched than usual. A body wash that can add hydration with daily use, like this one from Method, is a must for the winter. Made with natural hydrating ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and glycerin, this pick was the first body wash our tester has used that didn’t leave her skin feeling dehydrated. It has a thin, gel texture that feels soft on the skin, and you only need one pump to create a strong, bubbly lather. She was a big fan of the refreshing coconut smell that lasted for hours and loved that it came in an easy-to-use pump bottle. After using, she said that applying lotion didn’t feel necessary since her skin was so hydrated—and that moisture lasted for the rest of the day. It immediately nourished her skin and made it increasingly more moisturized as she continued using it. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a thorough cleanse while keeping your skin balanced.

Ashley, tester: “This body wash has quickly become my go-to in my shower routine. I love the way it leaves my skin feeling during application and after. The pump container makes it very easy to use in the shower, and the smell is so soothing.”

Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

While not necessarily a body wash, this body cleansing oil from L'Occitane earned its place on our list for its deeply moisturizing and softening properties. Formulated with almonds grown in Provence, it uses a blend of sweet almond oil and vitamin E to cleanse and nourish dry skin. Instead of bubbling like a standard soap, it creates a creamy, milky texture once mixed with water for a subtle lather that glides on the skin and rinses easily. Immediately upon washing, our tester noticed that her skin was dramatically softer and smoother, saying it felt like she applied lotion in the shower. It only took one use to make a difference in the hydration of her skin, and she loved the “healthy-looking glow” that it provided with continued use. Since it’s so good at smoothing and sealing in hydration, she also noted that it makes a great base for shaving. We’re huge fans of the supersweet almond scent, but it might be too strong for those who are sensitive to heavier fragrances.

Erica, tester: “I like that this product has a luxurious, elevated feel that turns a routine shower into something more special. It's like an indulgent treat for specific moments—an everything shower, a spa day, a self-care moment—rather than a mainstay product in your everyday routine.”

Key Ingredients: Glycerin | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Whether you hate using too many products or have a limited shower space, a multipurpose body wash like this one can cut your routine in half. The serum-like texture of this Soft Services cleanser makes it work as a shaving lubricant as well—no separate shaving cream needed. As a body wash, it has a lightweight consistency that feels silky on the skin and “creates the perfect amount of lather,” according to our tester. After rinsing, no residue is left behind—only ultrasoft skin that became more hydrated as the testing period went on. When used before shaving, he noted that it left his skin feeling moisturized and never stripped. Its light texture and sudsy lather make it enjoyable to use every day, and we also love that it’s soothing for those with easily irritated skin.

Derek, tester: “With most body washes, I find that it leaves my skin feeling slightly drier than usual, but this one immediately leaves my skin with a satisfying softness. When used as a shaving lubricant, it also leaves a nourishing feel to the skin. Over the long term, I noticed that my body skin felt more soft and hydrated. “

Key Ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide | Size: 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Dealing with sensitive and dry skin simultaneously can be tricky, as many rich, moisturizing products contain ingredients that cause irritation—such as essential oils and fragrance. La Roche-Posay is one of our favorite brands because they use soothing ingredients, like their patented prebiotic thermal water, niacinamide, and more, that won't irritate sensitive skin types. This cleanser is no different—it contains its signature ingredients as well as glycerin and shea butter for extra hydration. It gave our tester’s skin a deep clean while still being gentle on the complexion, and her skin felt softer after using—no stripped feeling here. It has virtually no fragrance and didn’t cause any irritation, which is a must for sensitive skin types. She found that it healed her itchy and flaky skin after using it consistently, and she was even able to use it on her 5-year-old’s eczema. We also love that it can be used on the body and face, and our tester found that it helped to balance the oil production in her complexion overall.

Ashley, tester: “I have used a handful of cleansers over the years, including moisturizing body washes, but this one is by far the most gentle I've ever had. It gets the job done without a strong scent or leaving residue behind.”

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol | Size: 16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When choosing a hydrating body wash, Dr. Garshick recommends options that contain hyaluronic acid, a humectant that can “draw in and retain moisture effectively,” she says. This one is formulated with two forms of the ingredient—hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate (an easier-to-absorb derivative)—for maximum hydrating power. It’s also filled with other skin-nourishing ingredients to keep the complexion soothed and soft, like glycerin, panthenol, and vitamin B12. Our tester was obsessed with its unique consistency, which starts off as a gel and turns into oil once it’s mixed with water. She found it lightweight but still hydrating, and her skin felt softer instantly. Since it cleansed without stripping the skin of its natural oils, she loved it as her daily shower gel. Compared to other hydrating body washes she's tried, she notes this is her absolute favorite thus far.

Shiri, tester: “This body wash did a great job of making my skin feel cleansed without feeling dry or stripped of moisture. It felt super hydrating upon application and right after.”

Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable glycerin | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Shea butter is another excellent ingredient for hydrating dry skin—it’s a favorite of Dr. Steve Xu, a board-certified dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine—for its nourishing properties. It’s the star ingredient in this body wash from Buttah Skin, alongside other natural moisturizing ingredients such as cocoa butter, purslane extract, and marshmallow root extract. Our tester, who has dry and textured skin, was a big fan of this pick. Not only did it smell amazing (it has notes of white lily, rose, and vanilla), but it had a luxurious, creamy texture that lathered easily and immediately softened the skin. It provided a deep clean without dehydrating her complexion, which she found especially impressive since she has a habit of scrubbing her skin harshly while in the shower. Her skin became increasingly moisturized with each use, and she loved that it never left a residue or caused irritation.

Ashley, tester: “My skin felt so soft and hydrated just after one use, and I loved using it every single day in the shower. My skin felt hydrated throughout the day, and I noticed a difference in the dryness level of my skin if I skipped using it that day.”

FAQ

• Can a body wash help with dry skin?

  While you should apply lotion after showering, your body wash can absolutely be effective when it comes to hydration. “A body wash for dry skin helps cleanse without removing moisture, thanks to ingredients that can lock in hydration,” says Dr. Xu. “These washes nourish the skin, keeping it soft and smooth instead of leaving it flaky and dry.” Adding one to your routine—especially in the winter—can keep dehydrated skin at bay.

• How often should you use a body wash for dry skin?

  You can absolutely use one every day—or any time you shower. Since the majority of them are made with moisturizing, skin-beneficial ingredients, you’ll benefit more if used often. There’s a variety of rich and lightweight options on the market, so you can choose which works best for you based on the season.

• Is body wash or soap better for dry skin?

  “Body wash is often preferred to soap as it often contains mild surfactants and added moisturizing ingredients, with a less harsh pH compared to soap,” says Dr. Garshick. If you have dry skin, a body wash can definitely keep your skin more hydrated than a standard soap. That being said, if you prefer soap, Dr. Xu says you should reach for options that are glycerin- or cream-based.