The 9 Best Moisturizing Body Washes, Tested & Reviewed
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Whether you like to take an “everything shower” or, like me, are out in eight minutes flat, we all need one thing: soap. And there are plenty to choose from. However, if you’re like me, your post-shower routine also involves slathering yourself with lotion. As someone who is admittedly quite lazy when it comes to personal care, I am on a perpetual quest for products that make my life easier and more efficient. (So, in this case, eliminating the lotion altogether.) Enter the best moisturizing body washes. From CeraVe to Naturium to Olay, Dove and Kosas, these are nine that I, along with PureWow editors and testers, have vetted and confirmed leave your skin soft, smooth and hydrated.
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The Best Moisturizing Body Wash at a Glance
Meet the Expert
Dr. Purvisha Patel is a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon based in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the founder and owner of Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Associates. Additionally, Dr. Patel is the founder of Visha Skincare, a brand that provides simple, effective solutions for various skin concerns. Her patented US-made products address issues like acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, cellulite, stretch marks and more.
How I Chose the Best Moisturizing Body Wash
To compile this list of the best moisturizing body washes, I consulted Dr. Patel on her preferred brands. I also combed through data and reviews on platforms like Google Trends and Reddit to ascertain the most popular and best-performing products. Ultimately, I considered nearly 20 brands and, along with a testing team, tried about 15 formulas before narrowing it down to the nine below. When evaluating the body washes, we considered how well they hydrated our skin, scent and ease of use.
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1. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
CeraVe’s Hydrating Body Wash is my overall pick for the best moisturizing body wash because it’s widely accessible, affordable and hydrating. The formula is super creamy, almost like lotion, but not greasy. My skin runs normal-to-dry, and when using bar soap, my legs often become scaly if I don’t apply lotion, especially in drier climates. However, after using the CeraVe body wash (while visiting my hometown in California), I noticed that it had solved my reptilian skin problem after a couple days. The formula is also incredibly gentle, with a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association. The only drawback is that the scent is a bit waxy, but it doesn’t linger.
2. Dove Revitalizante Body Wash
“I’ve been using Dove for years, as it’s been a staple in my home and continues to be my go-to, especially for my dry, sensitive skin. It has a rich lather that spreads nicely. There are many iterations and I have a bunch of favorites, but the Revitalizante features a mix of cherry and chia milk that best cleanses and moisturizes my skin. Oh, and the scent is wonderful. Honestly, it’s the best-smelling body wash I’ve ever used.” - PureWow associate editor Chelsea Candelario
3. Naturium The Glow Getter Body Wash
Naturium’s The Glow Getter Body Wash was another winner for me, breezily taking care of my reptilian skin without needing an extra boost of moisturizer. It’s packed with plenty of ingredients that do the job brilliantly including glycerin, squalane, jojoba, rosehip and sea buckthorn oils. The formula has a gel-like consistency that borders on an oil, but is by no means greasy. When worked into the skin, it becomes rich and viscous with a mild lather. The scent is also lovely, a mix of coconut, vanilla and florals, though I think some might find it too heady.
4. Nécessaire The Body Wash
“This body wash feels so lovely and lathers just the right amount without turning into a full-on bubble bath. As someone who almost always opts for the ‘scent free’ version of body care, I actually enjoy the Hinoki scent and appreciate that it lingers just a little bit when you get out of the shower but isn't overpowering and doesn't stick to my clothes. My skin definitely feels well moisturized after using it. A little goes a long way, so you know the bottle will last you for a while and you really get your money’s worth.” - PureWow fashion editor Abby Hepworth
5. La Roche Posay Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
“I love this brand because the products are really high quality, but the prices aren’t inhibitive. I especially love having this body wash in my arsenal since it doubles—nay triples!—as a body wash, a face wash and baby wash. Yes, at the suggestion of my dermatologist, I use this on my baby since it’s super delicate and moisturizing for both of us!” - PureWow executive editor Dara Katz
6. Welcos Strawberry Milk Body Cleanser
“The Welcos Kwailnara Strawberry Milk Body Cleanser has gone viral on TikTok a number of times and for good reason. It’s a really lightweight, milky body cleanser with a fantastic lather and it makes your skin smell softly of strawberries. The scent is very sweet, so it may not be for everyone, but I personally love how fruity it is. More importantly, the milky wash is very moisturizing, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. It’s definitely one that I plan on repurchasing.” - PureWow assistant editor Delia Curtis
7. Kosas Good Body Exfoliating Body Wash
The Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash is quite impressive, featuring exfoliating AHAs and fruit enzymes that brighten the skin, mandelic acids to heal blemishes and allantoin to sooth and condition. It’s available in two scents, “Beachy Clean” and “Juicy Clean.” Our tester, Anna Vitacco, says, “My legs were noticeably smoother after using this and I have an old shaving scar that's starting to fade.” She also reports that it has the consistency of a typical shower gel, but won’t produce as much lather. The only other drawback she noted: As with other acid products, it does have a distinct, though mild smell that is noticeable but not unpleasant.
8. Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash
When it comes to beauty brands, Olay is a staple, and as it turns out, they make a good moisturizing body wash, too. “I found it noticeably more moisturizing than other body washes I’ve used, and it lathers well and has a super nice scent,” says our tester, Annie Tsai. “The texture leaned more towards the gel cream side of a lotion. My skin felt noticeably moisturized after getting out of the shower, but not oily or sticky.” Key ingredients include vitamin B, shea butter and niacinamide.
9. Aveeno Oat Body Wash
At $13, Aveeno’s Oat Body Wash is one of the most affordable picks on this list. Going in, I had mild expectations for it, as I grew up on the brand’s lotion, which was one of two staples in my parents’ house. Verdict: Hydrating, but probably better for those whose skin runs normal-to-oily. Since mine is drier, I noticed that the body wash did reduce the dry patches of skin, but it didn’t eliminate them like other products had. Overall, it’s a nice gel formula with a hint of richness and pleasant scent.
What to Consider When Buying Moisturizing Body Wash
When shopping for a moisturizing body wash, Dr. Patel advises prioritizing ingredients that will trap moisture, therefore hydrating and nourishing your skin. “Hydrating ingredients include shea butter, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and natural oils like coconut oil or argan oil,” she tells me, adding that fragrance-free is preferred. Additionally, look for mild surfactants (surface-active agents that are the key cleansers) that won’t strip away as much oil from your skin. According to Dr. Patel, “Mildness is determined by the chemical structure and interaction with the skin.” She cites cocamidopropyl betaine as a mild surfactant, which derives from coconut oil.
Another thing to keep in mind is packaging. While pumps are one of the least-recyclable aspects of beauty packaging, they can be crucial to accessibility. As I was researching products, I noticed that some buyers mentioned that because they have arthritis, the condition makes it incredibly difficult to hold and squeeze a bottle. If you or the person you’re shopping for experience mobility issues, a pump will make the process more convenient. (But if you can squeeze, avoiding pumps is more eco-friendly!)
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
