How to choose the best body wash for your skin type

The best body wash for your skin type depends on your skin’s needs, says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm.

For dry skin, opt for gentle cleansers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, in a cream or lotion texture. “Cream cleansers gently cleanse using natural oils, making them ideal for sensitive or dry skin,” she says. The same goes for mature skin, though Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, also suggests ingredients that encourage cell turnover and improve the appearance of fine lines, such as lactic and glycolic acid.

If you have oily or acne prone-skin, look for salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help manage breakouts. “Foaming and gel formulations are effective for oily skin, as they work to dissolve excess oil that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.” If your skin is rough or bumpy, or you have keratosis pilaris, Dr. Rambhia recommends an exfoliating body wash with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to smooth texture.

For extremely sensitive skin, avoid fragrances and potential irritants like dyes, she adds.

When should you apply body wash?

While there’s no hard-and-fast rule on the order, some dermatologists suggest shampooing and conditioning before body washing, so the product can sit on your scalp while you clean the rest of your body.

Dr. Greenfield recommends using gentle circular motions to avoid rubbing harshly or in any way that’s traumatising to the skin.

Is body wash better than bar soap?

According to Dr. Rambhia, body wash isn’t necessarily better than bar soap, but if you have dry or sensitive skin it can help boost hydration. If sustainability is a concern, bar soaps have a longer shelf life. But keep in mind that they can harbour bacteria, so if you’re using a bar soap, make sure it is yours exclusively and not shared with other members of the household, says Dr. Greenfield.

Is there a difference between body wash and shower gel?

“Although used interchangeably, body wash and shower gel are different skin-care products,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Both clean skin in the shower, but their consistency is slightly different, which means they can be better or worse for certain skin types.” A shower gel is a gel-consistency, and less lotion-y and hydrating. The gels are generally combined with lots of scents, perfumes, and although newer versions exist that can be tolerated by sensitive skin, they wouldn’t be the best choice for someone with dry, irritated, or sensitive skin. “Body washes, on the other hand, are classically a softer, more lotion-y, creamy product, which has the job of cleansing the skin in the shower, but also often leaves moisturising ingredients on the skin,” says Dr. Nazarian.