With sensitive skin, you’ve got to be careful about what ingredients you expose your delicate skin to. You have to choose skincare products that don’t bother any existing troubles. On top of that, you should stay away from elements that give rise to more skin sensitivities.
What your sensitive skin demands instead is a soothing, hydrating formula for moisturizing your skin and providing relief from eczema flare-ups or mere skin irritation. That said, you might want to have a look at the top 18 list I have compiled for you below.
Every single best body washes for sensitive skin is specifically crafted for keeping irritation at bay. Meaning they’re all hypoallergenic to a certain degree.
The 18 Best Sensitive Skin Body Washes Reviews
Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash
Aveeno is a brand often synonymous with hypoallergenic skincare products. They are responsible for providing you with the best body lotions, body washes, and more that are specifically created for sensitive skin. And this fragrance-free body wash is no different.
The solution contains colloidal oatmeal, which works as a very effective natural skin protectant. The soothing effect of colloidal oatmeal is the best for skin sensitivities. Plus, the ingredient contains plenty of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
Aveeno is also dermatologist-recommended because it’s dye-free, fragrance-free, soap-free, and allergy-tested.
Key Features
Soothing relief from itchy, dry skin
Nourishing colloidal oatmeal
Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-recommended
Dove Hypoallergenic Sensitive Skin Body Wash
This hypoallergenic formulation made it to every best body wash 2019 list. And it is bound to make it to every 2020 list as well. Dove is a brand that doesn’t require an introduction. They provide special care for those dealing with sensitive skin.
It’s a soap-free, soothing body wash with NutriumMoisture. This helps in maintaining the natural moisture barrier of your skin. And it prevents dryness and skin irritation. Just one wash and your skin starts to feel smoother and softer.
Key Features
pH balanced, mild, and cruelty-free
Moisturizing Nutrium Moisture technology
Sulfate-free, thus a gentle body wash
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
After Aveeno, this is yet another best body wash for sensitive skin dermatologist recommended. Cetaphil cleanses your skin in the gentlest manner without destroying any natural moisture or protection.
Nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, marigold flower extract, and Vitamin B5 are added. So your sensitive skin is bound to feel nourished, soft, and smooth.
It’s designed for daily use and for all types of skin. Plus, the soothing fragrance does a great job of awakening your senses.
Key Features
Hypoallergenic with natural, soothing ingredients
Dermatologist-recommended and fragrance-free
Refreshing, clean scent
Nivea Men Sensitive 3-in-1 Body Wash
The list of the best body wash on Amazon includes Nivea Men Sensitive. This is a very suitable choice for men with sensitive skin. It’s got the power to make your skin feel refreshed and clean like no other.
With natural ingredients, the formulation soothes and cares for really irritated skin. At the same time, it improves your skin’s natural defenses. Thanks to natural, skin-soothing bamboo extract. And all this removing of the dirt and impurities happens without creating dryness.
Key Features
Dye-free, soap-free, and alcohol-free
Thoroughly cleanses and soothes with bamboo extract
Very light, non-irritating scent
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap
The first on the list, a vegan, organic body wash by none other than Dr. Bronner’s. This Pure Castile Liquid Soap contains organic, Fair Trade-certified ingredients.
The fact that no synthetic preservatives, foaming agents, and thickeners are involved means the body wash is a great choice for your skin and the environment. It gets your sensitive skin clean without causing any irritation or flare-up.
If you ask me, it’s an ideal solution for kids, pets, and even for all-purpose cleaning and washing.
Key Features
Made with organic oils
All-natural, cruelty-free, and fully biodegradable
Multiple uses include skincare, mopping, laundry, etc.
CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
This hydrating body wash is equipped with a very popular and effective ingredient known as hyaluronic acid. There’s no other skincare ingredient that attracts moisture as well as hyaluronic acid.
The formulation is further equipped with emollients for moisturizing your sensitive skin. Then there are essential ceramides for repairing the natural protective barrier of the skin.
No doubt, it’s a non-irritating, gentle formula free of parabens, sulfates, and soap, thus ideal for sensitive skin.
Key Features
Non-comedogenic body wash
Moisture-infusing hyaluronic acid
Accepted by National Eczema Association
Puracy Natural Body Wash
Make way for the best natural body wash for sensitive skin that contains only plant-based ingredients. The first is coco glycinate, which is a coconut-based surfactant. It’s responsible for producing a fluffy foam to leave the skin feeling moisturized and soft.
The second is vegetable glycerin for keeping your skin smooth and silky. And the third very beneficial plant-based ingredient is pink Himalayan sea salt. This naturally hydrates, balances, and exfoliates sensitive skin.
You can use it on a daily basis, no matter your skin type.
Key Features
Hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and plant-based
Suitable for all skin types of women and men
Vegan cleansers and vegetable-derived moisturizers
Bioderma Atoderm Moisturizing and Cleansing Oil
The shower oil by Bioderma does the job of soothing and protecting even the most sensitive skin. And this is made possible only because of the combination of Barrier Skin Therapy, Vitamin PP, and vegetal bio lipids.
The bio lipids soothe skin tightness and increase skin protection. Vitamin PP helps in recreating your skin’s protective barrier. And Skin Barrier Therapy prevents the onset of bacteria that often causes skin irritation.
So how about boosting your sensitive skin’s tolerance threshold with this cleansing and moisturizing oil?
Key Features
Creamy, silky cleansing oil for sensitive, dry skin
Non-greasy and lightly scented
Vitamin PP for skin barrier rebuilding
Everyone 3-in-1 Soap Body Wash
The 3-in-1 soap body washes formulated by Everyone consist of a shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath. You can even use it as a shaving gel. You’ll find nothing but pure essential oils in this formulation.
Plant extracts such as aloe vera, white tea, calendula, chamomile, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B5. All these ingredients are great for sensitive skin in the sense that they make it feel refreshed, soothed, clean, and moisturized.
Key Features
Pure lavender and aloe essential oils
Gentle coconut cleansers with organics plant extracts
Gluten-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free
Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
If there’s any body wash for sensitive itchy skin, it’s this one right here. Eucerin is all about cleansing your sensitive skin gently without causing excess dryness, thus no skin irritation. The mild formulation helps in retaining essential moisture as well.
Natural lipids and nourishing omega oils are added to the formula. So your sensitive skin can feel comfortable and calm. And to make matters even more comfortable and soothing, the body wash contains no artificial fragrances and dyes.
Key Features
Immediate relief from sensitive itchy skin
Enriched with natural omega oils
Soap-free and fragrance-free
Sebamed Paraben-Free Liquid Face and Body Wash
You don’t just want a body wash that suits sensitive skin, you want one that eliminates surface build-up and pore-clogging lipids from sensitive skin. If yes, then do consider buying this paraben-free face and body formulation by Sebamed.
The solution consists of a combination of moisturizing complex Pentavitin and Allantoin and vitamins. These wash away, moisturize and clean your skin thoroughly. Needless to say, Sebamed is hypoallergenic and dermatologist-recommended.
It helps deal with the most common sensitive skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, contact dermatitis, acne, and the like.
Key Features
Vitamin enriched and hypoallergenic
Lightly scented and gentle for atypical skin conditions
Soothing Allantoin and hydrating Pentavin
Tree to Tub Gentle Moisturizing Body Wash
If you ask me what’s there to like about Tree to Tub here, I’d say everything. After all, this pH-balanced, organic body wash is packed with wild grown soapberries. This particular ingredient refreshes and cleanses sensitive skin without drying it.
There are deep moisture, organic botanicals for easing irritation, hydrating, and nourishing. Such as calming aloe vera, chamomile, and cucumber, along with shea butter and coconut cleansers.
Relaxing lavender essential oil is also included. And bonus points for no sulfates, parabens, gluten, artificial fragrances, etc.
Key Features
Organic healing and moisture botanicals
Soothing, pH-balancing wild soapberry
Dermatologist-recommended for sensitive and dry skin
Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Presenting a very simple yet incredibly effective body wash formulated for avoiding the most common skin sensitivities and irritation. The formulation has zero masking fragrances, harsh parabens, and the like. It’s plenty gentle for the most sensitive skin even.
You can expect the complete elimination of unwanted oils and dirt. It leaves your skin feeling soft and clean without the use of any sulfates, gluten, etc. To be totally honest with you, finding a fragrance-free, non-drying body wash like this is next to impossible.
The thicker texture and moisturizing, gentle properties here are certainly hard to beat in comparison to regular cleansers.
Key Features
Unscented and gentle for pregnant women and babies
Made with organic calendula, shea butter, and olive oil
Clinically tested and dermatologist tested for irritation
Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash
For those with sensitive skin who prefer using pure Castile liquid soap, here’s Earth Mama for you. And this body wash is a formulation specifically created for little ones. It’s a safe and gentle choice for pregnant women too.
Infused with organic oils and herbs like olive oil, calendula, and shea butter, the body wash cares for delicate skin like no other. You can use it on the body and hair. And you can use it for your baby and yourself.
It’s clinically tested and dermatologist tested to ensure complete safety. With no teratogens, sulfates, phthalates, triclosan, artificial fragrances, and other such harsh chemicals.
Key Features
Unscented, gentle body wash for babies
Made with skin-soothing calendula
Organic oils and herbs included
Dove Men + Care Sensitive Shield Body & Face Wash
Men with sensitive skin can make the most of this best luxury body wash by an affordable brand like Dove. Sensitive Shield features the brand’s exclusive Sensitive Shield technology. This hypoallergenic nature of the formula keeps breakouts, flare-ups, rashes, itching, etc. at bay.
Then comes MicroMoisture technology for fighting skin dryness. Sensitive skin is bound to tolerate a formulation like this in the long run as well. Plus, it has a very pleasant, subtle masculine scent your senses might find incredibly refreshing.
Key Features
Hypoallergenic Sensitive Shield technology
Dryness-fighting MicroMoisture ingredients
Suitable for treating eczema
Kiss My Face Fragrance Free Moisturizing Body Wash
How about taking into consideration an aromatherapeutic moisturizing shower gel like this one? It’s got plant-based cleansers like Vitamin E, aloe, and olive oil. On top of that, the product is cruelty-free AND vegan.
Olive oil and aloe soothe and moisturize the skin. The former contains antioxidants, which are very beneficial for your skin. And the latter has a cocktail of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that nourish sensitive skin. Safe to say that your sensitive skin is in gentle hands.
Key Features
It’s a body wash and shower gel
Blended with plant-based cleansers and natural oils
Fragrance-free, paraben-free, and vegan
Aspen Kay Naturals Organic Oatmeal Soap Bar
The second-last option on the list is this organic oatmeal soap bar. Just the mere fact that oats are added is enough to prove that the skincare product is great for sensitive skin. Oats treat and soothe irritated skin. In fact, they even have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
What’s more is the addition of unrefined, organic shea butter and goats milk. Shea butter moisturizes deeply and thoroughly.
As for goats milk, it’s a very soothing ingredient for a combination of sensitive and dry skin. It’s got minerals and vitamins for fortifying your skin’s natural barrier. What more could you have asked for, right?
Key Features
Made with organic oils like olive, castor, palm, etc.
Skin-calming and exfoliating organic oats
Soap packaged in plastic-free, compostable, recycled material
The Yellow Bird Activated Charcoal Soap Bar
An ideal solution in the form of a soap bar for sensitive skin-associated issues like eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne. It features charcoal, which is suitable for all types of skin.
Only highest-grade, certified organic, and natural ingredients are used. The kind that don’t dry or irritate sensitive skin. Activated charcoal combines with moisturizing shea butter for getting rid of impurities and blemishes.
And there’s no denying just how calming and refreshing the natural scent of lavender and lemongrass essential oils is. Both have excellent antibacterial, astringent, and antifungal properties too.
Key Features
Zero sulfates, preservatives, and fragrances
Made with pure essential oils and organic botanical oils
Acne-fighting activated charcoal
Signs That Indicate You Have Sensitive Skin
In simple words, easily irritated skin gets termed as sensitive skin. But it’s not as simple as that. There are many symptoms of sensitive skin that have a lot in common with the symptoms of other common skin conditions like contact dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea.
So here are the following signs that indicate you have sensitive skin:
Very Reactive Skin
Common, everyday triggers like perfumes, detergents, soaps, skin care products, etc. cause flare-ups.
Skin Redness
When you have sensitive skin, a certain amount of redness is inevitable. This redness can be red bumps, red rashes, and even red dilated blood vessels known as telangiectasias.
Itchy Skin
Skin tightness and itchiness are a very common symptom of sensitivities. More often than not, it happens as a result of using too harsh products. Even hot water aggravates the condition. Or when the weather is very cold and/or dry.
Burning and Stinging
When the products you’re using are too strong, they can burn and sting your skin. As in the case of skincare products that contain alcohol. The burning and stinging may be temporary but the damage they cause can be very painful and uncomfortable.
Dry Skin
Underlying dryness is a sign your skin type is sensitive. And let me tell you that excessive dryness can also lead to the formation of breakouts. It’s not just too much oil but too much dryness also has the same negative impact on your skin.
Skin Rashes
Bumpy, flaky, red, or dry rashes occur only when sensitive skin is triggered by an external cause. And rashes are very difficult, painful, and uncomfortable to deal with. They mean that there is something you’re using on your skin that’s setting it off the wrong way.
Breakouts
Breakouts take the form of red, bumpy acne that looks like pustules. Having sensitive skin as well as acne is not a pretty picture. I don’t mean in terms of looks but in terms of caring for your skin.
You have to then choose non-irritating skincare products that not only treat breakouts but also prevent future ones.
Peeling and Flaking
With sensitive dry skin, peeling and flaking are common negative consequences. The worst news here is that deep peeling can often leave your skin painful and raw, thus prone to scarring and infection.
Frequent Sunburns
Needless to say, sensitive skin is more likely to suffer damage caused by the harsh and harmful rays of the sun. So all the more reason to apply a good broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen.
But not every sunscreen formula is packed with gentle ingredients. So if you have sensitive skin, then make sure you pick either titanium oxide or zinc oxide.
Ingredients to Include and Avoid for Sensitive Skin
The Best Ingredients
Aloe vera for treating itchy skin and moisturizing the skin.
Ceramides for strengthening the skin’s protective barrier.
Colloidal oatmeal for soothing skin sensitivities.
Glycerin and hyaluronic acid for attracting moisture.
Calendula for relieving inflammation and minimizing redness.
Chamomile for anti-inflammatory benefits.
Coconut oil for moisturizing sensitive, dry skin patches.
Allantoin for deeply moisturizing the skin.
Shea butter for reducing inflammation, itchiness, peeling, etc.
Vitamins for improving overall skin condition and health.
Omega oils for protecting against sun damage, dryness, redness, and the like.
Olive oil for moisturizing and providing antibacterial effects.
Cucumber for boosting hydrating and reducing skin irritation and redness.
Activated charcoal for removing deeper impurities and unclogging pores.
The Worst Ingredients
Parabens
Alcohol
Artificial fragrances and dyes
Benzoyl peroxide
Petroleum derivatives
Sulfates, including SLES and SLS
Physical exfoliants such as scrubs containing apricot, walnut, etc.
Choosing the Best Body Washes to Use on Sensitive Skin
When buying a body wash for treating and preventing skin sensitivities, you should keep in mind the following factors.
Water-Based Formula
With water-based ingredients, you can expect your skin to feel and look hydrated, well-nourished, and soft. You don’t want to infuse pore-clogging oils into your skin that are only going to cause more breakouts and acne.
Speaking of which, make sure the body wash is non-comedogenic. This label means it doesn’t clog pores and irritate the skin.
Moisturizing Ingredients
For infusing moisture into your sensitive skin, ingredients that work best are hyaluronic acid, coco glycinate, Vitamin E, aloe vera, shea butter, olive oil, etc.
It’s important for the formulation to add moisture instead of destroying it.
Natural Scent
Like you already know, sensitive skin and artificial fragrances don’t and shouldn’t go hand in hand. So it’s in the best interest of your delicate, damage-prone skin to keep away from synthetic fragrances and choose natural scents instead. Such as pure essential oils like lemongrass, lavender, etc.
Hypoallergenic Properties
Most of the body washes I’ve reviewed in this article are hypoallergenic. Meaning they’re specifically designed and dermatologist tested or recommended for sensitive skin.
Choose chemical-free formulations loaded with natural, organic ingredients. Such as hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, shea butter, etc.
How to Care for Sensitive Skin
To manage sensitive skin means to make a little extra effort when it comes to your skincare routine. The good part about this is that the efforts you have to make are simple and minimal.
1. Patch test everything you use
To prevent any form of skin irritation, it’s best to do the patch test. Apply a little bit of the skincare product on your hand. If you experience redness, itchiness, stinging, burning, and other such side effects, then don’t use that product again.
2. Avoid sun exposure
By that, I don’t mean to stay at home and don’t go out in the day at all. Instead what I mean is keep away from the sun as much as you can during peak hours. And whenever you do decide to go outdoors, don’t skip sunscreen.
3. Moisturize your skin
When you fail to moisturize your skin, you’re only just making matters worse. Body lotions, face creams, body washes, etc. with moisturizing ingredients keep your skin hydrated and healthy. And this goes a long way especially when your skin type is sensitive.
4. Don’t overuse skincare products
You might think over-cleansing adds more moisture, protection, etc., but that’s not the case. It has a very counterproductive effect.
Overusing a body wash only strips away your skin’s natural oils and moisture. And that, in turn, paves the way for more oil production, skin sensitivities, irritation, redness, and the like.
5. Don’t use hot water
Dry skin and sensitive skin do not do well when exposed to hot water. Instead, use lukewarm or cold water for your showers. Otherwise, your skin is bound to become even more sensitive and develop more dryness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I use body wash on a daily basis?
You should know that your skin is responsible for the production of natural oils that maintain hydration and elasticity. So if you wash your skin too often, you can destroy this natural protective barrier of moisture.
On the other hand, washing less often leads to the accumulation of grime, dirt, oil, and so on. So what you should do is use a body wash that doesn’t strip away your skin’s natural protection.
A formula equipped with plenty of moisturizing and cleansing ingredients that don’t cause dryness or skin irritation. Such as the ones I’ve reviewed in this post.
Q. Can I use body wash on the face?
In comparison to facial cleansers, body washes have harsher ingredients. Your skin on the face is more sensitive than your body.
So if you use a body wash on your face, it’s likely that this will cause dryness and even acne. Unless the formulation is the Sebamed Paraben-Free Liquid Face and Body Wash. There are many solutions like this one that is safe, gentle, and effective for the body and face.
Q. Can I use body wash as shampoo?
It may not be such a bad idea to use body wash for your hair once in a while. But it’s best not to make it a habit. That’s because the product is not designed to meet the demands of the scalp and hair.
And if you really want to incorporate a body wash cum shampoo, then go for options like the Nivea Men Sensitive 3-in-1 Body Wash I’ve reviewed.
Q. Body Wash vs. Bar Soap vs. Shower Gel: What’s Best for Sensitive Skin?
What is better in this regard? Let’s discuss each option clearly
Bar Soap
There’s just no denying that bar soaps are made using chemicals. Another ugly truth is that they’re processed in such a way that they tend to be harsh on the skin, thus causing excessive dryness.
In comparison to body washes, bar soaps don’t feature too many moisturizing ingredients. On top of that, they don’t even have the ability to get rid of grime and dirt because of the lack of enough antibacterial properties.
Body Wash
Needless to say, body wash formulations are abundantly moisturizing with more natural ingredients. However, even body washes don’t leave the much-needed antibacterial effect. Unless the formula contains oatmeal, lavender essential, lemongrass essential oil, chamomile, or olive oil.
Nevertheless, body washes are a great choice for healing the skin, unlike bar soaps.
Shower Gel
Liquid soap takes the form of shower gels. And these may not be as moisturizing as body washes but they’re definitely not as weak as bar soaps.
But if you have sensitive skin, your safest bet is using a body wash and not a shower gel.
Final Words
When you want to relieve sensitive skin issues like redness, itchiness, and breakouts, you have to choose your skincare products wisely. Especially the things you use on a daily basis, such as your body wash.
Make sure the formulation is free of chemicals, harsh cleansers, and artificial fragrances. Instead, look for natural, moisturizing ingredients. And the best part is that you don’t need to look for them yourself. I have already done that for you here.
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