Best Body Washes for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists

Once skin reacts to almost everything, it's vital to find body products that cater to sensitivities. "The key of a body wash that's appropriate for sensitive skin is that it will protect the skin barrier, be hydrating, and won't be drying or irritating," adds Hadley King, MD, a New York-based dermatologist.

Looking for branded products suitable for sensitive skin is a good start, but why not decide on another that gets a stamp of approval from a skin expert? Learn how to choose the best body cleanser for sensitive skin and which products have been recognized by dermatologists as gentle enough not to harm your skin.

Best Ingredients to Look for

If you ask Dr. King, her ideal formulation comprises lotion-based ingredients such as humectants, moisturizing agents, and occlusive agents. A quick refresher: humectants, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids are moisturizing compounds commonly found in cosmetics and skin care products (AHAs).

In plain words, emollients generally protect the skin barrier while enhancing both textural properties. Butters, oils, lipids, and fatty acids are all emollients.

Occlusives are, in a nutshell, oils and waxes that build a permanent coating on the skin that keeps existing moisture from leaving your skin.

Lipids, which include ceramides and squalene, are another class of moisturising and skin barrier-improving compounds to keep an eye out for. Breakouts occur when the skin's natural moisture barrier is breached, allowing bacteria and other microorganisms easy access.

Best Body washes for Sensitive Skin

Dr. Nazarian recommends using the best body wash for sensitive skin at a warm temperature rather than a hot one as a general best practice to reduce skin irritation, redness, and dryness. After washing or bathing, she advises strengthening the Health of your skin by hydrating and moisturizing "aggressively and rigorously" with creams and lotions.

Dove Body Wash, Sensitive Skin. Dove's Sensitive Skin Body Wash comes up regularly among dermatologists when discussing body cleansers for persons with sensitivities. Cream formulation is a favorite of doctors King and Nazarian.

"For patients with sensitive skin, this is my go-to product. Effectively cleanses the skin while being gentle on the skin barrier. "Dr. Nazarian explains this to us in Health. This body wash is hypoallergenic and formulated with the brand's Nutrium Moisture, a combination of lipids including glycerin, to replenish skin moisture levels.

Bioderma Atoderm Face and Body Cleansing Oil. Dr. Nazarian warns that using oil in the shower increases the risk of sliding and is not recommended. However, as he said, "the fatty barrier is highly strengthened with this specific product," a lipid-based cleanser beneficial for sensitive skin.

The cleaning body oil has almost 11,000 five-star reviews and is also recommended by dermatologists. Hydrating glycerin and vitamin B in the form of niacinamide, which increases hydration by preventing moisture from leaving, are the main components of this product.

Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body and Face Cleanser. As a soap-free gel cleanser, it prevents skin from drying out while preserving the skin's pH balance and protective layer. In addition, it includes omega oils and niacinamide to calm inflammatory skin, making it an excellent moisturizer.

Those with sensitivities will also enjoy that it's non-comedogenic (read: won't clog pores) and fragrance-free so that it won't aggravate the skin. This body wash is helpful because it delivers a one-two punch of hyaluronic acid and ceramides, "and both are critical building blocks for well-moisturized skin," explains Dr. Nazarian.

Sebamed Liquid Face and ' Body Wash for Sensitive Skin. When your skin's pH is off balance, some adverse effects might include redness, dryness, peeling skin, and general irritation. As a result, the pH of your body wash should not be altered.

According to Dr. Nazarian, the natural pH of Sebamed's Body Wash implies a reduced chance of irritation or inflammation thanks to a mix of vitamins Bs, including panthenol, which also aids in healthy skin cell renewal.

A crucial feature of all Sebamed products is that they never include parabens, which have been shown in tests to interfere with hormone function.

The Honest Company Eczema Soothing Therapy Body Wash. Dr. Nazarian recommends The Honest Company's Body Wash because it contains prebiotics, oats, and aloe, all soothing on sensitive and dry skin.

The last two items are household mainstays renowned for calming skin irritation (think oatmeal baths for chickenpox and aloe for sunburn) (think oatmeal baths for chickenpox and aloe for sunburn).

The Jessica Alba-founded brand's body wash is hypoallergenic and made with moisturizing coconut oil as an additional benefit.