I Refuse to Shower Without Having at Least One of These 15 Bodywashes on Hand

Your dry, cranky skin doesn't stand a chance.

Mishti Rahman wears an oversized white robe while visiting Atlantis The Royal

(Image credit: @mishti.rahman)

Dry skin may be more prevalent during the cold temperatures and crisp air of the winter months, but there's nothing seasonal about it. Sure, for some people, their natural skin texture may return in summer, but for others, harmful UV rays in between sunscreen sessions or moisture-stripping salt water and chlorine may exacerbate dryness. When our skin isn't hydrated, it runs the risk of looking parched and flaky while feeling tight and itchy. The good news is that there are easy ways to avoid it with minimal effort.

No matter when it makes its appearance, dry skin can be brought back to life. Moisturizing body lotions, butters, and oils are often regarded as the first line of defense, but don't count out the benefits of using a moisture-boosting bodywash. Keep scrolling to learn more about which ingredients to look for while selecting the best bodywash for your dry skin, and see our official edit of the best products for the job.

What Are the Best Ingredients for Dry Skin?

When shopping for a bodywash that will revive and nourish your skin at its driest state, start by scanning the back of products to learn more about which ingredients make up the formulas. (Not all of them will actually make a difference in the health of your skin.) There are many bodywashes that promise to deliver skin that's healthy and hydrated, but it's important to pay attention to what's in their formulas. Below are the ingredients to keep a look out for that can do everything from supporting moisture retention to strengthening the skin barrier.

  • Hyaluronic Acid: a humectant known for its unique ability to attract and retain moisture, leaving the skin plump, smooth, and hydrated
  • Shea Butter: an emollient rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that provides a protective barrier for the skin against dryness
  • Niacinamide: works to improve the skin's moisture barrier while also combating redness, inflammation, and uneven textures
  • Ceramides: naturally occurring lipids present in the skin that support the moisture barrier by keeping it hydrated and youthful-looking
  • Mineral Oil: helps lock moisture into the skin barrier, a key ingredient for defending against dryness while promoting moisture retention
  • Glycerin: a humectant that helps moisturize and protect the skin from signs of aging (reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles)

Wondering which bodywashes this beauty editor would use to combat dry skin? Keep scrolling to discover the 15 products I've used over the course of my career (and far preceding it) that have made a notable different in the overall look, feel, and health of my skin backed by glowing five-star reviews from customers who can attest to the benefits each of them provides in and out of the shower. Warning: Once you start adding these nourishing bodywashes to your shower routine, you'll wonder why you ever bothered taking one without them.

The Best Bodywashes for Dry Skin, Listed

Amaka Hamelijnck puts her glowy skin on display

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Megan Adelaide wears a James Street Co. outfit while lounging on the bed

(Image credit: @meganadeliade)

Claire Most lays poolside with hydrated, healthy skin

(Image credit: @claire_most)

How We Chose

When it comes to landing on the best products for a well-rounded beauty lineup, personal recommendations always take center stage. To create this edit, I began by rounding up the hydrating bodywashes that have claimed a permanent spot in my shower and bodycare collection over the past few weeks, months, and years, before tapping my fellow beauty editors for their favorite formulas. As I composed my list, I also took the customer reviews of cult-favorite formulas into consideration. From there, I was able to land on the top 15 bodywashes on the market that can be trusted to transform dry skin into a hydrated, healthy masterpiece.

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Maya Thomas
Associate Beauty Editor

Maya Thomas is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.