I remember the first time I realized I was sensitive to many fragrance-enhanced products. I was around 10 and I was so excited to try this new bodywash that my mom picked up for me at the drugstore. You see, before that, I mostly was a bar soap person, but somehow I got my mom to buy me a bodywash and a loofah. I felt very grown-up and cool.
Taking a shower was fun (who thought it could ever be fun?) but then about an hour later I noticed it—the itchiness. I even saw some rashes forming all over my body. I started freaking out. My mom realized it was probably allergic contact dermatitis and promptly threw the bottle of bodywash away and told me we were going back to bar soaps for the time being.
Eventually, I did find bodywashes that weren't irritating—the trick was to look for things without any or very minimal fragrance. And interestingly enough, I'm back to being a bar soap person now, but that's another story.
For the times I turn to bodywashes, though, I make sure they're fragrance-free and good for sensitive skin. Luckily, nowadays there are so many options for anyone who's avoiding fragrance. If you have a similar sensitive skin issue, or just don't like the added fragrance, take a look at some options below.
1. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
Enriched with oat, this bodywash will nourish the skin and soften any dryness. The sensitive skin product is also soap-free so it won't dry out the skin.
2. Nécessaire The Body Wash
In addition to a fragrance-free version, Nécessaire's bodywash also comes in bergamot, eucalyptus, and sandalwood scents. The gel-oil cleanser features niacinamide, vitamins A, B3, C and E, omegas 6 and 9, antioxidants, and oils (like marula, cacay, and meadowfoam).
3. Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash
Formulated for sensitive skin, this bodywash contains gentle ingredients, plant-based nutrients, and moisturizers. It's a sulfate-free, hypoallergenic formula.
4. Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Vanicream's line of products are just so easy on sensitive skin. The cream is my go-to when my skin is freaking out and feeling itchy and irritated. The bodywash works well on dry skin and is free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers.
5. Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser
This creamy body cleanser contains passionfruit oil to moisturize; a multi amino acid blend to soothe; and an ultra-mild surfactant blend which cleanses the skin without stripping it dry.
6. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
Dry skin doesn't stand a chance with CeraVe's hydrating bodywash. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which traps moisture and moisturizers, respectively.
7. Skinfix Eczema+ Foaming Oil Body Wash
If you're dealing with eczema, you're going to have to give this bodywash a try. The mild, sulfate-free product contains coconut cleansers which effectively and gently lift away dirt. Other soothing ingredients include aloe vera juice and jojoba, sunflower, and apricot kernel oils.
8. Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash
You get 24 hours' worth of dryness protection and relief with this bodywash. It's got ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, avocado oil, and sweet almond oil for intense moisturizer.
9. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+
Both a face and bodywash, this foaming product is designed for dry and sensitive skin. The soap-free formula contains glycerin, niacinamide, shea butter, and La Roche-Posay thermal water.
10. Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
You can use this cleansing oil for your bath routine, too. Just pour five pumps into the bath. The oil can help you deal with itching that comes with atopic dermatitis and eczema.
11. Babo Botanicals Sensitive Skin Fragrance Free Hydra Therapy Wash
With plant-based ingredients (like natural oat protein and organic calendula), this gentle bodywash nourishes, protects, and relieves itchy and sensitive skin.
12. Honest Shampoo + Body Wash, Sensitive
Yes, this is a two-in-one product that's actually good. Both a shampoo and bodywash, the formula works well on all skin types and will leave your skin and scalp feeling nourished and soft.
More Fragrance-Free Body Products
I'm also a huge fan of Nécessaire's body lotion. It's just so nourishing and treats my dry skin so quickly. I love that it sinks into the skin really well and doesn't leave me feeling greasy.
A lot of sunscreens have fragrances, and some are even "hidden." Coola's is 100% free of it. The lightweight product is enriched with antioxidant-rich red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract.
When your skin is super parched, reach for this ultra-moisturizing lotion. It provides up to 48 hours of moisture protection.
Exfoliation is key to getting your skin softer and smoother. This leave-on exfoliant contains 2% salicylic acid to get rid of any buildup and smooth any bumpy skin.
This rich cream will rescue dry skin thanks to key ingredients like 15% healthy fats (to restore the skin barrier), 2% colloidal oatmeal (to soothe), and ceramides (for moisture retention).
Weightless and silky, Osea's body lotion works for all skin types. It contains seaweed, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Here's a stellar drugstore find to give your skin some TLC. The lightweight sesame oil formula absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy finish.
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