When you have sensitive skin, even a basic, daily ritual of cleansing the skin can leave it dry and irritated. Even if you follow your shower up with a soothing and moisturizing skincare routine, you still need the best body wash for sensitive skin to prevent irritation in the first place. What characterizes these specialized body washes is that they are largely devoid of ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin, such as harsh surfactants, alcohols, dyes, etc.

Another feature that distinguishes sensitive skin body washes from the rest is that they usually have moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, which help calm and support skin that is vulnerable to dehydration, tightness, itchiness, flare-ups, and in general a weakened skin barrier. Besides being gentle, a body wash shouldn’t fall short of its cleansing prowess either — after all, that’s exactly why we use one! With gentle surfactants, antioxidants, and antibacterial ingredients, it should be able to purify and protect the skin from dirt, germs, and environmental aggressors. 

Keeping these factors in mind, I dived deep into some of the most promising sensitive skin brands out there and cherrypicked body washes that cater to the same. Having scrutinized every little ingredient in these products, I became more sure of the safety and efficacy of the following products; only after trying some of them out and seeking testimonials from customers across the globe was I able to finalize my verdict. Scroll away to see my product recommendations.

• 1
  Best Budget Buy

  Dove Sensitive Skin Hypoallergenic Body Wash - Pack of 3

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A household name when it comes to gentle and effective skincare, this hypoallergenic body wash by Dove boasts a 98% biodegradable formula that goes easy on your skin as well as the environment. Formulated with patented MicroMoisture droplets and plant-based moisturizers, this body wash quenches dry skin and leaves it feeling comforted and nourished, even post-shower. 

Having used this product for like a week, I noticed that my skin felt fine even at times when I didn’t use a body cream or lotion immediately. Besides, the formula is free of ultra-potent ingredients that sensitive skin doesn’t always require, and the product is available in a generous quantity, so it’s the perfect friend for your daily shower. 

Fragrance-free: No

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Vegetable glycerides, glycerin, and hydrogenated soybean oil

2

Best Mildly Scented Product

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

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Indeed a “relief” for sensitive skin, this soap-free body wash is bursting with the properties of oat extracts, which soothes, nourishes, and supplies the skin with oodles of moisture (studies conducted by IJDVL and the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology). Its consistency is rich and milky, perfect to pamper and rejuvenate parched and irritated skin while also gently cleansing it. And trust me on this — despite lacking any artificial perfumes, the formula is so indulgent that every shower with it feels like a luxurious spa. 

Fragrance-free: Yes

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oat extracts, oat flour, and oat kernel oil

3

Best for Hydration

CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash

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For sensitive-skinned folks looking for potent ingredients that take their skincare regime a step further, I recommend using this dermatologist-recommended body wash. If you’ve ever used CeraVe products before, you are probably aware of its key ingredients — ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II — which this product contains, too, to replenish and strengthen the skin barrier (study by the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology). The rich, creamy formula lathers like a dream and feels a little too luxurious on the skin! Moreover, it is approved by the National Eczema Association.

Fragrance-free: Yes

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid

4

Best for Eczema

Vanicream Gentle Body Wash

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Awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association, this mild body wash promises only the best for sensitive skin. You can trust this product to offer your skin only what it needs, as it is free from any substance that can potentially irritate the skin — parabens, cocamidopropyl betain, synthetic dyes, and of course, ultimate nasties such as formaldehyde! Its formulation is clean, transparent, and extremely gentle, which makes it a great investment for absolutely all skin types! 

Fragrance-free: Yes

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, and coco-glucoside

5

Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash

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The lean formulation of this soothing body wash for sensitive skin stole my heart, as this product doesn’t expose the skin to nasties that it doesn’t need, such as parabens, phthalates, alcohol, etc. And, while the product itself doesn’t boast about its moisturizing prowess, a large number of customers love how this cleanser leaves their skin hydrated and quenched. Powered with the goodness of omega oils and natural lipids, this gentle cleanser not only purifies the skin but also nourishes it, for a wholesome bathing experience. 

Fragrance-free: Yes

Sulfate-free: No 

Key Ingredients: Omega oils and natural-derived lipids

Quick Tip:

As this product lathers really well, the best way to use this is with a soft cloth-based body scrub. With this, you can also regulate the amount of product you use, expose your skin to relatively less soap, and consequentially go easy on your pocket.

6

Best to Soothe Irritated Skin

Naturium The Soother Sensitive Skin Body Wash

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For an immediate soothing rescue for dehydrated and irritated sensitive skin, I highly recommend using this gentle body wash from Naturium. This organic body wash is brimming with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as calendula and chamomile extracts, which calm, pamper, and protect the skin from oxidative stress and environmental aggressors (research by Cosmetics and Molecular Medicine Reports). Further, the formula is infused with goodies such as essential vitamins and colloidal oatmeal, preventing skin drying. Customers adore this product for how pleasant it feels to use it in the shower.

Fragrance-free: Yes

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Marshmallow root, calendula, fermented aloe, colloidal oatmeal, and chamomile extracts

7

Best Hypoallergenic Option

Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Soothing Body Wash

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There’s a lot to this dermatologist-recommended body wash than its luscious, rich, and clear formulation that feels dreamy against the skin. This body wash is bursting with soothing and hydrating properties that your skin is going to love. It contains the goodness of aloe vera and calendula extracts, a sublime blend that boosts moisture in the skin and alleviates dehydration and irritation (study by Skin Research and Technology). Brownies point — this pampering body wash also replenishes the skin barrier.

Fragrance-free: No

Sulfate-free: No

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera and calendula

8

Best Sulfate-free Formula

Tree to Tub Ultra Gentle Unscented Body Wash for Sensitive Skin

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Finding this organic body wash has been an incredible revelation for me, as I’ve always been on the lookout for gentle, cleansing alternatives for sulfates. This cleanser came with an answer — soapberry extracts that not only lather well but also provide fantastic skincare benefits such as fighting microbial germs, reducing inflammation, and accelerating the healing process of sensitive skin (research published in the National Library of Medicine). Adding to that, this product is brimming with goodies such as aloe vera, shea butter, cucumber, and chamomile to keep your skin hydrated and smooth. 

Fragrance-free: Yes

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Wild soapberry, aloe vera, coconut extracts, shea butter, chamomile, and organic cucumber

9

Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash

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As someone with sensitive skin, if you seek cleansers with an indulgent scent, then this body wash from Aveeno is worth considering. The product is infused with its hero ingredient — oat extracts, in addition to a lavender scent, which is a popular fragrance choice to delight the senses and calm inhibitions. Having tried it out, I describe this product as the kind of cleanser I would run back to after a long, exhausting day to pamper myself. 

Fragrance-free: No

Sulfate-free: No clear information 

Key Ingredients: Prebiotic oat, glycerin, and lavender extracts

10

Best Clean Formula

Dial Clean + Gentle Body Wash

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A trusted household hygiene brand that you can count on for pocket-friendly skincare, Dial comes with this fantastic body wash that is a treat for sensitive skin. Infused with aloe vera and other nutritive humectants, this cleanser not only purifies your skin thoroughly but also conditions it with moisture, preventing dehydration. The best part — its pH-balanced formula is free of parabens, dyes, silicones, and phthalates to ensure that your skin isn’t exposed to anything it doesn’t need!

Fragrance-free: No

Sulfate-free: No 

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera and vitamin E

11

Best Lathering Option

Method Simply Nourish Body Wash

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The calming, lactonic, and gourmand scent of this organic body wash from Method is simply an olfactory treat, that turns every shower into a heavenly experience. Much of the indulgent fragrance of this product comes from the infused natural ingredients in it, such as shea butter and coconut oil, which offer multifaceted skin benefits and boost nourishment (research by Skin Pharmacology and Physiology). What sweetens the deal for me further is that the formula of this product is biodegradable and eco-friendly.

ragrance-free: No

Sulfate-free: No

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, and coconut oil

12

Most Giftable Choice

Raw Sugar Simply Body Wash

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Instead of incorporating nasties such as parabens, dyes, phthalates, and parching alcohol, this sensitive skin body wash is rich in botanical goodies such as olive oil and aloe vera to nourish the skin instead of parching it. This pack of 3 comes with variants, infused with ingredients and fragrances such as shea butter, agave, green tea, coconut milk, oatmeal, etc. to suit different preferences — a giftable choice. The formulation in each is clear, gel-based, and refreshing, equipped to remove impurities and germs from your skin in a jiffy!

Fragrance-free: No 

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Olive oil, ginger root, glycerin, and aloe vera

13

Jason Sensitive Skin Body Wash

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This dermatologist-tested body wash for sensitive skin comprises a lean formula, with certified organic ingredients to provide the best for your skin. This also means that the product doesn’t expose your skin to unwanted substances such as sulfates, dyes, phthalates, etc., and delivers a truly purifying bathing experience. What is more impressive is that the product has a biodegradable formula, which means it not only goes easy on the skin but also the environment. All in all, it is a treat for sensitive skin. 

Fragrance-free: Yes

Sulfate-free: Yes

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, glycerin, and oat kernel flour

Now that you’ve seen my product recommendations for the best body washes for sensitive skin, scroll away to understand how to invest in a product that works best for you!

1. Look for Alternatives to Sulfates

Sulfates, especially SLS and SLES, are common surfactants used in beauty products as cleansing agents. While they cleanse well, they may be a bit harsh for sensitive skin, especially if they are used in a generous quantity in the formulation. Hence, when looking for body washes, always look for gentler substitutes to sulfates such as cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, coco glucoside, lauryl glucoside, decyl glucoside, etc. to ensure that you don’t irritate or dehydrate your skin much in the cleansing process (research by Molecules).

2. Steer Clear of Fragrance And Dyes

Anecdotal evidence as well as dermatologists suggest that synthetic fragrances and dyes can be harsh for sensitive skin. While some may experience straight-up allergic reactions, others may experience mild irritation or discomfort — both of which can be easily avoided with the use of a fragrance-free and dye-free body wash for sensitive skin.

3. Considering the Moisturizing Prowess

While individual skin types vary and have different natures, most sensitive skin types lean towards the drier end, meaning, they lose hydration very quickly. For this, they need to be supported with frequent rehydration. Hence, you should look for a body wash with moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, olive oil, oat extracts, glycerin, shea butter, panthenol, vitamin E, omega fatty acids, ceramides, etc. This will not only help rejuvenate the skin but will also contribute to replenishing the skin barrier.

4. Look for Certain Labels

If you have extremely sensitive or eczema-prone skin, then it helps to use products that have been given a Seal of Acceptance from the Nation Eczema Association — and with experience, I can tell you that such products are suitable for literally everyone! Further, if your skin is body acne-prone, you should look for products labeled as “non-comedogenic”. Similarly, if your skin is prone to reactions and allergies, look for products labeled as “hypoallergenic”/”allergy-tested”. 

Moving out of the specifics, it helps to invest in body washes that are explicitly labeled as suitable for sensitive skin, to avoid taking any risks with your precious skin.

Now that you know what to consider when buying a product, let us understand a few application tips to make the best of it.

1. Do a Patch Test If Needed

If you have shopped for a body wash carefully and scrutinized its ingredient list as I mentioned in the buying guide, you may feel free to skip this test. However, in the case of products that are labeled suitable for sensitive skin, but do contain some sulfates or fragrances, you may want to do a patch test before proper use. How do you do that? Well, it’s simple — lather the body wash on a small skin region (I’d recommend the elbows or knees), rinse it, and wait for 24 hours to see if there’s a skin reaction. If your skin seems fine and healthy, without any discomfort, you may continue using the product.

2. Rinse Thoroughly to Remove Any Soap Residue

Unaddressed soap residue on your body can make the sensitive skin feel really dry, irritated, and icky. Hence, it is important to apply a smaller quantity of body wash and rinse more thoroughly with water, with every use.

3. Always Follow up with a Moisturizer

The best time to use a body moisturizer is right after a shower, and if you have sensitive skin, following this step can make your skin feel dry and tight throughout the day. Hence, always keep your favorite body lotion, cream, or gel handy after a shower. 

4. Avoid Using Harsh Loofahs Or Scrubs

When using a body wash for sensitive skin, it is best to simply lather the product with the fingers to prevent irritating the skin. However, if you wish to use a tool to enhance the foam, consider using a soft, cotton glove or pad to lather the product. Avoid using harsh loofahs or other physical exfoliation tools at all costs as they can be very harsh on the skin.