16 Best Body wash for soft clean skin
1. BEST OVERALL DRUGSTORE BODY WASH
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
PROS
- Proven softening benefits
- Easy application
- Made from recycled packaging
CONS
Our Beauty Lab experts are consistently impressed with Dove body washes, thanks to the brand’s reliable and effective formulas — and Dove’s Deep Moisture Body Wash in particular was a standout in our tests. Packed with gentle cleansers and moisturizers, many of our at-home testers raved about this product’s skin-softening abilities. Our Lab experts also liked that the flip-top cap made it easy to pour with one hand in the shower, and that the bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Pro tip: Apply this body wash with a shower pouf to produce double the lather.
2. BEST HYDRATING DRUGSTORE BODY WASH
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash
PROS
- Ideal for dry, sensitive skin
- Proven hydration benefits
- Good lather
CONS
One of the most hydrating formulas in the GH Beauty Lab’s most recent test of moisturizing body washes, Aveeno’s cream-gel formula perfectly preserved the skin’s moisture barrier in Lab testing of transepidermal water loss (a.k.a. the measurement of the barrier function of skin) — the sign of a good body wash. It also scored highest for having a luxurious lather and a pleasant-but-not-overpowering fragrance. “I loved the fresh, clean smell, and the lather was creamy without being too heavy,” one consumer tester reported.
3. BEST DRUGSTORE BODY WASH FOR DRY SKIN
Dove Dry Oil Moisture Body Wash
PROS
- Proven hydration results
- Softening
- Keeps skin moisturized for hours
CONS
Of all the body wash brands our experts have tested over the years, Dove remains the gold standard when it comes to increasing skin hydration levels; this one, in particular, kept skin moisturized for four hours — no body lotion needed! Infused with moisturizing argan oil beads, consumer testers raved that it dramatically softened their dry, parched skin after just one wash. “My skin was as smooth as if I’d applied a moisturizer,” one said. “I used it at night, and my skin still felt moisturized in the morning,” another marveled.
4. BEST-SMELLING DRUGSTORE BODY WASH
Tone Mango Splash Body Wash
PROS
- Tropical scent lasts for hours
- Proven skin softening benefits
- Gentle formula
CONS
Not only did this formula rank high in GH Beauty Lab testing for leaving skin feeling soft and clean, it also received top marks for its fruity tropical scent. “The scent was fantastic and made me happy even on dreaded mornings,” one tester said. Plus, during the Lab’s moisture-loss evaluations, it proved to be more gentle and less drying than other formulas tested. “The rich, creamy lather spread easily on my skin and rinsed completely without any unwanted residue — my skin felt soft, moisturized and luxurious,” said another tester.
5. BEST DRUGSTORE BODY WASH FOR ACNE
Neutrogena Body Clear Pink Grapefruit Body Wash
PROS
- Helps prevent breakouts
- Exfoliating
- Great scent
CONS
Made with salicylic acid, a gold standard acne-fighting ingredient recommended by dermatologists, this body wash helps combat body breakouts by penetrating into pores and unclogging blackheads. But despite its serious skincare benefits, it doesn’t smell medicinal: The fruity-sweet grapefruit scent is light and pleasant.
6. BEST AROMATHERAPY DRUGSTORE BODY WASH
Degree Maximum Recovery Body Wash & Soak
PROS
- Relaxing scent that’s great for stress relief
- Lathers well
CONS
This 2021 Beauty Award winner wowed our panel of judges for the soothing, spa-like bath experience it delivered. This two-in-one body wash and soak features Epsom salts to help relax sore muscles and lavender extract for aromatherapy benefits. Our Beauty Lab pros were all fans, noting the “scent was like aromatherapy,” and the “lather was incredible.”
7. BEST DRUGSTORE BODY WASH FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
PROS
- Short, non-irritating ingredient list
- Fragrance-free
- Soothing on skin
CONS
Formulated for sensitive skin that’s easily inflamed or dehydrated, this Eucerin body wash is made with skin-coddling botanical oils, like soybean and castor. It contains a small number of ingredients but no fragrances or soap surfactants in order to reduce the chance of irritation. Post-shower, skin “feels comfortable, not itchy and dehydrated,” a consumer tester found.
8. BEST FOAMING DRUGSTORE BODY WASH
Dove Beauty Deep Moisture Shower Foam
PROS
- Gentle on skin
- Light and refreshing texture
- Proven skin softening benefits
CONS
This lightweight, pillowy foam leaves skin feeling soft, not stripped, thanks to gentle cleansers and hydrating glycerin. Even better, each bottle holds a whopping 250 pumps! “The most lush, abundant suds I’ve ever experienced from a body wash, and it was so light and refreshing,” one tester reported. “My skin felt clean and soft — no residue or post-soap tightness,” another said.
9. BEST DRUGSTORE BODY WASH FOR SMOOTHER SKIN
Olay Fresh Outlast Body Wash
PROS
- Spa-like scents
- Rich lather
- Gentle formula
CONS
A past GH Beauty Award winner, Olay earned praises from our Beauty Lab experts for its supreme lather and light scent, which make for a refreshing bath experience. Our Lab evaluations found that its pH level was gentler on skin when compared to classic bar soaps. We also give it major points for its creamy formula that leaves behind silky smooth skin and its light fruity-floral smell.
10. MOST REFRESHING DRUGSTORE BODY WASH
NIVEA White Peach & Jasmine Body Wash with Nourishing Serum
GH Chemist Danusia Wnekstocks up on this Nivea formula, calling it her “tried-and-true” body wash. Its creamy, foamy texture leaves skin feeling refreshed after each rinse. What’s more, she says its soft, subtle white peach and jasmine scent smells pleasant without overpowering the senses.
