Top 10 Best Moisturizing Body Washes in 2021 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)

Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.

We asked her to evaluate our buying guide below for accuracy, and she also contributed some extra tips and advice. You can also follow her on Instagram for more skincare tips!

Here are some of our favorites for your consideration. We've chosen them based on their ingredients as well as reviewer satisfaction. 

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Dr. Lauren Levy.

When choosing a moisturizing body wash, you should take note of some specific ingredients that can do wonders for your skin. It's important to make sure that the product works for your skin type, too. 

An effective moisturizing body wash should be formulated with ingredients that can retain moisture within your skin and minimize moisture loss. In this section, we'll list out some great ingredients that can keep your skin hydrated for a long time. 

A good moisturizing body wash should contain a lot of humectants. Technically, they are moisturizing agents that can draw moisture into the top layer of the skin, whether through the air or the lower layers of your skin. 

Some humectants that you're likely to encounter include hyaluronic acid and glycerin. They help increase your skin's moisture level directly and make your skin look supple and healthy. 

Aloe vera is another great humectant that can give you a boost in moisture. Plus, it has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe your itchy, inflamed skin.  

Besides humectants, emollients are great for dry skin as well. They repair the skin's protective barrier to prevent moisture from evaporating from your skin. They are well-known for their healing properties as well and can help soothe irritation and calm itching. So if you have irritated or itchy skin, definitely search for emollients. 

Most emollients come from oils and plant-based butter like coconut oil, almond oil, argan oil, and shea butter. They are also chock-full of fatty acids and vitamins to keep dryness at bay and leave your skin feeling silky smooth. 

Occlusives can also do wonders to your skin as they help form a barrier on top of your skin's layer to prevent moisture loss. Therefore, they will keep your skin hydrated for a long time. Common occlusives include oils, waxes, and silicones. 

Keep in mind that some synthetic occlusives such as petrolatum and mineral oil might trigger allergic reactions to those with sensitive skin. So opt for natural ones such as jojoba oil, safflower oil, and argan oil instead. 

Many body washes contain sulfate-based surfactants to help eliminate daily grime and give you a squeaky clean feeling. However, they can strip your skin of moisture and lead to redness or itching. 

To avoid drying out your skin, choose a body wash with gentle surfactants such as charcoal. Charcoal functions as a magnet to pull out all the impurities. It also foams up nicely and doesn't irritate your skin. 

Coconut-based surfactants are effective as well. They can eliminate dead skin cells and daily grime without irritating or taking away all the moisture from your skin. 

Excessive dryness might cause skin issues like inflammation, redness, and flaking. It might lead to inflammatory-related skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. 

So look for soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, rose water, and chamomile extract to help alleviate those problems. Of course, ask your dermatologist or doctor beforehand to make sure that those ingredients work for your skin's condition. 

Ingredients with powerful anti-inflammatory properties such as rosemary essential oil, tea tree oil, or lemon essential oil are some other wonderful ingredients that can reduce your pain and accelerate your skin's natural healing process.

So especially if you have dry, sensitive skin, it may just be better to use your hands. They’re more gentle for your everyday shower routine—and if you need to, you can throw in a scrub or exfoliator every once in a while for a good cleansing.

Moisturizing body washes aren't always great for sensitive skin - especially if they're scented - but here's a dermatologist-recommended wash that won't exacerbate your irritation.

Besides moisturizing body washes, there are many products that can help supply the needed moisture to your dry skin. Check out our articles for some of our favorites!