10 Best Body Washes for Dry Skin in 2022 (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!

We picked our 10 best body washes for dry skin using the following criteria:

• Whether it contains humectants, emollients, or occlusives
• The skin conditions it is best suited for
• The skin type it is best suited for

Make sure you keep these points in mind as you look through our 10 best picks and don't forget to check out our buying guide.

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 body wash for dry skin, 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 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, keeping your skin hydrated for a long time. Common occlusives include waxes, such as beeswax and carnauba, and most butters, such as shea butter. Yes, shea butter is both a humectant and an occlusive! You can also look for oils like castor oil in the ingredients list.

However, 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 occlusives such as jojoba oil, safflower oil, and argan oil instead. 

Different ingredients are better suited to specific skin concerns and types than others. If you can identify the best ingredients for your skin condition, then you can find the best body wash for you.

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. 

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. Of course, ask your dermatologist or doctor beforehand to make sure that those ingredients work for your skin's condition.

Keratosis pilaris is a common genetic skin condition that causes rough and bumpy skin on various parts of your body. It's also commonly known as chicken skin. It can be difficult to treat but there are some body washes that can help soothe the condition and prevent your skin from becoming too dry.

The best body washes to choose are those with mild exfoliation properties that can also cleanse your skin. Ingredients to look for include salicylic acid and lactic acid, which can both gently exfoliate your skin. Good moisturizing ingredients for keratosis pilaris are niacinamide, glycerin, and aloe juice.

Another key ingredient to look out for is urea. This acts as both an exfoliant and a moisturizer, making it perfect for inclusion in body washes for keratosis pilaris. We would also recommend choosing fragrance-free products to avoid further irritation.

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.

We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about body wash and dry skin.

The answer to this question is that it depends. There are some body washes that can dry out your skin, but this isn't the case for all of them. To prevent drying out your skin, you should avoid any harsh chemicals and look for those that are pH neutral.

Some body washes that are labeled as moisturizing may actually have the opposite effect. Many moisturize your skin by pulling moisture out from the deeper layers of your skin, which in the long term may only make your skin even dryer. 

If a body wash says it is moisturizing, make sure it contains ingredients that can produce moisture or prevent it from escaping. These are typically emollients and occlusives such as beeswax and shea butter.

Although there are is no known cure for keratosis pilaris, there are some measures you can take to reduce the condition. When taking a bath or shower, you should keep them short and use warm water instead of hot. Exfoliation can also help and you should do this gently with a loofah or pumice stone every day.

One of the easiest and most important steps you can take at home is to moisturize your skin regularly. Dry skin can make keratosis pilaris much worse so keeping your skin hydrated is very important. Use a moisturizer that contains urea or lactic acid and apply it to damp skin after bathing.

There are further changes you can make to improve the condition, too. A humidifier at home can help put moisture back into the air when it becomes too dry and you should avoid wearing tight clothes as these can irritate your skin.

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!

If you're still not sure which body wash is best for you, then you can check out Amazon's best sellers for more ideas.

Updated by: Kellie Lacey, 12/1/2021