Body wash for women: how to choose and use it

What should a body wash actually do?

Body wash removes dirt, sunscreen, excess oil and unpleasant odors. Water alone cannot easily remove dirt that sticks to oil on the skin. Cleansers contain surfactants, ingredients that loosen oil and dirt so water can rinse them away. Body wash removes dirt and excess oil, which is a more useful job description than whatever mood the bottle promises. Cleansers can also contain moisturizers to help retain water in the skin. The practical aim is to get clean without leaving skin excessively dry or irritated. Repeated washing can remove the surface oil film and increase water loss, so more washing is not automatically better care.3

Which body wash suits your skin?

• For dry skin, look for a gentle, fragrance free, moisturizing cleanser. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid and lanolin are moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness.
• For sensitive skin, prioritize mild cleansing and fragrance free products. Skin that stings during or just after washing needs particular care with cleanser choice.
• For eczema, look for a mild liquid cleanser with descriptions such as soap free, moisturizing, gentle or sensitive skin. Fragrance can trigger irritation and eczema flares.
• For acne prone body skin, look for oil free and noncomedogenic products, meaning products intended not to clog pores. Take care with acne cleansers if you also use acne treatments that stay on the skin, because combining them can cause excessive dryness and irritation.
• For skin becoming drier in your 60s or 70s, use a gentle moisturizing wash and avoid rough washing tools. Older skin loses water more easily and can become more easily irritated.

Which label claims are useful?

Look for "fragrance free" rather than relying on "unscented." Unscented products can contain ingredients that hide other smells, and those ingredients can irritate dry, sensitive skin. A sensitive skin label is another useful shopping cue, particularly when cold weather makes skin dry or itchy. For eczema, "natural" is not a reason to choose a wash. Natural ingredients can still irritate skin; citrus oils, seed oils and tea tree oil deserve particular caution. Keep the focus on a mild formula rather than the botanical story. An expensive cleanser can contain ingredients similar to an inexpensive one, so the receipt is not an ingredient upgrade. Compare the formula and the needs of your skin rather than choosing by price alone.1235

Is body wash better than bar soap?

The distinction is traditional soap versus a synthetic detergent cleanser, also called a syndet, rather than simply bar versus bottle. Traditional soap is alkaline and can irritate sensitive skin. Syndets can be formulated closer to the skin's normal acidity and generally cause less dryness and irritation. A gentle moisturizing bar is an option for dry older skin. For eczema, a mild liquid cleanser is the more straightforward choice because bar cleansers typically remove more moisture and oil.234

One fragrance free body wash example

Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Sensitive Body Wash is one example of a fragrance free gel cleanser. Its US formula contains glycerin, aloe vera and panthenol, also called vitamin B5, and is labeled for all skin types. It is an option to consider when you want a fragrance free gel rather than a traditional soap bar. Cetaphil tells you to apply a liberal amount to moistened hands, a pouf or a washcloth, massage gently into a lather, rinse and pat dry. For dry or easily irritated skin, follow the gentler washing approach below rather than adding vigorous scrubbing.6

How to use body wash without worsening dryness

1. 1Wet your skin with warm or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, which strips natural oils and can worsen dryness. Keep the bath or shower to five to ten minutes.
2. 2Apply cleanser gently. For dry skin, use enough to remove dirt and oil without building a thick lather, and concentrate on areas that need cleansing, such as the armpits.
3. 3Use your hands or a soft cloth rather than a rough bath brush or buff puff. Massage gently and rinse thoroughly.
4. 4If you shave, do so near the end of the shower or bath. Water softens the skin and hair, making irritation from shaving less likely.
5. 5Pat dry instead of rubbing. Leave skin slightly damp, then apply a fragrance free moisturizer promptly, ideally within three minutes.

How often should you shower?

Eczema does not automatically rule out a daily shower. Daily washing is an option if you prefer it, provided showers stay short and lukewarm and you moisturize immediately afterwards. With dry skin in your 60s or 70s, bathing every day may not be necessary. Keep cleansing gentle after exercise as well. Washing should remove what needs removing, not become repeated scrubbing of already dry areas.234

Do you still need moisturizer?

For dry skin or eczema, follow cleansing with moisturizer even when the body wash is moisturizing. Applying moisturizer while skin is damp helps trap water. Creams and ointments are more effective than lotions for very dry skin; ointments hold in more moisture but can feel greasy. Ceramides and cholesterol are useful moisturizer ingredients for supporting the skin's moisture barrier, the outer layer that helps retain water. A moisturizing wash and an after shower cream have separate jobs; the word "moisturizing" on the bottle has not completed both shifts. Reapply moisturizer when dry skin needs it during the day.125

When should you stop or get help?

Stop using a cleanser that causes irritation, and tell a dermatologist if products cause burning or stinging. Cleansers can cause irritant or allergic reactions, including redness, itching and swelling. If dryness continues despite gentle washing and regular moisturizing, see a dermatologist. Persistent dryness can have an underlying medical cause and need treatment beyond changing body wash. For eczema, cleansing and moisturizing support care but do not replace your treatment plan. Check product choices with your dermatologist, particularly if you also need treatment for another skin concern.123