Body wash with oil: what to choose and how to use it

What does oil do in a body wash?

A cleanser needs surfactants, ingredients that loosen oil and dirt so water can rinse them away. Moisturising ingredients can replace skin oils and help retain moisture. The complete formula matters because surfactants also affect lather, feel and rinsing, and some cleansers can irritate skin. An oil claim is not a complete product description, however much of the bottle it occupies.3

Which body wash should you choose?

• For dry skin, choose a gentle cleanser labelled fragrance free. Unscented products can contain ingredients that hide smells and irritate dry, sensitive skin.
• For sensitive skin, consider a synthetic detergent cleanser, sometimes called a syndet. These generally cause less dryness and irritation than traditional soap.
• For acne prone skin, look for products labelled oil free and noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Some cleanser formulas can cause clogged pores.
• If you already use an acne treatment that stays on the skin, be careful about adding an acne cleanser. Combining treatments can cause excessive dryness and irritation.
• If you have a known essential oil allergy, avoid that oil rather than relying on the product being rinsed off.

How do you use body wash with oil?

1. 1Use warm water and keep baths or showers to five to ten minutes if your skin is dry.
2. 2Wet your skin, put cleanser in your hands and massage gently. For dry skin, use only enough to remove dirt and oil, concentrating on areas that need cleansing, such as the armpits and groin.
3. 3Rinse thoroughly rather than leaving the cleanser on as a moisturiser.
4. 4Pat dry gently with a clean towel instead of rubbing.
5. 5Apply a fragrance free moisturiser while your skin is still damp.

Foam is not the goal of washing, even if it makes the shower look more industrious.1

Wash areas that need it after exercise or as part of your morning or evening routine. That does not mean your whole body needs repeated washes: excessive cleansing removes the surface oil film and increases moisture loss. If dryness is the problem, focus on gentler washing rather than adding more cleansing sessions.3

Will an oil body wash replace moisturiser?

Keep moisturiser in your routine if your skin is dry. Creams and ointments add more moisture than lotions; jojoba oil and mineral oil are among the ingredients used in these products. Apply moisturiser after bathing and whenever skin feels dry. Persistent dryness needs assessment rather than an endless search for a richer wash.1

What is body wash with tea tree oil used for?

Tea tree oil is used in soaps and liquid body washes and is promoted for acne and athlete's foot. Small amounts of research suggest that topical tea tree oil might help these conditions, but it is not an established substitute for standard treatment. For athlete's foot, it may work less well than standard treatments. Benefit from a tea tree body wash specifically remains uncertain; there is no established strength, contact time or results timeline to recommend here.45

Most people tolerate topical tea tree products, but redness and irritation can occur, particularly with products exposed to heat, light or air. Never swallow tea tree oil. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, topical products may be safe, but safety advice is not uniform. Check with your healthcare provider before choosing tea tree products during pregnancy, breastfeeding or while trying to conceive, for children younger than 12, or if you take medicines.45

When should you stop or see a dermatologist?

Stop using a wash that causes itching, redness or scaling. Essential oil allergy can appear 24 to 72 hours after exposure, so a reaction need not happen during the shower. People with atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, have a higher risk of essential oil contact allergy. Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to skin: this can cause sensitisation, meaning the immune system develops an allergy.2

A dermatologist can investigate a suspected allergy using patch testing, including testing your own products. Avoiding the responsible essential oil usually allows symptoms to resolve, although continued exposure can make the rash persist. See a dermatologist if dryness continues despite gentle washing and moisturising, or if products cause burning, stinging or irritation.12