How to choose a fragrance free body wash

Is fragrance free the same as unscented?

What should you look for on the ingredient list?

Read the full ingredient list rather than judging the product by its smell. In the US, a fragrance mixture can appear simply as "Fragrance", without each component being named. Cosmetic labels do not have the same allergen disclosure requirements as food labels. If fragrance sensitivity makes a label hard to interpret, ask the manufacturer about the exact product before buying.2

Plant ingredients deserve the same scrutiny as other ingredients. Essential oils are commonly oils extracted from plants, and their origin does not give them a different legal safety standard. Botanical ingredients such as lavender and rose oil can cause contact allergy. If you know your trigger, avoiding that specific ingredient matters more than choosing a product with a reassuring label.235

Should you choose a liquid wash or a bar?

The cleansing formula matters more than the shape. Traditional soap is alkaline and can irritate sensitive skin. Synthetic detergent cleansers, also called syndets, generally cause less dryness and are less likely to irritate sensitive skin than soap. They can come as bars as well as liquids.3

One body wash to consider

Vanicream Gentle Body Wash is a soap free, sulfate free, pH balanced formula for hands and body. Its published ingredient list includes glycerin and panthenol and lists no fragrance. Vanicream also states that it contains no botanical extracts or essential oils. The brand describes it as suitable for daily use and children, and it carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Consider it as a specific shopping option, while still checking the ingredients against any known allergy.6

How to use fragrance free body wash

1. 1Wet your skin with warm or lukewarm water.
2. 2Apply cleanser to your hands and add water to work it into a lather.
3. 3Massage gently. If your skin is irritated, use your hands rather than rubbing or scrubbing.
4. 4Rinse thoroughly and gently pat dry with a towel.
5. 5For dry or uncomfortable skin, apply a fragrance free moisturizer after washing.

Daily use is included in Vanicream's directions, but washing more often is not automatically better for dry skin. Excessive washing and frequent bathing can worsen dryness and eczema. With eczema, hot baths and showers are also irritants. Choose lukewarm water and avoid adding extra washes simply because a cleanser is fragrance free.46

What if you have eczema or an irritated rash?

For dyshidrotic eczema, which affects the hands or feet, use a mild fragrance free cleanser and lukewarm water. Skip antibacterial and deodorant soaps because they can trigger flares. Follow washing with a fragrance free cream or ointment, and reapply whenever the skin feels dry. Lotion is not the preferred moisturizer for this type of eczema.5

With diagnosed pityriasis rosea, a rash that usually clears without treatment, mild fragrance free body washes help avoid irritating the rash. Avoid scented, unscented, antibacterial and deodorant washes until it clears. Hot water and scrubbing can worsen the rash and itch. Apply a fragrance free emollient, a moisturizer that softens and soothes skin, immediately after bathing and again if your skin feels uncomfortable.1

A prescribed infection prevention routine is a different situation from everyday cleansing. Some children with atopic eczema are advised to use antiseptic bath or shower gels alongside soap substitutes. If that is part of your child's care plan, ask the treating clinician before replacing it with an ordinary body wash.4

What should you expect, and when should you get help?

A cleanser's immediate job is to wash away oil and dirt. Removing fragrance avoids one possible trigger; it does not set a timetable for an existing rash to clear. With eczema, regular moisturizing remains necessary even when the skin looks clear. A new body wash is not a replacement for that care.34

Stop using a wash that causes irritation or an allergic reaction. If you cannot identify the trigger, a dermatologist can help decide whether allergy testing is appropriate. For eczema, broken or weeping skin, yellow crusts, pus filled spots, or sore, red and hot skin can signal infection and need medical assessment. For diagnosed pityriasis rosea, see a dermatologist if the rash worsens or lasts longer than three months.145