Native Body Wash: how to choose and use it

Which Native Body Wash should you choose?

The choice depends on the ingredients and directions on your exact bottle, rather than the Native name alone. For dry or sensitive skin, look for "fragrance free," not just "unscented": unscented products can contain ingredients that hide other smells and irritate sensitive skin. If your skin is already dry, avoid fragranced skincare products.1

"Gentle" is not a regulated label term, so the word alone should not decide your purchase. A fragrance free cleanser is generally a gentler choice. Treat a scented wash as a preference for smell, rather than a reason to expect better cleansing.24

How to use body wash

1. 1Wet your skin with warm water. If your skin is dry, keep the shower or bath to five to ten minutes.
2. 2Apply cleanser to your hands and massage gently over the areas that need washing. For dry skin, use enough to remove dirt and oil without creating a thick lather, concentrating on areas such as the armpits and groin.
3. 3Rinse thoroughly to remove the cleanser.
4. 4Pat your skin dry gently with a clean towel instead of rubbing.
5. 5If your skin is dry, apply a fragrance free moisturizer immediately afterward, while your skin is still damp.

Body wash is a cleansing step, not an entire skincare routine disguised as one bottle. For dry skin, a cream or ointment adds more moisture than a lotion; apply it again when your skin feels dry.1

What should you expect after washing?

Cleansing removes excess oil, dirt, sunscreen and unpleasant odours. Cleansers use surfactants, ingredients that loosen oil and dirt so water can carry them away. Water alone is less effective at removing oily material.2

Washing more is not automatically better. Excessive washing can remove the skin's surface oils, increase water loss and leave skin excessively dry. If dryness develops, reduce unnecessary cleansing rather than adding another wash to the routine.2

Does the cleanser's pH matter?

pH measures how acidic or alkaline something is. Adult skin normally has a pH of about 5.5, which is slightly acidic and helps maintain its natural oils and protection against harmful bacteria. A 'pH balanced' label is a useful clue when choosing a cleanser, not a chemistry degree for the bottle.3

A disrupted skin pH can contribute to dryness, flaking, redness and itching. Those symptoms are not a home pH test. Persistent irritation needs an assessment of your skin and washing habits, rather than an assumption that a particular pH number will fix it.3

Can you use Native Body Wash on your face?

Choose a gentle facial cleanser rather than treating every body wash as interchangeable with one. For facial washing, look for a cleanser without abrasive ingredients or alcohol. Fragrance free is a useful additional criterion, especially for sensitive skin.15

Wet your face with lukewarm water, apply cleanser with your fingertips and massage gently. Avoid scrubbing with a washcloth, loofah or brush. Rinse until the bubbles and residue are gone, then pat dry with a clean, soft towel. Hot water can strip the skin barrier, the protective outer layer that helps retain moisture, and increase dryness.45

Limit facial washing to once in the morning and once at night, plus after heavy sweating. Apply moisturizer if your face is dry or itchy, and be gentle around your eyes.5

When should you stop using the wash?

Stop using a wash that causes burning, stinging or irritation. Cleansers can cause irritant contact dermatitis, meaning red, dry, chafed skin, and allergic reactions to ingredients such as fragrance or preservatives. Tell a dermatologist if skincare products cause these symptoms.12

See a dermatologist if dryness continues despite shorter warm showers, gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing. Persistent dry skin can have an underlying medical cause. If you already have a prescribed dry skin treatment plan, follow that plan rather than replacing it with a different body wash.1