17 Best Body Washes of 2022, Tried & Tested

Curious about those little red bumps on your upper arms, sometimes called “chicken skin”? This condition is called keratosis pilaris, and “can be hard to treat, as it is caused by a genetic propensity to have tiny hair follicles on our bodies — specifically on the back of your arms and legs — that get clogged,” Dr. Evans explains. “The best washes to treat KP contain salicylic or alpha and beta hydroxy acids.” CeraVe’s wash contains both salicylic acid to treat the bumps and ceramides to protect the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated. “It actually improved the appearance of my KP in one go, which, in my 20 plus years trying to manage it, is the best and quickest results I’ve gotten,” one reviewer shares.

Don’t love intense fragrance? Vanicream’s body wash is ideal for those whose skin needs a super gentle formula with no scent at all. “Sensitive skin needs to be treated with care, including in body washes that contain no fragrance, masking fragrance or irritants,” explains Dr. Evans. In fact, when Beauty Lab chemist Sabina Wizemann‘s skin started getting itchy from her usual body wash, she turned to this wash. “It leaves my skin smooth and soft and, most importantly, comfortable,” Wizemann says. “I appreciate it as a down-to-earth body wash, with no bells and whistles; it is packed with glycerin and uses mild coco-glucoside surfactant.”

While it’s important for everyone to keep their skin barrier intact to maintain healthy and hydrated skin, it’s extra crucial for those with eczema to minimize irritation and flareups. Ceramides are a top ingredient for ideal skin barrier function and nourishment. “This is a great product for eczema sufferers with three essential ceramides and omega oil,” Dr. Evans says. Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate and niacinamide to calm skin.

This body wash from Dove combines a rich moisturizer and cleanser in one. Infused with argan oil beads, the formula softens dry skin after just one wash, GH Beauty Lab testing found. “My skin was as smooth as if I’d applied a moisturizer,” a tester raved. “I used it at night, and my skin still felt moisturized in the morning,” another marveled. In Lab testing, this body wash moisturized skin for four hours — no additional lotion required.

Transform your bath or shower into a spa-like experience with this body wash and soak in one from Degree, a GH Beauty Award winner. The combo of the lavender extract and Epsom salts helps to relax your senses and body. The “scent was like aromatherapy,” and the “lather was incredible,” testers said.

Talk about a jack of all (cleansing) trades. This GH Sustainable Innovation Awards winner from Alaffia can be used as body wash, facial cleanser and a shaving gel. Our experts love that the brand focuses more on performance and value than on extra packaging — while still prioritizing sustainable materials. Plus, the bottle, which is made of recycled plastic, contains 32 ounces of product which will last a long time, no matter how many ways you use it.

If you want to go “green,” this ec0-conscious body wash is GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D.‘s top pick. “The bottle is made of 100% recycled plastic, 20% of which comes from ocean plastic, and the pump has no metal spring, so the packaging is fully recyclable as-is,” she says. “Plus, I love the uplifting herbal-botanical scent, a mix of geranium, rosemary and sage.”

The perfect pick for those who prefer a light fragrance over a strong perfume-like scent, Aveeno’s body wash also rated best for its lather in GH Beauty Lab testing. Testers described the formula as “silky” and “creamy.” Users also thought that it was easy to use – simple to dispense, non-irritating and rinsed off easily from skin. Lab testing found that it didn’t disturb the skin’s barrier function. “I am very sensitive to strong florals and fruits and this wash was light, fresh, clean and very pleasant,” says one tester. “The lather was creamy without being too heavy”.

A GH Beauty Award winner, Alaffia’s silky, lightly sudsing gel formulation is made from just six mild ingredients, including plant-based coconut oil and shea butter as well as vanilla extract and spearmint leaf oil for scent. “It smelled invigorating but not overpowering, and my skin didn’t feel tight post-shower,” a tester commented.