How To Choose a Moisturizing Body Wash for Glowing Summer Skin (2025)

Hydrating your dry skin can be an extremely difficult feat. Creamy body lotions can leave you feeling silky smooth for hours, and luscious body oils provide a gorgeous, hydrated glow. However, the key to achieving ultimate hydration starts in the shower, specifically with a moisturizing body wash. Luckily, the body care market is overflowing with just that. "The latest generation of body washes do much more than just wash," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. "They hydrate, protect, and treat the skin in a variety of ways, depending on the particular type of cleanser."

With so many body washes on the market, it's important to know exactly how to choose the best one for you. To make your decision a little easier, I've tapped Dr. Zeichner, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick, and Native Research & Development Product Scientist Grace Winckowski for a full breakdown on moisturizing body wash, as well as a few top picks for different skin types.

What Is a Moisturizing Body Wash?

A moisturizing body wash goes above and beyond classic cleansing. The product will "gently cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils, while also nourishing the skin," says Dr. Garshick.Its top priority is "to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized," while still cleaning, adds Winckowski. To do so, it all comes down to the ingredients (more on that below). As Dr. Zeichner explains, "moisturizing ingredients can be incorporated into the cleansers to help repair and protect the skin during the cleansing process itself."

Who Is It For?

The best part about moisturizing body washes is that they're great for anyone and everyone—there really are no downsides. However, they're especially helpful to those with dry or sensitive skin, as the experts explain. For example, "in conditions like eczema or psoriasis, the skin barrier is disrupted, so moisturizing washes are important," says Dr. Zeichner. He also notes that the product can work wonders on acne-prone skin, since "there is inflammation of the skin and potential dryness from acne treatments." And since our skin barrier becomes weaker and drier as we age, mature skin can greatly benefit from a moisturizing body wash as well.

Key Ingredients to Look Out For

Ingredients are everything when it comes to making sure your body wash will keep your skin hydrated. Winckowski turns to the newly released Native Moisturizing Body Wash formula to highlight a few key ingredients she finds essential.

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid, for instance, "are great at pulling in water," she explains. Coconut and soybean oils "protect the skin’s natural moisture" to ensure no stripping of the skin barrier, while "shea butter adds an extra boost of hydration with its rich vitamins and emollient properties — enhancing skin softness." The impressive combination works together to soothe irritation and improve the skin's overall texture, leaving it looking and feeling healthier. It's no surprise that these star ingredients are what helped Native create a 24-hour hydrating product claim.

Dr. Garshick and Dr. Zeichner add that ceramides are another key component, as they help to support the skin barrier and retain moisture. "Other ingredients include niacinamide, which can help calm inflammation, and aloe vera, which can help to soothe the skin," adds Dr. Garshick.

How To Choose the Best Formula?

Fortunately, there's a wide array of moisturizing body washes on the market. And unfortunately, this can make it hard to choose just one. Per the experts, the most important factor to consider is your skin type. However, as a more general rule of thumb, Dr. Garshick says, "It is best to look for a formulation that lathers easily and is gentle on the skin." Below, experts list their product recommendations based on different skin concerns.

For Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

• Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash: Thanks to the inclusion of 2% salicylic acid "this cleanser has been clinically tested and shown not only to treat acne, but also to hydrate the skin," says Dr. Zeichner. "It uses an ultra-gentle surfactant, along with soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile, to protect the skin barrier."
• Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash: This cleanser also boasts 2% salicylic acid, which "helps gently exfoliate and unclog the pores, while still being gentle on the skin," Dr. Garshick explains about her recommendation. "[It's formulated with] an advanced moisture blend including glycerin, shea butter, and soybean oil to minimize potential dryness and irritation."
  

For Dry, Sensitive Skin

• Vanicream Gentle Body Wash: Fragrance is a big no-no for anyone with sensitive skin, which is why Dr. Garshick loves this formula from Vanicream. Not only is it fragrance-free, but "this body wash is sulfate-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, formaldehyde-free and cocamidopropyl-betaine-free," she excitedly explains. "It offers an effective cleanse, while still being gentle on the skin."
• La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Moisturizing Wash: If your sensitive skin is extra-dry, this product is for you. "This moisturizing wash can be used on the face and body and is designed for those with dry skin," says Dr. Garshick. "It incorporates La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal water, shea butter to help support the skin barrier, glycerin to draw moisture in, and niacinamide, which is soothing on the skin."
  

For Eczema-Prone Skin

• Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash: When it comes to eczema-prone skin, soothing skincare ingredients are key. Dr. Zeichner suggests this ultra-gentle cleanser that is designed for people with eczema. "In addition to gentle cleansing, it contains colloidal oatmeal—an ingredient known to calm and hydrate the skin."
• Avéne Xeracalm A.D. Replenishing Cleansing Oil: Another top pick for eczema-prone skin. "Safe for use on the face and the body, this cleansing oil helps to restore the skin barrier while also soothing the skin and is accepted by the National Eczema Association," says Dr. Garshick. It also contains Avéne thermal spring water and I-Modulia to calm itching.

The Final Takeaway

Moisturizing body washes come in all shapes and sizes. But at the end of the day, they work to gently cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils, effectively keeping it hydrated and moisturized. Nearly everyone can benefit from this type of product, but they work best on dry and sensitive skin. When deciding on which hydrating cleanser is best for you, check the ingredients. You'll want to look out for words like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, ceramides, and niacinamide. It's extremely important to take your skin type into consideration as well. Those with sensitive skin should aim for fragrance-free products, while acne-prone skin can greatly benefit from some salicylic acid. And once you've landed on your perfect match, your skin will feel soft, smooth, and hydrated in just a few washes!