Body wash: how to choose the right one for your skin

Body washes now come with acids, ceramides, benzoyl peroxide and many "skincare" claims. The right one depends on your skin, and how you wash matters about as much as what is in the bottle.

Quick answer: For dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, choose a fragrance-free cream or oil wash, or a soap-free cleanser. For breakouts on the back and chest, a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash may help. For rough, bumpy skin, look for lactic acid or urea. Use cleanser only where you need it, keep showers short, and moisturize afterward.

Types of body cleansers

Foam comes from cleansing ingredients called surfactants. Stronger ones, such as some sulfate cleansers, clean well but can feel drying on dry or sensitive skin. A high lather does not mean a wash is cleaning better. It just feels that way.

Everyday soaps, shampoos and shower gels can dry the skin, according to the NHS, and for very dry or itchy skin it suggests using a leave-on emollient as a soap substitute. Emollient washes do not foam like soap but clean the skin just as well.

Match the wash to your skin

Dry or eczema-prone skin

Look for fragrance-free, soap-free creams, oils or gentle gels with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and ceramides. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests choosing products labeled "fragrance-free" rather than "unscented", and skipping deodorant soaps and fragranced products. See dry skin on the body and very dry, itchy, eczema-prone skin.

Sensitive skin

Choose fragrance-free products with short ingredient lists. Fragrance and essential oils can irritate or cause allergic reactions in some people. Patch test a new wash on a small area first.

Breakouts on the back, chest and shoulders

Body breakouts are common, and the skin on the back is thicker than the face, so products need a little time to work. The AAD suggests a benzoyl peroxide wash left on for two to five minutes before rinsing, because it needs contact time to penetrate. It also says a lower strength wash is less likely to irritate, and that the highest strength sold without a prescription in the US is 10%. Rinse it off well, because benzoyl peroxide bleaches towels, sheets and clothing.

For body acne, the AAD advises washing gently, and avoiding scrubs, loofahs and back brushes, which can make breakouts worse. Shower and change out of sweaty clothes soon after exercise. See body breakouts.

Rough, bumpy skin on arms and thighs

Washes or lotions with lactic acid, urea or salicylic acid are often used to smooth rough patches. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which loosens dead skin cells. AHAs can make skin more sensitive to the sun, and the US FDA advises using sunscreen with AHA products. Be gentle, because scrubbing bumps usually makes them redder. See bumpy skin on arms and thighs and AHAs.

Sweat and body odor

Odor comes from bacteria breaking down sweat, mainly in the underarms, groin and feet. The NHS suggests washing these areas at least twice a day and drying them well. A plain, gentle wash is enough for many people. Strongly scented products are not a better fix and can irritate folds. See sweat and body odor.

Intimate areas

Wash only the outside skin with water or a mild, fragrance-free wash. Do not use body wash inside the vagina.

How to wash without drying your skin

The AAD gives these tips for dry skin, and they are good for most people:

1. Keep it short and warm. Showers or baths of about 5 to 10 minutes in warm, not hot, water.
2. Use cleanser only where needed, such as the underarms and groin. Water alone is often enough elsewhere.
3. Skip heavy lather and rough scrubbing.
4. Pat dry instead of rubbing.
5. Moisturize straight after, while skin is still damp. A fragrance-free cream or ointment tends to work better than a thin lotion. See body lotions.
6. Shave at the end of the shower, when hair and skin are softer.

Tools such as loofahs and sponges can irritate skin and stay damp. If you use one, rinse and dry it well, and replace it regularly, or use your hands or a clean washable cloth.

What not to mix

• Medicated washes right after shaving or waxing. Skin is more easily irritated.
• Several strong products in one shower, such as an acid wash, a scrub and a benzoyl peroxide wash. Use one active at a time.
• Scrubs plus acids on sensitive skin or on breakout-prone skin.
• Strongly fragranced washes on skin folds or intimate areas.

How long until results?

Gentle, fragrance-free washing can feel better within days. For acne, the AAD says you may see results in around six to eight weeks, and full clearing can take three to four months. Rough, bumpy skin usually needs several weeks of regular use, and it often returns when you stop.

When to see a doctor

• Itching, rash, red scaly patches, oozing or cracks that do not settle, which may be eczema or another skin condition.
• Stinging or burning that does not settle after a few days of using a product.
• Deep, painful breakouts, or no improvement in body acne after six to eight weeks of treatment.
• Lots of small, similar, itchy bumps, especially on the chest, back or upper arms. This can be a yeast-related skin infection that looks like acne but does not respond to ordinary acne products. A doctor can tell the difference and may recommend antifungal medicine.
• Dry skin that keeps coming back even with a gentle routine. The AAD notes that dry skin can sometimes be linked to other conditions.

FAQ

Is a high-lather wash more cleansing?

No. Foam is mostly about feel. A wash can clean well without making much lather.

Should I wash my whole body every day?

Many people do, but you do not need cleanser on every area. Water is often enough for arms, legs and the torso, with cleanser where you sweat most.

Are "natural" or handmade soaps gentler?

Not always. Some are more alkaline than skin and can be drying, and many are fragranced. A product described as natural may still irritate you.

Can I use my face cleanser on my body?

You can, if it suits your skin. Face cleansers are made for a smaller area, so a body wash may be easier to use and rinse off over larger areas.

Is a shower oil as good as a wash?

For dry or eczema-prone skin, many people find oil and cream washes more comfortable. They clean less aggressively, so they may feel less "squeaky".

Sources

• Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Back acne: How to see clearer skin (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Emollients (NHS)
• Body odour (BO) (NHS)