Body wash that smells good all day drugstore

Odds are you’ve been using the same body wash for years. No shame in that, but have you ever stopped to think about what the best body wash for women actually is? Or wonder if there could possibly be a better one out there for you? Body wash may be the most underrated skin-care item in your routine, but it shouldn’t be. It’s the first product that touches your skin and one of the few things you use every day, plus it practically functions as your signature scent.

Choose your essential oils carefully: Too sweet or too floral and you can end up smelling like bad teen memories, while anything in the woodsy family can err on the side of overly perfumed. Sometimes it’s all about the extra-bubbly lather or cooling gel; other times our only incentive to even take a shower is to soothe dry, itchy skin. Either way, your body wash needs to be worthy of the Arctic journey from bed to shower.

At Glamour, our editors are just as particular about the products they use on their bodies as they are about the ones they put on their faces, so we decided to put the best body wash for women to the test. Here are the ones with our seal of approval.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Never underestimate the power of a superb body wash: The best of them can leave your skin softer — and possibly healthier — after a couple of uses. Plus, it can make you smell like a treat and even thwart body blemishes. (Not to mention, body wash can double as a shaving cream in a pinch.)

Commonly used as a means of cleansing, a body wash can do serious wonders for issues like eczema and dryness. Finding the suds needed for your skin type only requires a careful read of the label, Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, PA tells Allure. "Patients who have acne can use products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide," she says. "Patients with eczema should avoid those same ingredients due to their irritating effect and instead look for moisturizing ingredients, such as natural oils, ceramides, and glycerin."

Melissa Piliang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cleveland, Ohio suggests steering clear of washes with fragrance, as these can potentially irritate the skin. "They do not enhance the cleansing ability of the body wash, so it is best to avoid fragrance," she explains.

While it's tempting to cover yourself in soap, Dr. Pilang says that it is possible to overdo it on the body wash. Overuse can lead to dry, irritated skin, especially during the winter months when skin is already stripped of moisture. "Taking hot showers/baths can magnify the problem as the hot water removes even more of the skin's natural oils," she explains. To prevent further overdrying of the skin, stick to once-daily showers with lukewarm water and use a moisturizer after cleansing, Dr. Bunimovich recommends. Also, pay special attention to washing the folds of your skin, as bacteria likes to hang out there. Don't attempt to use body wash as face wash, though, as it could clog pores and worsen acne.

Ready to revamp your washing routine? We turned to the experts and sifted through a plethora of products from drugstore buys to deluxe splurges to find the formulas that will make even the most shower-averse want to lather up (because let's be honest, sometimes you'd rather just slap on a face mask in your day-old leggings). Shimmy into your birthday suit and start slathering your cleaner of choice from your shoulders to your feet. (For the full body-care experience, be sure to check out our picks for the most satisfying body scrubs and luscious post-shower body lotions.)

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Caudelie / Philosophy

Shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash... it's an adaptable skincare routine we find ourselves using every day. Why not specialize it to get the most out of the cleaning experience? We've broken down the best body washes on the market into several noteworthy categories to help you find the cleanser that's right for you!

Our Top Picks

• 1

  

  Best Overall

  Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash Shea Butter

  Read More

• 2

  

  Drugstore Favorite

  Caress Daily Silk Body Wash

  Read More

• 3

  

  Best for Sensitive Skin

  Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash

  Read More

• 4

  

  Best for Dry Skin

  Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry Skin

  Read More

• 5

  

  Best Floral Scent

  JĀSÖN Natural Body Wash & Shower Gel, Invigorating Rosewater

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The first step in choosing a body wash is figuring out your skin type. Sensitive, dry, and oily skin all have different needs and thus different body washes. One calls for something non-irritating, the other for something rich, and the last for something clarifying. The second step is to specify a budget. Is it a splurge item to give you an everyday feeling of luxury, or is it a "drugstore works just fine" kind of mindset? Lastly, and arguably most importantly, is finding a scent that pleases the senses. Many like a light, fresh scent to help them feel refreshed while others want to feel like they’ve been transported to the center of the woods. Once those have been established, it's time to find the perfect lather! Browse through our top picks for a body wash that meets all your sweet, sudsy needs—and provides a good clean, of course!

1

Best Overall

Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash Shea Butter

2

Drugstore Favorite

Caress Daily Silk Body Wash

3

Best for Sensitive Skin

Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash

4

Best for Dry Skin

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry Skin

5

Best Floral Scent

JĀSÖN Natural Body Wash & Shower Gel, Invigorating Rosewater

6

Best Foaming

Dove Instant Foaming Body Wash Cucumber & Green Tea Scent

7

Most Eco-Friendly

Puracy Body Wash in Citrus & Sea Salt

8

Best Fresh Scent

Nivea Fresh Aloe & Lily

9

Hotel Favorite

Caudalíe Fleur de Vigne Shower Gel

10

Best for Oily Skin

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash

11

Best Warm Scent

Philosophy Cinnamon Buns

12

Spa Favorite

The Ritz-Carlton Spa Fresh Purifying Shower Gel

13

Best Nature Scent

Molton Brown Black Peppercorn Body Wash

14

Best Creamy

Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream

15

High-End Favorite

Aēsop Coriander Seed Body Cleanser

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