The 11 Best Moisturizing Body Washes For Keeping Your Skin Hydrated

For the brand loyal and the no-fuss, CeraVe’s hydrating body wash is a no brainer. Every dermatologist I’ve ever seen (for sensitive, eczema-prone skin) has told me to just use this in the shower, the unscented lotion after, and call it a day. It’s as straight-forward and affordable as a routine can get, and it does a good job at not feeling like your skin is stripped off after the shower. However, it doesn’t quite add as much moisture as some of the other formulas here, so if you’re looking for something to do more, keep scrolling.

SheaMoisture is another great drug store buy. It has a cheap price tag but good ingredients. It relies, hence the name, on shea butter to do most of the moisturizing, and it doesn’t feel too thick or leave any sort of residue. It has a nice smell, but for some sensitive skin, any fragrance at all is a no-go.

Although I like trying different brands and products, Aveeno’s daily body wash is the one I go to when there’s nothing new on my radar. And I have been doing this for maybe 15 years. You can buy a whole tub for cheap, it’s not super thick, and it feels nice. This one is lightly scented, although there are fully scented and unscented versions, too. The lightly scented is a nice addition without overwhelming the senses.

Kiehl’s famous Creme de Corps moisturizer has been reimagined for inside the shower in the form of this oil-to-foam cleanser. It comes out of the bottle feeling like an oil, but it works up a light lather as you use it. This is essentially how it feels on the skin, too—like you’re getting the moisture from the oil into your skin as you clean the rest off. It has a great smell and feels luxe.

However, it doesn’t have quite the big, soapy lather that some might expect from a cleanser with “foam” in the name. Reviewers tend to comment on the fact that it doesn’t reach a proper foam, but consider that foam consistencies usually come from additives you don’t necessarily want.

When it comes to upgrading shower products, Molton Brown is king. The British body care brand makes these very luxe shower gels. You can find Molton Brown products, including this Milk Musk one, in some equally luxe hotels. We found this one particularly moisturizing, although all of the shower gels feel more additive than subtractive—adding moisture and a good scent rather than taking anything away.

Salt & Stone’s body wash is just plain good. It’s certainly an upgrade from your standard drug store buy, but it’s a better cost per bottle than some of the fancier ones. This one has a light, pleasant santal and vetiver scent, although there are a few scents available. We also like how this bottle is refillable. While it does a good job of cleansing, cleaning, and not leaving skin extra stripped, it’s not adding quite as much moisture as other options. So, we think this is a better option for those who don’t have quite as intense moisturizing needs.

I mean, having Aesop hand soap is a status symbol at this point. A Brooklyn penthouse, West Village mansion, and every restaurant in the world these days has Aesop products. But it’s not all a facade. The stuff is good. And while the hand soap gets a lot of credit, the body wash is just as good. It has that same light scent, low foam, and ability to wash off impurities while feeling luxe. It is definitely a splurge, but it makes a great gift or pleasant surprise for house guests.

Le Labo’s body wash is very expensive, and we do understand that this can be silly. It can be, except for the fact that this shower gel is actually amazing. It’s super foamy, so you only need to use a little, and it has enough built-in oils that some people can skip moisturizing after. There is a full size, of course, but we like the little one for making travel feel special or for just testing out at home. Another very good gift.

L’Occitane’s cream-to-foam is as rich a body wash as you could imagine. (It doubles as a hand wash, too.) The cream formula feels like lotion right out of the bottle, and foams a bit as you lather it. It is pricey but it’s also concentrated, so we find that you don’t need to use as much as you might for less dense washes. It’s excellent for super dry skin.

If I’m outfitting a whole family with a moisturizing body wash, it’s with this gigantic tube of Method. It’s made with coconut, rice milk, and shea butter, which both give it moisture and scent. It’s not as luxe as some other options, but that’s not always what we’re trying to get out of a shower. For a high-use bathroom, this is what we’d go for.

This Bioderma jug of shower oil is a staple in my shower during the winter months, and I use it for everything. It comes out like an oil but gets surprisingly soapy when you lather, and you come out of the shower feeling like you’ve already used lotion. Don’t fear the “oil” here—there is no weird residue left on your skin or in the shower after use. I’ll also use some once the shower is off, applying it to dry areas and dabbing it with a towel. It eliminates the need for a huge dose of post-shower lotion.