Key ingredients: AHA, BHA, PHA, Truecica, Houttuynia cordata extract | Skin type it’s best for: people with acne | Size: 13.5 oz
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Iota Supervitamin Body Wash+ Soothing
Why it’s worth it: The Best of Beauty-winning Iota Supervitamin Body Wash+ Soothing is known to kick keratosis pilaris’s butt. The condition, also known as KP, causes red, rough, and often itchy bumps along your body, and although they’re harmless, man, are they frustrating. This formula, however, is a game-changer. Jujube fruit extract and chamomile soothe irritated skin while prebiotics and probiotics support your microbiome. Meanwhile, 15 multivitamins, minerals, and adaptogens such as TKTK hydrate skin and relieve that relentless itchiness.
Tester feedback: “I love Iota’s gentle brightening formula for my sensitive skin. The vitamin C helps neutralize my keratosis pilaris and softens areas prone to roughness, and the soft lather is so pleasant,” says commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann.
Key ingredients: jujube extract, chamomile, prebiotics, probiotics | Skin type it’s best for: people with bumpy skin | Size: 10 oz
Best Drugstore: Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash
Why it’s worth it: Oh, Dove, sweet, sweet Dove. The drugstore diamond’s Sensitive Skin Body Wash is a go-to for dermatologists and editors alike, thanks to its supreme gentleness and reliably thorough cleanse. With only 10 ingredients, this lathering wash stands out for its fragrance-free status—a rarity among Dove’s famously easygoing lineup. The second ingredient? Cocamidopropyl betaine, a coconut oil-derived surfactant, is followed closely by moisture-locking glycerin. Designed for extra-sensitive skin, it’s a formula you can trust no matter what your skin’s going through.
Tester feedback: “This body wash is like a cozy hug in the shower. It’s perfect for my sensitive skin which doesn’t really handle fragrance that well,” shopping market editor Ang Trakoshis says. “It’s made with glycerin so it’s super hydrating and leaves my skin, feeling soft, smooth, and smelling fresh and clean.”
Key ingredients: glycerin, coconut oil | Skin type it’s best for: sensitive skin | Size: 18.5 oz
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a fragrance-free body wash?
When you see “fragrance” or “parfum” on an ingredient list, you’re likely getting more than you bargained for. According to cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, founder of BeautyStat, this catchall term can mask a long list of components, any of which have the potential to irritate sensitive skin. That’s why skipping synthetic fragrances can drastically lower the risk of an adverse reaction. Cleveland-based board-certified dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, backs this up, explaining that “[Synthetic fragrances] do not enhance the cleansing ability of the body wash, so it is best to avoid fragrance.” In other words, your skin won’t miss what it doesn’t need.
How should I choose a fragrance-free body wash?
Choose a fragrance-free body wash the way you’d pick any other skin-care product—by focusing on your goals and concerns. If you’re dealing with body acne, look for washes with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Craving hydration? Reach for formulas with glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Simple as that.