Our best body washes for 2026 include picks from Rare Beauty, Native, Dove and Nécessaire. (Amazon)

It might seem like a small thing, but a truly great shower can have a significant impact on your day. In fact, studies have shown that hot showers actually reduce stress by stimulating the release of oxytocin. Frankly, once you throw the best body wash into the mix, you’ve got everything you need to give a boost to your mental and physical well-being — and it all costs way less than a therapy session!

Compared to face cleanser (or any other anti-aging skin care), body wash (or, if your prefer, body gel) is often cast aside as unimportant. But skin is our body’s largest organ, of course — and if you want to keep it healthy, it’s imperative to treat every part of it well, not just your face. For their part, body washes and body gels do so much more than cleanse; they can treat breakouts, bring more moisture into the skin and even help with wrinkles and rough texture (crepey arms, anyone?). A solid body-care routine, both in and out of the shower, helps keep skin glowing and youthful-looking. Think about it: Body sunscreens help protect your skin from sun damage, while body scrubs and washes exfoliate dead skin cells. If you want to level up your shower time — and care for your skin at the same time — the easiest thing to do is get yourself an amazing body wash.

I'm a bit of a body wash and body gel obsessive. Over my decade plus as a beauty reporter and editor, I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of, if not a hundreds. The following are my favorites right now — and why you might love them too.

The best body wash of 2025

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Other body washes we recommend for 2026

How we tested body washes

I’ve been writing about beauty for over a decade (and have been bathing longer than that!), so I’m well-versed in body care — from drugstore finds to bougie picks. For this particular story, I whittled down the best body washes out of dozens I’ve tested over the years — I tested them by reviewing:

• Ingredient quality

• Price and value

• Texture and consistency, as in how the formula felt on my skin

• Scent range and quality — were the scents cloying or overpowering?

• Wash efficacy — did my skin feel clean or did the product leave a film?

• Skin conditioning factor — if the product said it would moisturize or exfoliate, did it achieve this promise?

Body washes we tested that didn’t make the cut

• Olay Indulgent Moisture Body Wash: While I found this super hydrating, it contains petrolatum and mineral oil, which is problematic for some people.

• Method Body Wash: This was decent and affordably priced, but it wasn’t special enough to include on the list. It also contains ammonium chloride — another shady ingredient — which can be irritating to sensitive skin.

Body wash FAQs

What should I look for in a body wash?

When it comes to choosing the best ingredients in body washes, it depends on your skin type and concerns. For example, for people dealing with acne or chest breakouts, salicylic acid body washes are a great start. However, there are also certain ingredients that hold numerous benefits for everyone: Niacinamide — which is found in Necessaire’s the Body Wash — is a good example. In general, a good rule of thumb is to look for products with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and plant-based oils and butters.

Which ingredients should I avoid in body washes?

If you have sensitive skin, you might want to avoid heavy fragrances and essential oils. You’ll also find that many body washes (and regular skin care products) do the so-called dirty work for you. They’ll make it a point to avoid harsh or irritating ingredients like parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates and sulfates.

Is body wash better than bar soap?

Not really! Both types of products are usually formulated with skin-benefiting ingredients. The big difference is the form that they come in, which has both pros and cons. Using a bar of soap when you shower can create less waste (you don’t have to worry about plastic), but bar formulations are also less pristine — that is, they’re more prone to being exposed to bathroom dirt and bacteria.

How do I use body wash?

Using body wash is pretty straightforward. When it’s time to get into the shower or tub, get your skin wet. Then, use a small amount of body wash on your loofah or washcloth and lather it across your skin. Afterward, rinse it off with water, making sure you don’t leave any residue.

Best body wash specs comparison chart

Update, December 15, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best body wash remains the same, and we will update this post as we test more products.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.