Advertisement
13 Fragrance-Free Body Washes Ideal For Kinds Of Skin — Sensitive Included
For sensitive skin, fragrance is a major no. While smelling like an orange creamsicle post-rinse sounds dreamy in theory, those with highly reactive skin likely know that perfumed products can trigger some irritation.
As board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, told us about hypoallergenic products (which essentially means fragrance-free): "[Fragrance] is one of the most common ingredients to cause sensitivity, puffiness, itch, and rash."
And because artificial fragrances are infused into products for no other benefit than "for the experience or smell of the product," as board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, M.D., explains, sensitive-skin types are typically better off avoiding them altogether.
We should note that even natural fragrances, like essential oils, can cause irritation for some—namely, those with hypersensitive skin. That's why we rounded up our favorite fragrance-free body washes for your browsing pleasure.
Not only are they free of irritants that can trigger sensitive skin, but our picks also simultaneously feed the skin barrier with nourishing ingredients. Considering sensitive skin, by definition, signals a compromised skin barrier, these are pretty solid lathers to add to your cart.
Best fragrance-free body washes:
- The Honest Company Soothing Therapy Eczema Body Wash ($12.95); amazon.com
- Naturium The Soother Sensitive Skin Body Wash ($14); target.com
- Saltair Frargrance Free Body Wash ($12); saltair.com
- Drunk Elephant Kamili™ Cream Body Cleanser ($20); sephora.com
- Maude Wash No.0 ($22); getmaude.com
- One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser ($25); ulta.com
- Marie Veronique Shave Prep + Daily Wash ($35); credobeauty.com
- Native Unscented Body Wash ($14 for 2); amazon.com
- Nécessaire The Body Wash ($25); sephora.com
- Shea Radiance African Black Soap Bar ($24 for 3); amazon.com
- Frank Body A Clean Body Wash ($12.95); ulta.com
- Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap Baby Unscented ($8.95); amazon.com
- Beauty Counter Counter+ Charcoal Cleansing Bar ($28); beautycounter.com
The Honest Company Soothing Therapy Eczema Body Wash
Sensitive skin is one thing, but if you struggle with eczema you know that can be an entirely different battle. Finding body products that don't irritate your skin is hard, but those that soothe? Even harder. One superstar ingredient in this body wash is collodial oatmeal which is known to help relieve dry, itchy skin.
Pro: Good for the whole family
Con: Some find it too thick
The Honest Company Soothing Therapy Eczema Body Wash ($12.95); amazon.com
Naturium The Soother Sensitive Skin Body Wash
Calendula is a god-send ingredient for sensitive and irritated skin. This body wash uses that power botanical amongst other sensitive skin favorites like oatmeal, chamomile, and marshmallow root. Because these calming ingredients are whipped together with aloe vera extract, this wash is ideal for cleansing your skin post-sunburn.
Pro: Large quantity
Con: Low lather
Naturium The Soother Sensitive Skin Body Wash ($14); target.com
Saltair Frargrance Free Body Wash
One important part of caring for sensitive skin is keeping the moisture barrier intact to avoid any unnecessary drying or irritation. One ingredient we love for skin barrier assistance is the powerful humectant hyaluronic acid. This body wash features HA and niacinamide, another hydrating superstar. Bonus: niacinamide helps to gently even skin tone as well.
Pro: Contains niacinamide
Con: Small pump
Saltair Frargrance Free Body Wash ($12); saltair.com
Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser
We're quick to sing the praises of this cream cleanser. Formulated with gentle, coconut-based surfactants, it has a rich, lush consistency and a slew of nourishing oils—think almond, sunflower, and passion-fruit oils—as well as an amino acid blend to support the skin barrier.
Pro: Contains antioxidant oils
Con: Small amount
Drunk Elephant Kamili™ Cream Body Cleanser ($20); sephora.com
Maude Wash No. 0
This cleanser/bubble-bath duo features vitamins B3 (aka niacinamide), B5 (aka panthenol), C, and E, as well as a trove of nourishing oils and fatty acids. It's so smooth, one reviewer even notes it "feels like silk kissing you all over," especially when you sink into those frothy, luxe bath bubbles.
Pro: Doubles as a bubble bath
Con: Might be too sudsy for some
Maude Wash No.0 ($22); getmaude.com
One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser
If your skin runs sensitive, you may take one look at foam cleansers and run. But there's no need to worry about dry, tight skin with this gentle lather: It cushions the skin with glycerin and cold-pressed apple oil, while the organic Chilean soap bark provides a thorough cleanse.
Pro: Good for face & body
Con: Don't use if you're sensitive to foaming options
One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser ($25); ulta.com
Marie Veronique Shave Prep + Daily Wash
This lightly exfoliating wash will give your skin an immediate glow (thanks to willow bark extract and lactic acid) without stripping the skin dry. Not to mention, there's green tea extract, glycerin, algae extract, and propanediol to help protect and hydrate.
Pro: Use as shave prep
Con: Small amount
Marie Veronique Shave Prep + Daily Wash ($35); credobeauty.com
Native Unscented Body Wash
This no-fuss wash contains just coconut-derived surfactants, pH balancers, and stabilizers, and it foams up just fantastically.
Pro: Great price & good for the whole family
Con: No. unique skin supporting ingredients
Native Unscented Body Wash ($14 for 2); amazon.com
Nécessaire The Body Wash
This light cleanser is packed with skin-healthy nutrients: Namely, it's rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, and fatty acids. It won't work up to a lather, but it'll leave your skin feeling cleansed and deeply hydrated post-wash.
Pro: Instagram friendly
Con: Low lather
Nécessaire The Body Wash ($25); sephora.com
Shea Radiance African Black Soap Bar
We'd be remiss not to add a bar soap option to this list. This handcrafted number is formulated with charcoal from roasted cocoa pods and plantain skins and blended with shea butter and coconut oil to create a dense, deeply moisturizing bar.
Pro: Bars use minimal packaging
Con: Charcoal can be drying
Shea Radiance African Black Soap Bar ($24 for 3); amazon.com
frank body Clean Body Wash: Unscented
A pH-balanced and sulfate-free wash with aloe, coffee seed extract, and pomegranate extract to hydrate and brighten skin. Plus, it has a clean and refreshing feel that's unparalleled: As one reviewer notes, "After literally the first squeeze into my hand, I wanted to buy 10 more."
Pro: Coffee seed extract encourages circulation
Con: Some find it too drying
Frank Body A Clean Body Wash ($12.95); ulta.com
Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
Another baby-skin-approved number, this one includes organic coconut oil, palm kernel, olive oil, hemp oil, and vitamin E to coat the skin in moisture. Not to mention, it's housed in a 100% post-consumer recycled bottle, and made with 90% organic ingredients—as well as 70% of ingredients are certified fair trade.
Pro: Budget friendly
Con: Can leave residue on the shower
Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap Baby Unscented ($8.95); amazon.com
Beautycounter Counter+ Charcoal Cleansing Bar
Gentle enough to use on the face and body, this cleansing bar contains high-quality Binchotan charcoal powder to gently purify the skin, as well as glycerin, safflower seed oil, and coconut oil to provide a blanket of moisture. It'll help unclog daily gunk from your pores and leave a clean, never-tight-or-dry feeling.
Pro: Great for acne-prone skin
Con: Can be strong for sensitive skin
Beauty Counter Counter+ Charcoal Cleansing Bar ($28); beautycounter.com
mbg review process
At mbg, high standards are earned—and there are no shortcuts. Our beauty editors stay up to date on the latest ingredient research and innovation. It's a dynamic, continuously evolving space, and it's important we look into the science so we can make informed choices about which formulas earn our stamp of approval (figuratively speaking).
Our high standards also come from testing products—many, many products. Our editors and writers rigorously test and research the products featured in our roundups to offer you the best, most informed recommendations. When we write reviews, you can trust we spend quality time with the formulas: We don't simply rave about products we've slathered on the back of our hands. We endorse products we've tried and loved.
Learn more about our testing process and clean beauty standards here.
The takeaway.
If you have sensitive skin, you know it can be hard to find the right products that keep your skin happy. One thing to avoid for those with reactive skin is fragrance, but not all fragrance-free products simultaneously nourish the skin. Here, our top picks work to keep your skin hydrated and soft, sans irritation. One way to make sure your sensitive skin is cared for? Follow up with a fragrance-free body lotion. Here's a list of 11 of our favorites if you're looking for your next go-to.
Watch Next
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
What Is Meditation?
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins
Box Breathing
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
What Breathwork Can Address
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance
Nutrition | Rich Roll
What to Eat Before a Workout
Nutrition | Rich Roll
How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life
Nutrition | Sahara Rose
Messages About Love & Relationships
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel
Love Languages
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel
What Is Meditation?
Box Breathing
What Breathwork Can Address
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?
Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips
How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance
What to Eat Before a Workout
How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life
Messages About Love & Relationships
Love Languages
Advertisement
