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Body wash: how to pick a gentle one, and when you need something more

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-14.

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Antibacterial body wash: what FDA says

Antibacterial body washes sound cleaner, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says there isn't sufficient evidence that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are better than plain soap and water at preventing illness.

In a final rule issued in 2016, FDA removed 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, from consumer antiseptic wash products such as hand soaps, bar soaps and body washes. The reason: manufacturers had not shown these ingredients were safe for long-term daily use or more effective than plain soap. The rule did not cover three ingredients still under review: benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol. It also does not apply to hand sanitizers.

So if a body wash is labeled antibacterial, check the active ingredient and ask whether you need it at all. For hands, see our guide to antibacterial hand soap.

Body wash for sensitive or dry skin

Mayo Clinic suggests using a cleansing cream or shower gel instead of soap on the body, and using it only where needed, such as the armpits and groin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) gives the same advice and adds: avoid building a thick lather.

What to look for on the label:

• Fragrance-free. The AAD warns that products labeled "unscented" may still contain odor-masking chemicals. FDA says fragrance can be listed simply as "Fragrance" and some components may cause allergic reactions or sensitivities.
• No sodium lauryl sulfate. Mayo Clinic says to avoid it because it can irritate skin.
• Hypoallergenic, moisturizing formulas. Mayo Clinic mentions stearic and linoleic acids when discussing gentle facial cleansers. It lists glycerin, ceramides and fatty acids for leave-on moisturizers; that guidance does not prove a rinse-off wash provides the same benefit.
• No deodorant soaps. The AAD lists fragrance, including in deodorant soaps, among things to avoid when your skin is dry.

Body wash for body acne

A medicated wash is where a body wash can earn its place. The AAD's back acne guidance says a wash with 5.3% benzoyl peroxide is less likely to cause irritation, dryness or peeling, and that 10% is the strongest available without a prescription.

• Leave it on for two to five minutes before rinsing. The AAD says studies show it works best this way on thicker back skin.
• Rinse well. Benzoyl peroxide bleaches fabrics, including towels and sheets.
• Be patient. The AAD says results may start in six to eight weeks, and complete clearing can take three or four months.
• Shower and change clothes soon after a workout, and use oil-free, non-comedogenic products.

For a full guide, see benzoyl peroxide wash or salicylic acid cleanser.

Follow the Drug Facts label for the product you buy. Stop if irritation develops, and ask a dermatologist if you see no improvement after six to eight weeks. The AAD recommends professional care for deep or painful acne.

How to shower without drying your skin

1. Keep it to 5 to 10 minutes in warm, not hot, water. Both the AAD and Mayo Clinic advise this; Mayo Clinic says long, hot showers strip the skin's natural oils.
2. Use a small amount of wash with your hands. Mayo Clinic says to skip loofahs and pumice stones on dry skin.
3. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
4. Moisturize while skin is still damp. See our body lotion guide.

Body wash types compared

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Is antibacterial body wash better than regular body wash?

FDA says there isn't sufficient evidence that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are better than plain soap and water at preventing illness. In 2016 it removed 19 active ingredients, including triclosan, from these products.

What body wash is best for sensitive skin?

A fragrance-free, gentle, moisturizing wash without sodium lauryl sulfate. Use it only where needed, as Mayo Clinic and the AAD suggest.

Is body wash better than bar soap?

For dry skin, Mayo Clinic suggests a cleansing cream or shower gel instead of soap. A gentle, fragrance-free bar can also work; what matters most is the formula.

How long should I leave acne body wash on?

For benzoyl peroxide, the AAD says two to five minutes on the back before rinsing works best.

Do I need to wash my whole body every day?

The AAD and Mayo Clinic suggest using cleanser only where needed, such as the armpits and groin, and rinsing the rest, especially if your skin is dry.

Sources

• Skip the Antibacterial Soap; Use Plain Soap and Water (fda.gov), US Food and Drug Administration
• Dry skin: Diagnosis and treatment (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
• Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin (aad.org), American Academy of Dermatology
• Back acne: How to see clearer skin (aad.org), American Academy of Dermatology
• Fragrances in Cosmetics (fda.gov), US Food and Drug Administration

Sources checked 2026-10-14.