The 8 Best Men’s Body Washes for Dry Skin in 2024, According to Dermatologists

CeraVe landing atop our rankings of dry skin body washes is far from surprising, as Dr. Woolery-Llyod notes that the brand has been a leader in this space for years. “CeraVe is a trusted brand among dermatologists for its gentle, non-stripping formulas,” she says. But it also checks every box we look for when soothing dry skin.

“This gentle cleanser contains ceramides, which help restore the skin’s natural barrier, and hyaluronic acid, which helps attract moisture to the skin. This body wash is also fragrance-free and has a mild, suds-free formula that helps maintain the skin’s moisture balance without causing dryness or irritation,” Dr. Woolery-Llyod adds.

Plus, on the feel front, our testers found that CeraVe’s offering left their skin feeling smooth, ultra-moisturized and, most importantly, never dry. Dr. Zalka also recommends CeraVe, summing up the appeal as, “A body wash from a brand known to contain ceramides in [its] products, this one also has hyaluronic acid for a moisturizing finish.”

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This exfoliating body wash is packed with dry skin soothing ingredients like jojoba and pumice, as well as spa-level granules. However, possibly no ingredient here is as beneficial to dry skin as its glycerin, which is “a powerful humectant, glycerin helps draw moisture from the environment into the skin, keeping it hydrated,” Woolery-Llyod explains.

The only real downside to this stuff is that it does include a tiny bit of fragrance. While our testers with dry skin didn’t find these trace amounts irritating to their skin (and loved the cologne-esque cedarwood and oak scent), if you’re especially sensitive to fragrance or deal with severely dry skin it may be best to look elsewhere. It also contains caffeine, which can be drying in large amounts but we didn’t experience any of that in our testing.

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We’re not huge fans of 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioners here, as they tend to struggle with either effectively cleansing (like a shampoo), moisturizing (like a conditioner), or both. But a 2-in-1 face and body wash? That’s much more enticing, especially when it comes to combating a skin issue like dryness that can affect both equally.

We found that this versatile option from Dermalogica is the best of the bunch, making its somewhat high price tag well worth it. Think of it this way, when you suffer from dry skin you have to protect your hands and body from flare-ups, and at $36 this ultra-conditioning wash represents a quality hand soap and body wash at less than $20 for each (if you split it up).

When it comes to dry skin, Dr. Zalka recommends looking for products with aloe or probiotics, and this soothing option from Aveeno highlights both in its formula. We found the lather to be silky smooth while leaving a calming effect on the skin. After only a few washes, the dryness of our skin was borderline non-existent and any redness had noticeably dwindled.

“Aveeno Calm + Restore Daily Body Wash is a great soothing cleanser for dry skin with oat extract,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says before adding praise for its prebiotic oat. “Oat extract has anti-inflammatory properties and is known for its ability to soothe itchy, irritated skin. It can help relieve the irritation and itching associated with dry skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.”

“Oils such as jojoba oil, shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil or sunflower oil are beneficial for dry skin because they help to lock in moisture. Oils also tend to leave the skin feeling soft and smooth after showering,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd, so wouldn’t it be great if someone just threw a bunch of those together into one wash? The Shaklee Revitalize Body Wash did just that and features jojoba oil, shea butter, and coconut oil, as well as our favorite dry skin soother glycerin and vitamins A, B5, and E.

This wash is basically a cocktail of every ingredient dermatologists advise when dealing with dry skin. It’s no wonder our skin felt like it took a dermal multivitamin following just one wash, feeling hydrated and healthy for hours after. Plus, it’s been verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) so you know it only features the cleanest of ingredients.

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Both Dr. Zalka and Dr. Woolery-Lloyd were quick to recommend this storied wash for sensitive skin from Dove. As Dr. Woolery-Lloyd puts it, “This body wash is ideal for dry skin. It has a gentle lather and cleanses without drying out the skin. The formula was designed with moisturizing ingredients and works well for my patients with dry skin.”

And our testers wholeheartedly agree. Thanks to an uber-gentle and nourishing formula, this wash left our skin feeling soft and moisturized, with no lingering tightness or dryness. Not to mention, this is one of the few body washes on this list with a pump dispenser that didn’t give us issues or cause aggregation—it’s the little things.

It’s also formulated to avoid most possible allergins, although it does include some fragrance. This didn’t aggravate our skin, but we did find it slightly disappointing and largely unnecessary since it’s mostly scentless anyway.

What Causes Dry Skin?

In general, the most common causes of dry skin are decreased humidity and exposure to harsh chemicals like sulfates, alcohols, or parabens, but there are quite a few additional risks according to Dr. Zalka. However, not all are in your control. She explains that age is also a factor here because, “as we get older the oil glands produce less natural oils and the skin becomes thinner and more delicate with less ability to retain natural moisture.”

Of course, pre-existing conditions like psoriasis or eczema will also massively raise the risk of dry skin (more on that in a sec), as well as family history and genetic disposition.

Now the good news, there are also plenty of dry skin risk factors absolutely in your control. This starts with avoiding harsh chemicals in your skincare products, as well as applying heavy fragrances directly to your skin. Also, try to avoid taking excessively long or hot showers, scratching at sensitive areas, or wearing irritating clothing materials like lace or wool. Lastly—and we can’t emphasize this enough—moisturize daily!

Is Dry Skin the Same as Conditions Like Psoriasis or Eczema?

While there is certainly some overlap—and they can often be mistaken for each other—dry skin is not necessarily the same as chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or eczema. “Psoriasis and eczema have a scaly surface that flakes or peels making it appear very much like dry skin, but these conditions are much harder to treat and tend to persist for months to years, whereas dry skin is often the result of seasonal changes or improper care,” Dr. Zalka explains.

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd adds that people who suffer from these conditions can certainly have them worsened by the same triggers as general dry skin, however, it’s much more involved to treat. “Patients with eczema have dry skin as a baseline,” she says. “People with eczema need to use products to help treat/prevent dry skin daily.”

How Does Winter Impact Dry Skin?

If one of the two primary causes of dry skin (in addition to exposure to harsh chemicals) is low humidity, then it’s not surprising that winter is often responsible for the worse dry skin. As Dr. Woolery-Lloyd explains, the air tends to have lower humidity—both indoors and outdoors due to heating systems—often leading to dry, tight skin. “Humidity is essential for maintaining skin hydration, and when it’s reduced, the skin loses moisture more rapidly,” she adds.

The reason indoor heating also contributes to a reduction in humidity is that while it warms the air, it reduces the moisture content, creating a drier environment, which then pulls moisture from the skin. Additionally, people tend to take longer (and hotter) showers when temps dip, which can strip skin of its natural oils and further dry it out according to Dr. Woolery-Lloyd.