What Should You Look For in a Body Wash For Sensitive Skin?

Redness, burning, stinging, itching - the drawbacks of having sensitive skin are countless. So, how can you handle this unwelcome genetic gift? Well, managing sensitive skin is as simple as using the right products!

Start by choosing the right body wash for your skin type. For your irritation-prone skin, you must handpick a body wash that caters to your sensitivities. Pay close attention to the ingredients used in each product and verify that they will support the skin barrier.

Still not sure which body wash will be best for your skin? Well, we’ll help you. We have compiled a list of all the ingredients you should look for in a body wash. What’s more, you can read about some of the best body wash options for sensitive skin.

What Ingredients Should You Look For in Your Body Wash?

First thing first, you need to learn which ingredients to look for in your skincare product. Always go for products with organic and natural ingredients in their purest form possible to reap the best benefits. For example, the ideal formula for body wash for sensitive skin should comprise occlusives, humectants, and emollients.

Occlusives are waxes and oils that create a barrier around your skin to prevent loss of moisture. Essential oils like castor oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and argan oil are occlusives that can form a protective seal around your skin. Want more options? Try cocoa butter and shea butter products to help prevent loss of hydration and protect your skin.

Humectants are moisturising agents that can keep your skin soft and supple. The versatile chemical compound glycerol is perhaps the most commonly used humectant in body washes. Not only does it retain moisture, but it also has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Aloe vera is another humectant that promotes moisture retention. It can combat redness, itching, and irritation - making it a perfect ingredient for sensitive skin. Other natural humectants you can look for in body washes include calendula extract, allantoin, oatmeal, and chamomile extract.

Emollients are hydrocarbons that improve skin texture by enhancing membrane fluidity, skin barrier function, and cell signalling. When moisture can escape from your skin easily, it becomes prone to infections, germs, and breakouts. Therefore, Butters, oils, fatty acids, squalane, and lipids are emollients to seek in your skincare products. Also, do not ignore the emollient qualities of nourishing ingredients such as shea butter. Vitamin E is another emollient that also has humectant properties. It helps draw moisture, seals moisture into your skin, and makes it feel smooth and soft. 

Choosing the right ingredients is essential for skin health, but it is equally important to avoid products that contain ingredients that can trigger your skin sensitivities. The first ingredient to avoid is fragrance - both synthetic and natural. Even though the scent is a star ingredient in most body washes, it can cause allergic reactions and irritate your skin. Other ingredients you would want to steer clear of include sulfates, alcohol, parabens, and propylene glycol.

Best Body Washes for Sensitive Skin

Don’t want to fret about ingredients? Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and listed some of the best body washes for sensitive skin. So simply choose from one of these body washes and enjoy stress-free skincare.

Botani PhytoBody Wash

The Botani PhytoBody Wash is a gentle body wash free of sulphates and harsh chemicals. It contains natural cleansing and foaming agents that pose no harm to your skin. The vegan-certified, cruelty-free, and gluten-free is free of silicones, PEGs, parabens, fragrances, and even artificial colours. The PhytoBody Wash enables optimal skin health by maintaining pH balance and calming the skin. It contains natural components like Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Olive Leaf Extract, and Calendula. Thanks to these natural ingredients, the body wash offers antiseptic and antibacterial properties in addition to cleansing and moisturising your skin.

Essential oils and healing herbs in the body wash help soothe and heal all types of skin irritations. This makes the skincare product suitable for even the most sensitive skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Urban Veda Soothing Body Wash - Sandalwood + Botanics

The Soothing Body Wash by Urban Veda is a cooling shower gel. Infused with Sandalwood, it will cleanse your skin and soothe it at the same time. The body wash is enriched with lavender which will help heal the skin. It also contains hydrating palmarosa and the anti-inflammatory ingredient rosemary. Overall, the natural ingredients will de-stress any skin sensitivities and even reduce redness. In addition, the body wash helps maintain the pH level and natural moisture barrier, which is crucial for managing sensitive skin. So if you are looking for a gentle, all-natural shower gel that will not strip moisture, this luxurious body wash is the product you need.

Essentiq Calendula & Grapefruit Shower Gel

The Calendula & Grapefruit Shower Gel by Essentiq is an organic shower gel made from natural ingredients. The formula is gentle yet hydrating. In addition to calendula and grapefruit, it contains nourishing ingredients like amaranth proteins and organic aloe vera gel, which can soften the skin. Best of all, the shower gel is free of harmful ingredients such as paraffin, silicon, parabens, propylene glycol, and PEG. It also does not contain any synthetic colouring agents, so there is no need to worry about any allergic reactions.

VMV Hypoallergenics Essence Skin-Saving Clark Wash

The Essence Skin-Saving Clark Wash by VMH Hypoallergenics is a dream come true for those with sensitive skin. It is a non-irritating and non-drying formula that can soothe your skin and prevent skin conditions such as rash, acne, and flaking. Safe for use on sensitive skin, the antioxidant-rich can also prevent hyperpigmentation. In addition to offering super results on your skin, the non-pore-clogging hydrating formula is also great for your hair and scalp.

Apart from the above-mentioned body washes, you can also try the Essentiq Green Tea and Lime Shower Gel, the Botanics Purifying Neem Bodywash or the NCLA's Bath Treats Limoncello. The Essentiq Intimate Soap made of calendula and camomile is also a great alternative, especially for women and young children.

Conclusion

Choosing a suitable body wash is very important for managing sensitive skin. Choose clean products that cater to your skin conditions by healing, hydrating, and moisturising. At the same time, you must avoid body washes that contain skin-unfriendly ingredients such as parabens, sulphates, and fragrances.

If you are unsure about ingredients, you can choose one of the natural body washes suggested here. These will combat flare-ups, redness, and lots of other problems commonly associated with sensitive skin.