12 Smarter Alternatives If Scented Bodywash Irritates Your Skin
I remember the first time I realized I was sensitive to many fragrance-enhanced products. I was around 10 and I was so excited to try this new bodywash that my mom picked up for me at the drugstore. You see, before that, I mostly was a bar soap person, but somehow I got my mom to buy me a bodywash and a loofah. I felt very grown-up and cool.
Taking a shower was fun (who thought it could ever be fun?) but then about an hour later I noticed it—the itchiness. I even saw some rashes forming all over my body. I started freaking out. My mom realized it was probably allergic contact dermatitis and promptly threw the bottle of bodywash away and told me we were going back to bar soaps for the time being.
Eventually, I did find bodywashes that weren't irritating—the trick was to look for things without any or very minimal fragrance. And interestingly enough, I'm back to being a bar soap person now, but that's another story.
For the times I turn to bodywashes, though, I make sure they're fragrance-free and good for sensitive skin. Luckily, nowadays there are so many options for anyone who's avoiding fragrance. If you have a similar sensitive skin issue, or just don't like the added fragrance, take a look at some options below.
1. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
2. Nécessaire The Body Wash
3. Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash
4. Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Vanicream's line of products are just so easy on sensitive skin. The cream is my go-to when my skin is freaking out and feeling itchy and irritated. The bodywash works well on dry skin and is free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers.
5. Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser
6. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
7. Skinfix Eczema+ Foaming Oil Body Wash
If you're dealing with eczema, you're going to have to give this bodywash a try. The mild, sulfate-free product contains coconut cleansers which effectively and gently lift away dirt. Other soothing ingredients include aloe vera juice and jojoba, sunflower, and apricot kernel oils.
8. Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash
9. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+
10. Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
11. Babo Botanicals Sensitive Skin Fragrance Free Hydra Therapy Wash
12. Honest Shampoo + Body Wash, Sensitive
More Fragrance-Free Body Products
A lot of sunscreens have fragrances, and some are even "hidden." Coola's is 100% free of it. The lightweight product is enriched with antioxidant-rich red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract.
Next: For Brighter, Firmer Skin, Make Sure Your Body Lotion Has This Ingredient
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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