Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizing body wash?
Cincinnati-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos recommends looking for ingredients that hydrate and support the skin barrier, like niacinamide (a.k.a. vitamin B3), key for brightening, boosting ceramide production, and delivering antioxidant benefits. “Niacinamide is an ingredient with numerous advantages; as a cosmetic chemist, I love its versatility in formulations,” Dobos says. And don’t forget your ceramides, either. New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure that they help fill in the cracks between skin cells, thus helping skin repair itself—which makes a huge difference in the feel (and overall health) of dry, irritated skin. Shea butter, jojoba oil, and algae extracts are also top picks for lasting softness, while hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and clear, adds Dr. Engelman.
Synthetic compounds are also crucial to a good body wash—even the ones you can’t pronounce. “Combinations of two to three synthetic surfactants are essential for good cleansing and foaming, and increasing mildness. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and cocamidopropyl betaine are examples of mild secondary surfactants,” says Dobos. “One ingredient that is particularly useful in body wash is guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, a conditioning polymer with many positive charges that make it substantive to dry skin,” adds Dobos “It can help deposit other ingredients on the skin too.”
What should I avoid in a body wash for dry skin?
While not everyone is sensitive to fragrance in body washes, picking a fragrance-free option minimizes the risk of irritation and, in turn, a weakened barrier and dryness. “Try to avoid fragrances, cleansers with a high pH, or soap-based cleansers,” Dr. King attests. She notes that “soap” doesn’t always refer to bar soap, but rather cleansers with a high pH. “Skin has a neutral to slightly acidic pH, so you want cleansers that mimic that and support barrier health, Dr. King explains. “If it has tons of ingredients, ditch it. Keep it simple!” It’s a good idea to avoid harsh, skin-stripping detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to more dryness.
If you have eczema, avoid formulas that feature acne-targeting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, previously told Allure, as they can be particularly drying and irritating. The safest option, however, if you have acne-prone and very dry skin, is to talk to your dermatologist before buying a new body wash.
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, AL
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Jane Yoo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
- Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati
- Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best body washes for dry skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.allure.com
