Ever step out of the shower, clean as a whistle, towel off and within minutes your skin feels tight and itchy? Let me guess. You used soap. That trusty, dependable bar that’s been your bath buddy since childhood is somewhat of an enemy now that the rubber ducky is retired and your skin is struggling to stay hydrated as time ticks by.
Luckily, there are plenty of products that wash away dirt without the harsh, drying effects of traditional bar soap. Grab a pouf and try one of my top body wash picks for clean, super-quenched, silky-soft skin:
For dry types
If you’re dealing with dry skin already, using the wrong type of soap can make it worse. Heavy-duty stuff strips away natural, protective oils, exacerbating dryness and potentially leading to troublesome skin conditions. Keep bath water temperature lukewarm–not hot–and lather up with Kiss My Face Silky Soft Lavender and Lily. Natural plant-based cleansers are paired with olive oil and aloe to leave skin feeling clean, soft and perfectly pampered.
For sensitive types
Irritation-prone people should always avoid chemicals, especially the sudsing agent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens (preservatives) and phthalates (which make plastic softer but are also used as solvents in skincare products). An easy solution? Go natural. You’ll find none of the ingredients that trigger itching, redness and other nasty reactions in Everyday Shea Unscented Moisturizing Body Wash, which is hand-crafted with fair-trade shea butter soap and free of parbens, SLS and fragrance.
For oily types
On the opposite end of the spectrum, oily skin–which may break out easily–needs a cleanser that removes excess oil without overly stripping effects. If you attack oil too aggressively, you may end up with more blemishes than you bargained for. Use a gentle, everyday exfoliator such as Acure Organics Pure Mint & Lilac Stem Cell Exfoliating Body Wash to clear away pore-clogging impurities without scouring your skin.
For combination types
Have dry knees and elbows but oily parts elsewhere? A balancing body wash helps even things out while still getting you squeaky clean. Natural lavender and marigold extracts, vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 work together in Jason Calming Lavender Pure Natural Body Wash to nourish, soften and balance skin–plus the luscious lavender scent lingers on, making that freshly-showered feeling last all day long.
For normal types
For skin with no special requirements, rub-a-dub-dub away dirt with a fun, super-sudsing wash such as Bodycology Foaming Body Wash in Exotic Cherry Blossom, or turn your tub into a tiki bar with a creamy Alba Botanica Hawaiian Cocktail Pina Colada Body Wash cocktail. Both are all natural, not tested on animals and make bathtime even more blissful.
Whichever wash you choose, be sure to pair it with an Earth Therapeutics Hydro Body Sponge for double the bubbles and a handy strap to prevent drops and slips!