Have you ever had a tough workout or an overall extremely stressful day, and the only thing keeping you afloat was the hot shower awaiting you when you got home?
Because I have, often, multiple times a week.
Hot showers are one of the best modern-day luxuries. They help our brains relieve anxiety and provide an outlet for our bodies to unwind.
But they don’t come without some side effects. Showers dry out the skin and leave it irritated.
So, I went on a quest to find the best body washes for men with dry skin that could help combat this, combining the healing power of showers with the cleansing ingredients of soapy gels.
Let’s get to it!
Key Takeaways
Uncovering the best body washes for men with dry skin involved sifting through dozens of Amazon listings, product descriptions, and customer reviews. The six below are the top options I found based on ingredients, form, and scent.
My top overall pick is the NIVEA Men Maximum Hydration Body Wash for its moisturizing formula and quality ingredients, like aloe vera. It’s then followed by the Olay Ultra Rich Moisture Body Wash, which comes in a four-pack deal at a bargain price.
Why it’s great: The NIVEA Men Maximum Hydration Body Wash gives a man’s body the moisture it deserves. It’s a multi-purpose body wash that even works as a shaving gel, moisturizer, and shampoo, too. Designed for guys with dry skin, it provides all-day hydration with its aloe vera-enriched formula.
The citrus notes and woody amber scent provide a masculine scent after a long, steamy shower. It’s also free of phthalates, parabens, and microplastic particles that irritate and cause damage to the skin. Whatever your specific needs are, this wash from NIVEA will likely do the trick. It’s one of the best body washes for men with dry skin.
Who is this for? If you have dry skin and just want a body wash that’s proven and reliable, this is for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The liquid feels a bit runny, so you might go empty more quickly than other washes.
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera | Item Form: Gel | Size: 30 oz | Scent: Citrus Wood | Feature: Hydrating, moisturizing
Why it’s great: The Olay Ultra Rich Moisture Body Wash’s shea-butter formula promises to turn dry skin into healthy, rich skin in just two weeks with daily use. The fast-absorbing properties will hydrate and increase cell turnover without that waxy texture that other formulas tend to leave.
The infused Vitamin B3 allows the skin to retain its moisture, and on top of its hard-working ingredients, it’s gentle and doesn’t cause irritation, making it suitable to use daily. This wash even leaves a light, creamy scent after use, so you don’t need to worry about more lotions and fragrances after you shower if that’s your preference.
Who is this for? If you like stocking up on the good stuff so you don’t have to worry about getting more every few weeks, then you’ll appreciate the value this bundle brings.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s one of the best body washes for men with dry skin. However, it doesn’t get very foamy, and some customers have noted that it’s pretty runny.
Active Ingredients: Shea Butter | Item Form: Gel | Size: 22 oz | Scent: Shea Butter | Feature: Hydrating, moisturizing, simple fragrance
Why it’s great: The Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Body Wash soothes skin irritation, inflammation, clogged pores, and dry skin through its gentle formulation. The natural tea tree oil helps fight acne and flakes while also promoting an aromatic fragrance that prevents body odor and detoxifies skin cells.
The Sea Buckthorn oil deeply enhances the skin’s natural glow, and the peppermint calms the body. This chemical-free formula ensures that any man can have a rejuvenating skincare routine, worry-free. It also comes in a sustainable, compact package that lessens carbon emissions in shipping.
Who is this for? This is one of the best body washes for men with dry skin. It’s perfect for guys who want a spa-like experience at home. Tree huggers will also appreciate the natural ingredients.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It expires 24 months after its manufacturing date, which shouldn’t be a problem in most cases, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Active Ingredients: Tea Tree, Sea buckthorn, Peppermint | Item Form: Gel | Size: 7 oz | Scent: Tea Tree | Feature: Cruelty Free, controls fungal infections, soothes skin irritation
Why it’s great: The Dove Body Wash is Amazon’s #1 best seller in the Bath & Shower Gels category and comes in a wide range of sizes. It’s made with millions of plant-based “MicroMoisture” droplets that leave the skin as soft as fine silk.
It effectively regenerates the skin’s natural moisture and nourishes the driest epidermis, making it healthy and hydrated. The PETA-approved, sulfate-free, vegan body wash comes packaged in 100% recycled plastic, ensuring a healthier planet for everyone.
Equipped with a convenient pump, guys can easily dispense the right amount of product without waste, providing a more convenient wash. The light, refreshing smell stays on your skin even after you leave for the day.
Who is this for? If you’ve tried everything else out there and need a wash that’s proven and easily available on Amazon, this is the best seller for a reason. It also comes in a massive 30.6 oz bottle that will last for months.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of the best body washes for men with dry skin. However, you might get the feeling of having another layer of soap on your body if not rinsed thoroughly because it’s very thick.
Active Ingredients: Soybean oil, broken down carbon dioxide, water | Item Form: Gel | Size: Various | Scent: Fragranced | Feature: Biodegradable, Cruelty Free, Vegan
Why it’s great: The Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash comes with a triple-oat formula that dermatologists recommend for dry skin. The wash is constructed with a blend of oat flour, oat extract, and oat oil that is known to combat dryness. It’s made free from sulfates, fragrances, parabens, dye, and soap.
You won’t have to deal with allergies and other irritations from harmful chemicals when using this body wash every day. A small serving of the cream retains your body’s natural hydration for a full day. It’s one of the few dermatologist-approved body washes that are specifically engineered to deal with dry skin and itch, not just clean.
Who is this for? If you’re tired of seeing ingredients that you can’t pronounce, then you’ll appreciate this oat-based solution that’s free of hard-to-understand chemicals.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s one of the best body washes for men with dry skin. Know, though, that it doesn’t have any scent, so you’ll probably want to apply cologne after your shower.
Active Ingredients: Oats | Item Form: Body Wash | Size: 33 oz | Scent: Fragrance Free | Feature: Triple oat formula
Why it’s great: The Every Man Jack Amber + Sandalwood Body Wash brings the smell of the outdoors into your own bathroom. In addition to its woodsy scent, it nourishes the skin with natural ingredients like coconut-derived surfactants and glycerin.
It’s even hypoallergenic and free from parabens, phthalates, dyes, and other chemicals that commonly cause irritation. This wash lathers nicely and cleans off easily, giving men a convenient bathing experience.
This is one of the best body washes for men with dry skin. It truly takes into consideration what men really want in their skin care products: Masculine, rugged, good for dry skin, and a hint of the great outdoors.
Who is this for? Men who are tired of female-focused products and want something that brings out that deep manly core—Every Man Jack’s full line is centered around guys like you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Customers have noted that the pump function isn’t the best. This may or may not be super important to you.
Active Ingredients: Coconut, glycerin | Item Form: Gel | Size: 33.8 oz | Scent: Amber and Sandalwood | Feature: Natural ingredients
Buying Considerations For the Best Body Washes For Men with Dry Skin
Ingredients
Ingredients play a vital role in the selection of men’s body wash for dry skin. Some guys want natural formulations; others are fine with anything that gets the job done. If you want a natural solution, then it should be free from parabens and sulfates but still have moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil.
Make sure to read the ingredients list before buying to ensure that you’re getting what you need.
Form
The form of the body wash is a matter of personal preference, but gels lubricate the skin more and create a better lather, whereas lotions have deeper moisturizing effects and apply more easily because of their thickness. If you want something that is easier to apply to every area of the body, then a solid bar soap will do the trick.
Scent
Some body washes have a more potent fragrance than others, so it depends on how you want to smell after a shower and if you want to apply cologne or not.
If you’d like a masculine scent, then go for body washes that have ingredients like sandalwood. But if you prefer a wash without a scent, then there are plenty of options with muted or non-existent undertones.
How We Chose
Body washes have different ingredients for different guys. When choosing the best body washes for men with dry skin, I went with brands based on these factors:
Purpose: First of all, the body wash had to be targeted for dry skin. Most brands have a version of body wash that is formulated to hydrate your body, so this was a must-have with these selections.
Customer Reviews: Do the people who use it love the product? Finding body washes with an overwhelming amount of positive feedback was a key indicator in understanding if the claims of the brand were true and effective. The selections here all have great customer backing, earning their spot on this list of the best body washes for men with dry skin.
Price: Sometimes, you can never really tell the difference between a luxury body wash and a dollar-store version. Although I wouldn’t ever recommend something simply because it was the cheapest, these picks are all affordable enough for the average guy while still having an element of premium effectiveness.
Why Trust Us?
Joe Niehaus is an experienced product reviewer, researcher, and tester for publications like The Adult Man, Men’s Health, and Business Insider. In the past few years, he’s done a deep investigation into men’s grooming brands, as there are new ingredients, formulations, and products coming onto the market each week.
Joe has an extensive understanding of the use cases and impact on the skin of the most well-known brands available today. His roundups are the culmination of this knowledge, and he works with industry experts to find picks for every type of guy that are backed by real customers.
Joe wants to make sure that you’re getting clean products at an affordable price, so his work benefits readers with an extra level of care and support.
Final Verdict
The best body washes for men with dry skin should effectively moisturize the skin for a full day and leave it smelling nice and feeling soft after a shower. The NIVEA Men Maximum Hydration Body Wash does this while also providing a masculine, woodsy scent.
It’s free from parabens, sulfates, and other harmful ingredients that could irritate the skin, and more than 24,000 customers give this body wash a positive rating based on their real-world experience.
FAQ
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Dermatologists highly advise against harsh chemicals for men with dry skin and recommend natural cleansers that use ingredients like essential oils and butters.
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Men use all sorts of products for dry skin, but one surefire way to help guys fight against it is to use hydrating cleansers and moisturizers, especially if they’re made from natural ingredients and without harmful chemicals. Exfoliating scrubs can also remove dead skin cells and built-up dirt.
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