10 Best Fragrance-Free Body Washes, Recommended By An Expert (2024)
Switch to these unscented products and make a positive contribution to your skin’s health.
Many people prefer using fragrance-free body washes as artificial fragrance is one of the most common skin irritants. So, if you are looking for the best fragrance-free body wash, we can help you pick one.
Fragrances that otherwise smell soothing can contain additives and other chemical ingredients that irritate and cause breakouts on the skin. You may get complimented by people about how good you smell, but the results are far from satisfactory. Whether you have sensitive or healthy skin, switching to perfume-free body washes is best to avoid skin issues. Here, we have prepared a list of the 10 best fragrance-free body washes for you. Scroll down to check it out.
In This Article
10 Best Fragrance-Free Body Washes
1. Best Overall: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
The Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash is a gentle cleanser designed to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from your skin and leave it smooth and soft. This fragrance-free body wash is suitable for people with dry skin and is safe for daily use as it is allergy-tested. It is scientifically formulated using colloidal oatmeal, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and emollients that nourish your skin and strengthen its natural moisture barrier. The body wash restores moisture, relieves dryness, and soothes itchiness in sensitive skin. This gentle product is a great way to get balanced, hydrated, and overall healthy-looking skin. Dr. Schwarzburg, MD, says, “Fragrance-free products, like the Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash, are excellent for those with sensitive skin. When a product contains fragrance, it often dries out and irritates the skin due to the alcohol content within the fragrance. Oats are soothing and calming for the skin and are a great ingredient in a body wash for someone who has sensitive or dry skin.”
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal
Pros
- Value for money
- Antibacterial formula
- Non-drying formula
- Gentle ingredients
- Natural formula
- 24-hour moisturization
- Hypoallergenic
- Allergy-tested
- Dye-free
- Soap-free
Cons
- Contains SLS
- Does not lather much.
2. Best Affordable: Quinn’s Castile Soap Unscented
The Quinn’s Castile Unscented Soap is designed for multiple purposes, including head-to-toe skincare, baby care, pet grooming, laundry, and household cleaning. The absence of harmful chemicals makes it an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. This scientifically formulated organic fragrance-free body wash helps nurture the most delicate skin without stripping its natural oils. It is enriched with the nourishing properties of hemp, olive, argan, and jojoba oils that add radiance and reduce pimples and body acne, giving visible results. This acne prone body wash has a soothing effect and can be used as a shaving cream.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Jojoba oil, and Hemp oil
Pros
- Value for money
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Kid-friendly
- 100% organic
- Chemical-free
- No foaming agents
- Synthetic detergent-free
- Gentle
- Multipurpose
Cons
- Highly concentrated
- Leaves a soapy residue.
3. Best Multipurpose: Bronner’s 18-In-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Soap
Designed for 18 versatile uses, the Dr. Bronner’s 18-In-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Soap is ideal for face and body skincare, baby care, haircare, laundry, dishes, and multipurpose cleaning. It is chemical-free and made using 90% organic oils and plant-based ingredients that make it a boon for people with sensitive skin types and keep it moisturized. This professional-grade formula is three times more concentrated than its counterparts and is enriched with emollients that nourish your skin. Dr. Schwarzburg, MD, says, “One of the main ingredients of this Bronner’s product is citric acid, which is a natural and mild exfoliant. It can smooth out skin and gently rid your epidermis of dead skin cells. However, it may not be optimal for those with sensitive or dry skin as exfoliants can cause additional dryness and irritation, if overused.” This video review about the reviewer’s experience will give you a better insight into the product.
Key Ingredients: Water, Saponified coconut and olive oils, Hemp oil, Jojoba oil, Citric acid, and Vitamin E
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Lathers well
- Cruelty-free
- No synthetic preservatives
- No foaming agents
- Detergent-free
- Vegan
Cons
- May dry the skin out.
4. Best For Skin pH: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
The Vanicream Gentle Body Wash is a highly effective yet mild cleanser designed to remove germs, dirt, impurities, and excess sebum from your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. This fragrance-free body wash perfectly balances the skin’s pH while moisturizing regularly. The National Eczema Association accepts this eczema-friendly body wash and is dermatologically tested, deeming it safe for sensitive skin. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of this soothing body wash.
Key Ingredients: Purified water, Glycerin, and Citric acid
Pros
- Sulfate free
- Gluten-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Soap-free
- Preservative-free
- Kid-friendly
- Oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Lanolin-free
- Cocamidopropyl betaine-free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Dye-free
- Betaine-free
Cons
- Can cause irritation.
5. Best Soap-Free: Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
The Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash is a soap-free and gentle formula designed for people with dry and sensitive skin. This fragrance-free body wash is enriched with menthol, which has proven efficacy to provide a cooling sensation and oatmeal that soothes dryness and itchiness. It also contains omega oils and natural lipids that nourish the skin and restore its natural moisture balance. Click here to check out a detailed personal review based on this tester’s experience with the product and its soothing ingredients.
Key Ingredients: Menthol and Oatmeal
Pros
- Mild
- Rinses off easily
- Dye-free
- Soap-free
Cons
- Does not lather much.
6. Best Dermatologist-Tested: Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
Cetaphil has long been popular among skincare enthusiasts and dermatologists alike. The dermatologist-tested Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash is a mild formula that gently cleanses your skin without stripping its natural oils. This hypoallergenic body wash leaves your skin feeling clean, soft, and nourished. It is infused with natural ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin B5 that help replenish your skin and boost moisture retention, thereby strengthening its moisture barrier.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera and Vitamin B5
Pros
- Gentle
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist-tested
- Dermatologist recommended
- Softens the skin
Cons
- Contains SLS
7. Best Oil-Free Formula: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is a dermatologist-tested formula that is safe for use on sensitive skin as it is allergy-tested. The creamy texture of this hydrating body wash moisturizes the skin. The unique prebiotic thermal water in the formula is a natural antioxidant that replenishes the skin with minerals and trace elements like selenium. The plant-based glycerin hydrates the skin and maintains the natural moisture barrier. The ceramides prevent moisture loss and keep the skin supple and soft. The presence of water-soluble vitamins and niacinamide in this sensitive skin body wash helps in fading skin pigmentation.
Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, Ceramide, Glycerin, and Niacinamide
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist-tested
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Fragrance-free
- Allergy-tested
Cons
- None
8. Best For Sensitive Skin: Oilatum Shower Gel
The Oilatum Shower Gel is designed to treat various dry skin concerns, including itchiness and irritation, and conditions like dermatitis and eczema. It features light liquid paraffin, an emollient that locks in moisture, prevents water loss, strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier, and relieves itchiness. This fragrance-free body wash is great for sensitive skin, and it soothes and conditions the skin to make it appear soft and supple.
Key Ingredients: Light liquid paraffin 70% w/w
Pros
- Kid-friendly
- Non-irritating
- Non-greasy
- Lathers well
Cons
- May leave a film on the skin.
9. Best Eco-Friendly: Tree To Tub Soapberry For Body
Gently cleanse your sensitive skin without irradiation with the Tree To Tub Soapberry For Body. This unscented body wash is effective in removing dirt and impurities without leaving any residue. It also enhances your body’s natural scent. It offers good lather and maintains your skin’s pH at an ideal value of 5.5. In addition, the shea butter infused in the body wash helps to moisturize the dry skin, and aloe vera soothes inflammation, leaving you with a refreshing feeling.
Key Ingredients: Soapberry
Pros
- Chemical-free
- pH-balanced formula
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- DEA-free
- Eco-friendly
- Vegan
Cons
- None
10. Best For Daily Use: ATTITUDE Natural Shower Gel Extra Gentle
This fragrance-free body wash from ATTITUDE is designed for people with ultra-sensitive skin and fragrance sensitivity. The mild, natural formula softens your skin. It is enriched with oatmeal that melts away dirt and impurities while providing damage protection and restoring the skin’s all-natural moisture. This clean body wash is dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic, which makes it suitable for daily use.
Key Ingredients: Oatmeal
Pros
- EWG-verified
- Dermatologically tested
- Cruelty-free
- Gentle
- Vegan
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Slightly scented
Fragranced body washes can be off-putting for people with sensitive skin, both because of the smell and the harsh synthetic content. Getting a fragrance-free skincare product is a great way to keep your skin texture unaltered and safe from allergens. When looking for the best fragrance-free body wash, keep below the pointers in mind.
How To Choose A Fragrance-Free Body Wash – Buying Guide
1. Pick The Right Type Of Body Wash For Your Skin
Body washes come in several different textures that include gels, creams, scrubs, and foams. Let us look at which of these are right for you based on your skin type.
- Shower Gel: Most of these are water-based, so they are gentle on all skin types. They usually contain additional active ingredients that offer instant yet lightweight hydration.
- Shower Cream: For people with dry and sensitive skin, a cream-based body wash can prove to be highly beneficial. This is because they offer a thick, rich, and buttery formula to nourish your skin and boost hydration. Ensure that you look for one that is clinically-tested and dermatologist-tested and does not leave your skin feeling sticky post shower.
- Body Scrub: A scrub-based body wash gives you the benefits of both a body wash and a scrub in one. It exfoliates your skin and usually contains tiny granules to remove the dirt, excess oil, and dead skin. Make sure you don’t overdo it by using it daily. Just twice a week should be enough to get younger-looking and radiant skin.
- Foam Wash: When you want a rather relaxing and luxurious bath, foamy washes are the ones to go for. As the name suggests, they have a frothy consistency and are extremely gentle for people with sensitive skin. However, you might end up finishing the bottle sooner than expected, so choose one that offers good value for money.
2. Fragrance-Free Vs. Unscented
Many products are labeled fragrance-free but still have a scent, such as lavender essential oil. When it comes to synthetic fragrances, look for ingredients like parfum, perfume, linalool, citronellol, aroma, essential oils, eucalyptus, cinnamal, limonene, and cinnamon.
All unscented products are not essentially ‘fragrance-free.’ They can contain masking fragrances like the ones mentioned above, which hide the smell of the other ingredients in the body wash. Hence, choose products that are completely ‘fragrance-free’ instead of going with ‘unscented.’ This is especially important if you have sensitive, acne-prone, or oily skin and cannot tolerate fragrances at all.
The Bottom Line
Artificial fragrance is one of the most common skin irritants, and that is why many prefer using fragrance-free body washes for their shower routine. To prevent dryness, itching, random bumps, and rashes, many dermatologists recommend the use of fragrance-free body washes. The reviewed options in the curated list have a gentle and hypoallergenic formula free from synthetic dyes and chemicals. The Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash soothes itchiness and relieves dryness, the Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash helps retain the natural moisture of the skin. Further, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser helps treat hyperpigmentation. These products are 100% organic and have a soap-free formulas. You will find an option for every skin type, from luxe creamy formulas to ultra-gentle drugstore staples.
Infographic: Key Ingredients To Look For In A Body Wash
Your daily bathing routine is more than just a cleansing ritual; it is a chance to indulge in self-care and nurture your skin. This is how you have fresh, dirt-free skin that is also adequately moisturized and smells pleasant all day long. For this wholesome experience, you will need a formula made with the right ingredients. Check out the infographic below to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use body wash daily?
Yes. Use a body wash daily to cleanse your skin and replenish the lost moisture.
How long does body wash last?
A body wash lasts for about 80 washes.
How long should you use body wash?
Use a body wash till its date of expiration. Do not use an expired body wash to prevent damaging the skin’s health and texture.
Can I use body wash with my hands?
Yes. Body washes have a gentle formula that lathers up quickly. Therefore, using your hands to apply body wash and scrub the skin is okay.
Is it okay to shower with just water?
Yes. It is fine to shower with just water as it removes the visible dirt from your skin. But if you want deep cleansing, use soap or body wash to eliminate the deep-seated dirt and grime from your pores.
Is it better to use soap or body wash?
It depends on your personal preference to choose a product, keeping your skin type in mind. A body wash is gentler than a bar of soap and a more hygienic option to cleanse your skin.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach who has expertise in reviewing and recommending the best products for your skin. Here, she has prepared a list of the best fragrance-free body washes for people who have a sensitive nose and are allergic to fragrances. She has meticulously checked the ingredients in the products and checked online reviews and brand websites to ensure she recommends only the best products to her readers.
Read full bio of Dr. Schwarzburg
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