Unpopular opinion (sry not sry): Fragrance does not belong in your skincare—especially your body wash. Hear me out, k? Fragrance (FYI, it's often listed as "parfum" on ingredient labels) is a known skin irritant in certain concentrations that has the potential to bother all skin types, not just the sensitive ones.I'm talkin' itching, dryness, and random rashes and bumps. And I'm not alone in my stance: Most dermatologists and facialists agree that using fragrance-free products is generally the better/safer option, especially if you have sensitive skin.
So to get you started on your unscented skincare ~journey,~ I've rounded up the 7 best fragrance-free body washes on the market. From luxe creamy formulas to ultra-gentle drugstore staples, there is an option for every skin type.
1
Best Fragrance-Free Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Sulfate-Free Body Wash
1
Best Fragrance-Free Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Sulfate-Free Body Wash
Designed for the most sensitive skin types, this fragrance-free body wash gently cleanses without irritating delicate, stressed-out skin. The soothing, sulfate-free formula uses oats, aloe, and vitamin b5 to nourish, hydrate, and heal.
I get genuinely excited to hop in the shower and suds up with this fragrance-free body—it's that damn good. 1) It's super chic looking, 2) It gets nice and foamy but doesn't dry my skin out, and 3) It's packed with good-for-you ingredients, like niacinamide, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
This fragrance-free body wash feels like a DREAM on skin. The soft, cream-based formula is made with nourishing passionfruit oil, moisturizing amino acids, and mild cleansers to leave your bod nice and clean and feeling silky smooth too.
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4
Best Purifying Fragrance-Free Body Wash
Shea Radiance African Black Soap Body Wash Unscented
4
Best Purifying Fragrance-Free Body Wash
Shea Radiance African Black Soap Body Wash Unscented
Give your skin a deep-clean with this purifying body wash. It's fragrance-free (duh) and made with detoxifying charcoal and soothing oatmeal to leave skin clear, bright, and soft. Just massage a tiny bit into wet skin (you can use your hands or a washcloth) to create a light lather.
If you're dealing with bumpy skin, KP, or body breakouts, this is the fragrance-free body wash for you, my friend. It's made with salicyclic acid (a chemical exfoliator) to get rid of dead skin cells, unclog pores, and smooth your skin—plus ceramides to strengthen your barrier and prevent your skin from drying out.
My dry skin has been a fan of La Roche-Posay's Lipikar Lotion for months now, so when I found out the brand makes a fragrance-free body wash with the same moisturizing technology, I immediately had to try it. And let me tell you, this stuff is good. It uses a combo of soothing thermal water, hydrating humectants, and gentle surfactants to leave your skin clean and moisturized for up to 24 hours.
This fragrance-free body wash is as clean and green as they come. It's made without sulfates (so don't expect a lot of lather), but instead, organic oils (like coconut , jojoba, and olive oil) to gently cleanse your skin.
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram.