13 Best Drugstore Body Washes for Every Skin Type
Because we have high standards and a low budget.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
As a shopping editor who tests beauty products for a living, I've learned which ones are actually worth the splurge (and which ones definitely aren't). For example, anti-aging treatments and serums are usually good investments, whereas most mascaras and daytime moisturizers are just as good as the high-end alternatives. Another essential that shouldn't break the bank? Body wash.
You don't have to settle for a shower gel that leaves your skin feeling unbearably dry and itchy! There are plenty of high-quality options that use clean ingredients to remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin—and you can find them at your local Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, etc. Yep, even if you have problematic skin, I'm confident there's an under-$20 soap that'll work for ya.
Below, I've rounded up the 13 best drugstore body washes that treat a wide variety of concerns, including dry, sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. I've even included a few calming body washes to incorporate into your nighttime routine, plus an awakening scrub to start your morning off right. And did I mention they're all under $20?! Yeah, it's time to fall in love with one of these drugstore body washes (so you can spend your hard-earned $$$ on makeup and skincare goodies that are actually worth it...).
If the state of humanity is stressing you out lately (lol same), add this calming chamomile and lavender-infused formula to your cart ASAP.
Fragrance-free and allergy-tested, this body wash is super gentle on sensitive skin. Plus soothing oat is the star ingredient, so you can kiss itchy, extra-dry skin goodbye.
Trouble sleeping? This lil gem—formulated with restorative essential oils like eucalyptus, plus Epsom salt to relieve sore muscles—will help you wind down.
After a sweaty workout, nothing's more satisfying than using a foaming body wash to get squeaky clean. This one lathers up reallll nice.
Alaffia is a step (or two) above the rest when it comes to creating ethical and sustainable beauty products. This lavender-scented body wash, for example, is handmade using unrefined shea butter from the brand's cooperatives in West Africa.
Dove never misses when it comes to gentle body washes, and this mango-scented blend is one of their best—especially if you want deep nourishment and a radiant glow.
Okay, so this one isn't actually available at the drugstore...but it's on Amazon Prime for under $10, which is just as exciting. The mineral-infused formula buffs away dead skin, bumps, and ingrown hairs. Reviewers also love love love the musky scent.
The paraben-free ingredients inside this cutie are just as clean and simple as the packaging. A few of our favorites? Essential oils of orange, geranium, cinnamon, mandarin, and rosewood.
The beauty product holy grail that is ~black soap~ works on most skin types. But it's especially good for oily folks because it draws out bacteria, dirt, and impurities (goodbye, acne) without stripping the skin.
I couldn't not include a classic soap bar...they're just so damn convenient! Bevel's version has shea butter to soften the skin and pumice to gently exfoliate.
Morning shower people, listen up! This gel has a fragrant blend of spices, fruits, and herbs to help stimulate your senses, so you're all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for that 8 a.m. Zoom.
I used to struggle with back acne for years, and this potent benzoyl peroxide wash was literally the only product that kept it under control. It's a true drugstore must-have.
One reviewer said this gel "lathers like you're [filming] a commercial," and that resonated with me. Aside from the next-level suds, it has deep sea kelp to "draw out impurities and draw in hydration." YES PLZ.
Hanna Flanagan is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, sharing her recommendations for everything from denim and eye creams to coffee mugs and silk sheets. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she wrote fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content at People (so, yes, she’s basically a professional product tester at this point). Follow her on Instagram for photos of Timothée Chalamet and #OOTD mirror pics.
Black Friday Deal: Hailey's Go-To Skincare Tool
These Aloe Vera Gels Will Soothe Sunburn ASAP
I Can't Live Without These La Roche-Posay Products
The Best e.l.f. Products, According to Editors
