Hydrating body wash: the best ingredients for dry skin

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute or replace advice from a medical professional.

If you have dry skin, you’ll know it can be uncomfortable to live with. Dryness can also go hand in hand with flaky skin, irritation, itching and redness. So, how can you combat dry skin at home? Luckily, the products you use in the shower can make a big difference. Read on to find out more about how to hydrate dry skin. We’ll look at some of the best moisturising ingredients, along with which ingredients to avoid and how to choose a body wash that hydrates your skin effectively.

Why is hydrating body wash important?

Dry skin is caused by a lack of natural oil on the surface of your skin, which leaves it feeling tight and flaky. However, dry skin is a pretty simple problem to tackle. If you prioritise hydration in the shower, you’ll quickly begin to nourish your skin and notice it transforming from lacklustre to glowing. Using a hydrating body wash is a great way to deliver lasting skin moisture, while supporting your skin barrier, rather than depleting it. 

Many shower gels and body products contain harsh chemicals that can strip your skin of its natural oils, so it’s important to find a body wash that respects your pH level, actively soothing and softening your skin with every use.

The best ingredients in a hydrating body wash for dry skin

The hydrating ingredients found in skin and body care products can be split into 3 categories: humectants, occlusives and emollients. Humectants, like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, attract water to your skin, occlusives, like petrolatum, create a barrier on your skin’s surface that holds in moisture, and emollients, like ceramides, help to improve smoothness and skin flexibility. 

Here are some ingredients you may find in a body wash that hydrates skin:

• Glycerin – a great moisturising ingredient for dry skin, glycerin is a natural humectant that attracts moisture into your skin. If you have dry or cracked skin, a shower gel that uses glycerin will help to lock in hydration, leaving your skin more comfortable.

• Hyaluronic acid – a humectant that keeps your skin looking plump and hydrated by attracting and retaining moisture. Your body’s natural hyaluronic acid decreases with age, so by using it in your skincare products, you can keep your skin looking firmer, plumper and smoother.

• Niacinamide – a form of water-soluble vitamin B that can help to calm and hydrate your skin. It helps to prevent water loss from your skin and can leave it looking firmer, smoother and more even. 

Ingredients to avoid if your skin feels dry

If you already have dry skin, here are some ingredients to avoid in your shower gel:

• Fragrance – while fragrance can make your skincare products smell good enough to eat, it’s an ingredient that can cause adverse skin reactions like dryness and irritation, especially if you already have sensitive skin.

• Sodium lauryl sulphate – SLS is an effective cleaning agent that helps products to foam and create a lather, so it's often found in shower gel and body wash. However, SLS can be harsh on your skin and may leave your skin feeling dry and uncomfortable. 

• Denatured alcohol – alcohol in skincare products can have a drying effect, so it’s best to avoid it, especially if you’re already prone to dry skin.
  

How to choose the right hydrating body wash for dry skin

If your skin is dry, it means your natural skin barrier has been temporarily compromised. This may be due to the products you use in the shower. When it comes to choosing a hydrating body wash, look for a nourishing shower cream or body wash that maintains your skin barrier by respecting your skin’s pH level – like Sanex Expert Skin Health Pro Hydrate Body Wash.

Tips for showering without drying out your skin

How you shower matters, and it can have an impact on your skin health. Here are some tips on how to shower properly without drying out your skin:

• Check your water temperature – water that is too hot can wash away the natural oils on your skin, leaving it feeling drier.

• Keep showers short – there’s no need to take long showers, and washing for too long or too often can also leave your skin feeling dry. One shower a day for 5-10 minutes is enough for most people.

• Use a hydrating body wash – check the list of ingredients above to make sure your shower products aren’t drying out your skin more. Sanex shower gel is balanced to respect your skin’s pH, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. 

• Dry gently – don’t scrub your skin when drying. Use a soft towel to pat yourself dry.

• Lock in moisture – within 3 minutes of drying, use a hydrating body lotion or body butter to seal in as much moisture as possible. This will leave your skin feeling smooth, healthy and hydrated. 

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about hydrating body wash:

What ingredient is good for dry skin?

A body wash that hydrates skin should be gentle and contain ingredients that attract water and keep your skin feeling soft and healthy. Look for moisturising ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. 

Which ingredients should you avoid for dry skin?

If you have dry skin, you should avoid ingredients that are known to dehydrate or leave skin feeling irritated. Look out for products that contain sulpahtes, alcohol, fragrance, soap and artificial colourants, and avoid them if possible. 

Can body wash make dry skin worse?

Yes, body wash that contains harsh ingredients like sulphates, fragrance or alcohol can leave your skin feeling dry, flaky and irritated. Many traditional shower products contain harsh surfactants and fragrances that can strip the oils from your skin. Instead, try a hydrating body wash with a pH-balanced formula that respects your skin barrier.