Ah, yes, the showering experience! The lathering of your body with a rich foam. The amazing fragrances that relax and soothe your senses. The cleansing and hydration of the skin you’ve been waiting for. Here’s the thing: if you’re using conventional body washes, it only seems like an indulgence. In reality, the chances of developing rashes, itches, dry patches, and irritations grow with every bath you take. Do you feel your skin tight and dry after every shower? Make sure you know how to choose the best natural body wash for sensitive skin!

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What qualifies as sensitive skin, and do you have it?

Itching, stinging, burning or pain, redness, irritation, acne, and breakouts are common symptoms of sensitive skin. Patches, erythema (inflamed capillaries in the skin), dry skin, or scaling can be present when the skin can no longer perform as a barrier. That is when it can become sensitive. And yes, environmental factors contribute to sensitive skin. And while we can’t control everything on the outside, such as extreme weather conditions, we can choose what we put on our skin. Irritating ingredients in skincare products seem to cause sensitivity. That’s why experts recommend you choose a natural body wash or organic body wash ASAP.

If you have sensitive skin, say goodbye to your conventional body wash!

Harsh ingredients found in your old, conventional body wash strip your skin of its natural oils. This is the definition of sensitive skin: a skin that no longer can perform as a protective barrier. Unfortunately, most skincare products' surfactants and ingredients irritate the dermal layers simply by stripping them of their natural oils. Here are some questionable ingredients you should stay away from to prevent sensitive skin:

• sulfates;
• dyes;
• synthetic fragrances;
• detergents;
• soap;
• parabens;
• phthalates;
• silicones;
• alcohols.

!!! You must stay away from triclosan, which the FDA banned since it can build up in the body and cause organ damage, and Diethanolamine or DEA, because it's considered a carcinogen.

Studies and scientific data show that deep moisture can be key when it comes to sensitive skin. The treatment of sensitive skin, while challenging, is based on using mild, non-irritating ingredients. Sensitive skin, according to research, needs a natural body wash that is a combination of moisturizing and calming ingredients. Other recommendations include avoiding extreme weather and always using lukewarm water to shower. Although we can’t control the weather, we can control our beauty routine.

Choose the best natural body wash for sensitive skin

While there are many options to soothe the sensitive skin on our faces, from the neck down, it seems as if we'd put anything on our skin. And, unfortunately, we often do. Most body washes out there are harsh on the skin, causing dryness, allergic reactions, irritation, and inflammation. That is why dermatologists will always recommend a soothing, natural body wash with unrefined, organic ingredients!! Botanical extracts such as aloe vera, shea butter, essential oils, coconut oil, almond oil not only deliver the same results, aka clean, refreshed skin, but a natural body wash containing these ingredients won’t destroy the skin’s protecting barrier.

Organic, plant-based ingredients that nourish the skin

Make sure you chose a natural body wash with plant-based formula to give your skin the replenishment it needs. Choose organic body wash, since this will ensure there was no use of chemical pesticides. Hence no toxic residue on your skin. Plant extracts and oils provide antioxidants, nutrients, and the necessary fats and emollients dry, sensitive skin screams for. Aloe vera is one such extract. It restores and heals the skin, so it’s a must for sensitive skin. Also, vitamins E and B5 are essential to calm, heal and soften the skin, leaving it nourished. Vitamin E is the key to adding extra moisture to sensitive skin. Lots of benefits will come with natural body washes.

Powerful plant extracts that create a natural moisture barrier

Sensitive skin craves moisture. Look for natural body washes with extracts that offer skin support and no nasty ingredients. Activated charcoal is a great option to detox the skin, for instance. Apple cider vinegar leaves the skin soft and replenished while balancing its pH levels, enhancing the moisture barrier. Essential oils provide a soothing natural scent and have many skin benefits as well. Some deeply cleanse, others have anti-inflammatory effects, others aid in detoxification, and others nourish and hydrate the skin. 

Oils and butters bring the fatty acids your skin needs

It's not enough to choose a soap-free formula. Organic, vegetarian oils are filled with amino acids that soften dry, flaky skin. Coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil are all moisturizing and have the effect of smoothening rough patches. Natural body washes are filled with compounds that support collagen production, and they leave no residue behind. This means soft, moisturized skin. 

Antibacterial and antifungal ingredients help sensitive skin

Antimicrobial compounds help with zits and acne flare-outs and unclog the pores. While irritation can come from dehydrated skin, it can also come from bacteria overgrowth. Every imbalance in bacterial and fungal growth can trigger irritation and sensitivity. That is why the best natural body washes for sensitive skin don’t just contain soothing and moisturizing ingredients, antioxidants, and nourishing minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids; they also contain ingredients that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Apple cider vinegar, green tea extract, tea tree essential oil are some of them.

A gentle formula packed with organic ingredients heals sensitive skin

We’re pretty sure you got it: conventional products must go, especially when you’re dealing with dry, broken, chapped, or blemished skin. What should you buy? We say it’s trial and error time when it comes to choosing your best natural body wash for sensitive skin. Nevertheless, here are some of our choices for natural body washes:

WOW French Lavender & Chamomile Foaming - Shea Butter & Vitamin E Body Wash to reduce blemishes and redness

When it comes to personal care products, this natural body wash will offer a spa-like experience. Not only will it soothe and moisturize dry skin, but it will help relieve stress. It's great to unwind after a long day. Lavender is quite good for redness and irritation, and chamomile soothes and calms down blemishes. The vitamins it contains hydrate, keep the skin soft and smooth, without drying it and leaving it tight. 

WOW Peppermint, Pine & Rosemary Foaming Body Wash - Shea Butter & Vitamin E to refresh your skin

Skip synthetic fragrances and instead go for essential oils and their citrusy, woodsy, piny, minty, and floral aromas. This natural body wash is a mix of peppermint, rosemary, and pine has an invigorating effect, leaving your skin refreshed. Not only does it have anti-inflammatory effects, but it's non-comedogenic as well, being ideal for acne-prone skin. Fear not; while it prevents build-up, it's still great to soothe sensitive skin. The Shea butter and vitamins it contains replenish the skin's lipidic barrier, sealing in moisture.

WOW Charcoal 2 in 1 Shampoo & Body Wash for Men - Shea Butter & Vitamin E for deep moisturization

Are you dealing with itchy skin? Well, when you disrupt the acid mantle barrier of the skin, the pH levels are messed up, and you get dry, cracked skin. You can, however, get instant relief for sensitive skin. Yes, gentlemen, we're looking at you! This natural body wash helps moisturize the skin, making it glow and reducing blemishes and irritation. 

While picking something from the rack can be easier in the short-term, your skin will disagree with you. It's like a relationship! What do you want? Easy, sweet fun, and a bunch of red flags you keep ignoring or a healthy, long-term, balanced relationship in which both you and your skin can thrive? Yup, that’s what we thought! No one shower-stands here!