6 gentle body washes for eczema-prone skin

When you have eczema, your skin needs a little extra bit of love.

This can look like being diligent with a dermatologist-approved moisturiser, but it also pays to think about your beauty routine holistically. From the makeup you wear to the body wash you use in the shower everyday, all of these often forgotten aspects of your daily routine make a difference. 

The body wash you use in particular can make a massive impact on your skin's natural moisture barrier, helping to reinforce and strengthen the skin, and promoting moisture retention. 

Looking for the best body wash for eczema? you've come to the right place. Ahead you'll find 6 top-rated body washes specifically formulated with eczema-prone skin in mind.

2024's Top 3 Best Body Washes For Eczema

1. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet Ap+ Body Wash Shower Cream, $26.99, Chemist Warehouse
2. Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Gel Moussant, $29.64, Amazon Australia
3. Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Body Wash, $10.79, Amazon Australia

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet Ap+ Body Wash Shower Cream
from $26.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Intended to soothe dry and sensitive skin on the hands and body, this body wash has been formulated without soap and fragrance. Instead, La Roche-Posay has infused the cleanser with calming thermal spring water, itchy skin soothing niacinamide, and nourishing shea butter to help reinforce the skin's hydrolipidic barrier.

Key features:

Free from soap and fragrance
Dermatologically tested on sensitive skin
Contains calming La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
Cream-gel formula nourishes dry skin
Niacinamide soothes itchy skin
Shea butter restores the hydrolipidic barrier

Available at:

• $26.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $26.99 from Amazon Australia
• $38.95 from Priceline

Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Gel Moussant
from $29.64 at Amazon Australia

Bioderma's purifying cleansing gel is dermatologically-proven to help sensitive skin feel more comfortable. The nourishing body wash has a superfatting cleansing base, which protects the skin from cutaneous dryness, discomfort and irritation.

Key features:

Free from soap and fragrance
Dermatologically-proven to soothe sensitive skin
Contains patented complexes which reinforce the skin's barrier
Enriched with a superfatting cleansing base
Protects from cutaneous dryness, discomfort and irritation

Available at:

• $29.64 from Amazon Australia
• $31.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $36.99 from Adore Beauty

Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Body Wash
from $10.79 at Amazon Australia

Aveeno has partnered the brand's signature soothing colloidal oatmeal with moisture barrier reinforcing ceramides to create a gentle and moisturising body wash that's dermatologically proven to help eczema-prone skin. 

Key features:

Free from fragrance, lanolins, dyes and cortisone
Clinically proven suitable for eczema prone skin
Contains colloidal oatmeal and ceramides
Gently cleanses, soothes and moisturises skin

Available at:.

• $10.79 from Amazon Australia
• $11.99 (usually $19.99) from Priceline
• $13.99 from Chemist Warehouse

Cetaphil Pro Eczema Prone Skin Restoring Body Wash
from $15.02 at Amazon Australia

Gentle and no-nonsense, Cetaphil's maintained the brand's hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic promise with this moisture restoring body cleanser that's been dermatologically tested for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

Key features:

Dermatologist tested for sensitive skin
Ideal for eczema prone skin
Restores moisturising
Gently cleanses skin
Soothes dry and itchy skin
Free from fragrance, soap and parabens
Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

Available at:

• $15.02 from Amazon Australia
• $16.69 from Chemist Warehouse
• $18.95 from Woolworths

Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
from $28.39 at Chemist Warehouse

This cleansing oil has been formulated to leave a protective film on the skin that helps with moisture retention, and minimises dryness and itching. Plus, it's infused with soothing and skin softening thermal spring water, and free from irritating ingredients like fragrance, soap, sulphates and PEGs. 

Key features:

Free from fragrance, soap, sulphates and PEGs
Non-comedogenic and pH-balanced
Contains soothing and softening thermal spring water
Protects skin from dryness and itching
Hydrates and nourishes
Dermatologically-tested

Available at:

• $28.39 from Chemist Warehouse
• $36.99 from Priceline
• $37.99 from Adore Beauty

Ego QV Dermcare Eczema Daily Wash
from $21.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Dermatologically tested, QV's daily body wash has been proven to help relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate eczema. The moisture retaining formula has been infused with glycerin, lactic acid, niacinamide and a blend of ceramides, which help to soften, soothe and create a protective barrier around the skin. 

Key features:

Infused with glycerin, lactic acid, niacinamide and a blend of ceramides
pH-balanced
Helps with moisture retention
Relieves mild to moderate eczema symptoms
Dermatologically tested
Free from soap, fragrance, colour and preservatives

Available at:

• $21.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $25.99 from Priceline

Which body wash is good for eczema?

If you have eczema, when it comes to cleansing your body, it's vital to use a gentle body wash that reinforces the skin's natural moisture barrier. We'd also recommend steering clear of fragrances, essential oils, urea, lanolin, retinoids, cocamidopropyl betaine, propylene glycol and ethanol, as they can irritate eczema-prone skin. 

Main image credit: @naomigscott

Need to round out your skin care routine? Comfort and calm your skin with these 8 eczema-friendly moisturisers.