Native body wash review: A $13 cure-all for my severely dry skin

Body wash is one of those products that can make or break my shower experience. My ideal formula cleans my body, makes me smell good and keeps my skin barrier intact. But because my skin is so dry, most formulas (especially ones that form into an ultra-rich lather) aren’t a match for me — they tend to strip my skin of moisture, leaving me feeling parched and in major need of a thick body cream post-shower.

That’s why I’m pretty particular when it comes to the body washes I use. Even formulas that are designed to be hydrating often only work for a short period of time before my skin starts to feel rough and dry again. Recently, though, Native sent me their new Body Wash, a more moisturizing-forward formula than their original body wash, and I’m officially a fan.

Below, I’ll share my experience using the product, including its ingredients, how it feels on the skin and who it’s best for.

SKIP AHEAD How I tried Native’s Moisturizing Body Wash | My experience with the Native Moisturizing Body Wash | Who is Native’s Moisturizing Body Wash best for?

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The Native Moisturizing Body Wash is a sulfate-free in-shower body wash that cleanses the skin while also moisturizing it. While Native has an existing range of body washes, this formula is specifically made to moisturize the skin as it cleanses. With the new formula comes six new scents — including sweet, bright and floral options — that are exclusive to the line.

What sets this body wash apart from Native’s regular lineup of body washes (and other body washes on the market) is the fact that it’s infused with 7% shea butter (the industry standard is 2%, according to Native). Shea butter is both an emollient and occlusive ingredient that softens and hydrates the skin while locking in moisture. It also has a low allergen content, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or a compromised skin barrier.

Aside from shea butter being the star ingredient, the vegan body wash is made with only 11 other ingredients, compared to other formulas that have upward of 20.

The brand sent me all six scents of the body wash to test out, and I rotated through all six of them daily over a span of two weeks. I kept all six in my shower and used the different scents according to the time of day or what my preferences at the time were. For example, I’d use the Lemon Balm & Bamboo in the morning to wake me up, the Lily Milk & White Sage to wind down before bed and the Cocoa Butter & Vanilla before a night out.

I’m someone who takes piping hot showers twice a day. This combination of water temperature and frequency of water exposure can be very drying on my skin. Also, the skin on my arms and legs is prone to flakiness, especially in the colder months when there’s a lack of moisture in the air. When it comes to body washes, I usually opt for a lotion or cream texture over gel or foam, as the latter tends to exacerbate my dryness and leave my skin feeling tight after showering. While testing this body wash, I was determined to see if it would be able to combat the dehydration that my skin’s become so accustomed to.

When most people think of Native, the aluminum-free deodorant is typically what comes to mind, but for me, the Moisturizing Body Wash now takes center stage. This formula has quickly become my all-time favorite body wash that I’ve ever tried. It has an incredibly creamy texture that forms into a gentle lather, and rather than feeling stripping and leaving me craving moisture, my dry skin absolutely drinks it up. After each shower session using this formula, my skin feels insanely buttery, even on areas that are usually difficult to keep soft like my arms and lower legs.

Aside from softening my skin, the formula does a good job of actually cleansing my body. Each time I use it I feel clean and refreshed. My dry, sensitive skin never flares up or gets irritated and I love that there are only 12 simple ingredients — all of which I can easily pronounce. Native also clearly lists and defines each ingredient on the back of the bottle, so I feel comfortable knowing exactly what I’m putting on my skin. Plus, all six of the scents smell like a vacation, and there’s truly a scent family for everyone.

Packaging-wise, the body wash comes with an easy-to-use, non-finicky pump that disperses a fair amount of product. The pump makes it easy to use with one hand (versus the non-moisturizing regular line, which comes in a squeeze tube that requires two hands). Another noteworthy aspect of this formula is that a little bit goes a long way — one and a half pumps is all I need to effectively cleanse and moisturize my entire body.

I’ve never used a body wash that’s made my skin as touchable and soft as this formula does — to the point where some days, I don’t feel the need to lather up with body cream post-shower. Before using this body wash, I used to only associate hydration with thick creams and moisturizers; but now, I’ve realized that hydration can (and should) start in the shower.

To use, I first get my skin wet in the shower before pumping out two pumps of product and using circular motions to lather it on. I don’t use a loofah or any special cleansing tool — just my hands. On days I take my “everything” shower, I use a body scrub first, then follow up with the body wash to lock in hydration.

Each of the six scents in the moisturizing line are pleasant and perfume my entire bathroom. Plus, unlike other body washes I’ve tried, the scent subtly lingers on my skin throughout the day, making it possible to skip perfume if I wanted to. The scents include:

• Cocoa Butter & Vanilla: A rich mix of coconut, milk and vanilla cream
• Lily Milk & White Sage: A cozy, uplifting scent of floral and woodsy notes with a touch of green tea
• Shea Butter & Almond: A sweet blend of almond milk, vanilla and honey notes
• Night Jasmine & Walnut: A flowery blend of jasmine, rose, honeysuckle and musk
• Peach & Orange Blossom: A bright scent of peach, citrus and a hint of jasmine
• Lemon Balm & Bamboo: A refreshing boost of yuzu, ginger and green leafy notes

The body washes come in a hefty 18-ounce bottle, making it unsuitable for travel or throwing in your gym bag. I would love to see the brand come out with smaller travel sizes because typically, travel-friendly body washes come in the form of a bar, which can be dehydrating and strip the skin of its natural oils. Having a travel-friendly option that’s also moisturizing would be great for frequent travelers who may already be dealing with dry skin as a result of changes in climate.

Part of what makes Native’s moisturizing line so special is the decadent scents, but for those who prefer unscented formulas, this doesn’t exist (yet). As someone who’s reported on beauty for over 10 years and has interviewed countless dermatologists, going fragrance-free is often the recommended route for those who have sensitive skin. That’s because fragrance is an unregulated ingredient that serves as an umbrella term, potentially consisting of dozens or hundreds of chemical compounds that can cause irritation. The brand’s regular line of body washes includes an unscented version, however, it lacks the super moisturizing benefits of shea butter.

All in all, I recommend the Native Moisturizing Body Wash for seriously dry skin types, like myself, thanks to the high concentration of shea butter in it. It’s also a great fit for those in cold climates since it’s free of irritating sulfates and dyes.

When it comes to pricing, the Native Moisturizing Body Wash costs $13 for 18 fluid ounces and is slightly more costly than the brand’s regular body wash that comes in the same size, though keep in mind it has a high concentration of shea butter. Compared to other brands with shea butter body washes it falls in the middle: it’s a bit more expensive than a drugstore option, like Olay’s Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter ($7), for example, but less than La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash ($18), which has more of a foam-y consistency.

Michelle Rostamian has more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. For this story, Rostamian tried all six scents of the Native Moisturizing Body Wash, and considered the ingredients, feel and what skin types it would be best for.

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