Checklist · 13 picks · 5 categories
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Your face gets a whole routine, so why does your body get whatever soap was on sale? A good body routine is short: a gentle wash, lotion right after you shower, and a deodorant you actually like.
Everything here comes from NBC Select's body wash, body lotion, exfoliating wash, loofah-alternative and deodorant guides, built with dermatologists and editor reviews. Exfoliating is the optional extra, not a daily must: NBC Select's dermatologist suggests an exfoliating wash two to four times a week, and not stacked with a scrubber. And if your loofah is older than your last haircut, there are swaps here too. Each card shows the drawback NBC Select called out, so nothing surprises you in the shower.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you're after a face routine; our Skincare Starter list covers cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreen for your face.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash | mid | under $15 | dry skin that feels tight after showering | 1 outlet |
| Dove Hydration Boost Body Wash | budget | under $15 | a big bottle that doesn't strip your skin | 1 outlet |
| La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash | splurge | $15-25 | one gentle wash the whole household can share | 1 outlet |
Best body washmid pick · 10 oz
Best for dry skin that feels tight after showering
NBC Select's best overall body wash for dry skin: hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides that soften skin and support the skin barrier.
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall body wash.
under $15
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budget pick · 18.5 fl oz
Best for a big bottle that doesn't strip your skin
NBC Select's best budget pick for dry skin: a big, pH-balanced bottle with hyaluronic acid and squalane and no harsh cleansers.
Heads up. Has added fragrance
1 outlet. NBC Select best budget body wash.
under $15
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splurge pick · 13.52 fl oz
Best for one gentle wash the whole household can share
NBC Select's best body wash for all ages: a gentle foaming wash with shea butter, glycerin and niacinamide that's safe for face and body.
1 outlet. NBC Select best body wash for all ages.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Lotion | mid | under $15 | very dry skin that keeps coming back | 1 outlet |
| eos Shea Better Body Lotion | budget | under $15 | smelling good without a heavy cream | 1 outlet |
| La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizer Cream | splurge | $25-50 | a rich cream for a cranky skin barrier | 1 outlet |
Best body lotionmid pick · 16.9 fl oz
Best for very dry skin that keeps coming back
NBC Select's best body lotion for very dry skin: lactic acid and ceramides that absorb quickly and help prevent recurring dryness.
Heads up. Not for cracked skin
1 outlet. NBC Select best body lotion for very dry skin.
under $15
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budget pick · 16 fl oz
Best for smelling good without a heavy cream
NBC Select's best scented body lotion: a lightweight shea butter lotion in a pump bottle.
Heads up. Sweet scent isn't for everyone
1 outlet. NBC Select best scented body lotion.
under $15
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splurge pick · 13.5 oz
Best for a rich cream for a cranky skin barrier
NBC Select's best body lotion for skin barrier repair: a rich cream with ceramides, shea butter, glycerin and niacinamide.
Heads up. Thick consistency
1 outlet. NBC Select best body lotion for skin barrier repair.
$25-50
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Best exfoliating body washbudget pick · 10 oz
Best for trying a chemical exfoliant for the first time
NBC Select's best exfoliating body wash for beginners: a fragrance-free salicylic acid wash its expert calls an excellent starting point for most people.
1 outlet. NBC Select best exfoliating body wash for beginners.
under $15
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mid pick · Bottle
Best for rough, dull skin that wants smoothing
NBC Select's best overall exfoliating body wash: a blend of alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliates, and one bottle lasts a long time.
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall exfoliating body wash.
$15-25
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Best shower scrubberbudget pick · Gloves
Best for swapping out a gross old loofah cheaply
NBC Select's best exfoliating gloves and best budget loofah swap: wearable textured nylon gloves that gently exfoliate.
Heads up. You need to rinse them out every time
1 outlet. NBC Select best exfoliating gloves.
under $15
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splurge pick · Hand scrubber
Best for a loofah swap that won't get funky
NBC Select's easiest-to-hold body scrubber: an antimicrobial silicone scrubber with a non-slip hand strap that its tester calls super gentle.
1 outlet. NBC Select easiest-to-hold body scrubber.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant | budget | under $15 | going aluminum-free without a weird scent | 1 outlet |
| Native Regular Deodorant | mid | under $15 | a gentle natural stick | 1 outlet |
| Lume Whole Body Deodorant | splurge | $15-25 | odor control beyond your underarms | 1 outlet |
Best deodorantbudget pick · 2.6 oz stick
Best for going aluminum-free without a weird scent
NBC Select's best aluminum-free deodorant: a gentler formula with a fresh smell that can last up to 48 hours, according to the brand.
Heads up. Slightly sticky formula
1 outlet. NBC Select best aluminum-free deodorant.
under $15
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mid pick · 2.65 oz stick
Best for a gentle natural stick
NBC Select's best natural deodorant: a non-greasy, gentle stick that doesn't use aluminum.
Heads up. Not invisible
1 outlet. NBC Select best natural deodorant.
under $15
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splurge pick · 3 oz cream
Best for odor control beyond your underarms
NBC Select's best whole body deodorant: an aluminum-free cream the brand says protects against odor for up to 72 hours and can be used all over.
Heads up. Strong smell when applying
1 outlet. NBC Select best whole body deodorant.
$15-25
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Right after you shower. NBC Select's body lotion guide says moisturizing after showering helps lock in moisture, and a dermatologist in its body wash guide says to keep showers short and not too hot if your skin runs dry.
A dermatologist quoted by NBC Select suggests two to four times a week, swapping in a gentle wash on other days and not pairing it with a loofah or scrubber. Skip it on irritated skin, cuts or flare-ups.
Not really. A dermatologist quoted by NBC Select says loofahs are generally unnecessary and can collect mold or bacteria if not cared for. The same dermatologist suggests antimicrobial materials like silicone instead.
Deodorant handles odor but doesn't change how much you sweat. Antiperspirants use aluminum compounds to cut sweat too, so NBC Select's experts say they're the better choice if sweat is your main issue.