11 Best antibacterial body washes (2023)

Whether you’re looking for a luxury self-care routine, a basic in-and-out shower, or just need a new body cleanser, there are plenty of fantastic body washes available this year.

Antibacterial body wash is not your run-of-the-mill cleanser. This product is for any man, woman or child who has skin conditions caused by bacteria or fungi, such as body acne, funky odors and even itchiness. Read on for our list of the best antibacterial body washes of 2023.

1. Blu Atlas Body Wash

This premium skin-care company doesn’t mince words or waste time. Their antibacterial body wash is here to take charge and rid your body of unwanted skin conditions caused by bacterial or fungal organisms. The Blu Atlas Body Wash wins this year’s top spot for the best antibacterial body wash. This is the optimal cleanser for anyone who is looking for an effective all-natural body wash. The brand never uses harmful or toxic chemicals in its products, so you don’t have to worry about irritants.

Thoroughly tested and backed by scientific research, this antibacterial body wash harnesses the power of nature to tackle bacteria and fungi.

2. Derma-nu Antifungal Antibacterial Body Wash

This organic body wash is free from fillers and harmful chemicals that can irritate the skin, like artificial fragrances, parabens and dyes. It’s suitable for all skin types, but be warned that the scent can overpower those with a sensitive nose.

A rejuvenating, stimulating antibacterial body wash, it kills bacteria that cause body or foot odors. Tea tree oil and mint team up to work their antibacterial and antimicrobial magic to treat jock itch, nail fungus, athlete’s foot, body acne, ringworm and psoriasis all over the body.

Essential oils such as menthol, spearmint, eucalyptus, wintergreen, tea tree and peppermint are at the core of this body cleanser. They all possess unique antifungal properties that help cure itchy skin, dryness and inflammation.

You only need a quarter-size dollop of this healing body wash to cleanse the skin. We recommend Derma-nu’s body wash to anyone who wants a multifunctional antibacterial product that can do more than just clean the body.

3. Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash Original

If funky odors are your archnemesis, you can kiss them goodbye with Dettol’s Antibacterial Body Wash Original. The bacteria living on your body love the sweat you produce. Whether you’re a gym rat or simply sweat a lot, this antibacterial body wash can get rid of your unwanted foul odors. Users of this body wash rave about its unique, refreshing scent. It can leave your skin feeling dry after use, so we don’t recommend it to men or women with sensitive skin.

While we don’t want to scare you away, we want you to have a complete handle on the facts. One of the strong chemicals in this antibacterial wash is parachlorometaxylenol. It’s an active ingredient and powerful disinfectant – it even attacks coronavirus strains – but it has not yet been approved by the FDA or proven effective for use in a body wash.

4. Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash

Sometimes your body’s hormones are just out of your control. If you’re experiencing unwanted smells, odors and other bacterial or fungal skin conditions, Dr. Lift’s Antibacterial Body Wash can help you manage skin concerns while cleansing and moisturizing the skin.

The body wash includes anti-inflammatory botanicals to soothe stressed-out and tired skin. Effective, high-quality ingredients like lavender, cucumber, lemon, apple, chamomile and calendula naturally meet your skin’s needs. The nature-based substances help moisturize the skin during cleansing.

5. Remedy Soap Tea Tree Oil Body Wash

Body washes with tea tree oil contain powerful natural antibacterials. Remedy Soap Tea Tree Oil Body Wash harnesses nature’s most potent antibacterial and antimicrobial tool. Remedy’s body wash comes filled to the brim with other powerful natural ingredients. Coconut oil is an antifungal, moisturizes the skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Peppermint oil is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent that soothes and cools stressed skin. Jojoba oil is well known for its soothing and healing properties.

The formula resembles a shower gel and has a lumpy texture. It’s not an ideal choice for those with very sensitive skin. Pro tip: Leave the body wash on the sweatiest areas of your body for an extra minute or two, allowing the tea tree oil to perform its powerful work.

6. Dove Men+Care Skin Defense Body Wash

You won’t have to think twice with this quick, easy antibacterial body wash option. Dove’s Men+Care Skin Defense Body Wash is the easiest choice if you’re a busy man or woman who needs a multipurpose body wash that can treat skin conditions caused by bacteria or fungi.

This body wash offers a luxurious lather at an affordable price. MicroMoisture, Dove’s proprietary ingredient, nourishes the skin instead of stripping it dry with its antibacterial cleansers. Don’t worry about the scent being too manly; it doesn’t linger for long.

Dove cares about both your skin and the environment. This body wash bottle is made using recycled plastics.

7. Dove Antibacterial Body Wash

This is a lightly scented antibacterial body wash that can benefit everyone in the family. If you’re interested in adding an antibacterial wash to your showering product line-up, Dove’s is an easy-to-use liquid that richly lathers and creates clean suds all over the body. It’s also suitable for those with sensitive or dry skin.

Their basic antibacterial formula tackles bacterial microorganisms that are striving to take over your skin’s real estate. While it’s not the most gentle body wash liquid available, it’s a basic cleansing option, meaning you won’t have to go out of your way to find an excellent antibacterial cleanser.

People love the light scent, easy lather and smooth skin they get after washing with this product. We recommend Dove’s Antibacterial Body Wash to men, women and children who want a simple antibacterial that can keep skin healthy and free from bacterial nuisances. It’s one of the best products to buy for the whole family without spending a ton of cash.

8. Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Antibacterial Bar

You caught us! This is not a body wash; it’s an antibacterial bar soap. It’s a specialty product created for men and women with dry, sensitive skin. This bar is significantly different from traditional bar soaps as it doesn’t contain harsh soap or detergent ingredients. Instead, it’s a pH-balanced gentle cleanser that moisturizes the skin. The Gentle Cleansing Bar is one of the best body cleansers that can tackle any kind of skin condition, including eczema, body acne and foul body odors.

The Cetaphil Cleansing bar includes natural emollients and oils to help your skin stay healthy and vibrant. The other ingredients are gentle cleansers and antibacterials. It doesn’t even cause acne breakouts, which is a significant concern with generic bar soaps. Toss your generic bar soap in the garbage, and replace it with Cetaphil’s effective Gentle Cleansing Bar.

While we highly recommend this bar soap, there are best practices to follow to get the best use from it. Every person in your family should have a personal bar of soap to avoid spreading germs. This product is gentle enough for use by the whole family, including children.

9. Dial for Men Antibacterial Body Wash

Just what the dermatologist ordered – a no-frills antibacterial body wash to treat and heal pesky skin conditions. This is an odor-neutralizing liquid that cleanses your skin and brings the aromatic scent of eucalyptus. It’s a dermatologist-tested and doctor-recommended body wash that kills bad BO. The formula is free from harmful chemicals like parabens, silicones, phthalates, SLS and SLES.

The antibacterial properties specifically target bacteria causing foul body odor. If you’re looking to treat other skin conditions such as athlete’s foot, eczema and jock itch, you’ll need a body wash with a few extra ingredients. Dial’s Men Antibacterial Body Wash is the best product if you’re trying to kill bacteria and sweat that create funky odors after your gym sesh.

You really can’t go wrong with this odor-neutralizing product if you want to blast away odors. It’s affordable and can be found at most major grocery stores and drugstores.

10. Oriso Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body and Foot Wash

There are few complaints about Oriso’s Body and Foot Wash. A highly recommended antibacterial body wash, Oriso’s utilizes nature’s most potent antibacterials to help people regain power over their skin. There’s a lot to love about this strong cleanser, which is all-natural, paraben-free, sulfate-free and cruelty-free. Men and women especially love the minty fresh smell that helps kickstart the day. If you’re not a big fan of mint, we recommend you steer clear of Oriso’s body wash and pick an antibacterial body wash with a lighter scent.

More than just a pretty bottle, this dynamic body wash also treats body acne and foul odors. Oriso’s Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body and Foot Wash can help reduce the fungi or bacteria that cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm and nail fungus. The liquid combines 5% tea tree oil, aloe extract and natural oils to help heal skin conditions.

Anti-Fungal Tea Tree Oil is the ideal cleanser for athletes, those who sweat a lot, and those dealing with severe fungal or bacterial skin concerns. We recommend Oriso’s body wash to anyone looking for a strong tea tree oil product.

11. Natural Riches Tea Tree Oil Body Wash

Do you need to treat bacterial or fungal problems, but are on a tight budget? Natural Riches Tea Tree Oil Body Wash brings a full antibacterial and antimicrobial wash to your shower shelf without wasting cash. Many people love it for the richly lathering suds; others love that it helps treat the whole gamut of skin conditions. So, if you’re someone who suffers from multiple bacterial issues on the skin, this bottle’s for you.

Let’s get to the nitty-gritty: What’s in this wash, and what does it do? Inside the bottle are some of the most potent natural antibacterials. Tea tree oil, aloe, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary, oregano, coconut and olive oil are powerful antimicrobials and increase skin health. Natural Riches also harnesses a variety of vitamins to help skin thrive. Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E are included in this liquid gold formula.

This antibacterial body wash can help treat body acne, yeast infections, jock itch, ringworms, inflammation on skin rashes, athlete’s foot, dryness, bumps on the skin, body odor and even nail fungus. We recommend Natural Riches to anyone who needs to treat multiple skin conditions that you can’t cure with regular body wash.

What is an antibacterial body wash?

An antibacterial body wash is different from your run-of-the-mill body wash. This liquid body wash contains different ingredients than a “regular” body wash and includes certain chemicals to treat, prevent and reduce bacterial infections. It may come with the label “antimicrobial” or “antiseptic,” although most popular antibacterial body washes use the term “antibacterial.” Two common bacteria-killing ingredients are triclocarban and triclosan.

The benefits of an antibacterial body wash

What can an antibacterial body wash do? Let’s examine the main benefits of this type of body wash liquid.

Kills bad body odors

You may not realize it, but your body’s bacteria are what create bad body odors. Bacteria gobble up the sweat and produce the foul odors you don’t enjoy. The ingredients in antibacterial body washes fulfill their job by killing bacteria and cutting out body odor.

Fights bacterial skin infections

If your antibacterial body wash kills bacteria like it’s supposed to, you won’t get any skin infections. The antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antifungal liquids stop bacterial growth and yeast germination.

Supports skin protection

When you wash with an antibacterial body wash in the morning, you can carry extra skin protection with you all day. Your skin and body should have fewer odors, feel cleaner and be less sweaty during your day. It’s beneficial if you work out or sweat a lot during your daily life.

Destroys bacteria

This is probably obvious, but antibacterial body washes have one crucial job: killing bacteria that cause unwanted skin conditions. Stopping bacterial growth in its tracks can help with many skin conditions, even those that cause itchiness or dryness.

Antibacterial body wash buying guide

When choosing your next antibacterial body wash, a few guides can help you choose the best cleanser for your skin.

The best antibacterial body wash ingredients

A handful of core and essential ingredients work with your body wash to clean, soothe, soften and hydrate the skin.

Tea tree oil

Straight from nature, this antiseptic and essential oil kills bacteria naturally. Tea tree oil won’t dry out your skin while killing bacteria, mold, fungi and even viruses. It’s a potent natural antimicrobial included in many skin-care products. This essential oil can cause irritation to some skin types, so perform a patch test before slathering tea tree oil products all over your body.

Triclosan

A common ingredient in antibacterial body washes, triclosan has been shown to fight bacteria growth and fungus.

Coconut oil

Put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up. Then put it in your antibacterial body wash and benefit from the coconut oil’s healing properties. Coconut oil is a natural antiseptic and moisturizer.

Aloe vera

A miracle plant, aloe vera seems to solve every problem under the sun. It acts as a moisturizing and antimicrobial ingredient in antibacterial body washes, and can help heal inflammation, skin infections, acne and wounds.

Peppermint oil

Another natural essential oil that acts as a powerful antibacterial, peppermint oil has a cooling effect and can help reduce redness.

Benzalkonium chloride

A body wash ingredient that fights bacteria, benzalkonium chloride kills certain microorganisms.

Eucalyptus oil

A natural oil that possesses antibacterial properties to help tackle bacteria and fungus, eucalyptus oil can also soothe irritation and inflammation.

Antibacterial body wash versus regular body wash

What’s the difference between an average body wash and an antibacterial body wash? There are a few key factors that separate the two.

Antibacterial body wash prevents bacterial infection

The main difference between a regular body wash and an antibacterial body wash is the ingredients. Yes, they both get you clean and clear away dirt, grime and dead skin cells. But antibacterial soaps contain extra ingredients specifically formulated to kill and prevent bacteria. An antibacterial liquid targets bacteria and sweat.

Halts excessive dryness

While antibacterial body washes do dry the skin, they include hydrating and moisturizing substances. These substances are usually oils or hydrating natural ingredients.

Doesn’t clog pores

An antibacterial body wash will have non-comedogenic ingredients to clean your skin and unclog your pores. A regular body wash may or may not include non-comedogenic ingredients. The standard body wash will not have the same ingredients classified as “antibacterial” to take care of bacteria.

Antibacterial isn’t better, just different

If you don’t need to treat any skin conditions such as body acne or body odor, you may not need an antibacterial body wash. An antibacterial body wash isn’t better than an average body wash, but it can treat different concerns.

Top tips for using antibacterial body wash

After purchasing your body wash, you can follow a few tips to get the most out of your shower or bath.

The hottest antibacterial body wash tips

• After sudsing up in the shower, don’t leave the liquid on your skin for more than two minutes. Anything longer than two minutes can dry out the skin and leave it feeling tight.

• Thoroughly rinse off the lather and soap with warm water. Any soap left behind can irritate the skin.

• Choose a body wash that is free from fragrance. This tip is crucial, especially for anyone who has dry or sensitive skin. Artificial fragrances contain harsh chemicals, and it’s better to avoid them.

• Perform a patch test with your body cleanser before using it on your whole body. Antibacterial body washes contain extra compounds to kill bacteria, and some ingredients may irritate the skin. A quick patch test on your inner thigh or the back of your wrist will show you if your skin loves or hates your body wash.

• Check the expiration date of your body wash…and while you’re at it, check the expiration date on every skin-care product you own. You shouldn’t be using products that are expired. Expired products are a breeding ground for bacteria or other organisms.

• If you opt for an antibacterial soap bar, make sure it’s a completely smooth and flat piece of soap. Ridges, bumps or other patterns may become breeding grounds for bacterial pathogens you want to kill on the skin.

• When using the antibacterial soap bar (not body wash), it should only be used by one person. You don’t want to be passing around weird bacteria with your spouse, partner or other family members.

Frequently asked questions

Can body wash kill bacteria?

Yes! The whole point of an antibacterial body wash is to take care of bacteria and fungal organisms that cause body odor, body acne or other skin conditions similar to this. So, if you’re looking to kill bacteria, do your research and find the best antibacterial body wash for your skin condition.

Can I wash my face with an antibacterial body wash?

Probably not. Unless your antibacterial wash states explicitly that it can be used on the face, it’s better to avoid washing the face with this type of body wash. Antibacterial body washes contain ingredients that may be too harsh for your facial skin and can cause an adverse reaction.

There is one exception to this: If your body wash is made with all-natural ingredients and products and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, it’s probably gentle enough to be used as a face wash.

Never use an antibacterial hand wash on your face or body. They are harsh formulas that can cause severe drying, itching and tightness.

Does an antibacterial body wash cause acne?

It shouldn’t! Antibacterial body washes are formulated to treat bacteria that cause acne and odors, not make the skin break out in blemishes. Triclosan, a common active ingredient in antibacterial body washes, aids the skin by breaking down bacteria and working at the cellular level. It also adds an extra layer of protection over your skin, which blocks new bacteria. Triclosan battles folliculitis when acne occurs near the hair follicle from fungal or bacterial organisms.

Most body washes stop or heal acne breakouts. Hydrating or moisturizing body washes may cause clogged pores and acne. They contain deeply moisturizing ingredients that work hard to hydrate the skin and can cause breakouts.

Can you use antibacterial body wash on tattoos?

Absolutely! Antibacterial body washes or tattoo soap are both great options for washing tattoos. Using an antibacterial body wash can create an extra layer of protection to protect your skin from outside dirt, particles and bacteria.

How often should I use an antibacterial body wash?

While you don’t want to overwash and dry out or irritate the skin, you should use an antibacterial wash at least once per day. This ensures you kill bacteria or fungal microbes that cause body odor and acne.

Depending on your lifestyle and how active you are, you might benefit from a morning and evening shower routine to wash away fungal and bacterial pathogens. Or, if you visit the gym once per day, showering after a sweaty workout routine is always a good idea.

Are antibacterial body washes safe?

Of course! Skin-care companies wouldn’t be producing antibacterial body washes if they didn’t have a safe, effective formula that helps treat skin conditions. The main job of an antibacterial body wash is to kill bacterial or fungal pathogens that cause unwanted skin conditions. Using an antibacterial body wash is a safe and effective way to do that.

What is the best antibacterial body wash?

Blu Atlas’ Body Wash is the best and most trusted antibacterial body wash. It includes nature’s finest botanicals and ingredients straight from the earth that can tackle any skin condition. We recommend this body wash for men and women who want a natural body wash that can deal with bacteria, odors and sweat.