Whether you toil away in a coal mine all day or spend your day typing at an office desk, it’s amazing how much grime and buildup can end up on your body. A high-quality body wash needs to be strong and effective enough to remove the weird and wonderful medley of dirt, sweat, and bacteria that has accumulated throughout your morning and afternoon.
The best antibacterial body washes of all include active antimicrobial ingredients that can’t be found in regular soaps.
Common antibacterial ingredients
When purchasing a good body wash, check you are buying one with the best antibacterial ingredients available. No two antibacterial ingredients are alike, and if you are prone to dry and sensitive skin, you’ll need a body wash that includes ingredients that work well with your body chemistry.
A good antibacterial body wash should include naturally-derived ingredients that both kill off fungal bacteria and germs, as well as leave you smelling and feeling great.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most popular natural antibacterial ingredients available on the market today. It was originally named by 18th-century sailors who found that the leaves of the tea tree made a pungent tea, reminding them of home.
Back then, they didn’t know that tea tree leaves also have a wide range of benefits thanks to a number of compounds including terpinen-40-ol, which has been proven to fight bacteria and fungi. The compound can also increase white blood cell activity, which assists in fighting germs, parasites, and viruses.
Tea tree oil can be used to combat acne and skin fungus. It also acts as a great smelling perfume, insect repellant, and mouthwash—particularly useful for people with gum disease or infections.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel is another powerful anti-bacterial agent that contains gallic acid—a powerful antioxidant, with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also includes tannins, which have the same properties but also act as a natural astringent. This means it can assist in removing excess oil from pores as well as reduce the appearance of redness and uneven skin.
Witch hazel and tea tree oil are both great for reducing redness, soothing the skin, and treating infections, fungus, and burns.
The kitchen staples
Search the kitchen pantry and you might find an interesting antibacterial product stuffed at the back, behind the barbecue sauce. For example, raw apple cider vinegar is a renowned bacteria fighting ingredient. Apart from being a great household cleaner and very good for the digestive system, this gold liquid also has powerful antimicrobial properties that assist in calming skin and restoring the natural pH balance.
Oregano is another notable antibacterial ingredient that is known for its calming properties—particularly for skin conditions such as rosacea and hyperpigmentation. The carvacrol compound in oregano oil also assists in speeding up the healing process, when damage occurs.
Other antibacterial products like turmeric and curcumin can also improve skin tone, blotchiness, redness, and have been said to improve the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation.
Nature’s nectar
We all know honey is a superfood, but it is also a great antibacterial agent that is great for the skin. Its natural humectant (water-absorbing) properties make it a great moisturizer. Further, the enzyme activity in honey enables it to penetrate deeper into the skin than most ingredients, making it an incredibly hydrating product that helps keep your skin plumper, softer, and more radiant.
Rosemary essential oil also assists in reducing puffiness and soothing dry and stressed out skin, while lemon oil is rich in antioxidants and includes antiseptic properties, which are great for acne, cuts, and scratches.
Handy tips
Antibacterial ingredients are essential in killing bacteria and stopping them from reproducing. If you buy a body wash with one of the natural products above, you can rest assured your wash will not only be cleansing, but bacteria-fighting as well.
When selecting an antibacterial body wash, it is a good idea to purchase a lighter wash for your face, particularly if you have sensitive skin or issues such as rosacea, dermatitis, or eczema.
Antibacterial body washes are not just great for ridding your body of viruses and bacteria, they also assist in decreasing body odor, which results when bacteria feeds on our sweat and begins to multiply. If you suffer from fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and boils and abscesses, you might also find a good antibacterial wash once or twice a day could make a marked difference in your comfort levels.
If you struggle with indecision, let us help you take your first step into the wonderful world of antibacterial body wash choices and steer you in the right direction. Below we highlight our favorite 12 antibacterial body washes, beginning with our number one favorite!
1. Blu Atlas Body Wash
Blu Atlas Body Wash tops the list for the best antibacterial body wash on the market, thanks to its natural and nourishing ingredients, which cleanse without any harsh chemicals. Marketed to men, Blu Atlas is a no-nonsense product that speaks for itself with all-natural ingredients and a commanding presence in the health and beauty market.
This body wash is filled with luxurious ingredients, including green tea (which helps calm skin and acts as an antioxidant and toner), sugarcane (high in alpha hydroxy acids, with the ability to calm acne), and aloe vera (to soothe and lock in moisture). Coconut-derived emollients will assist in calming the skin and cleansing dirt from your pores.
Blu Atlas Body Wash is easy to use; just apply in the shower to wet skin and lather in a dab of product. If you notice that your favorite body wash seems to be decreasing at an alarming rate, you might find that your significant other has been using it too—in fact, the whole family could be guilty of body wash theft, it’s just that good!
While you (or your wife, girlfriend, or significant other) are enjoying your deep clean, it might also be nice to know all Blu Atlas products are vegan, preservative-, paraben-, and phthalate-free, as well as being developed without cruelty to animals.
2. Aveeno Body Wash Skin Relief
Aveeno Skin Relief body wash is perfect for those with sensitive skin thanks to its intensively moisturizing ingredients. This antibacterial body wash will soothe itchy and dry skin with its beneficial colloidal oatmeal ingredient, which is made by grinding oat grains into a fine powder.
The name Aveeno originates from the scientific name for oat—Avena Sativa, which is the main ingredient found in the products. This ingredient works as a powerful exfoliant as well as reduces inflammation and assists with calming down dry and irritated skin.
Colloidal oatmeal is known for smoothing the skin and is packed full of protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that benefit the skin. It is also full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that fights free radicals and keeps your skin youthful and smooth.
In this formula, oat extract soothes the skin, while citric acid exfoliates the upper layers and rejuvenates. Meanwhile, commiphora myrrha (myrrh) extract assists in preventing skin aging as well as enhancing skin moisture levels.
This body wash is free of soap and dye, plus it is hypoallergenic as well as fragrance-free. That means it will not only cleanse your body, it will also keep sensitive skin from flaring up and is a perfect choice for people with rosacea, eczema, and dermatitis.
3. Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Wash is an invigorating cleanser that assists in removing grime as well as keeping your body feeling and smelling good.
The main ingredient, geranium oil, is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient. It boosts your skin’s elasticity, helps avoid irritation, and calms down acne-prone skin. Additionally, it’s a powerful antibacterial agent, leaving you feeling cleansed and refreshed after every wash.
This antibacterial body wash also includes mandarin rind, which is pumped full of Vitamin C—a powerful antioxidant which increases collagen, assists with healing wounds and brightens your skin. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Bergamot rind is next on the list of ingredients, with its ability to renew your skin and even out and tone your complexion. It can also decrease hyperpigmentation and acne blemishes.
You can choose between a 100ml, 500ml, and a 500ml refill bottle, so that you can keep recycling the same bottle—if that is the type of thing you need to do in life.
Aesop is an Australian cosmetics company that has been around since 1987 and was established by Dennis Pahitis, who owned a hair salon that blended essential oils into hair products. Thanks to his success, he rebranded the business to Aesop—after the Greek storyteller—as a passing joke referencing the beauty industry’s need to puff up and overcomplicate things.
As of 2019, the brand is sold in 25 countries and produces 83 products worldwide, proving that an uncomplicated blend will always win out, as long as the product is made with the best ingredients every time.
4. Remedy Soap Tea Tree Oil
If you struggle with body odor, athlete’s foot, ringworm, or yeast infections, Remedy Soap Tea Tree Oil Body wash is one of the best antibacterial body wash options available. Made from a combination of natural and organic ingredients, this shower gel and body wash is an excellent way to address a wide range of skin conditions from fungal to bacterial and everything in between.
Botanical tea tree oil is added because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits, which are thought to calm redness, swelling and infections. Combine this with the calming and toning action of peppermint oil, and you have a great healing concoction.
The anti-inflammatory properties of jojoba oil calm dry and stressed out skin as well as eczema and rosacea. Jojoba Oil includes Vitamin E and B-complex, which repairs damage. Coconut and Olive oil also work well together to moisturize and relax the skin.
This powerful antibacterial body wash includes no parabens, preservatives, petroleum, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, silicones, or dyes, yet it is powerful enough to be used after your longest days. As a powerful antibacterial body wash that is great for all skin types, this is a must-have for your gym bag.
5. Dermalogica conditioning body wash
Used by approximately 100,000 skin therapists in more than 100 countries around the world, dermalogica has been a popular option for the experts since it was first founded in 1986.
As specialists in their field, the team at dermalogica understand the importance of hands-on beauty treatment, which is why this particular body wash is inspired by the Turkish hammam (bathing house). If you have ever visited one, you will recognize the heady mixture of beautiful aromatic oils and smells that add to the relaxing and calming experience that only a hammam can offer.
In the absence of your very own personal spa attendant, Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash will bring back the smells, sensations, and relaxing memories of a calming hammam in your own shower or bath. This silky and gentle cleansing gel includes the delicate scent of French rosemary, which is a powerful astringent and can balance and tone your skin, while calming acne and oil-prone skin.
This product includes Chinese eucalyptus, which has powerful antiseptic properties, alongside fresh tea tree and lemon oils to cleanse skin and awaken the senses. Provitamin B5 and tranquil sandalwood, lavender, and clary sage smooth and condition for a truly transformative finish.
6. Dr Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap – Tea Tree
If you don’t know Dr. Bronner, you probably don’t know soap!
This soap business has been in the same family since it was founded in 1948, by Emanuel Bronner, who had a strong belief in unity, so much so that he dedicated the labels on his soap products to messages such as “we are all—one or none.”
Originally, Dr Bronner’s soap was produced in the Jewish Quarter, Laupheim, Germany. The family invented the first liquid castile soap, though it wasn’t until the 1950s that the labels on the soap began to become politicized.
The business also long fought for hemp to be used as part of the process, and on February 6, Bob Marley’s birthday, they finally managed to defeat DEA regulations.
With all of that in the background, it’s not surprising that all Dr Bronner products are made with natural ingredients, committing to fair trade values with only organic products used throughout production.
Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Organic Pump Soap combines sugar with organic white grape juice, which helps protect against the sun’s rays, reverse the aging process, moisturize the skin, even skin tone, and reduce scarring.
Combine this with organic coconut olive hemp oil, and you have a creamy castile soap which, in Dr Bronner fashion, can be utilized for a variety of different reasons. The four-in-one pump soap can be used to wash the hands, face, body, and hair.
If you are applying it to your hair, you can follow it up with Dr. Bronner’s Citrus Organic Hair Rinse. The business website even suggests apple cider vinegar or lemon would do too—always in keeping with natural values over consumerism.
7. Dr. Organic Activated Charcoal Body Wash
Natural, organic, and cruelty-free, Dr. Organic Activated Charcoal Body Wash is all about sustainability, green living, and a healthier you.
The main ingredient, activated charcoal, is great for removing excess oil, tightening the skin and exfoliating and removing blackheads. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and frankincense assist in calming irritated skin and healing wounds, while citrus oil tones and tightens the skin.
This lovely body cleanser includes citrus extract, geranium, rose flower oil, and cinnamon leaf oil, which combine to make a great nurturing skin care product as well leaving your body smelling and feeling fresh. Cinnamon leaf has not been mentioned in this list yet, but it is a potent antibacterial product with antifungal and antioxidant properties that are effective in fighting acne and skin blemishes. Cinnamon leaf oil also assists in unclogging skin pores.
Certified as vegan, this product does not include products derived from animals, is cruelty-free, and is packaged in recyclable plastic bottles. This is a great addition to your bathroom regime if you are environmentally conscious, and who isn’t these days?
8. Lumin Clarifying Wash
Founded in 2018, Lumin has become a very popular brand, very quickly, thanks to its stylish packaging and design as well as the natural products used in each health and beauty product.
Keep your skin moisturized and smooth with this brilliant antibacterial body wash that specializes in avoiding body breakouts, thanks to its tea-tree formula. Tea tree oil is thought to be antibacterial and is often used to treat acne and athlete’s foot.
Coupled with the anti-inflammatory properties of nourishing jojoba oil, which includes both Vitamin E and B complex vitamins as well as soothing aloe vera to calm irritated skin, this is the epitome of luxurious body washes.
What distinguishes this product is its minimalistic use of ingredients; it just sticks to the tried and tested main ingredients needed to deliver a powerful antibacterial product. This is particularly good for those with sensitive skin who cannot necessarily cope with an influx of different ingredients.
This paraben-free formula is a natural antibacterial body wash that promises to give you the best wash every time.
9. Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Body Wash
Get your singing voice ready because Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Body Wash is perfect for that morning shower routine. With 100% pure tea tree oil, you can be assured that the antibacterial properties are powerful, while remaining gentle on your skin.
Thursday Plantation was first founded in the 1970s, when Eric White decided to harness the power of tea tree oil. He established a plantation in northern New South Wales, Australia and over 45 years later, it is the antibacterial power of tea tree oil that continues to make this body wash so popular.
Honeysuckle flower extract is an interesting addition to this body wash. Native to east Asian regions, the flower is used in Chinese medicine and is known for soothing the skin and fighting disorders such as rosacea and eczema. It is also rich in antioxidants, so it is great for calming irritated skin and acne.
Rosemary oil has also been added and is also effective for clearing up acne and balancing oily skin tones. Thanks to its antimicrobial benefits, it can prevent future breakouts also. Citrus Oil works as a great cleanser, toner, and balancing oil.
With 72% certified organic ingredients, and 100% naturally-derived ingredients, it is no surprise that Thursday Plantation continues to be a leader in its field. This naturally-derived body wash is free from polysorbates, petrochemicals, synthetic colors, animal-derived ingredients, and all the other nasties that can be found in less natural products.
10. Everblue Body Wash Empower
Whether you are a powerhouse in the office, or a wallflower, Everblue’s ‘Empower’ range will give you the confidence to meet deadlines and achieve all that needs to be done in your day. Its refreshing aroma and antibacterial properties will leave you feeling as fresh as a daisy.
But rest assured, if you are not in the mood for being empowered, there are three other options to choose, including Fearless, with vanilla, rosehip, and shea butter; Mindful, which is enriched with manuka, elderberry, and aloe vera; and Aspire, which includes peppermint, jojoba, and kawakawa oil.
Empower is infused with the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the peony, which soothes wounds and reduces pigmentations. Gardenia is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, which helps revive and protect dry and tired skin.
If you are beginning to notice those wrinkles and dry skin, moisturizing cocoa butter assists in soothing and softening dry skin and giving your body a dewy appearance. Cocoa butter tends to be absorbed well without leaving a greasy film. It is great for leaving your skin feeling toned and strong. This lightly floral scented product is suitable for all skin types and is PH-balanced.
11. Rhino Repair Powerful Soothing Body Wash
Imagine having the skin of a rhino? Thankfully, with Rhino Repair, you would be the envy of the herd, with your smooth and hydrated skin. This powerful soothing body wash includes myriad rejuvenating ingredients that will tighten and rejuvenate even the driest skin on the savannah.
Rhino Repair has been a trusted business in New Zealand for over a decade, and this soothing body wash includes a variety of 12 natural active ingredients such as chamomile (which soothes and calms red and inflamed skin), aloe vera (a powerful antioxidant and great barrier to the stressors of the sun), New Zealand propolis (renowned for its healing properties), and manuka honey (for a special Kiwi touch).
Vitamin E prevents inflammation and echinacea, rosemary, calendula, and rosehip all relax and hydrate the skin. Top this off with lavender, to tone the skin, and neem oil, which stimulates collagen formation and heals wounds.
For best results, apply two to three drops and massage on to wet skin, rinse and pat dry, then follow with Rhino Repair powerful natural skin healing cream.
12. Manuka Biotic Delicate Body Wash
When you buy a farm that is full of what looks like weeds, the stereotypical farmer would get busy removing everything to prepare the land for stock or produce. Luckily for us, the family at Moewai farms in the Coromandel (a peninsula set out in the ocean of New Zealand) decided to keep their plants where they were.
That was a wise choice, since what looked like scrubby weeds were actually manuka and kanuka, which have long been valued for the oil that can be made from their leaves. This oil is both nourishing and great for the skin—you can see where we’re going with this. With the help of experts Professor Merz and Professor Haskell, the family built a distillery and began producing skin-healing manuka and kanuka oil.
Manuka oil is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiinflammatory properties, which makes this antibacterial body wash a great choice for those with sensitive, irritated, or itchy skin. It is perfect for cradle cap, and it assists in calming down cuts and blemishes. It’s an excellent addition to the nursery or as a gift for a newborn baby.
Kanuka oil is also added to this product thanks to its high level of alpha-pinene, which assists in treating fungal infections, bacterial issues, and much more.
Twenty-five years after making the decision to ‘keep the weeds,’ the family-owned Manuka Biotic product has gone from strength to strength, thanks to hard work, a beautiful product, and the ability to think outside of the square. The product is now sold in 200 stores and online.
This naturally-derived product is free from all of those horrible acronyms such as SLS, SLES, parabens, PEGs, PABA, EDTA, petrochemicals, mineral oils, and added fragrances.