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There are many benefits to using Japanese body washes over more traditional soaps. Some are better moisturizers, whilst others are formulated for certain skin types, or offer a deeper level of cleansing, removing excess dirt, oil, or body odors that are too deep or stubborn for regular soaps. Some of the body washes recommended in this article also offer protection against harmful pollutants for several hours after use.
There are some key elements you can always look out for in a good Japanese body wash which include good hydration, hygiene, exfoliation, and skin-friendly ingredients. In this article we’ll help you to make sure you choose the right Japanese body wash for your skin type, with recommendations for adults, children, and babies!
How we decided
1. Kracie Naive Peach Body Soap Wash 530ml
The Naive peach-scented body wash from Kracie is a foaming body soap that moisturizes and provides a deep pore cleanse that leaves your skin feeling soft and smelling fresh. Its gentle, additive-free and moisturizing ingredients make this an ideal body wash for drier or easily irritated skin.
Active ingredients include butylene glycol, an organic compound derived from sugar cane which helps to bind water to the outer layers of your skin to keep it hydrated. This body wash also contains peach leaf extract which helps to reduce signs of pigmentation and locks in moisture, leaving your skin looking and feeling refreshed.
Pros
- Light, clean peach scent
- Dense foam that rinses quickly
- Mild, plant-based formula
Cons
- Not deeply moisturizing for very dry skin
- Not exfoliating
2. Kracie Naive Pure Plant-Based Foaming Body Wash For Babies 550ml
This Japanese child-friendly body wash comes with an easy-to-use foaming pump and forms a gentle lather over your child’s skin which quickly rinses off leaving it feeling soft and moisturized. Made entirely from plant-based ingredients, and free from artificial oils, colorants, fragrances, and alcohol, this body wash can be used by the whole family.
It also contains tocopherol, which has a similar effect on your skin to vitamin E, helping improve your skin’s ability to retain moisture for longer, and coco betaine, an organic compound derived from coconut oil which binds to dirt and oil to cleanse your skin as it washes off.
Pros
- Very mild, additive-free formula
- Dense foam that rinses clean easily
- Kid-friendly pump and bottle design
Cons
- Not designed for adults
- No exfoliating benefits
3. Lux Body Soap Soft Rose Foaming Body Wash
The Lux Soft Rose Body Wash is a quick-foaming body soap with a gentle rose floral scent. Its key ingredients lock in moisture and nutrition to promote healthier, glossier-looking skin.
It contains essential oils which are known to have protective, antimicrobial properties and improve skin repair. Some of these oils include almond oil, which is ideal for hydrating and softening sensitive or easily irritated skin, and peppermint leaf oil, which soothes irritation and itchiness.
Pros
- Rich foam with a lasting rose scent
- Hydrating formula with jojoba oil and HA
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
Cons
- Scent may be too strong for some
- Not suitable for fragrance-sensitive skin
4. Marna White Conc Body Shampoo (Exfoliating Body Wash) 360ml
Marna’s White Conc Body Shampoo is a moisturizing body shampoo with a skin-brightening formula that leaves behind a subtle grapefruit aroma. This exfoliating bath wash helps to remove those unwanted layers of dead skin while enhancing its natural defences. Its formula
contains kiwi fruit extract, which is an excellent antioxidant for your skin and helps to boost its natural protective barrier against external pollutants. This body wash also featured mulberry root extract as an ingredient, which helps to reduce the visible effects of uneven skin tones and calm sensitive or irritated skin.
Pros
- Helps remove old, dead skin cells
- Leaves skin looking clearer, brighter
- Refreshing grapefruit scent
Cons
- Not moisturizing enough for very dry skin
- Brightening effect may vary by skin type
5. Rohto CareCera Moisturizing Ceramide Foaming Body Wash 450ml
This moisturizing and foaming body wash from Rohto helps to enhance your skin’s natural barrier while offering a deep pore cleanse with a subtle floral fragrance. It is ideally suited for dry or irritated skin because of its gentle moisturizing ingredients.
These include hyaluronic acid which helps to lock moisture into your skin’s surface, and Chamomile extract which is high in antioxidants and helps to regenerate tired-looking skin and reduce redness. The body wash also contains ceramides which help moisturize and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier against external pollutants.
Pros
- Can be used as both body wash and face wash
- Contains 7 types of ceramides for deep moisture
- Gentle, hypoallergenic formula with mild floral scent
Cons
- Foam may feel too light for oily skin types
- No exfoliating benefits
6. Kao Curél Body Wash Pump Bottle 420ml
The Curél Body Wash from Kao is a gentle foaming body wash that cleanses your skin of dirt and other harmful pollutants. It can be used on both regular and sensitive skin for adults and babies due to its unique formula which mimics the skin’s natural pH balance.
The body wash contains dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice plant root extract which is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect on your skin while helping to limit excess production of the oily substance it produces called sebum.
Other key ingredients include eucalyptus extract, which helps to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier by trapping water to prevent dryness, and methyl glucoside, a conditioning agent also used to help retain moisture.
Pros
- Very gentle, fragrance-free formula
- Protects the skin barrier with ceramide care
- Leaves skin smooth and moisturized
Cons
- No scent for those who prefer fragrance
- Light foam may feel too mild for some
7. Dove Premium Moisture Care Foaming Body Wash
The Dove Premium Moisture Care Foaming Body Wash works best when used regularly on normal to dry skin because of its powerful moisturizing formula which rehydrates your skin over a prolonged period.
The ingredients of this foamy wash focus on cleansing your skin’s surface while leaving behind the unique bacteria that enhance your skin’s hydration and beauty. These ingredients include myristic acid which helps to remove dirt and other impurities for softer more supple-looking skin, and potassium cocoate, a natural and gentle liquid derived from coconut oil which helps to nourish and moisturize your skin while leaving it feeling cool and refreshed.
Pros
- Very hydrating with milk + triple ceramide
- Rich, milky foam that leaves skin soft
- Gentle on skin flora
Cons
- May feel heavy for oily skin
- Uses up quickly with rich texture
8. Cow Bouncia Body Soap Wash 480ml
This Japanese body soap from Cow is an intensely moisturizing body wash that produces a thick cleansing foam formulated to help your skin retain moisture and leave it feeling silky and smooth after rinsing.
It contains shea butter, a key ingredient loaded with antioxidants to help your skin retain moisture and stay smooth and supple. Other known benefits include soothing dry or irritated skin and helping to reduce signs of aging. Another core ingredient found in this body wash is hydrolyzed collagen, which helps to slow down signs of skin aging and improve skin elasticity.
The best part about this Japanese body soap is that it comes with an eco-friendly refill option which you can purchase instead of repurchasing a new bottle every single time.
Pros
- Dense, cushiony foam that’s gentle on skin
- Moisturizing formula with HA, collagen, buttermilk
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
Cons
- Scent may not suit fragrance-sensitive users
- Rich foam may feel heavy for oily skin
9. Mellsavon Floral Herbs Moist Type Body Wash 460g
The Mellsavon Floral Herbs Body Wash is a multi-action natural body wash that moisturizes and cleanses while strengthening your skin’s natural protective barrier. Ideally suited to oily skin, the wash contains a selection of herbs and natural ingredients such as soapwort leaf extract, known for its anti-inflammatory properties which helps to soothe irritated skin, and sesame seed extract which, like many other plant oils helps trap moisture in your skin.
This soap has been made at low temperature using the French traditional "cold press method" in which allows for the vitamins to remain in the soap, retaining its nourishing properties to help moisturize and protect your skin. It also leaves behind a natural and refreshing herbal scent.
Pros
- Cold-pressed to retain nutrients
- Moisturizing natural extracts
- Gentle for body and hands
Cons
- Natural floral scent may not suit everyone
- Foam is lighter vs standard body washes
10. Mellsavon Grasse Days Refreshing Type Body Wash 460g
Just like the floral herbs body wash, the Mellsavon Grasse Days refreshing body wash has been developed using a cold-press method which requires it to be made at low temperatures to help the ingredients retain their natural nourishing properties.
The body wash includes a combination of natural core ingredients which are kind to the skin, such as squid ink extract, which is known for its antioxidant effects and can help protect your skin cells from damaging external pollutants, and quince seed extract, commonly used as a hydrating anti-inflammatory and as a relief for stressed skin. It also leaves behind a subtle orange floral aroma.
Pros
- Cold-pressed to retain nutrients
- Natural extracts for moisture and texture
- Gentle for body and hands
Cons
- Scent may not suit everyone
- Light foam compared to regular washes
11. Nivea Angel Skin Body Wash Soap & Bouquet Scent Pump Bottle 480ml
Nivea Angel Skin Body Wash turns everyday cleansing into a soft, luxurious experience. Its whipped, cloud-like foam glides smoothly over the skin while white clay gently removes dead skin cells and buildup.
Enriched with yogurt extract and glycerin, it keeps your skin hydrated, smooth, and refreshed after every shower. The light soap and bouquet scent adds a calming, spa-like touch, making it perfect for daily use.
Pros
- Soft whipped foam feels lightweight
- White clay smooths rough skin
- Moisturizes with yogurt extract + glycerin
Cons
- Not ideal for very oily skin
- No deep exfoliation benefits
12.Kao Men's Biore Deodorant Body Wash 440ml
The Bioré deodorant body wash from Kao is designed to work best on oily skin that sweats frequently, due to its unique deep cleansing formula. It was created to help eliminate all traces of sweat, the leading cause of body odor, and other impurities to reduce levels of sebum, the oily substance naturally produced by your body.
This body wash also contains several key moisturizing ingredients, including coconut oil and concentrated glycerin, which help your skin to lock in moisture on its surface while it is cleaned. It also contains menthol, which leaves your skin smelling fresh and feeling energized.
Pros
- Deep-cleansing foam removes sebum, bacteria
- Helps prevent body acne
- Refreshing mint and menthol scent
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive or irritated skin
- Menthol may be too cooling for dry climates
13. Nishimatsuya Smart Angel Baby Shampoo (Foaming Hair and Body Wash) 500ml
The Smart Angel baby shampoo from Japanese baby product retailer Nishimatsuya is a full-body shampoo that can be used on your baby’s sensitive skin and scalps. Its skin-friendly plant-based formula is free from artificial colors and fragrances.
Ingredients include peach leaf extract, which is used to help soothe irritated skin, and mugwort plant extract, which helps to prevent and treat rashes and itching, while gently cleansing your baby’s hair and body. The shampoo is dispensed as a gentle, light foam for easy application across your baby’s skin.
Pros
- Gentle head-to-toe formula for easy bathing
- Botanical and amino acid–based, fragrance-free
- Helps prevent heat rash
Cons
- Very mild scent (or none) may feel too plain
- Light foam may require more product for thick hair
14. HA Cleansing Research Body Peel Soap Exfoliating Body Wash 480ml
AHA Cleansing Research Body Peel Soap is designed to smooth rough, bumpy, or dull skin. Its AHA-powered formula removes old dead skin cells, brightens tone, and leaves your body feeling silky after every wash.
Made with plant-derived cleansing ingredients, it delivers a refreshing, non-slimy rinse that keeps your skin clear and soft. Ideal for anyone wanting smoother, more even-looking skin with minimal effort.
Pros
- Smooths and brightens with AHA
- Removes dead skin cells and bumps
- Refreshing wash with no residue
Cons
- May be drying if overused
- Avoid using on freshly shaved areas
15. ULOS Skin Wash for Face and Body 300ml
From the skincare brand behind Cosmetics, the concept that skin health comes first, and all ingredients must be kind to your skin, this Japanese medicated face and body skin wash cleans and sanitizes your skin while protecting it against unpleasant body odors and sweat.
By creating a gentle and soothing lather that can be easily applied over your face and body, key ingredients such as Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and O-Cymen-5-ol are able to help soothe inflamed and irritated skin, while preventing the growth of microorganisms and odor on your skin’s surface.
Pros
- Targets odor and acne with two active ingredients
- Strong lather, gentle on skin
- Face and body–friendly formula
Cons
- Smaller bottle compared to standard washes
- Not ideal for very dry skin
Want to discover more Japanese soaps and body washes? Check out our full range of products here or read this article about the best Japanese bath soaps.
