Table of Contents
Quick Summary / At A Glance
- Pregnancy hormones can make skin drier, itchier and more sensitive, so a gentle, moisturising body wash matters more than usual.
- No body wash is guaranteed safe in pregnancy, so check ingredients carefully and ask your doctor or midwife before using a new product.
- The original guide lists nine washes, including Puracy, Dove, OGX, Cremo, Jason, Aveeno and Avalon Organics options.
- The article flags triclosan, fragrances, rosemary and parabens to avoid, and advises choosing products that cleanse without stripping natural oils.
- Know your skin type, favour hydration, and visit a dermatologist at least once for advice that fits your pregnancy.
Why Skin Can Change During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can bring noticeable skin changes, including pigmentation changes, stretch marks, itching and increased sensitivity. Skin can also become drier and lose hydration more easily.
That is why the wash you use matters. A suitable product should cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural oils, help relieve itching, and support hydration instead of leaving skin drier.
If your skin is becoming more sensitive, our guide to skin care for dry, sensitive skin may also help. Ingredients need careful selection in pregnancy, for your health and your baby’s.
Safety First: Ingredients to Check and People to Ask
No product in this article should be treated as guaranteed safe in pregnancy. If you are unsure about any product or ingredient, ask your doctor or midwife before you use it, and consider visiting a dermatologist at least once during pregnancy.
The original article specifically flags four things to avoid at all costs in pregnancy: triclosan, fragrances, rosemary and parabens. It says these could cause more problems during pregnancy, so always check the ingredient list before you buy.
Take extra care with strongly scented products and products containing essential oils, including lavender and rosemary-based products. Fragrance is on the list above, so a fragrance-free option may be simpler if scent is a concern for you.
How to Choose a Body Wash in Pregnancy
Start With Your Skin Type
Before buying any beauty product, including a shower gel, know what type of skin you have. Not every product is compatible with every skin type, and using one that does not suit yours could add to the skin changes you already have in pregnancy.
Look for Moisture, Not Stripping
The safest approach described in the original guide is to look for hydration at every step. Choose a wash that helps keep skin hydrated, drink water regularly, and avoid products presented as harsh or stripping, because dryness and itching are common complaints in pregnancy.
The Nine Washes at a Glance
The table below summarises only what the original article said about each product: its size, scent or style, and the main caution or drawback it listed.
Readers with oily skin may also want our best body wash for oily skin guide.
| Product | Size or format | Scent or key feature | Caution or drawback from the original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puracy Body Wash | 16 fl oz, pack of 2 | Citrus and sea salt; plant-powered | Smell is not very strong |
| Dove Deep Moisture | 34 ounce | Deep Moisture style; sulfate-free gentle cleansers | No cons found in the original |
| OGX Coffee Body Wash | 19.5 ounces | Arabica coffee and coconut oil; also works as exfoliator | Consult your dermatologist if you have sensitive skin |
| Cremo Body Wash | 16 ounces each, two-pack | Blue Cedar and Cypress fragrance | Shipping could have some problems |
| Jason Bath Gel | 30 ounces | Coconut; coconut oil and shea butter, vitamin E | Shipping process can be rigorous |
| Aveeno Body Wash | 12 ounces | Coconut and oats scent; oatmeal for dry, itchy skin | Consult with your dermatologist |
| Avalon Organics Body Wash | 32 ounces | Nourishing Lavender; aloe and botanical cleansers | Formula may vary |
| OGX Coconut Miracle Body Wash | 19.5 ounces | Coconut, vanilla and tiare essence; extra creamy | Use may affect you a bit in hot weather |
| Aveeno Fragrance-Free Gel | 33 ounces | Fragrance-free; oatmeal, allergy tested and soap-free | Do not use if oatmeal gives you an allergy |
The Nine Options in More Detail
1. Puracy Body Wash, Citrus and Sea Salt
The original describes Puracy as a 99.3% natural, vegan, plant-driven wash sold as a two-pack of 16 fl oz bottles. It says the coconut-derived cleanser creates a rich foam, rinses clean without irritation, and leaves skin clean, fresh and hydrated, although the smell is not very strong.
2. Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
Dove’s 34-ounce Deep Moisture wash is described as containing a blend of moisturisers with skin-natural nutrients and 100% gentle, sulfate-free cleansers that help keep pH balanced. Squeeze it onto a wet pouf or washcloth, work it into a creamy lather, and take care to avoid contact with your eyes.
3. OGX Coffee Body Wash
This 19.5-ounce OGX wash combines arabica coffee with coconut oil and is presented as both a body wash and an exfoliator. The original says daily use can help skin feel smoother and firmer, but it also gives a clear caution: if you have sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist first.
4. Cremo Blue Cedar and Cypress Body Wash
Cremo’s cream-gel comes as two 16-ounce bottles with a Blue Cedar and Cypress fragrance that the original describes as long-lasting without being overwhelming. It is presented as a moisturising wash for all seasons that does not leave a sticky feeling, with shipping problems listed as its drawback.
5. Jason Coconut Bath Gel
Jason’s 30-ounce coconut bath gel is infused with unrefined coconut oil and shea butter, and is described as rich in vitamin E and not tested on animals. Apply it to damp skin in the bath or shower, massage gently until it lathers, and rinse clean with warm water.
6. Aveeno Body Wash With Coconut and Oats
This 12-ounce Aveeno wash has a coconut and oats scent and uses oatmeal to help relieve dry, itchy skin while removing dirt and supporting hydration. The original lists it as allergy tested and suitable for daily use on sensitive skin, and its listed drawback is simply to consult your dermatologist.
7. Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Body Wash
Avalon’s 32-ounce lavender wash is described as plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free, with aloe, botanical cleansers and vegetable proteins, and certification to NSF/ANSI 305 mentioned in the original. Because it is scented with lavender oil, check the label carefully in pregnancy and ask your doctor or midwife if you are unsure.
8. OGX Extra Creamy Coconut Miracle Body Wash
This second OGX option is a 19.5-ounce extra-creamy wash with coconut oil, vanilla extract and tiare essence, described as an ultra-moisturising, sulfate-free surfactant blend. Massage a little gel over your body in the shower; the original notes that using it in hot weather may affect you a bit.
9. Aveeno Fragrance-Free Oatmeal Gel
The largest option is Aveeno’s 33-ounce fragrance-free oatmeal gel, described as allergy tested, soap-free and designed for everyday use. Put a little gel on your hand, a washcloth or a sponge, rub until it foams, wash, and rinse, but do not use it if oatmeal gives you an allergy.
How to Use a Body Wash in Pregnancy
Use these washes as conventional soaps: apply to damp skin in the bath or shower, massage gently, work up a lather, and rinse clean. Follow the directions on the label of the product you choose, because formulas and instructions can vary.
Stop and seek advice if a product leaves your skin uncomfortable, and do not assume a product is right for you just because it worked for someone else. Your skin type, sensitivities and pregnancy all affect what suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these shower gels help with dry skin in pregnancy?
They may help, because the products listed were chosen mainly to cleanse while supporting hydration and relieving dryness and itching. That is not a guarantee for any individual, so check ingredients and ask your doctor or midwife if dryness continues.
Why do skin changes happen in pregnancy?
The original article links these changes to the hormones of pregnancy. It says skin can become drier and lose hydration, which can leave it looking dull or feeling scaly, dry and more vulnerable.
What should I look for in a gel?
Look for a gel with mostly natural ingredients, as the original puts it, plus skin protectors that provide hydration. Avoid products with chemical substances you have been advised to avoid, especially triclosan, fragrances, rosemary and parabens.
Conclusion: Choose Gently, and Check First
Pregnancy skin can be drier, itchier and more sensitive, so a gentle, moisturising wash chosen for your own skin type makes sense. Compare the nine options above, read every label, keep the safety cautions in mind, and ask your doctor, midwife or dermatologist whenever you are unsure: no wash is guaranteed safe for everyone in pregnancy.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personal advice.