SheaMoisture's Raw Shea Butter Body Wash Gave Me Soft, Hydrated Skin

Body washes can strip skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry. But a hydrating option, like SheaMoisture's Raw Shea Butter Body Wash, means you don’t have to worry about making your skin dry and flaky while trying to stay clean.

The SheaMoisture body wash is formulated with shea butter and coconut oil, which allows it to naturally hydrate without the use of mineral oils, sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. The brand is also cruelty-free, uses organic ingredients where possible, and sources its shea butter from sustainable sources.

I’m already a fan of the SheaMoisture brand, so I was excited to try out the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Body Wash and discover how well it could cleanse and hydrate my skin.

Read on to see my results.

About My Skin: Sometimes hydrated, sometimes dry

My skin cycles between hydrated and dry depending on the season and how well I’ve kept up my moisturizing routine. It’s currently summertime and humid outside, so my skin hasn’t been as dry as it has been in months past. Keeping my skin soft and hydrated is important to me, though, and I especially appreciate a product like this hydrating body wash that should clean without drying out my skin as some soaps can.

Sulfates irritate my skin, so I always look for formulas that are made without them. Right now, I use Necessaire Body Wash in Bergamot with an exfoliating mitt or cloth. I swapped that out for the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Body Wash, which I used with an exfoliating cloth.

The Feel: Watery formula

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Body Wash looks creamy in the bottle but comes out much thinner and vicious than I expected. The formula isn’t watered down though—the first ingredient is aloe barbadensis leaf juice instead of water (which is soothing for dry skin!).

Right away, I noticed the strong fragrance—a warm, buttery, coconut scent—which I happen to love. If you’re unsure about fragrance, I recommend trying to test the smell first (it does have added fragrance in the form of an unnamed essential oil blend). If you’ve used other SheaMoisture products, you’ll recognize the scent from some of its other products.

Most sulfate-free formulas don’t foam up too much, and this body wash is no different, but it does produce a light foam that was substantial enough to make the wash easy to use. You can up the foam factor by using a washcloth instead of your hands.

The Results: Softer skin

My skin felt soft after the shower, and surprisingly, more hydrated than usual. It seemed like the oils and shea butter in the body wash had coated my skin with their oils like a moisturizer might, replacing any hydration lost from a hot, soapy shower. And most importantly, my skin was as clean and refreshed as it is with my usual body wash. So when it comes to cleaning and hydrating, the body wash is a winner.

While the scent is strong in the bottle, after a shower only a hint was left lingering on my skin. I was a little disappointed about this because I love the scent, but at the same time, I appreciate that it’s not an overwhelming smell that won’t compete with my favorite perfume. Keep this in mind if the scent is a determining factor in buying the body wash!

The moisturizing power is thanks to shea butter, which is full of vitamins and fatty acids, and coconut oil, which also provides hydrating vitamins and minerals. Frankincense and Myrrh, both added as extracts, provide additional support for healthy skin. There are also quite a few other skin-benefiting ingredients included, including carrot seed oil and mango seed butter.

The Value: An affordable option

The 13-ounce bottle is around $10. Compared to drugstore options, this is on the average to high end, but overall is an affordable price in the world of body washes. This is especially true when compared to products that use organic ingredients.

I found that I didn’t need to use a lot of the body wash during a shower compared to others I’ve used, so a bottle will last quite a while.

Similar Products: Lots to choose from

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash: It’s a little more expensive than SheaMoisture, but it may be a better option for those looking for a less fragranced product. The La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Body Wash ($15) uses shea butter to hydrate as well, plus niacinamide and a specialized prebiotic thermal water. It can be beneficial if you have eczema-prone skin, too.

CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash: The CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash ($13) uses ceramides to hydrate skin while cleansing. It’s safe for sensitive skin, and the soap- and sulfate-free formula won’t dry out your skin. The CeraVe body wash is around the same price as SheaMoisture, but the bottle is smaller by a few ounces. There’s no strong scent, either.