Bath & Body Works Body Wash

Bath & Body Works Body Wash

Review

Does Bath & Body Works Body Wash work?

Bath & Body Works Body Wash is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
6
4
1
1
1
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
Function:
Origin:
Oleth-10
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyacetophenone
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
PEG-33
Function:
Origin:
Tetrasodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
PEG-14
Function:
Origin:
Limonene
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Decylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Ext. Violet 2 (CI 60730)
Function:
Origin:
BHT
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
PPG-12-Buteth-16
Function:
Origin:
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Function:
Origin:
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Octinoxate
Function:
Origin:
Avobenzone
Function:
Origin:
Octisalate
Function:
Origin:

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Cocamidopropyl BetaineA mildly cleansing ingredient derived from coconut. It also produces the foam that tells us our soap is actually working to remove dirt and oils.
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateA coconut-derived or synthetic surfactant that creates a gentle, creamy foam. It is popular in baby shampoos, body washes, and many other rinse-off products as a complement to other surfactants.
Fragrance
Est. %1
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
Oleth-10
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Oleth-10
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceA gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Hydroxyacetophenone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
HydroxyacetophenoneAn antioxidant compound that can be found in many plants, although it is manufactured synthetically for skincare purposes. It can boost the preservative action of other conservants.
Panthenol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
PEG-33
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-33
Tetrasodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tetrasodium EDTAOne of the most common synthetic chelators. It can reduce the 'hardness' of water and so is often used in rinse-off products.
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Propanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Polysorbate 20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
PEG-14
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-14
Limonene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Limonene

One of the most used fragrances in skincare products. It is produced from the peels of citrus fruits and has a fresh, pleasant, citrusy smell. People who are sensitive to citrus should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.

Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Decylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Decylene Glycol
Ext. Violet 2 (CI 60730)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ext. Violet 2 (CI 60730)
BHT
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
BHTAn antioxidant ingredient that naturally occurs in green algae and some bacteria or fungi but, for commercial use, is created synthetically. BHT is also used occasionally as a fragrance, where it presents a sweet, camphor-like odor.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
PPG-12-Buteth-16
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-12-Buteth-16
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

PPG-26-Buteth-26
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-26-Buteth-26A water-loving surfactant, which means it can act as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and cleansing agent. As an emulsifier, it helps to create oil-in-water emulsions.
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesA synthetic ingredient that softens the appearance of skin and combines water with oil.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilA castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
Octinoxate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
OctinoxateA chemical sunscreen also known as ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. It protects against UVB, which causes the skin to burn and tan and can lead to certain types of skin cancers. For broad-spectrum protection claims, octinoxate should be paired with a UVA sunscreen.
Avobenzone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AvobenzoneA popular sunscreen that protects against UVA rays, which cause premature aging and skin cancer. Avobenzone degrades after about 30 minutes of sun exposure and becomes ineffective. It is therefore often paired with UV-filter stabilizers such as octocrylene.
Octisalate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
OctisalateA UVB sunscreen also known as ethylhexyl salicylate. It is normally paired with UVA sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum protection. Octisalate also protects other ingredients, like colorants and antioxidants, from deterioration due to exposure to UV light.