Showering may be part of your daily routine, but there are times when a shower isn’t particularly accessible. Maybe you’re rushing to work after a quick workout or camping in the mountains without a bathroom nearby. In these situations, body wipes can be an excellent way to freshen up.
“Body wipes don’t take the place of traditional cleansers, but they certainly get the job done if you’re in a bind,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. “Because they are ultraportable and easy to use, they are a great option to bring with you in your gym bag or any other place on the go.” Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, agrees and cautions that body wipes have their limitations. He says they can contribute to clogged pores and acne breakouts since they may not remove “excess oils, dead skin cells, bacteria, and potentially comedogenic material (like heavy makeup)” as effectively as more traditional cleansing methods.
Reviewed & Approved
We love the Love and Wellness Mini Do It All Wipes 3-pack because they’re packed with gentle ingredients to cleanse the skin without stripping it. The DUDE Products Energize Face & Body Wipes are also a good option because they’re hypoallergenic and alcohol-free.
The best body wipes have a generous total count for the price and are packed with ingredients to cleanse and hydrate your skin. When shopping for body wipes you should also consider the packaging’s seal and make sure that it’s durable enough to keep the wipes fresh. Snap-lids are a great option to look for since you don’t have to worry about them unsticking. We researched various wipes with these features in mind.
Here are the best body wipes worth tossing in your bag.
We like these affordable wipes for their gentle yet effective formula. Love Wellness’s Mini Do It All Wipes are unscented and pH-balanced—making them suitable for particularly sensitive skin. They’re also loaded with natural ingredients to cleanse and soothe the skin on contact.
Best Overall for Women
Love Wellness Mini Do It All Wipes 3-Pack
Travel-friendly
Unscented
pH-balanced
Soothing ingredients
Not flushable
Not individually packaged
Citric acid exfoliates while antimicrobial ingredients—like sodium benzoate and benzyl alcohol—wipe away impurities. Additionally, aloe extract, coconut oil, and chamomile extract keep the skin feeling relieved post-clean. Each pack comes with 15 wipes, and the packaging is easily resealed to keep them fresh. When you’re done using them, just simply toss them in the trash.
Price at time of publication: $5
Total Count: 15 wipes (one pack of 15 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Citric acid, sodium benzoate, benzyl alcohol
Quick Tip
“Try to avoid wipes that contain fragrances, which are known to cause skin allergies,” Dr. Zeichner says. This is what makes unscented wipes preferable to some people.
We also love the Energize Face & Body Wipes from DUDE Products due to their affordability and versatility. The wipes are alcohol-, dye-, and paraben-free and hypoallergenic, and they’re suitable for both your face and your body. Each pack comes with 30 wipes, and the packaging has a snap lid to ensure the wipes don’t dry out.
Best Overall for Men
DUDE Products Face & Body Energizing Wipes
Suitable for face and body
Alcohol-free
Hypoallergenic
Moisturizing ingredients
May leave an oily residue
May irritate sensitive skin
The wipes contain exfoliating citric acid and antimicrobial compounds (like DMDM hydantoin), which are crafted to freshen your skin in a pinch. They’re also loaded with moisturizing agents, so you don’t have to worry about stripping the oils from your skin every time you use the wipes. It does contain fragrance, so if you have a sensitivity to fragrance, this may not be the best option. When you’re done cleansing, just toss them in the trash.
Price at time of publication: $20
Total Count: 90 wipes (three packs of 30 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Citric acid, DMDM hydantoin
Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths are widely adored by many—especially those with sensitive skin. They draw on an antimicrobial compound (called 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1) to clean the skin, but since they’re loaded with conditioners like cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and stearyl alcohol, they should leave skin feeling more moisturized than other antimicrobial wipes.
Best Unisex
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths
Suitable for face and body
Good for sensitive skin
Moisturizing ingredients
Gentle for everyday use
May leave an oily residue
Not good for makeup removal
Great for both your face and body, the wipes are gentle enough to use every day.
Price at time of publication: $7
Total Count: 50 wipes (two packs of 25 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, stearyl alcohol
This affordable option from CleanLife Products will provide you with a luxurious cleansing experience at a budget-friendly price point. The antibacterial body wipes are hypoallergenic and unscented, which makes them suitable for sensitive skin.
Best Budget
CleanLife Products NO RINSE Bathing Wipes
- Hypoallergenic
- Unscented
- Moisturizing ingredients
- Microwaveable
They can also be heated in the microwave if you’re looking for a shower-like experience. Relying on citric acid and antimicrobial ingredients, the wipes are designed to exfoliate while cleansing. However, castor oil, aloe extract, and vitamin E make them conditioning and moisturizing.
Price at time of publication: $21
Total Count: Eight wipes (one pack of eight wipes) | Key Ingredients: Citric acid, potassium sorbate, aloe vera
If you’re looking for a full-body, extra-large wipe, turn to DRMTLGY’s Body and Face Shower Wipes. Their biodegradable composition makes them eco-friendly, and they’re also unscented, alcohol-free, and hypoallergenic.
Best for Face and Body
DRMTLGY Biodegradable Body Wipes
Suitable for face and body
Extra-large size for entire body
Unscented
Biodegradable
No published ingredient list
May irritate sensitive skin
Loaded with natural ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, cucumber extract, and oat extract, they’ll leave your skin feeling conditioned. DRMTLGY doesn’t list a full ingredient list—so you’ll want to take care if you have sensitive skin—but the brand ensures the wipes are effective at removing dirt and germs.
Price at time of publication: $14
Total Count: 45 wipes (one pack of 45 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Not listed
The Scrubzz Rinse-Free Sponge Bath wipes are suitable for your hair and your body. They foam when you use them, and they double as a body wash and a shampoo. The hypoallergenic wipes rely on a handful of cleansing ingredients—like dehydroacetic acid, citric acid, and benzyl alcohol—to give you that quick clean you’re looking for.
Best for Hair
Scrubzz Rinse-Free Sponge Bath
Suitable for body and hair
Unscented
pH-balanced
Moisturizing ingredients
May leave a sticky residue
Plus, they come equipped with moisturizers that are designed to keep your skin and hair feeling soft post-clean.
Price at time of publication: $10
Total Count: 25 wipes (one pack of 25 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Dehydroacetic acid, citric acid, benzyl alcohol
Available in a set of seven, SweetSpot Labs’ Vanilla Blossom Soothing Wipes are individually packaged, which makes them extremely portable. Alcohol-free and pH-balanced, the wipes rely on a combination of cleaning agents (like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate) and natural ingredients (like witch hazel and citric acid) to cleanse your skin.
Best Portable
SweetSpot Labs Vanilla Blossom Soothing Wipes
Travel-friendly
pH-balanced
Alcohol-free
Soothing ingredients
Extra packaging not eco-friendly
Fragrance may irritate skin
They also have natural soothers, like aloe extract and chamomile extract, to keep your skin feeling soft.
Total Count: Seven wipes (seven packs of single wipes) | Key Ingredients: Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, witch hazel, citric acid
Hypoallergenic and refreshing, Cottonnelle’s Flushable Wipes might just become your new go-to for a day out. In addition to being flushable, the wipes are alcohol-free, paraben-free, and made without any harsh chemicals.
Best Flushable
Cottonelle Flushable Wipes
Flushable
Alcohol-free
Hypoallergenic
Natural ingredients
Not individually packaged
May irritate sensitive skin
Cottonelle uses malic acid in their wipes to exfoliate, and classic cleaning agents (like sodium benzoate) to cleanse. And since they’re packed with soothing ingredients, like aloe leaf juice and vitamin E, they’ll leave your skin feeling soft and smooth every time.
Price at time of publication: $23
Total Count: 336 wipes (eight packs of 42 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Malic acid, sodium benzoate
Gentle and effective, Nurture Valley’s No Rinse Bathing Wipes are free of many common irritants—making them a great pick for those with sensitive skin. The wipes are alcohol-free, pH-balanced, and hypoallergenic, and since they include aloe vera and chamomile extract, they’ll leave your skin feeling moisturized.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Nurture Valley No Rinse Bathing Wipes
Alcohol-free and hypoallergenic
pH-balanced
Natural ingredients
Microwaveable
May need to use multiple wipes
Citric acid exfoliates while cleaning agents (like chlorhexidine digluconate and nipaguard) wipe away dirt. They can also be warmed in a microwave before use.
Total Count: 64 wipes (eight packs of eight wipes) | Key Ingredients: Citric acid, chlorhexidine digluconate, nipaguard
Expert Advice
“If you have dry or sensitive skin, avoid alcohol and detergents,” Dr. King says. “They can dry out and irritate the skin.” So keep an eye out for body wipes labeled “alcohol-free.”
These extra-large wipes from Busy Beauty are vegan, paraben-free, and packed with essential oils. Boasting a light lavender scent, they’ll leave you feeling fresh while providing you with natural cleansers, from peppermint oil to tea tree oil. It’s important to note that a full ingredient list is not listed, so those with sensitive skin should take care when using them. However, some research demonstrates that many essential oils, including peppermint oil, possess antibacterial and antifungal properties—soothing and detoxifying skin at the same time.
Best With Essential Oils
Busy Beauty Instant Fresh Body Wipes
Extra-large
Soothing ingredients
Fresh lavender scent
No published ingredient list
Fragrance may irritate skin
Quick Tip: Essential oils may be widely beloved, but they’re also a potential skin irritant. “Essential oils are common causes of allergic contact dermatitis,” Dr. King says. She recommends avoiding them if you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
Total Count: 10 wipes (one pack of 10 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Peppermint oil, tea tree oil
Antibacterial cleaning wipes shouldn’t be used on your body, but body wipes with antibacterial properties can be an easy way to feel fresh in a hurry. Bravo Sierra’s Antibacterial Body Wipes are alcohol-free, biodegradable, and packed with conditioners.
Best Antibacterial
BRAVO SIERRA Antibacterial Body Wipes
Alcohol-free
Biodegradable
Antibacterial
Soothing ingredients
Fragrance may be too strong
May irritate sensitive skin
They’re also scented with earthy fragrances, like white vetiver and cedarwood. Thicker than most, you shouldn’t have to use as many wipes to get the quick clean you’re looking for.
Total Count: 10 wipes (one pack of 10 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride
Duke Cannon Supply Co’s Cold Shower Cooling Field Towels won’t just clean you off—they’ll also cool you down. Designed for your face and your body, the wipes are formulated with menthol—a popular ingredient in other cooling products like pain-relieving products and lip balms.
Best Cooling
Duke Cannon Supply Co. Cold Shower Cooling Field Towels
- Exfoliating texture
- Natural ingredients
- Refreshing mint fragrance
They also contain aloe extract, chamomile extract, oat extract, and jojoba oil to soothe your skin from head to toe.
Total Count: 15 wipes (one pack of 15 wipes) | Key Ingredients: Phenoxyethanol, menthol
What to Look for in Body Wipes
Total Count
When it comes to body wipes, packaging varies widely. Instead of looking at the price upfront, make sure you know how many wipes you’re getting in a package. Additionally, you can purchase some wipes in multiple packs, so be aware of how many packs you’re receiving as well.
Final Verdict
Key Ingredients
It can be hard to figure out what a skincare product is going to feel like when you’re shopping online, which is why it’s important to pay attention to the ingredient list. The ingredient list can help you figure out how a body wipe is going to clean your skin, along with how dry or conditioned it will leave your skin feeling afterward.
Plus, perusing the ingredient list is an important first step in spotting potential irritants, like harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
Why Trust Verywell Fit?
As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you use face wipes on your body?
- As a rule, you should only use wipes where they’re designed to be used. So use face wipes on your face and body wipes on your body. Many face wipes are designed to remove makeup and do little else, so they may not be an effective way to clean your body in a pinch.
- Can you use Lysol wipes on your body?
- No, you cannot use Lysol wipes—or other household disinfecting wipes—on your body. “The disinfecting cleansing wipes used for your countertops contain harsh chemicals that are not meant for your skin,” Dr. Zeichner says. So skip the Lysol wipes, and look for a disinfecting wipe designed for your body instead.
- Can you clean your body with baby wipes?
- Baby wipes contain many of the same ingredients as body wipes that are marketed to adults. So you could probably get away with cleaning your body with them if you need to. Baby wipes are also typically unscented—meaning they’re a good pick for sensitive skin.
- Are cleansing wipes good for your skin?
- Body wipes can be a useful way to freshen up on the go, but they’re no substitute for a shower. As Dr. King notes, body wipes may not remove all the excess oils, dead skin cells, and other materials on your skin—and this can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and more.If you have sensitive skin, body wipes may also dry out or irritate your skin.
As a rule, you should only use wipes where they’re designed to be used. So use face wipes on your face and body wipes on your body. Many face wipes are designed to remove makeup and do little else, so they may not be an effective way to clean your body in a pinch.
No, you cannot use Lysol wipes—or other household disinfecting wipes—on your body. “The disinfecting cleansing wipes used for your countertops contain harsh chemicals that are not meant for your skin,” Dr. Zeichner says. So skip the Lysol wipes, and look for a disinfecting wipe designed for your body instead.
Baby wipes contain many of the same ingredients as body wipes that are marketed to adults. So you could probably get away with cleaning your body with them if you need to. Baby wipes are also typically unscented—meaning they’re a good pick for sensitive skin.
Body wipes can be a useful way to freshen up on the go, but they’re no substitute for a shower. As Dr. King notes, body wipes may not remove all the excess oils, dead skin cells, and other materials on your skin—and this can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and more.