Exfoliating body washes are everywhere but do you really need one?

Not all body washes work the same, and while most will cleanse dirt and grime from your skin while you shower, many won’t address certain issues like acne, dryness and rough texture.That’s where exfoliating body washes come in: They can help remove dead skin cells, get rid of excess oil and reduce dry patches and bumps.

But how do you choose the right one, and how often should you be using it? I asked Dr.Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Hadley King Dermatology in New York City, and board-certified NYC cosmetic dermatologist Dr.

Michele Green about everything you need to know when shopping for an exfoliating body wash.I also gathered options I’ve tried myself and recommendations from experts and NBC Selected editors.Selected.Our top picksBest overallNaturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash$undefined$15.99AmazonLearn moreBest for beginnersCeraVe SA Body Wash$undefined$13.99AmazonLearn moreBest for acneKosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash$17.60$22.00KosasLearn moreBest for sensitive skinMethod Micro Buffing Body Wash$undefined$10.99AmazonLearn moreBest scrubCyklar Lactic Acid Foaming Body Polish and Wash$undefined$32.00SephoraLearn moreSee 2 MoreRelatedselectedselectedWe tested hundreds of acne products — these are our top 100 cleansers, serums, spot treatments and moreWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.The best exfoliating body washesBest overallNaturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash$15.99AmazonWhat to knowConsistency: gel | Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid  | Noncomedogenic: no | Fragrance-free: yesWhat we likeSoftens skinMoisturizingOne bottle lasts a long timeSomething to noteNothing to note at this timeNaturium’s viral fragrance-free body wash combines five different alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic, malic and lactic acids, which gently exfoliate away dead skin.

I used i...