The 9 Best Body Wipes That’ll Get You Squeaky Clean When There’s No Shower in Sight

Body wipes are one of those products that never think much about—until you really need ’em. And when you need ’em, chances are you really, really need them. Like when you’re meeting friends after a sweaty gym session and are short on time? Or when you’re on a camping trip, covered in bug bites and dirt, but there’s no shower for miles? Like we said: You don’t need ’em until you really, really need ’em.

Do yourself a favor and get your hands on these wipes before you find yourself in a shower-less situation. These  multipurpose towelettes can be used to clean hands, feet, faces, armpits, your private parts—you name it—all when you need to freshen up most.

9 best body wipes, at a glance:

• Best travel wipes: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths 2-Pack ($13)
• Best for the whole family: WaterWipes Baby Wipes 4-Pack ($14)
• Best with essential oil: Herban Essentials Travel Body Wipes  ($16)
• Best cooling wipes: Oars + Alps Cooling + Cleansing Wipes ($16)
• Best warming wipes: Nurture Valley Bathing Wipes 4-Pack ($20)
• Best moisturizer: Pipa Mint Body Wipes 5-Pack ($20)
• Best in bulk: Clean Life No Rinse Body Wipes 8-Pack ($29)
• Best for the planet: Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes ($7)
• Best individual wipes: Goodwipes Really Big Body Wipes ($14)

What to look for

If you have sensitive skin, the best body wipes are gentle and preferably contain soothing ingredients like aloe or vitamin E while being alcohol- and latex-free. Softness and flushability should be taken into account, too (if you have access to a bathroom when you use them.)

When wipes are at their best they are durable, powerful, environment-friendly (i.e. biodegradable or made from recycled materials), and leave you feeling clean and not too damp or sticky. Plus, they take up virtually zero real estate in your bag, meaning they’re a no-brainer for throwing in your purse or commuter bag when you’re on the move.

Best travel wipes

Cetaphil, Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths (2-Pack) — $13.00

Cetaphil is one of the most trusted skin care brands out there, and with good reason: It’s dermatologist tested and recommended, gentle, and gets the job done, whether you’re cleansing, moisturizing, or nourishing your skin. The Cetaphil Cleansing Cloths (aka, body wipes) meet all that criteria with aplomb. They’re gentle enough to be used on your face, underarms, and other areas that require something sensitive-skin friendly. And they come in a small resealable case which makes them extra convenient for getting clean on the go.

Pros:

• Safe for the body and face
• Gentle and sensitive-skin friendly
• Affordable

Cons:

• Can feel a bit oily
• Not good at removing makeup

Best for the whole family

WaterWipes Baby Wipes 4-Pack — $14.00

If you have babies in your house, chances are you’re familiar with WaterWipes. The WaterWipes Original Baby Wipes are super popular amongst parents for one very good reason: their ingredient list. Each wipe is made up of, “99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract.” That’s it—absolutely nothing else. WaterWipes also now makes XL Bathing Wipes, which are essentially the same thing, just a little larger and with texture. That said, we’re still fans of the original.

Pros: 

• Gentle and hypoallergenic
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not great for makeup removal
• Packs are a bit big

The best with essential oil

Herban Essentials, Travel Body Wipes — $16.00

Made with essential oils, these body wipes are scented perfectly in fragrances that smell naturally inviting and not-too-overpowering. The wipes come in orange, lemon, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus scents that manage to both clean your body and promote a bit of relaxation all at the same time. As one Amazon reviewer noted, “If I had a Favorite’s List like Oprah I would put this on it!”

Pros: 

• Good texture and thickness
• Aromatherapeutic properties

Cons:

• Individually wrapped
• Scent isn’t for everyone
• Essential oils might disrupt skin

Best cooling wipes

Oars + Alps, Cooling + Cleansing Wipes — $16.00

Meet the most cooling, satisfying wipes you’ll ever swipe. One side of the wipe features blue “ice crystals”, which remove dirt, oil, and build-up. Flip it over to get the cooling affect from the caffeinated side (which also works to brighten skin when it’s feeling dull.) They’re plant-based, sensitive-skin friendly, and safe on every skin type. Tl;Dr—grab a box (which includes 14 individually-wrapped wipes) ASAP.

Pros:

• Double-sided for exfoliation and cooling
• Sensitive-skin friendly
• Individually wrapped

Cons:

• Pricey

Best warming wipes

Nurture Valley, Ultra Thick Waterless Body Wipes — $20.00

These are on the pricier end of the spectrum, but with reason. The Nurture Valley wipes are hypoallergenic, moisturizing, and durable enough to be heated up in the microwave which makes them an ideal shower alternative. They are definitely on the thicker side but if that’s what you’re looking for, these will deliver.

Pros:

• Microwaveable
• pH-balanced
• Hypoallergenic

Cons:

• Pricey
• Some reviews say they’re sticky

Best moisturizing wipes

Pipa Mint, Body Wipes (Pack of 5) — $20.00

High-quality, thick, and extra large, these Pipa Mint wipes are a great shower substitute and smell like a trip to the spa. A quick look at reviews makes it clear you can use them in all sorts of situations, whether that’s camping, freshening up after the gym, or getting clean when you just don’t feel like doing the whole shower thing. Each pack includes 10 individual wipes, each infused with aloe vera and vitamin E that’ll make your skin say, “ahhh.”

Pros:

• Infused with aloe vera and vitamin E
• pH balanced

Cons:

• Some reviews say they’re sticky

Best in bulk

CleanLife, No Rinse Bathing Wipes (Pack of 8) — $29.00

Loving the no-shower life? Keep up the clean work with this 8-pack of body wipes from CleanLife. Another excellent microwaveable option, the CleanLife Bathing Wipes contain the magic ingredients of aloe and vitamin E, are hypoallergenic, and will have you smelling clean in seconds. For $29, you’ll have enough packs to keep everywhere, including your carry-on bag, purse, car, gym duffel—really anywhere you might need to freshen up.

Pros:

• Deodorizing
• Microwaveable
• Hypoallergenic

Cons:

• Some reviews say they’re sticky

Best for the planet

Sea to Summit, Wilderness Wipes XL — $7.00

Enjoying the Great Outdoors doesn’t have to be synonymous with skipping shower day. Especially after a day of strenuous, sweaty activities like hiking or climbing, sometimes you need to wipe away the day’s grime. When you don’t have access to an actual shower, these wipes from Sea to Summit are an excellent substitute. And while they’re gentle on skin, they’re even gentler on the planet, as each wipe is made from a plant-based viscose that is totally compostable after use.

Pros:

• Gentle
• Compostable
• pH balanced

Cons:

• Only eight wipes per

Best individual wipes

Goodwipes, Really Big Body Wipes — $14.00

Maybe you don’t want to carry around an entire packet of wipes, or maybe you don’t have room to stuff a larger pack in your bag. If you want individually-wrapped sachets, go with Goodwipes. Each box comes with 10 pre-packaged wipes that are small and slim enough to fit in your pocket. And they work really well. (They happen to be the exact wipes W+G’s Associate Commerce Editor, Francesca Krempa, packs with her on fishing trips to get the salt and fishy gunk off her face while she’s at sea.) If they’re good enough at removing fishy gunk, they’re good enough for just about anything. Choose from dreamy scents like lavender, aloe and ginseng, and rosewater.

Pros: 

• Travel-friendly
• Plant-based
• Hypoallergenic and pH balanced

Cons:

• Fragrance might upset skin