The 25 Best Body Washes for Smelling Great All Day

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THE BEST body washes for men come especially clutch in summer, when rising temps (thanks climate change) mean more sweat and funk that you'll need to wash off. If you're anything like us, you're probably taking multiple showers each day on especially hot days, which is why you need the best body washes for men to keep you feeling and smelling fresh.

The best body washes for men should contain two ingredients: stearic acid and ceramides. The first is a fatty acid that seals your skin barrier and help soften rough skin sells. The latter is a lipid that helps keep your skin barrier intact, which is why it's also found in some of the best moisturizers and body lotions we've tested. Unlike your typical bar soaps, a quality body wash rinses your skin without stripping it of its natural oils, so you leave the shower squeaky clean, but not ashy.

To find the best body washes for men, our intrepid team of grooming editors and dermatologists tried and tested more than 75 body washes from top-rated skincare brands, as well as a few grooming upstarts. We used each product for two weeks, and rated each body wash from 1 to 5 (5 being the best) based on how well it cleansed our skin, how it smelled (we knocked off points for body washes with strong/unpleasant odors), and how moisturized our skin felt after using it. We also made sure to have testers with a variety of skin types—including dry skin, aging skin, and acne-prone skin—so we could see if body washes could help fix a specific skin concern.

We then consulted with dermatologists like Joshua Zeicher, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai in New York City to help us vet our favorites (read more about how Men's Health thoroughly tests products). Ahead are the best ones worth buying now.

Sensitive 3-in-1 Body Wash

In our rigorous testing process for our annual Grooming Awards, seven of our testers unanimously voted Nivea's Sensitive 3-in-1 body wash as the best in its class. One tested said, "[It's] a creamy body wash that keeps your skin clean and deeply moisturized. It’s lightly fragranced, so it won’t irritate sensitive skin or compete with your cologne."

Indeed, after using it for two weeks, one tester found that he hardly noticed the scent at all. Our editors with sensitive skin found that Nivea's was the rare body wash that didn't cause breakouts our redness after using it consistently. That's most likely thanks to its star ingredients: almond oil and bamboo extract, which provide added moisture while soothing skin. But even with its gentle formula, we found that Nivea still cleaned our skin effectively. Editors found that it wiped away grime and sunscreen as strongly as most soaps that we tried.

Activated Charcoal Body Wash

Charcoal isn’t for everyone (especially if you have sensitive skin), but dermatologists we spoke to recommend charcoal-based cleansers if you're looking for a deep clean. Our testers with oily skin loved this one from Art of Sport, which contains aloe vera to keep skin from drying out post-charcoal-assisted clean.

One tester, who's been using this Art of Sport since 2019, swears by this tried-and-true formula. "It has an energizing citrus scent that's great for a morning jolt," he said. However, our testers with sensitive skin noted that the charcoal is too strong for them, and one even reported slight redness after using it. However, if you're the type of guy who gets sweaty or oily easily, especially in hot weather Art of Sport's Charcoal Body Wash will clean your skin quickly.

Côte d'Azur Replenishing Body Wash

I first learned about this paradise-in-a-bottle soap when I was testing body washes for our 2022 Men's Health Grooming Awards, and I've been restocking it in my shower caddy ever since. First, it dispenses a pearly, rich gel that just looks super luxurious. Inside is a beautiful blend of starflower oils, meadowfoam, and sweet almond that cleans, hydrates, calms, and leaves your skin with a tropical, fruity aroma that smells like five-star resort, and the scent stays on your skin for hours after you've used it.

For most days I use Oribe's body wash in lieu of a cologne, since it stays on my skin so long after showering. I've received tons of compliments on my "perfume," which is why I've been an Oribe fan ever since. No wonder Barry's Bootcamp stocks Oribe's Côte d'Azur in all of its locker rooms.

Silkshake Body Cleanser

Summer is a high season for body acne. The combo of sweat mixing with natural bacteria from dirt that accumulates on your body can lead to clogged pores. That's why now may be a good time to start thinking about body washes for acne-prone skin. Of all the cleansers we've tested, ZitStick is the best in its class in terms of effectiveness, scent, and price point.

"It's unique in that it's chock full of probiotics to help keep your skin’s microbiome healthy while also balancing the amount of blemish-causing bacteria on your skin’s surface," says grooming contributor Cristina Montemayor. "Silkhake contains omegas-3 and tea tree oil to help soothe inflammation and reduce blemishes." One tester who used it for a month noticed that his bacne was less severe.

Read more: Best Body Wash for Acne

Redwood Body Wash

As if you couldn’t tell by the name, this scent from Harry’s was inspired by coastal woodlands and comes to life through notes of cypress, sandalwood, and driftwood (with a dash of citrus). It is a fan-favorite out of all the Harry’s body wash scents.

Harry's body washes have been a standby favorite amongst Men's Health editors. One tester noted," the scents of the shoulder gel fade quickly, especially when competing with the strong smells of deodorant and cologne." But even though this body wash isn't all overpowering, it has lasting power. Harry's Redwood Body Wash goes easy on the musk, and go hard on bright and refreshing. One tester received more compliments using this body wash than any other fragrance he's used. "It feels luxurious and feels my skin soft," he said."It feels like a good spa day than a necessary bathing ritual. I don't mind the cycle of lather, rinse, and repeat when the repetition feels fun and indulgent."

Read more: Harry's Body Wash Review

Body Wash for Men, Gentlemen's Blend

Old Spice has been around now for decades, and for good reason. Our testers love that the cleaning power of this body wash is top-notch,. In our extensive review of Old Spice's Gentleman's Blend, we found that it contains twice the amount of moisturizer as comparable soaps, and left our skin cleansed without feeling tight and over-stripped.“ It’s preventing moisture loss, but also adding more to help the barrier trap hydration even better," said dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD. Plus, it has no irritating parabens or dyes, and our testers with sensitive skin conditions like eczema found that it didn't irritate their skin, which is rare for a lot of drugstore body washes we've tried.

Beyond its cleaning capabilities, Old Spice's Gentlemen's Blend smells amazing, too. Its new lavender formula gives it a fresh scent and our testers found the smell especially relaxing. "The scent is fresh when using it, but doesn't linger on skin, which is ideal for irritation-prone types," said. one tester.

Read more: Old Spice Gentleman's Blend Body Wash Review

Body Wash, Cedar + Cypress

If you want a low-cost body wash that you can restock over and over again without breaking the bank, then Method's classic body wash i your guy. Our testers found that the Cedar + Cypress soap offered a lot of value for the price point. It contains naturally derived ingredients (sodium lauryl sulfate, citric acid, etc), that provided a thorough clean that we want from an everyday wash.

One tester found that the soap's outdoorsy scent "made me feel like I just came back from a hike, even though all I did was wake up and stumble to the shower." Though other testers note that its Pacific Northwest fragrance was too strong and woodsy for for them, and competed with their colognes. Still, Method's body wash is hard to beat in terms of value.

Read more: Best Dopp Kits for Traveling

Body & Hair Cleanser with Cardamom & Cedarwood

Old standby Jack Black has been making fragrance-forward body washes. Take this two-in-one body and hair cleanser, which has a strong cedarmom and cedarwood (read: really woodsy) scent that lasts for hours after hopping out of the shower, our testers noted. That's great if you want a multi-purpose body wash that also functions as your cologne.

"It leaves your skin smelling expensive, but not overpowering," said one tester. "At the same time, it makes you skin feel clean without making it too dry." That's thanks to its sulfate-free formula. Plus, its pump dispenser makes for easy application. And while it's marketed as a shampoo as well, we recommend using a separate hair wash. Some testers said the formula didn't play nice with their mane.

Unscented Body Wash

For guys who prefer their cleansers scentless, of if they have sensitive skin, we recommend this fragrance-free formula from upstart grooming brand Native. The formula is simple, containing deep-cleaning ingredients (citrus acid, coconut oil) that lather easily, and deeply cleans without overly drying skin.

Best of all, our editors loved that this unscented version won't compete with the other fragrances they threw on later. One tester noted that it left his skin feeling soft, and smelling clean, and other editors who had sensitive skin conditions (like eczema) reported no allergic reaction with this formula.

Read more: Best Face Washes

Coriander Seed Body Cleanser

If there is such a thing as status body wash, this would be it. Aseop, the purveyor of ubder-luxe hand soaps dispensed at five-star hotels, also makes some premium cleansers for the rest of your body. Take this Coriander Seed wash, which our editors report has a rich, earthy scent, which one editor says, "smells like money."

"Keep this in your shower to impress anyone who might see it," says another tester, "Even if it's just you." Plus while our other fragrance-heavy body washes irritated some of our testers with sensitive skin, this one did not. That's probably since it's sourced from natural ingredients like coriander seed oil, glycerin, and castor oil, so you can feel good about putting it on your body.

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Body Wash

The ingredients in this ultra-gentle body wash are 90% naturally derived and work to soothe skin on contact (it’s the Vitamin E), but what we really love about it is the fresh, but not chemical-y scent that’s somehow calming and invigorating at the same time.

BW1 Multi-Action Body Wash

Patricks only continues to grow its loyal following thanks to high quality grooming products that are simple and effective. The BW1 body wash is void of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates and creates a rich foam that soothes the skin. As for the scent, we'd be hard pressed to find anything more pleasant at the moment. It's the perfect amount of sophistication (Bergamot, Cognac and Amber Cologne) without being too overbearing. which means you'll smell amazing only to those who come within close contact.

Look, we understand that it can be hard to justify such a high price for a body wash, but if you’ve ever used a luxury body wash, you probably know what a difference it makes. With washes like this one, the lather is richer and the formula doesn’t strip your skin and make it feel dry or tight after you use it, which is a sign that it’s stripped away all the natural oils on your body. That sort of clean takes time and care (and money) to formulate, which is why you typically get that feeling with cheaper body washes that use harsher cleansing agents. If it’s any consolation, we suggest saving this body wash for extra special occasions (the cologne-like smell is perfect date night prep).

Read more: Best Face Scrubs

Body Wash

You know that feeling when you’ve been outside for a long time and your skin just feels wrecked? Whether it’s from too much sun, too much cold, or just a long day in the elements, this body wash is designed to help restore your skin with the help of natural moisturizing and skin-regenerating ingredients.

We were skeptical at first about the ability of a plant-based body wash to really hydrate our skin as well as this one claims. But after just a few uses, we were sold. One tester with chronically dry, sensitive skin even said they found themselves using less lotion after just a few days of using this body wash. They said their skin felt smoother, more hydrated and more resilient which is high praise for a body wash. And not for nothing, it’s refillable.

Nutrient Rich Hand and Body Cleanser

We’d normally advise against using hand wash on your body, but this is more body wash than hand soap. It’s effective at removing dirt and grime but still moisturizing enough to use from head to toe without that nasty tight, dry feeling. Best of all, the scent is unique (in a very good way) and immediately fills your shower with spa-like vibes.

The thing to know about this wash is that it doesn’t lather up as much as you’d expect, but that’s okay since highly-lathering body washes sometimes can strip skin of its natural oils due to the types of detergents they use to achieve that lather. Since this is a gel cleanser, it doesn’t need to lather up all that much to deliver a good, gentle clean. But, as we’ve already noted, really the best thing about it is the scent which will make you want to go back to it over and over.

Eucalyptus Hand + Body Wash

Okay, yes, you can use this one to wash your hands too, but keep it in your shower because it’s way better as a body wash. It delivers a gentle and effective cleanse to your skin, but the real draw is the strong (but not too strong) fresh scent that makes it feel like you’re showering in a fancy hotel.

There’s not a whole lot of lather to this one either, at least compared to other body washes, but it’s packed with glycerin which is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air to hydrate your skin and make it softer. It’s the secret to this non-drying formula and while it’s a standard ingredient in a lot of skin and body care products, it really shines in this formula. For a lightweight gel cleanser, it leaves your skin just as soft and moisturized as creamier washes.

Maximum Recovery Icy Mint Body Wash

This body wash delivers the ultimate cool-down after a strenuous workout or really whenever you need to chill out. It gives a cooling, minty tingle as well as strong lather to help calm and soothe your muscles (try it in a cold shower, it’s even better) and it can even pull double duty as a bath soak for extra recovery action.

Part of the cooling factor in this formula is a distinct tingling sensation, which you may not want to have every single time you shower, but we can vouch that it’s a welcome addition to rinse-down after a strenuous workout or time spent outside in the heat. It really does help you cool down ultra fast and somehow has both an invigorating and relaxing effect (much like a cold plunge). We will say that the epsom salt in the formula, while totally fine if you use it as a body wash, really shines when you decide to use this as a recovery soak in a bath.

Reserve Collection Palo Santo Body Wash, 2 pack

As far as drugtore body washes go, this super luxurious body wash smells more like something you’d find at a fancy boutique or hotel rather than the soap aisle of your corner store. The mix of palo santo, cardamom and papyrus is more like the cologne you spritz on after your shower and is so good it could replace it, as well.

Not everyone is a fan of heavily fragranced body washes and we realize that, but in our testing even those who typically don’t go for scent-forward body washes found this one a delight to use. We would suggest staying away from this if you have very sensitive skin or sometimes can get irritated from fragrance, but for most people, this body wash will deliver on cleaning and perfuming your skin very well. We say save it for special occasions when you really want to smell your absolute best.

Care Advanced Care Acne Clear Body Wash

Dermatologists are fond of saying that treating body issues like acne starts in the shower and nothing makes that case better than this body wash. It has 1% salicylic acid, a proven acne fighter to effectively treat and prevent breakouts, but also contains enough moisturizing ingredients that it won’t dry your skin out like some other acne washes.

We’ve tried a lot of acne body washes in our day and are usually resigned to some sort of dryness after using them. It’s usually a Sophie’s Choice between treating your body acne effectively and keeping your skin moisturized well. Our testers, however, all found that this wash delivered on the moisturization just as well as other ultra-moisturizing washes (no need to add an extra layer of lotion or moisturizer after the shower) but also helped to control and heal body acne in as little as just a week when using it every day.

UltraPremium Body Wash

From the brand that brought manscaping into the 21st century, Manscaped's body wash is incredibly effective and easy to use. The bottle is made of metal, so it stays put in your shower instead of sliding everywhere like plastic does. The pump is well-made too, which helps deploy appropriate amounts of wash without over-cleansing (remember what we said earlier!). And as for the scent, you get a nice refined fragrance that subtly stays on the skin for multiple hours after jumping out of the shower. Yeah, this wash is deceptively good.

Apart from the winning bottle design, the formula of this body wash is top tier as well. Soothing ingredients like aloe vera help to keep skin hydrated and calm and sea salt acts like a natural exfoliator. You’d expect that from a brand whose bread and butter is manscaping, since exfoliation helps to prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps from forming wherever you trim or shave. It’s a welcome addition to a body wash, whether or not you manscape frequently, as it also helps to keep skin clear and smooth.

Read more: Best Body Groomers

Invigorating Daily Body Wash

If you look for a tingly, fresh feel in your body wash, this cleansing gel contains menthol and eucalyptus to deliver it. The lather is rich and conditioning, but still effective at stripping away excess oil. It’s perfect for after a long run or a day out in the sun.

The ingredients in this formula are more like something you’d find in body washes twice the price if not more. There’s the aforementioned menthol and eucalyptus, of course, but also ultra moisturizing coconut oil, vitamins E and B5 to help strengthen and protect your skin, witch hazel to help naturally deodorize and also clarify skin and ginseng to give it an invigorating effect (beyond the minty tingle). Compare it to other luxury washes you’ve tried and we found that it stands up and sometimes even exceeds it.

Read more: Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoos

The Body Wash

This ultra-gentle but still foaming cleanser is the best of all worlds. It deep cleans to help prevent body breakouts and protect your skin with an infusion of antioxidants and more skin-bolstering ingredients, but will never leave your skin feeling tight or dry. The powdery-clean scent is a welcome break from the typical aggressive fresh scents that fill the body wash aisle, too.

"Made for All” Gentle Body Cleanser

This gentle cleanser contains 95% natural ingredients aloe vera and other botanicals, which are included to make this body wash suitable for all skin types. You won’t get the tingle you get from some other harsher soaps, but it still delivers a standout clean. Plus, it’s biodegradable.

Read more: Best Kiehl's Products

Natural Exfoliating Dark Cassis Body Cleanser

Body scrubs can be helpful for smoother skin, but too harsh for sensitive skin or daily use. This new body wash is the best of both worlds. It has silica and jojoba beads to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells, charcoal for a deep clean, and argan oil to leave your skin moisturized. And it's all in a smooth formula that won’t upset sensitive skin.

Deep Moisture Body Wash

“This body wash contains the same types of ingredients found in traditional moisturizers, including stearic acid,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It also has ultra gentle cleansing ingredients that won’t disrupt the outer skin layer.”

Ultra Sensitive Body Wash

Fragrance free and accepted by the National Eczema Association, this body wash from Odele will work with some of the most sensitive skin types out there. The key ingredient in its formula is oats, which help provide a soothing feel those with dry and itchy skin.

Soothing Body Wash

Use this body wash to soothe super dry skin—even eczema. It works because it contains a combination of the specific ceramides that are predominant in the skin and replenishes them to build up your skin barrier, according to Dr. Zeichner.

Skin Shield Body Wash

On its own, this super hydrating foaming body wash would be great for it’s skin protecting abilities thanks to the infusion of Australian botanicals and a proprietary Marine Complex, but coupled with the innovative refill system, it’s a no brainer if you’re concerned with waste.

Relaxing Scent Body Wash for Men Sandalwood Scent

Affordable and packaged in an easy-to-use pump, Irish Spring's new line of body washes pack a ton of value. We like the Relaxing Scent, as its sandalwood fragrance is rich and calming—without being too over-the-top.

What to Look for in Body Washes

Hydration: One of the most important things a body was can have is hydration ingredients since many cleansers tend to strip the natural oils from your body in the cleansing process. Moisturizing ingredients such as natural oils like coconut oil and ingredients like glycerin that draw moisture from the air into your skin (called humectants) can help replenish moisture that’s lost in the cleansing process. They also help to avoid that dry, tight feeling that can come from traditional cleansers. On the ingredients list, make sure moisturizing ingredients like oils or glycerin are high up on the list—they higher they are, the more there is in the formula.

Fragrance (or Not): How a body wash smells obviously plays a big part in the experience of using it—and is, of course, a personal choice. Whether you like lots of fragrance or not, where the fragrance comes from should play a factor in how you choose a body wash. Many washes will list “fragrance” on the ingredients list, which can mean that the added fragrance is chemical-based. Others may list essential oils or other ingredients that give the formula its scent. Neither of these is inherently better than the other, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance, it’s worth noting that both could possibly irritate your skin depending on how concentrated they are. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to choose unscented or lightly scented versions.

Acne Control: Guys tend to have oilier skin, both on their faces and bodies, which is why men tend to develop body acne more easily than women. There’s also the sweat component, which can clog pores and cause breakouts, so if you exercise or sweat a lot, choosing a body wash with acne fighting ingredients can help minimize the potential for breakouts. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, witch hazel (as natural astringent) or other hydroxy acids. Using a body wash with these types of ingredients after a workout or a few times a week can help to not only heal existing breakouts but control potential ones. Keep in mind that these ingredients can also be drying to your skin, so look for formulas that combine them with moisturizing ingredients or be prepared to use a non-comedogenic lotion after your shower.

Soothing: It can be difficult to clean dry skin or skin that’s prone to irritation with traditional cleansers (remember what we said about them stripping natural oils), but many body washes are specifically designed for dry skin. Look for lightly or non-foaming cleansers or creamy cleansers that contain a high amount of oils and ingredients like ceramides, peptides or oatmeal to help soothe irritation prone skin but also fortify the skin barrier to help increase skin’s natural protective ability and hold water inside better.

Is It Ok to Use More Than One Body Wash?

The short answer: yes! Having a few different body washes in your rotation can be beneficial based on when and why you would use them. Many washes that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, for instance, shouldn’t be used every day because they can be harsh on skin. Other reasons you might want to change up your body wash include the weather outside, how dry or sweaty your skin is, whether you just worked out, whether you’re showering in the morning or at night, or just what scent you’re in the mood for.

Why Trust Us?

For the past five years, Men's Health has dedicated itself to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research.Men's Health grooming has been featured on national news outlets like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America, showcasing the latest new grooming products for men and presenting why we love the brands we select.

Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men's Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men—ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving.

Our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, has been testing body washes for the past decade, and we've enlisted the help of top dermatologists for their recommendations, so we absolutely know what we're talking about.

What to look for

Two ingredients to look for in a body wash, according to Joshua Zeicher, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research, Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City, are stearic acid and ceramides. “Stearic acid is a fatty acid found naturally in the outer skin layer,” he says. “It helps seal the skin barrier and when applied topically to the skin, it also acts as an emollient to soften rough cells on the skin's surface.” Similarly, ceramides are a lipid that keeps the skin barrier intact. “In conditions like dry skin or eczema, where the skin barrier is not functioning properly,” adding in ceramides can help build it back up, says Dr. Zeichner.

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