Body wash. Shower gel. Tub lube (okay, maybe not that last one).
Whatever you call it, the liquid you use in conjunction with your flannel or loofah is one of the very few grooming products society insists you keep in rotation, no matter what. Alongside deodorant and an SPF moisturiser , body wash (or an equivalent soap ) is one of the grooming products you'll buy most often in your life. Getting it right, then, is of vital importance.
Sure, you could grab any old Alberto Balsam from the supermarket, or (if you're feeling particularly evil) cadge a little bit of your other half's expensive shampoo , but such a practice isn't showing much respect to yourself or the hundreds of people dedicated to creating elite shower gels. As such, we've taken it upon ourselves to scope out some of the most luxurious for you. Whether you're on the hunt for something extra kind to your skin or you simply hope to switch up your current model so as to swerve nose blindness, you've come to the right place.
What are GQ 's best body washes for men? Best budget-friendly body wash : Dr. Organic Aloe Vera Body Wash, £6.50 at amazon.
co.uk Best body wash for sensitive skin : CeraVe Foaming Cleanser, £18.50 at sephora.
co.uk Best gym-bag body wash : Rituals Homme Shower Foam, £9.90 at lookfantastic.
com Best revitalising body wash : Horace Virginia Cedar & Sage Leaf Shower Gel, £9 at horace.co Best multi-function body wash : Davines Pasta & Love Hair Beard & Body Wash, £21 at cultbeauty.co.
uk Best luxury body wash : Le Labo Baie 19 Shower Gel, £44 at johnlewis.com SKIP TO: What is the difference between a body wash and a shower gel? | What's the best-smelling shower gel for men? | How we chose the best men's body washes Fragrance: Woody, aromatic Powered by: Witch hazel floral water, Virginia cedar essential oil Formulated with 99 per cent ingredients of natural origin, Virginia Cedar & Sage Leaf is the bestselling shower gel from this French boutique brand’s range of topical body cleansers. Paraben- and sulfate-free with a wild, woody and herbaceous aroma, it’s also the one within the collection that offers a restorative sensation.
Formulated with witch hazel floral water to calm irritation and beneficial coconut by-products that nourish and avoid stripping essential oils from the skin. Fragrance: Mediterranean citrus Powered by: Alkekengi (Chinese lantern) Davines’ popular Pasta & Love shaving and grooming line celebrates the traditional values found in Italian barbershops. A triple threat, this wash can be used for the body, hair and even to soften the bristles of beards and moustaches pre-shave, it is intensely hydrating and leaves skin feeling soft to the touch and hair looking healthy and shiny.
Suitable for all skin types and gentle enough for daily use, it boasts credible sustainability standards and is distinctively scented with the citrus-based fragrance of Mediterranean lemon trees. Fragrance: Natural Powered by: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid Developed with the help of dermatologists, this unique cleanser (one of the very few that is recommended to use for both body and face) deep cleans without disrupting the skin barrier. Hosting three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid (for hydration) it gently removes excess oil and dirt without stripping the skin of its natural balance.
Fragrance-free, it's targeted towards those with normal to oily skins but is also perfect for anyone who struggles with sensitivityNeal's Yard Remedies Aromatic Shower Gel Fragrance: Earthy Powered by: Dry juniper berry, patchouli Infused with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, moisturising olive leaf extract, aloe vera and flaxseed extract, Le Labo’s Baie 19 Shower Gel gently nourishes the skin and purifies the mind, soul and body. Both invigorating and spiritually uplifting, it's defined by its crisp, green and undeniably masculine scent, which is inspired by the aroma of rain drenching dry soil, commonly recognised as one of the most aromatic olfactive phenomena nature has to offer. It's a scent with soul and a standout product in this New York-based apothecary’s portfolio of fine fragrances and efficacious body and skincare products.
Fragrance: Uplifting and botanical Powered by: Aloe vera Dr. Organic’s multi-award-winning body washes are infused with bioactive ingredients which guarantee the efficacy and unique properties of the formula’s active components. Soothing, restorative and gentle enough for daily use, this variant uses pure, organic bioactive aloe vera leaf juice to ensure the plant’s beneficial skin-replenishing polysaccharide levels are captured and maximised.
Fragrance: Woody and aromatic Powered by: Vitamin E Complex One of the standout products from the new and improved Rituals Homme grooming and body-care collection, this high-performance body wash is an innovative gel-to-foam formulation which has been specifically designed for the needs of men’s skin. Powered by nature and results-driven, it uses a hardworking ingredient complex of cedar wood, which effectively helps blow away the cobwebs alongside the skin-nourishing and protective benefits of vitamin E. Wildsmith Skin Vitality Brightening Body Cleanser Fragrance: Black pepper, ginger and cedarwood Powered by: Vitamin C, ginger, natural surfactants Wildsmith’s three new performance body washes have been blended to help correct individual, targeted concerns.
The one I took for a test drive was the Vitality Brightening Body Cleanser, which has been made to boost skin radiance and kick-start your day. It built to a rich lather, was gentle enough for daily use (which is important if, like myself, you suffer with sensitivity) and gave me fresher-feeling and more even-toned looking skin. Formulated with vitamin C, which has natural skin-brightening properties and ginger to provide antioxidant defence, the gel-textured, vegan-friendly cleanser is enriched with a 100 per cent natural woody scent, too.
Escentric Molecules Escentric 02 Body Wash Fragrance: Amber with a kick of gin + tonic Powered by: Algae extract, seawater, algin, glycerol oleate, oat-based surfactant There was a period in the mid-noughties when everyone wanted to know who the disruptive fragrance brand Escentric Molecules was, buying into its experimental and revolutionary exploration of synthetic molecules. Approaching its 20-year anniversary EM is again causing ripples with the launch of its new body care line, inviting you to get clean and explore your sense of self. I jumped straight in with the Escentric 02 body wash and didn’t want to get out of the shower.
Scented with an unprecedented amount of ambroxan, a sensual amber molecule with mineral freshness, green jasmine bud and a sparkling ‘gin + tonic’ accord, it was the wake up call we all want from our morning shower. Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel Fragrance: Spicy Powered by: Madagascan black peppercorn oil, coriander oil Any product that’s scented with black pepper has our instant seal of approval. Enter, Molton Brown’s high-quality bath and shower gel, designed to recharge through its moisturising formula and spicy, heated notes.
We’ll elaborate on those. On top: black pepper, lemon and ginger. In the middle: coriander, basil and violet leaf.
And as for the base? Vetiver, oakmoss and ambergris. Those add up to a genuinely invigorating product and, sealed in a slick tan bottle, we’re dubbing it a must-have for the body and bathroom shelf. Isle of Paradise Brilliantly Bright Body Cleanser Fragrance: Fruity Powered by: Vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid Best-known for its self-tanning solutions, Isle Of Paradise's new daily bodycare collection comprises of a body cleanser, body polish and body moisturiser.
I put the Brilliantly Bright Body Wash to the test — which is best suited to dull and/or dry skin, and found its ultra-creamy texture a sensorial treat. Infused with brightening vitamin C, hydrating hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which helps to even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots, it’s like high-performance skincare, but for the body. The other thing that needs a mention is its mood-enhancing tropical scent; confidence-boosting and invigorating for both the mind and the body.
Aesop Citrus Melange Body Cleanser Fragrance: Citrus Powered by: Lemon rind, petitgrain A gentle solution that can be used in the shower, the bath or as a hand wash, Aesop's body cleanser comes in a low-foaming yet rich, gel texture. Driven by customer demand for a citrus-based cleanser, its clean, crisp notes serve as a refreshing cool-down during the summer months and an uplifting sensory experience when the weather turns colder. Q+A Vitamin A.
C.E Cleansing Shower Oil Fragrance: Tropical Powered by: Beta carotenes, berry-derived oils, jojoba seed oil, sea buckthorn This vitamin-enriched cleansing oil from Q+A changed my opinion of shower oils. Best suited to dry, sensitive (where I sit) and normal skin-types, it leaves your skin feeling velvety-soft but without the slightly-greasy aftermath I usually associate with shower oils.
An effective multitasker that doesn’t strip essential oils and offers a gentle but deep clean, it calms, deeply nourishes and replenishes long-lasting moisture. Vegan-friendly and made using 97 per cent natural ingredients, it helps you kick-start the day with its invigorating mango, guava and pineapple infused aroma. Wild Natural Body Wash Fragrance: Assorted Powered by: Cocamidopropyl betaine, sarkosyl, citric acid, benzoate of soda, potassium sorbate, sodium gluconate, salt, water, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium Maker of refillable natural deodorants, Wild has introduced a range of refillable natural body washes to its portfolio.
Just like its deodorants , sustainability and efficacy lie at the heart of these lathering shower gels. Purchasing works in much the same way as the refillable deodorants; you choose your aluminium case, then buy regular 350ml refills, which are made cheaper if you buy by monthly subscription. Available in a wide selection of scents, my favourites were the warming Amber & Oud and the refreshing Santorini Sunset.
Vegan and gentle enough for daily use, I can’t find much to criticise, as it works as it should, saves you £’s and is doing its bit for the planet. Elemis Cool-Down Body Wash Fragrance: Natural Powered by: Birch sap, mango Elemis' revitalising body wash leaves skin feeling re-energised and revived from head to toe, having been designed as an invigorating aid to recovery post-exercise. Infused with a nutrient-rich blend of birch sap, it's packed with natural sugars and minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium manganese and iron, with gentle mango-derived cleansers to effectively wash away dirt and grime.
Administering a unique cooling sensation, it features aromatic oils of juniper, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus and thyme for an uplifting fragrance. Rituals The Ritual Of Karma After Sun Cooling Shower Gel Fragrance: Lotus flower and white tea Powered by: White tea, aloe vera, a powerful Hydra-Boost Complex We’ve all been there: you spend a bit too long in the sun and haven’t topped up the SPF as often as you should, leading to itchy, slightly irritable and tight-feeling skin. But don’t worry! Salvation is on hand.
This cooling gel-to-foam shower gel has been specifically designed to soothe and hydrate dry skin following prolonged sun exposure. I used this after a day at the beach (one of the perks of working from home on the Kent coast) and found it ultra-hydrating and uplifting, with a light and summery floral aroma. It boosted my skin’s elasticity and helped alleviate that tight feeling you get when you’ve stayed out for too long.
It also gives a cooling and tingling sensation; the longer you leave it before risking, the cooler it becomes. Neom Super Shower Power Body Cleanser Fragrance: Spearmint, rosemary and eucalyptus Powered by: Organic coffee extract and oat milk This Supercharged body cleanser has been specifically formulated to power up your mind and kickstart your body. A uniquely awakening, 100 per cent natural formula, it's enriched with an energy-boosting scent made from spearmint, rosemary and eucalyptus oils, which has been designed to have an positive effect on your mental state as well as help to relieve body fatigue and sluggishness.
For the full multi-sensory experience, lather all over the body and inhale a few times with deep breaths before rinsing clean. Haeckels Bladderwrack + Buckthorn Body Cleanser Fragrance: Parsley seed and lavender Powered by: Seaweed extract and rapeseed oil The eco-marine-based infusions from this Margate-based brand have become a favourite with men who look for great efficacy from their grooming without causing further damage to our planet. Using indigenous plants and locally harvested, hydrating seaweed extract, its vegan -compliant and nut-free body cleanser is free from silicone and soy and has antiseptic properties.
Incorporating sea buckthorn and stimulating tea tree, with strong antioxidants and vitamins, it actively helps repair the skin and improves its texture. A delivery system of fast-absorbing rapeseed oil helps the active ingredients travel to the deeper levels of the dermis more effectively. Low-foaming, but giving a rich lather, it features a natural parsley seed and lavender aroma.
It even comes with a 100 per cent recyclable pump. Santa Maria Novella Giardini Medicei Bizzarria Bath & Shower Gel Fragrance: Citrus/floral Powered by: Plant-based surfactants Founded by Dominican friars in Florence in 1221, Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is (besides being a mouthful) widely acknowledged as one of the earliest perfumeries in the world. Its new body care line, which features bath & shower gels and fluid body creams, feels luxe and will elevate your everyday shower routine.
I tried the Bizzarria body wash, which combines an explosion of citrus notes with neroli, pepper, orange blossom absolute, ginger, cedar wood and musk, and was immediately transported to a Mediterranean garden. Making no claims to fix any specific skin concerns, it gave a gentle cleanse, using vegetable-origin surfactants, with a very soft foam (its only downfall in my opinion) and left my skin feeling protected by maintaining its natural hydrolipidic film. Body wash and shower gel, though used interchangeably, are actually a smidgen different from one another.
Shower gel tends to be dense, while body washes tread on the side of soap-like consistency. We've featured both in this list to follow. Wanting to upgrade your entire shower routine? A new set of bath towels and a scented candle should be on your shopping list, too.
There's rather a lot of choice when it comes to choosing a scent for your shower and bath. Perhaps not as comprehensive as the choices of ouds , nerolis and musks available in fragrances , but close. Before you choose your next body wash/shower gel make sure you've thought about the kind of scents you like and, more importantly, those you dislike.
Ingredients like peppermint and peppercorn are sharper scents, while sandal and cedarwoods are more deeply luxurious. Citruses are better for waking you up on a tired morning. Of course, there’s also always the unscented option.
Like most of our grooming guides, everything here has been independently selected by Adrian Clark, an award-winning journalist who's worked in the male grooming vertical since his graduation from Central Saint Martins. Since then, he has worked for decades discovering the best products a man can buy, via his own medicine cabinet, regular samplers and launch events. Adrian has tried most of the body washes in the list below and only included brands that he knows and trusts when that wasn't possible.
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