We’ve rounded up the absolute best body washes on the market, because “bar soap versus body wash” is essentially “shorts or shorts” in the shower. If you’re in the liquid corner in that debate, you need some soap that’s both moisturizing and cleansing. It should smell fresh — or completely neutral.
With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right product for your skin’s needs. If you like to stimulate your olfactory neurons early in the morning, then a scented shampoo will help you create a solid base note that you can coat your head with. take a shower. Meanwhile, the fragrance-free option will leave you clean without any sensitive skin types at risk of irritation. Fragrance isn’t the only thing you have to worry about: The shower gel you bring home must neutralize bacteria buildup or fight acne-prone skin.
Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive working-class body wash or you’re looking for something more luxurious, there’s a liquid soap guaranteed to keep you clean. So we’ve rounded up 19 of the best body washes for you to use.
The best shower gel, at a glance
- Best scented shower gel: Aesop Citrus Melange Shower Gel$19
- Best simple shower gel: Dr.’s 18 in 1 mint liquid soap. Bronner$16
- Best unscented shower gel: SEEN shower gel$24
- The best body wash for the gym: Cardon Important Shower Gel$14
- Best cheap shower gel: Dollar Shave Club Mint & Cedarwood Shower Gel, $8
- The best acne shower gel: Peter Thomas Roth salycylic shower gel$39
- Best deodorant shower gel: American Crew 24 hour deodorant shower gel$15
- The best premium shower gel: Creed shower gel ‘Aventus’$115
- Best shower gel for dry skin: CeraVe . Soothing Shower Gel$18
- Best two-in-one shower gel: Le Labo bath oil$35
- The best exfoliating shower gel: Bevel premium oak shower gel$12
The most fragrant shower gel
We had a hard time being unfaithful Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Shower Gel, a perennial favorite. But this newer Citrus Melange mild foaming cleanser is vying for top shower caddy real estate. It combines petitgrain with lemon and grapefruit zest for the freshest feel.
The best simple shower gel
Dr. Bronner’s claims their liquid Castile soap is an “18 in 1” cleaner, refreshing everything from clothes to dishes, pets to laundry, floors to food. It’s an impressive line of products, but it made it to our list for only one reason: it’s the perfect way to get a very special cleanse for your entire body.
Best unscented shower gel
The fragrance, while pleasing to the senses, can sometimes be too irritating on the skin. If you’re leaning more towards the sensitive side (or you want to leave your scent layer to your post-shower routine), then a fragrance-free shower gel like SEEN’s will satisfy you. Developed from leather, the ultra-luxury texture is why we honor this gem Grooming Award Winner.
Best shower gel for gym people
Sweating it out at the gym is great until that sweat leads to unsightly pimples. Needless to say, you want to make sure your pores are deeply cleansed when you step into the bathroom. Cardon Shower Gel Infused with skin-cleansing green tea extract and tiger grass to reduce inflammation and redness. Now you can celebrate your achievements without any more body acne.
Best Cheap Shower Gel
If you’re looking for an affordable, brand-name body wash, Dollar Shave Club offers this refreshing, uplifting option in a mint and cedar blend. It soothes with aloe and uses plant-based cleansing agents to leave you feeling refreshed.
Best acne shower gel
Salicylic acid is one of the top-spotted ingredients in acne-fighting body washes (the other is benzoyl peroxide, in more medical formulations). And salicylic acid is at the heart of the PTR formula here: it removes dirt and dead skin from within pores, while glycolic acid smooths and exfoliates the skin’s surface. It also soothes skin with allantoin and aloe, while jojoba beads gently scrub away any remaining rough patches.
Best Deodorant Shower Gel
If you’re prone to a build-up of smelly bacteria, deodorant isn’t the only thing to find salvation: You can also use an anti-odor shower gel, like American Crew’s. This product promises to keep you fresh for 24 hours, using ingredients like silver citrate and tea tree oil to fight bacteria that cause unpleasant odors. It ends with a minty scent, to start those 24 hours off with a refreshing note.
The best premium shower gel
Creed takes many of its best-selling (and most fragrant) scents and bottles them as body washes. So, of course, our pick is the brand’s most popular scent, Aventus. It is a sweet musk woody scent, combining notes of pineapple, birch, musk, oak moss and patchouli. You can combine it with its own scent, if you really like that, or enjoy its essence by letting this luxurious laundry detergent stand alone.
Best shower gel for dry skin
Waging a losing battle against the forces of dryness or eczema? Brand behind best pharmacy moisturizer in biz also sell new weapons of your choice. CeraVe shower gel is high in ceramides to help strengthen your skin’s barrier and repel any attacks that cause itchiness.
Best two-in-one shower gel
When it’s cold outside and your skin feels especially dry, the last thing you want to do is remove the necessary oil while showering clean. Le Labo’s bath oils thicken before turning into a gentle cleansing foam that will remove accumulated dirt and leave your skin clean and soft. (Not to mention: You’ll smell great.)
Best exfoliating shower gel
Snagged herself a reliable Exfoliate the face? Now treat the rest of your body with the same cuticle-saving luxury. Bevel’s gentle shower gel combines silica and charcoal to exfoliate dead skin cells, but combines with ultra-moisturizing argan oil to lock in moisture and leave skin feeling baby-soft.
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