The 17 Best Body Washes for Men That Level Up Every Shower (2024)

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Proteins, vitamins, amino acids | Skin Types: All | Size: 26 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If there’s one guarantee with Dove, it’s that they get body care. And with their Men+Care line, they’re always looking out for the guys. This body wash is our top pick because it is affordable and effective. Made with proteins, vitamins, and amino acids, this body wash is here to soothe and strengthen your skin as you wash. It also comes in two scents: Relax is made with eucalyptus and cedar oil and Restore is made with sandalwood and cardamom oil. Plus, this body wash is made in 100% recycled plastic bottles to minimize waste. It’s easy to see why this one gets top marks in our book.

Key Ingredients: Citric acid, water, fragrance | Skin Types: All | Size: 28 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It’s one thing to feel super clean when you first step out of the shower—it’s another thing to have that feeling last all day. That’s where Method’s Glacier + Granite Body Wash comes in. Not only do customers love the smell, but they say that it truly does last long after they hang up their towels. This formula is also plant-based and biodegradable and the bottle is created with 80% PCR recycled plastic. Some reviewers did mention it felt a bit drying, but if you’re after that squeaky clean and fresh feeling, a little post-shower moisturizer might just give you the best of all worlds.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Types: Oily | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A recent study shows that men’s skin tends to be oilier than women’s, which means you’re even more likely to need a body wash that actively combats acne. When it comes to battling body blemishes, Dr. Hartman’s favorite is Murad’s Acne Control Body Wash. The active ingredient, salicylic acid, is able to penetrate your pores for a deep clean and assists in reducing reservoirs of surface oil that can lead to breakouts leaving behind clearer, smoother skin.

Key Ingredients: Lactic and glycolic acids | Skin Types: Oily and combination | Size: 14 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Self-described as the "Swiss Army of body washes,” this product is meant to perform beyond the average soap. It’s geared toward a results-oriented customer, from its tennis ball container-inspired packaging to the sulfate-free formula, which incorporates lactic and glycolic acids to slough off dead skin. This product is designed to leave your skin feeling fresh, clean, and extra smooth, even after multiple workouts. The scent is more layered and musky, so if you prefer a lighter fragrance, we recommend the coconut water and sandalwood scent.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamins B3 and B5 | Skin Types: Sensitive | Size: 20 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Overly stripping formulas can aggravate sensitive skin, creating discomfort and unsightly reactions. Instead, reach for this classic Cetaphil cleanser, a gentle favorite of Dr. Murphy-Rose’s. She explains that it’s designed to defend against five signs of skin sensitivity—that’s dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier. Not only does it feel creamy to the touch, but it’s formulated with Micellar Technology, which is meant to remove impurities but also reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier with vitamins plus glycerin.

Key Ingredients: Baobab, Kigali africana, hibiscus | Skin Types: Sensitive, irritated | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cheers to Aurelia London’s Restorative Cream Body Wash, which includes a botanical blend of antioxidant- and omega-rich sweet almond, baobab, Kigali africana, and hibiscus in a base of aloe vera and coconut oil. You’ll be drawn in by the intoxicating scent, but stay for the nourishing, moisturizing, therapeutic effects (sometimes even used on the face to calm irritation). Designed to combat pollution and impurities with a gentle touch, this aromatic product is also created with moments of mindfulness and a conscious approach at its core. If you prefer a richer formula, this one may just be your perfect match..

Active Ingredients: Coriander seed, black pepper, patchouli | Skin Types: Normal, combination | Size: 16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’ve been to any trendy restaurants or hotels recently, chances are you’ve encountered the intoxicating scent of Aesop’s varied offerings. Their products often contain layered fragrances, and the Coriander Seed Body Cleanser is no exception. Warming, peppery, and presented in a graphic, minimalist glass bottle, this body wash feels indulgent but utilitarian at the same time. Its aromatic essence makes a shower feel like an act of self-care, keeping you lingering for longer than planned.

Key Ingredients: Citric acid | Skin Types: Normal, combination | Size: 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you’re looking for a spa-scented experience on a daily basis, look no further than Neutrogena’s best-selling Rainbath Shower and Body Gel. The rich lather leaves skin feeling supple, while the beloved fragrance combines notes of spices, citrus, and other herbs to promote relaxation. Unlike our other fragrance pick, the availability of a large format container (32 ounces) presents excellent value and offers accessibility, as well.

Key Ingredients: Hydrated silica, jojoba esters, charcoal, argan oil | Skin Types: Normal, combination, oily | Size: 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Exfoliating body washes cleanse the skin and remove dead cells at the same time, promising to help reduce the risk of congestion and acne. The active ingredients of Bevel Men’s Natural Exfoliating Body Wash deliver on this promise and then some. Hydrating silica, jojoba esters, and charcoal help to pull dirt away from pores, while argan oil works with the skin’s natural oils to soften and hydrate. And, because the product was created with diverse skin tones in mind, it’s meant to hydrate without stripping the skin. We're also big fans of the scent: Supreme Oak, which features sweet almond layered with bourbon and birch. If you’re looking for a pleasant and effective way to exfoliate the skin, this will be a winner.

Key Ingredients: Aloe, shea, guar | Skin Types: Normal, combination | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

True to its name, Bathing Culture’s Body Wash is an experience for the mind and body. The combination of certified organic ingredients, including aloe, shea, and guar, creates a rich lather (sometimes lacking in other natural products) that leaves your skin feeling smooth and hydrated while inhaling the lovely, woodsy scent. And, if you happen to be using it outdoors, this body wash is 100% biodegradable, making it safe to use in a mountain stream or elsewhere. The formula is also seriously concentrated, which means that you can use less product, further decreasing your impact on the planet. If you’re looking for a body wash that calms your skin, relaxes your mind, and clears your conscience, this is the bottle to grab.

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, coconut | Skin Types: Normal, combination, dry | Size: 18 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Active guys who shower more than once a day may run out of body wash faster than most. This presents two problems: First, ironically, frequent showering tends to cause dry skin and, second, that means creating extra waste in the form of discarded bottles. Luckily, Bravo Sierra’s Body Wash solves both of those problems. It’s formulated to keep the skin from drying out and comes in 18-ounce aluminum refill cans, bringing a whole new meaning to crushing “shower beers.”

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, water, citric acid | Skin Types: Combination, normal, sensitive | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It’s all in the name of Soft Service’s Ultra Soothing Shower Gel. This product will be a great relief to men who have struggled with skin irritation, reactiveness, and discomfort. It’s specifically safe for intimate areas, as well as being packed with glycerin for hydration that remains as the day goes on. If you’re a frequent shower-er and shaver, this one is a no-brainer.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, saw palmetto, blue lotus flower | Skin Types: All | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

California Naturals is aptly named, as the company is all about respecting the planet, using clean ingredients, and infusing their products with that West Coast chill. The Body Wash is focused largely on hydration, incorporating anti-inflammatory saw palmetto and blue lotus flower (which even sounds cool), along with their signature “Golden Hour Nutri-Glow Blend” of coconut oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, and sunflower extract. The soap is meant to “froth” not lather, so expect fewer bubbles, but still a satisfying clean.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, kelp extract | Skin Types: Normal, dry | Size: 7.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Vavica was founded by three Latina sisters, but it’s designed to be unisex. Incorporating hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and kelp extract (an antioxidant), its primary goal is to work with your body to bring vibrance back to your skin’s lipid layer. It’s super gentle, highly moisturizing, and inclusive too.

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, eucalyptus, TFC8 blend | Skin Types: Normal, sensitive, dry | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Like all products from Augustinus Bader, this lightweight, sudsy body gel, has been developed around the company’s Trigger Factor Complex (TCF8) blend, meant to combat everything from wrinkles and redness to hyperpigmentation and stretchmarks. Basically, the company believes you should treat the skin on your body as well as you would your face. Clinical results found that the product improved hydration by 128% and texture by 100%. Now those are stats we can get behind.

Key Ingredients: Menthol, zinc, caffeine | Skin Types: All | Size: 8.4, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We all know there’s nothing quite like that first sip of coffee in the morning—but if you’re trying to cut back on caffeine or need to shower the moment you wake up you can experience that same sensation, thanks to this Kiehl’s Body Fuel Wash. Made with caffeine and menthol, it will awaken your senses from the moment you step under the showerhead. It’s also formulated with vitamins and zinc, known for its purifying properties. Plus, if you do prefer multiuse products, this wash also works for your face and hair.

Key Ingredients: Citric acid, glycerin, water | Skin Types: Normal | Size: 16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Inspired by coastal evergreens and cool seaside breeze, this body wash will make you feel as though you’re driving along the California coast with the windows open. This body wash is super refreshing in feel and fragrance—with notes of evergreen, citrus, and eucalyptus. This body wash cleanses gently without drying out skin. Did we mention it’s pretty affordable as well?

FAQ

• Why choose body wash instead of soap?

  Dr. Hartman prefers body washes over bar soap. “Body washes are more hygienic compared to bar soaps as they are stored in a bottle,” he says. “They won’t harbor bacteria that might be in your bathroom like a bar soap can.”
  

• How frequently should I be using body wash?

  For most of us, scrubbing up daily is the best bet, but Dr. Murphy-Rose warns that those with dry skin may want to curtail their bathing habits a bit. “If you are one of many with dry skin, daily cleansing of just the areas that tend to develop more bacteria and odor (underarms, groin area, bottom, and feet) can suffice,” she says. “Rinsing the rest of your skin every day with water alone should be enough for those with dry skin.
  

• How should I use body wash?

  There’s no wrong way to apply body wash. But, according to Dr. Hartman, you should integrate an accessory—like a washcloth or loofah—into your routine if you also want to exfoliate. “The trick in using something like a sponge or washcloth to apply body wash is to make sure that you are cleaning it after each use,” he says. “Otherwise, the next time you use that accessory, you’ll actually be rubbing old dirt and bacteria onto your clean skin.”