Are you confident that you are using a great-smelling body wash that is also just right for your skin? With all the products out there it can be hard to find one that suits your needs. That’s why we’ve put together this list of best smelling men’s body washes for you to try. Read on for some must-try products that will earn their place in your shower!

How to Eliminate Body Odor

You probably already wear deodorant to counteract your natural body odor, but have you found the right body wash to assist you in the fight against stink? Men have more and larger sweat glands than women, so they tend to produce more sweat which then can breed bacteria that smell pretty nasty. Both stress and activity can make you sweat, so you probably can’t avoid body odor. Instead, look for a body wash that targets the odor-causing bacteria and leaves behind a refreshing scent that keeps you smelling clean all day long.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind when combating body odor:

Get Clean

The first step in smelling good all day long is showering and properly cleaning the areas where sweat tends to accumulate. The armpits and groin area are the tricky ones that tend to provide the ideal habitat for those odor causing bacteria, so they should get the most of your attention when showering. A great smelling men’s body wash will target buildup in your pores, fight bacteria, and leave your skin fresh and odor free. Regular cleansing of the body is also important to maintaining the pH balance of the skin.

Post-Shower Prep

A good skincare routine does not stop in the shower. Once you clean off and step out of the shower, you should pat your skin dry gently and apply a moisturizer to lock in important hydration. Then, to tackle body odor you’re going to want to apply a natural deodorant with antiperspirant qualities that will keep excess sweat from building up and will both mask and fight odor.

Wear Breathable Clothing

The clothing you wear throughout the day may actually be contributing to your body odor. Stick to light, breathable fabrics or sweat-wicking material that will keep you dry and cut down on the chances that bacteria will be able to grow. Stay away from tight-fitting clothes or heavy fabrics that will encourage sweat and hold onto stink.

Layer Fragrances

Now that you’ve done all you can to prevent body odor, it’s time to think about making yourself smell great. This is achievable if you layer different scented products, such as deodorant, body wash, cologne, and aftershave. Just make sure you look for products that contain natural fragrance, not artificial scents that can irritate your skin. This is your key to smelling fresh!

What To Look For in a Body Wash

The kind of body wash you invest in depends on your lifestyle. An active man might need a body wash that cleanses deeply to remove sweat and dirt, but a man with sensitive skin might stick to natural products with moisturizing capabilities. Men with dry skin want to find oil-based or creamy body washes that replenish natural hydration. Here are a few specific things to look for when buying body wash:

Natural Ingredients

One of the most important things to look out for are natural ingredients. This means avoiding body washes that are full of harsh chemicals and ingredients you don’t recognize or can’t pronounce. This is especially important for men with sensitive skin, who might get rashes or breakouts from harsh additives or artificial fragrance.

Moisturizing Agents

Even if you suffer from oily skin and are prone to breakouts, you’ll need some moisturizing power in your body wash! Natural oils (like argan, jojoba, or avocado) provide this in spades while also nourishing skin. Many vitamins encourage skin to retain moisture, glycerin helps seal water into the skin, and shea butter fills in the cracks to ensure soft and conditioned skin.

pH-Regulating

Your skin’s pH level is its balance between acidity and alkaline, and is really important for skin health. In order to keep your skin’s pH in check, you’ll want to search for ingredients like lactic acid or citric acid. The good news is that these ingredients also help rid your body and face of dead skin cells!

Ingredients to Avoid in a Body Wash

Now that you know which ingredients to look for in the perfect body wash, here are a few to avoid:

Parabens

Parabens are included in body wash formulas as a preservative, to give the products a longer shelf life. However, they have been linked to endocrine disruption and even serious conditions like breast cancer!

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is another preservative that should be avoided. This one has been linked to allergic reactions and a whole bunch of health issues!

Fragrances and Dyes

Dyes and artificial fragrances are made up of harsh chemicals that can be toxic to your skin. If your skin gets red or itchy after using a specific product, chances are that one of these items is the culprit.

Bar Soap vs. Body Wash: Which Smells Better

For years, bar soap was the standard for men’s grooming and hygiene routines. Since bar soap cleans well and is budget-friendly, it’s often been a go-to among men. Take your skincare routine up a notch by using a shower gel or body wash, which has a creamier texture to ensure hydration, a longer lasting scent than bar soap, and contains ingredients that go beyond cleaning to nourish your skin.

If you need another reason to switch to a body wash from bar soap, you should know that body wash is actually more hygienic! Bar soaps are often left in the corner of the shower where they can accumulate bacteria thanks to the humid shower environment. Since body wash stays safely inside a bottle, you don’t have to worry about introducing harmful bacteria to your skin.

Plus, a little body wash goes a long way, especially if you use some kind of scrubbing tool in the shower!

Finding a Great Smelling Body Wash

Picking out the best body wash for you is like choosing a cologne–it all comes down to personal taste. Luckily, all of the body washes on our list were handpicked because they smell fantastic. Some feature typically masculine scents like cedar or sandalwood, others focus on citrus aromas or refreshing mint. All of them would be rock stars in your shower routine.

1. Blu Atlas Body Wash

We can’t decide what part of this body wash from Blu Atlas is better–the refreshing, earthy smell or the all natural, clean ingredients. The scent is bold and refreshing, thanks to earthy base notes of oakmoss and vetiver, then gentle lavender and clary sage aromas with bright flashes of bergamot. It serves as the perfect morning wake up call, then fades into a warm scent throughout the day.

Those men who are conscious of the products they use on their body will love this natural formula that is free from parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances. This vegan formula features powerful plant-derived ingredients that help to soothe and nourish skin. Shea butter glycerides lock in moisture, while aloe gets to work on inflammation and green tea provides a healthy dose of antioxidants. A best smelling men’s body wash that feels great, too!

2. American Crew 24-Hour Deodorant Body Wash

Need a little extra help from your shower routine to help conquer body odor? Go for this great smelling 2-in-1 product from American Crew. It gets down and dirty fast to clean deep without stripping your skin or leaving any residue. Natural ingredients like silver citrate and melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil fight off odor-causing bacteria, then peppermint soothes and leaves a refreshing scent in its wake.

Men describe this body wash as having a refreshing aroma and a deodorant-like effect. Users claim it lasts the full 24 hours advertised! A great product for athletic men who want to smell clean even when going from work to the gym to a night out.

3. Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel

The scent of this Recharge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel is woodsy and sophisticated, with a touch of spice. Its translucent gel formula creates a satisfying lather that delivers ultimate hydration. You won’t find any parabens in this cruelty-free formula, making it safe on sensitive skin.

The iconic fragrance was created by Master Perfumer Jacques Chabert in 2002 as his own personal scent. Since then, it has won numerous industry awards and is one of the company’s best-selling products. Top notes of black pepper, lemon, and ginger blend with basil, then slowly reveal a heavy base of vetiver, oakmoss, and ambergris.

4. Biotherm Homme Aquapower Shower Gel

Biotherm Homme Aquapower is a shower gel for men with cooling power. This shower product gently cleanses the body and hair by getting rid of toxins and impurities. Its paraben free formula is enriched with Life Plankton probiotic extracts which hydrate and strengthen skin.

Life Plankton is actually a little-known skincare hero packed with vitamins, proteins, amino acids, and lipids which revive the skin’s vital functions to increase the overall health of the skin. On top of that nutrient power comes coco-betaine to cleanse while salicylic acid smooths. Thanks to this clean formula, your skin will look and feel better after a few weeks of use!

We can’t forget Aquapower’s Scent! Lovely citrus notes of lemon, tangerine, and bergamot give way to warm aromas of cedar, patchouli, white musk, and vanilla.

5. Kiehl’s Body Fuel Hair and Body Cleanser for Men

Kiehl’s is one of the longest-standing brands in the skincare industry, and for good reason. The company was first founded as an apothecary in 1851 on the corner of 13^th Street and Third Avenue in New York City, and started making its own products in 1921. Kiehl’s hasn’t rested since then, coming up with innovative formulas and reducing their environmental impact.

This particular formula is infused with menthol and caffeine for a natural pick-me-up and also includes important vitamins and minerals that contribute to skin health. Kickstart your day with this product which is gentle on skin and comes with an uplifting aroma. It’s safe to use on both your hair and body!

6. Dove Men Care Extra Fresh Body & Face Wash

When it comes to skin care, Dove delivers trusted products that work. Dove Men Care Extra Fresh Body & Face Wash provides a refreshing clean by washing away bacteria and leaving skin moisturized. This is thanks to Dove’s Micro Moisture Technology, which activates upon contact with the skin to hydrate better than most other products on the market. Their new formula is a mild wash made with plant-based cleansers and nutrients for stronger and healthier skin and is gentle enough for use on the face. Men love how it feels light and doesn’t leave any residue on the skin.

The reason this makes the list of best smelling men’s body washes, though, is its fresh and cool scent which sticks around all day. With an instant moisturizing effect, manly scent, and recycled plastic container, this body wash is sure to become a staple in your shower routine.

7. Every Man Jack Body Wash and Shower Gel Sandalwood

Men who are looking for a natural body wash that smells as good as a cologne need not look further. Every Man Jack uses concocts winning formulas from natural, plant-based ingredients that work to take care of your skin. This shower gel is a powerhouse that cleans, protects, and smooths out skin.

Coconut surfactants do the dirty work of drawing out impurities so sandalwood oil and glycerin can lock in moisture. The sandalwood scent is authentic but light enough to not overpower your senses. You can feel good about this product that is never tested on animals, and is completely free from parabens, dyes, phthalates, and aluminum.

8. Evolution Man Nu Noir Face & Body Wash

Evolution Man was invented based on the desire for men’s skincare that is polished and professional while also going easy on the planet. That’s why this line comes in sustainable packaging, backed by a company that strives for eco-friendly business practices and high-quality formulas.

Nu Noir doesn’t only make you feel squeaky clean, but it also enhances the look of your skin by fading fine lines and shrinking pores. It even does double duty as a face wash in a pinch! Glycolic and salicylic acids buff dead skin cells to reveal your smoothest skin ever, then aloe vera soothes and delivers anti-inflammatory power. The result is clearer, younger-looking skin from head to toe.

9. Aqua Di Parma Relaxing Shower Gel

Acqua Di Parma is an Italian favorite that has been around for over a century. While the brand’s first claim to fame was its line of fragrances, Acqua di Parma is now branching out and creating products like this shower gel that is an absolute must-have. Bring a little Italian charm into your life thanks to this product which is made in Italy by traditional craftsmen using the highest quality materials.

This relaxing shower gel has a silky texture that will leave your skin soft and clean. This is mostly thanks to vitamin E, which hydrates and strengthens skin. The gel’s aroma is reminiscent of the Italian countryside, with light citrus and savory herb notes along with cardamom, caramel, and musk. You’ll so enjoy this calming scent washing over you!

10. Grown Alchemist Body Cleanser

Grown Alchemist creates scientifically innovative formulas that repair and regenerate skin. Using a holistic scientific approach, the company identifies how to regulate the skin’s aging process. Their trademark approach to skincare–cleanse, detox, and activate–is backed by their own cosmetic chemists and research labs.

This body wash includes hyaluronan, which regulates inflammation and helps encourage hydration deep down in your skin. Neroli, rosemary, and tangerine fruit oils condition, moisturize, and tone the skin before other natural ingredients deliver a dose of antioxidants. Scents of chamomile and bergamot make for a soft and fragrant body wash that is perfect for everyday use.

11. Byredo Black Saffron Body Wash

The founder of this line was inspired by his Indian heritage to include saffron in his products. Saffron’s holiness in India led to the creation of skincare products that harness the natural power of the spice and celebrate its leathery aroma. This spice mixed with juniper berries, black violet, raspberry, and vetiver have earned The Black Saffron Body Wash a place on the list of best smelling men’s body washes to try!

12. Pete and Pedro Desperado Rum and Tobacco Body Wash

This eco-friendly product is the creation of Youtube sensation Aaron Marino, who wanted to find a product that worked for his hair and body. The resulting Pete and Pedro line uses natural ingredients for the desired effect. This body wash contains glycerin for hydration, green tea for antioxidants, and willow bark for anti-inflammatory properties. Its scent is the warm, masculine combination of rum and tobacco that provide an extra boost of confidence throughout the day.

13. Duke Cannon Buffalo Trace Thick Body Wash

This Memphis, Tennessee based company has created a body wash made to cut through all the grime that hard-working men accumulate after a full day of work. Duke Cannon Buffalo Trace Thick Body Wash includes plant-based thickeners and exfoliating minerals to handle a day’s worth of dirt or dust in one rinse, then aloe vera offers hydration and protection.

The thick lather is infused with notes of amber and oak that smell great for a refreshing clean. Inspired by The Buffalo Trace Distillery, the rich scent ‘smells as good as bourbon tastes.’ Don’t believe it? Give this body wash a try!

No matter your scent preference, there is a body wash out there for you! Now that you’ve read through our list of favorites, it’s time to go out and get one of these best smelling men’s body washes.