25 Best Body Washes for Men in 2024
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Are you hoping to take better care of yourself in 2024? If so, part of that resolution should include treating your skin with kindness, which means finding the right body wash that combines deodorizing power with the nutrients and hydration your skin is craving. Quality body cleaners, shower gels, and washes for men with enhancers like green tea extract are your skin’s best defense against excess oil, dirt and grime, and other invisible aggressors that do your epidermis a disservice. Check out this list to find your go-to body wash this year.
Why Choose Body Wash Instead of Soap?
Gone are the days when men had to stick to bar soap in order to rinse off in the shower. While good old reliable bar soap has kept you squeaky clean for years now, it’s time to treat your skin to a whole new experience: body wash.
Bar soap’s primary function is to cleanse your skin, but in doing so it can also upset your pH balance or strip your skin of the natural oils it needs for protection and moisture. Instead, body wash is formulated not only to clean and deodorize, but also to leave your skin better than it found it.
How Do You Find the Best Body Wash for Men?
While you probably think of body wash as being there to take care of the grime and sweat you accumulate throughout the day, it actually does much more than that. Since body wash is applied directly to the skin, it’s also your chance to take care of any skin issues you face, such as dryness, grease, or irritation.
For starters, look for body washes that leave out harmful chemicals in favor of natural, plant-based ingredients. This will immediately cut down on some of your skin issues. Then, look for ingredients that serve as natural deodorizers and find products that include plenty of vitamins and nutrients to keep your skin healthy. If you want to get rid of flakiness, opt for body washes that include some form of natural exfoliant.
Which Ingredients Are Most Important in a Body Wash?
Here are a few natural powerhouses to keep an eye out for:
• Tea Tree. (Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, meaning it attacks odor-causing microbes at the source. Plus, it has impressive cleansing power and the ability to help your skin get rid of buildup from oil, sweat, and environmental toxins.)
• Shea Butter. (Shea butter is one of the most powerful moisturizing agents out there, so this is an important one, especially if you have particularly dry skin. It also includes fatty acids that form a natural barrier on your skin to protect it from damage.)
• Natural Oils. (Oils such as avocado, argan, or coconut pack a lot of nutrients while also providing hydrating properties. Even if your skin tends to get greasy, oil can help lock in moisture while delivering the nourishment your skin needs.)
• Aloe Vera. (Not only does aloe vera help encourage hydration, but it also soothes inflammation and can help with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.)
• Green Tea. (Green tea is another important anti-inflammatory agent that can soothe skin and get rid of redness. It also provides a big dose of antioxidants which can help protect and heal your skin while promoting a youthful appearance.)
How to Incorporate Body Wash Into Your Skincare Routine
It may be a generalization, but it’s probably safe to say that most men try to make their skincare routine as quick and simple as possible. While there’s nothing wrong with being efficient when it comes to grooming, it’s still important to prioritize your skin health. Here is the ideal skincare routine and where body wash fits into it.
• Cleanse. (Ok, you guessed it, body wash is the first step in a successful skincare routine. Even if you only have a few minutes for a quick shower or are rinsing off after a workout, squeeze some body wash onto a loofah or sponge and work it into your skin. Using something other than your hands to apply body wash not only saves you product but also allows the dead skin on the top layer fall away, letting the powerful ingredients in your body wash sink in deep.)
• Tone. (Well, this is only for your face, but toner is a step you shouldn’t skip. This product gets rid of any impurities that remain in your pores after washing and makes the following step in the routine that much more effective.)
• Moisturize. (While your skin is still damp from a shower, rub in some lotion. This is especially important in the coldest, driest months of the year which can make your skin itchy and tight-feeling. Use a separate lotion for your face to lock in moisture.)
• Deodorize. (Then it’s time to prevent body odor. Use a natural deodorant free of aluminum and harmful chemicals, rub some cologne in your pulse points, or apply aftershave after a little beard trim to ensure you smell fresh all day.)
Courtesy of Blu Atlas
No matter how dry your skin is or what you’re hoping to get out of a body wash, you can count on Blu Atlas to deliver with this 99% naturally-sourced formula. Treat your skin to the moisturizing power of shea butter glycerides, the calming effect of aloe, and the antioxidants of green tea each time you lather on this product.
Did we mention this comes with an addictive scent? Think bold outdoor adventure, with woodsy notes and inviting patchouli and bergamot. No better way to start your day than sudsing up with this Blu Atlas body wash. So many reasons this product has made the list of best body washes for men!
[$25; bluatlas.com]
Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue
This body wash is based on a fragrance, and an iconic one at that. Santal 33 the fragrance gained popularity thanks to its unisex blend of spice notes, which you’ll now find in body wash form. A botanical blend that includes aloe, flaxseed, and olive leaf extract works wonders for your skin while the spicy, leathery, smoky scent keeps you smelling masculine and desirable.
[$60; saksfifthavenue.com]
Courtesy of Amazon
Oars and Alps offers straightforward and natural skincare that provides real results. To avoid stripping your skin, this natural body and face wash turns to jojoba oil to nourish and moisturize and vitamin E to help reduce the effects of sun damage.
Men claim that this wash helps them feel soft and clean long after the shower is over, and leaves a pleasant scent behind. Choose from a few different natural fragrances, such as California Coast, Ocean Splash, or Alpine Tea Tree. The best part of this formula is that you can lather it on your face, too, and skip one step in your grooming process each day!
[$12; amazon.com]
Courtesy of Bamford
This body wash gives you an excuse to go hard at the gym. Once you’ve sweat it all out, rinse off in this body wash you can also use on your hair when you forget the shampoo. Tea tree leaf extract stops odor before it develops, while sweet orange essential oil fights bacne and nourishes and aloe tackles irritation.
You’re guaranteed to feel refreshed after using this body wash, and you’ll smell great, too. Get one bottle for your shower and one for your gym bag–it’s that good.
[$36; bamford.com]
Courtesy of Nordstrom
Ok, yes, this body wash may be a little bougie, but that’s just because it’s indulgent. A gently foaming gel cleans deep as it gives your skin the luxurious experience of being expertly cared for by natural ingredients. Then, it leaves a subtle scent in its wake that seems to warm you from the inside out.
This formula relies on coriander seed oil for antibacterial properties and a generous dose of healing, black pepper fruit oil that fends off free radicals that pose harm to your skin, and sea salt for gentle exfoliation.
[$49; amazon.com]
Courtesy of Amazon
Are you a member of the Jack Black fan club yet? Well you will be as soon as you try this all-over wash. Use it on both your skin and hair for a thorough clean that leaves you feeling your best. Plus, this means you can skip buying a shampoo and face wash next time you run out. Score!
You have a few natural ingredients to thank for this clean and calm sensation. One is jojoba protein, which ensures that your skin and hair stay moisturized, even in the coldest, driest months of the year. Another is panthenol for softening power that will also give your hair a thicker appearance. Then there’s coconut-surfactants for a reliable clean, sea kelp for important nutrients, and shea butter for ultimate hydration.
[$52; amazon.com]
7. Mario Badescu Botanical Body Soap
Courtesy of Amazon
Millions trust Mario Bedscu for high-quality skincare, and this body soap is just yet another example of the brand’s innovation. This vegan and paraben-free wash uses grapefruit and glycolic acid to help you feel refreshed while cutting down on inflammation and stimulating collagen growth. Its refreshing scent is also a great pick-me-up right when you need it.
[$8; amazon.com]
8. Kiehl’s Gentle Body Cleanser
Courtesy of Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s has been a go-to for high-quality skincare for decades–you can trust any product that has their name on it! Go easy on your skin with this best body wash for men that is so safe you could even wash an infant with it. 95% naturally derived ingredients make up this formula which cleanses skin while diminishing redness and leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth, not tight like so many products do.
Sustainably sourced aloe vera is behind the anti-inflammatory properties of this wash, which will help get rid of those red, aggravated spots that crop up from time to time. Soap tree extract is responsible for the satisfying lather, not any harsh chemicals that can damage layers of skin. Citric acid then steps in to help protect skin while exfoliating to get rid of those dry patches.
[$35; kiehls.com]
9. Dr. Bronner’s 4 in 1 Lemongrass Lime
Courtesy of Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s has been an authority on natural products for over 60 years, so you know you can trust them. Stay away from preservatives, alcohol, and harsh chemicals with this gentle blend of coconut oil for moisture, organic white grape juice for protection, jojoba for hydration, hemp for balance, and olive oil for anti-aging properties.
The really cool thing about Dr. Bronner’s, however? The brand is committed to cutting out plastic use, so they use recycled plastic in most of their packaging and encourage customers to refill their soaps rather than buy new ones. While this body wash is available in a few different scents, lemongrass lime is certainly a favorite–refreshing and enticing.
[$20; amazon.com]
10. Malin + Goetz Hand + Body Wash
Courtesy of Amazon
Malin and Goetz, which started in 2004, has taken over the natural skincare scene since their inception. That’s because they focus on using high-quality, natural ingredients to deliver serious benefits without any drawbacks. Like with this hand and body wash, which gets rid of dirt and impurities while providing skin with amino acids and glycerin to encourage water retention.
This product is vegan and cruelty-free, so it goes easy on the conscience as well as the skin. While it comes in a variety of scents, eucalyptus is our favorite, as it’s fresh and invigorating and leaves you smelling clean no matter what you get up to during your day.
[$35; amazon.com]
11. Dr. Alkaitis Organic Body Wash
Courtesy of Amazon
Skin feeling out of whack lately? Get it back in balance with this organic wash from Dr. Alkaitis that works to restore your skin’s pH balance with exfoliating power. Saponified natural oils cleanse and repair skin while aloe vera seeps in to get rid of inflammation and essential vitamins and herbs strengthen and nourish.
While this soap may go on a little slick, if you use a sponge or a scrub brush with it you’ll get that satisfying exfoliating feeling that opens up your skin to receive all the goods. Get this–Dr. Alkaitis Organic Body wash is made with live ingredients! That means you need to be sure to cap the wash tight when not in..