Ditch Your Bar of Soap. We Tested 75 Body Washes and Found 10 We Love. (2025)

In our rigorous testing process for our annual Grooming Awards, seven of our testers unanimously voted Nivea's Sensitive 3-in-1 body wash as the best in its class. One tester said, "[It's] a creamy body wash that keeps your skin clean and deeply moisturized. It’s lightly fragranced, so it won’t irritate sensitive skin or compete with your cologne."

Our editors with sensitive skin also found that Nivea's was the rare body wash that didn't cause breakouts or redness after using it consistently. That's thanks to its star ingredients: Almond oil and bamboo extract, which provide added moisture while soothing skin. But even with its gentle formula, we found that Nivea still cleaned our skin effectively. We found that it wiped away grime and sunscreen as strongly as any soaps we've tried.

What makes this the very best body wash is that you don’t have to have sensitive skin to reap the benefits of it. If you do, you’re going to love the creamy texture and gentle lather. But if you don’t, you’ll still love how well this wash cleans your body while still leaving your skin soft and moisturized, never dry or tight-feeling.

Read more: Best Bar Soaps for Men

We first learned about this paradise-in-a-bottle soap when we were testing body washes for our 2022 Men's Health Grooming Awards, and we've been restocking it in our shower caddies ever since. First, it dispenses a pearly, rich gel that just looks super luxurious. Inside is a beautiful blend of starflower oils, meadowfoam, and sweet almond that cleans, hydrates, calms, and leaves your skin with a tropical, fruity aroma that smells like a five-star resort—and the scent stays on your skin for hours after you've used it.

For some days we use Oribe's body wash in lieu of a cologne, since it stays on my skin so long after showering. We've received tons of compliments on our "perfume," which is why we've been an Oribe fan ever since. No wonder Barry's Bootcamp stocks Oribe's Côte d'Azur in all of its locker rooms.

Read More: Best Colognes

Old Spice has been around for decades now, and for good reason. We love that the cleaning power of this body wash is top-notch. It contains twice the amount of moisturizer as comparable soaps, leaving skin cleansed without feeling tight and over-stripped. “It’s preventing moisture loss, but also adding more to help the barrier trap hydration even better," said Dr. Hartman. Plus, it has no irritating parabens or dyes and our testers with sensitive skin conditions like eczema found that it didn't irritate their skin, which is rare for a lot of drugstore body washes we've tried.

Beyond its cleaning capabilities, Old Spice's Gentlemen's Blend smells amazing, too. Its new lavender formula gives it a fresh scent and our testers found the smell especially relaxing. "The scent is fresh when using it, but doesn't linger on skin, which is ideal for irritation-prone types," one tester said.

Read more: Old Spice Gentleman's Blend Body Wash Review

Our testers noted that this two-in-one body and hair cleanse has a strong cardamom and cedarwood (read: really woodsy) scent that lasts for hours after hopping out of the shower. That's great if you want a multi-purpose body wash that also functions as your cologne.

"It leaves your skin smelling expensive, but not overpowering," said one tester. "At the same time, it makes your skin feel clean without making it too dry." That's thanks to its sulfate-free formula. And while it's marketed as a shampoo as well, we recommend using a separate hair wash. Some testers said the formula didn't play nice with their mane.

If you want a low-cost body wash that you can restock over and over again without breaking the bank, then Method's classic body wash is your guy. Our testers found that the Cedar and Cypress soap offered a lot of value for the price point. It contains naturally derived ingredients (sodium lauryl sulfate, citric acid, etc), which provide the thorough clean that we want from an everyday wash.

One tester found that the soap's outdoorsy scent "made me feel like I just came back from a hike, even though all I did was wake up and stumble to the shower." Though other testers noted that its Pacific Northwest fragrance was too strong and woodsy for them, and competed with their colognes. Still, Method's body wash is hard to beat in terms of value.

Read more: Best Toiletry Bags for Men

The BW1 body wash is void of parabens, phthalates or sulfates and creates a rich foam that soothes the skin. As for the scent, we'd be hard-pressed to find anything more pleasant at the moment. It's the perfect amount of sophistication without being too overbearing, which means you'll smell amazing only to those who come within close contact.

Look, we understand that it can be hard to justify such a high price for a body wash, but if you’ve ever used a luxury body wash, you probably know what a difference it makes. With washes like this one, the lather is richer and the formula doesn’t strip your skin and make it feel dry or tight after you use it, which is a sign that it’s stripped away all the natural oils on your body.

That sort of clean takes time and care (and money) to formulate, which is why you typically get that feeling with cheaper body washes that use harsher cleansing agents. If it’s any consolation, we suggest saving this body wash for extra special occasions (the cologne-like smell is perfect for date night prep).

For those who are a part of the sensitive skin tribe, Nécessaire has you covered with this perfect fragrance-free body wash. The brand's offering is designed to clean without any of the overpowering scents or irritants that can cause flare-ups or discomfort. Instead, it's formulated with gentle, soothing ingredients that clean without stripping away your skin or leaving it feeling bone-dry.

Our editors who can't handle strong scents found this one to be the most straightforward, yet effective option for them. They didn't experience any breakouts or redness like with others tested. Instead, it has a luxurious lather that glides smoothly on. Plus, the nozzle that pops up lets you easily control the amount dispensed into your hand or washcloth.

There are plenty of moisturizing body washes out there, some feature coconut oil while others prioritize shea butter for their skin-soothing abilities. But this affordable (under $10!) option from Bevel contains both these hero moisturizing agents. Plus, it sprinkles in some vitamin B for added hydration. Not to mention, it's all wrapped in a smooth formula that won’t upset sensitive skin.

Our testers loved how moisturizing this wash was, and those with easily aggravated skin especially appreciated how soothing and non-irritating it felt. Then there's the scent—a rich, woodsy oak and bourbon-backed fragrance that smells about as soothing as its lather feels.

Thanks to its reliance on clean, oft-natural ingredients Oars and Alps regularly turns out stellar products that are as refreshing and soothing as they are effective. The brand’s line of body washes is no different. Led by vitamin E, aloe vera and a series of antioxidants, this body wash equally moisturizes and cleans leaving skin with that ever-so-sought-after rejuvenated feeling. While we wouldn’t recommend ditching your daily cleanser for good, this Oars and Alps is also gentle enough to double as a face wash.

This proved clutch for us after long sessions at the gym when we’re willing to sacrifice some time in the shower for more time on the couch. Not to mention, its strong and expansive lather handled the sweatiest of sweats with ease. It’s even free of any alcohol, parabens or sulfates, so we found our sensitive skin was never irritated. Plus, the bottle is one of the larger options on this list (over 13 oz) and lasts, genuinely, forever.

Sure, Cremo’s body wash packs loads of moisturizing ingredients, including classics like aloe vera and glycerin, but what really stands out about this option is the cologne-like fragrance. And at under ten bucks, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better collection of luxurious body wash scents at a better price. Our favorites are the palo alto with hints of bright cardamom and dry papyrus, and the Italian bergamot with notes of neroli blossom and vetiver.

We found these scents to be refreshing, masculine and impressively long-lasting (we could still smell them on our skin hours into the day). Despite their longevity, we found that the scents were also not overpowering enough to intrude on our cologne or other fragrances. Not to mention, it’s one of the strongest lathers on this list, with an elastic and soothing soapy spread that left our skin feeling soft and fresh.

Is It Ok to Use More Than One Body Wash?

The short answer: yes! Having a few different body washes in your rotation can be beneficial based on when and why you would use them. Many washes that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, for instance, shouldn’t be used every day because they can be harsh on skin. Other reasons you might want to change up your body wash include the weather outside, how dry or sweaty your skin is, whether you just worked out, whether you’re showering in the morning or at night, or just what scent you’re in the mood for.

Meet the Experts

• Ann Gottlieb, a renowned fragrance developer currently working with Unilever brands like Axe and Dove.
• Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. He is the associate professor and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL.

More of the Best Ways to Stay Clean and Smell Great

Bar Soaps | Natural Soaps | Biodegradable Soaps | Face Wash | Moisturizing Body Washes | Deodorants | Ball Deodorant | Deodorants That Don't Stain Clothes | Natural Deodorants | Body Sprays | Best Body Washes for Dry Skin | Colognes | Shampoos | Hair Thickening Shampoos | Best All-Natural Shampoos