Most of us don’t read the ingredients when we shop for bath soap. Instead, we pop the top on the bottle and take a sniff.
That’s human nature. We want to use products that smell good.
But fragrance is a highly personal preference. That’s why we rounded up the most popular, best-smelling body washes for men and reviewed them here for you.
Top Smelling Body Washes for Men
We hope you find the one that makes you look forward to your next shower.
NIVEA Men DEEP Active Clean Body Wash
Nivea makes a variety of body washes. But this one with charcoal stands out for two reasons. First, practically every online review mentions how good it smells. The light clean scent appeals to lots of guys. Some of them say the fragrance lasts for hours.
Second, the formula cleanses oil, sweat, and dirt without drying out the skin. This is a body wash that helps clear up body acne. That makes it one of the best body washes for teenage guys.
NIVEA Men Pure Impact 3-in-1 Body Wash
Nivea’s Pure Impact has a strong masculine scent that keeps you fresh under pressure. It lathers up nicely and rinses off without leaving a residue.
Most importantly, it’s a three-in-one body wash that you can use to shave and shampoo your hair. That cuts down on the number of products crammed in your bathroom.
Women have commented that although the scent lingers on their man, it’s not overpowering.
Old Spice Body Wash for Men, Denali Scent
Old Spice has updated their lineup to include fresh new fragrances that appeal to a wider audience. For example, the Denali scent smells woodsy and piney. If you wish you could spend more time outdoors, this may become your favorite new product. People say the smell isn’t too strong but endures for hours.
Old Spice Body Wash for Men, Fresher Fiji Scent
If you prefer the seaside to the mountains, try the Fiji fragrance instead. Remember your favorite sunscreen scent. It’s like sitting near the ocean with a piña colada.
Old Spice Men’s Body Wash, Swagger Scent
The Swagger Scent Old Spice Body Wash will remind you of cedar and lime. Users say it keeps them smelling clean all day long.
Every Man Jack Body Wash, Sandalwood
Every Man Jack makes more than one body wash for men. The soothing Sandalwood fragrance could be just what you need to help you relax in the shower after a hard days’ work.
But there’s more to this soap than its enticing smell. It’s free of junk ingredients like dyes, parabens, phthalates. That makes it a great body was for men with sensitive skin.
Next, it’s made in the USA and packaged in post-consumer recycled plastic. And it’s certified cruelty-free by PETA.
If your skin tends to be dry, you’ll appreciate how it moisturizes with glycerin and castor oil. Meanwhile, coconut surfactants lift away grime without dehydrating your body. Plus, the formula has real sandalwood oil in it.
Every Man Jack Body Wash and Shower Gel, Cedarwood
The invigorating cedarwood fragrance of this shower gel is smooth and subtle. There are hints of sage and rosemary in it. Moreover, this is another Every Man Jack product that’s free of harsh chemicals.
But if you’re not sure that woodsy fragrances are your thing, you might appreciate the citrus or eucalyptus mint-scented soaps from the same company.
I’ll admit it—this is my favorite shower gel at the moment. The aroma is attractive yet soft so I can enjoy my cologne, too. I feel clean throughout even the busiest days. Also important, I respect the company’s integrity in using pure ingredients and protecting the environment.
–Marcus’s take
Irish Spring Moisture Blast, Moisturizing Body Wash
To experience an agreeable twist on the classic “clean as a whistle” fragrance, try the Moisture Blast from Irish Spring. It features conditioning ingredients that protect dry skin. Unfortunately, some users consider that a negative as they feel like it leaves a film behind.
On the other hand, the body wash works throughout the day to neutralize bad odors caused by bacteria.
Other variations of Irish Spring Body Wash include Pure Fresh with charcoal and the Deep Action Scrub.
If you’re concerned about rough, dry skin, check out our reviews of the best moisturizing body washes for men.
Brickell Men’s Invigorating Mint Body Wash for Men
Brickell’s mint body wash smells invigorating and tingles as it deep-cleans. It’s rich in organic and natural ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint, aloe, and jojoba oil.
Instead of harsh sulfates, it uses coconut-based cleansers to get rid of dirt and excess oil. Likewise, it doesn’t strip moisture. Instead, it hydrates and conditions.
Another benefit is the lack of other chemicals of concern like artificial fragrances, phthalates, and parabens.
Dial for Men Hair + Body Wash, Hydro Fresh
While Dial’s Hydro Fresh body wash isn’t antibacterial, it will clean bacteria off your skin. As a result, you’ll stay fresh and clean for longer. It doubles as a bath soap and shampoo.
The fragrance is masculine but smells fruity and green as well. Users say even though the texture is thick, it rinses well, even from hair.
Dial for Men Hair + Body Wash, Ultimate Clean
The Ultimate Clean version of Dial’s body wash has a different fragrance. It’s light enough that both children and adults can enjoy it. Additionally, it washes and conditions both hair and skin.
Solimo Body Wash, Cool Mist Scent
Solimo is an Amazon brand with knock-offs of popular products. Their Cool Mist Scent body wash resembles Dial’s Spring Water. The clean and sporty smell is similar enough that some customers say they can’t tell the difference.
The benefit in experimenting with this brand is that it’s less expensive and backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
Solimo Men’s Body Wash, Fresh Scent
Up next is the Solimo Fresh Scent body wash that mimics Old Spice High Endurance Fresh Scent. It protects against dehydration, and it’s backed by a satisfaction guarantee. You have up to a year after you buy it to try it.
AXE Body Wash For Men, Black, Frozen Pear, and Cedarwood Scent
AXE makes a wide variety of scents. We had a difficult time choosing between them. But we settled on the Black fragrance with Frozen Pear and Cedarwood. It’s one of the most popular for taking a relaxing shower after the gym or at the end of the day.
Calming cedarwood and bergamot blend with rosemary soothe your mind while the body wash moisturizes your skin.
AXE Body Wash for Men, Apollo 16
The Apollo 16 body wash from AXE will wake up your brain and make you smile in the morning. It smells like sage and green fruit– a bright and cheerful scent. This is a product that women are known to enjoy smelling on their man.
All-in-One Shower Wash for Men by Rocky Mountain Barber Company
The Rocky Mountain Barber Company created this all-in-one wash for your body, hair, and beard. It has a delicious spicy cedar aroma. You might notice notes of cinnamon, patchouli, and orange in it.
This is a soap that won’t dry out your hair or skin. It doesn’t have sulfates, parabens, or artificial fragrances that can cause dryness or allergic reactions. It should help stop the itching in your beard, too.
No. 63 Men’s Shower Gel by Pre de Provence
French-made skincare products are well-liked, so it’s no surprise that this shower gel receives lots of glowing reviews. It’s packed with moisturizers like aloe, glycerin, and shea oil to soften your skin.
But what you’ll notice first is the spicy aroma. It blends notes of pepper, citrus, and cedarwood in a base of amber, leather, and tobacco. Yes, if it sounds like it’s a cologne, not a body wash, we agree with you. You can enjoy the fragrance for hours after your shower.
Use it for your hair, beard, and skin. It conditions and rinses clean. It’s also free of sulfates, phthalates, and parabens.
Cremo All-Season Body Wash, Blue Cedar & Cypress
Cremo’s body wash has an appealing aroma that may remind you of a walk in the forest. There are notes of citrus and mint, vetiver, oak, and bourbon. In fact, while you bathe, the fragrance alters. But even at the end of the day, you may notice hints of it.
American Crew Men Classic 3-In-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash
American Crew’s all over body wash makes it, so you only need one bottle in the shower. The masculine fragrance deodorizes with hints of sage. Plus, even though this is an all-in-one product, it manages to leave hair shiny, not dull and dry.
Bath & Body Works, Signature Collection 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash, Ocean For Men
Bath and Body Works sells more than one body wash for men. We selected the Ocean scent for its pleasing yet mild aroma. If you want to feel fresh in the shower but not have your shower gel competing with your cologne throughout the day, try this one. It has Vitamin E, aloe, and shea butter to rejuvenate dry skin.
Bath & Body Works Teakwood Men’s 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash
The Teakwood body wash is another delicious fragrance from Bath and Body Works. It blends lavender, teak, and mahogany for a woodsy botanical aroma. But again, the scent is mild and won’t overwhelm your favorite cologne.
Users that like it say a little goes a long way. It creates a rich lather and rinses clean, leaving their hair and skin touchably soft.
Bath & Body Works, Signature Collection 2 in 1 Hair + Body Wash, Mahogany Woods For Men
The Mahogany Woods body wash smells tasty in the shower but fades soon after. It has the essence of bourbon vanilla, golden amber, and fresh mahogany. Warning: you may find yourself bathing unnecessarily just to enjoy it again.
RUGGED & DAPPER – Shampoo & Body Wash for Men
Rugged and Dapper simplifies your shower with this combination body wash and shampoo. It’s made for sensitive, dry, normal, or oily skin– in other words, anyone can enjoy it. It’s also safe for thinning and color-treated hair.
The formula has natural deodorizers and moisturizers like tea tree oil, borage, orange peel, and rosehip oil. The fragrance, though, is somewhat musky with sandalwood.
Method Mens Body Wash, Sea + Surf
Method makes products that are free of phthalates and parabens and packaged in recycled plastic. Their Sea and Surf body wash smells sweet and citrusy but also like the ocean. It creates a pleasant lather that’s easy to rinse.
Olivina Men Hair, Face & Body All-in-One Wash
Olivina’s body wash may seem a little pricier than the competition, but that’s only if you ignore the fact that it can replace your shower gel, shampoo, and face cleanser. It has an outdoorsy, earthy fragrance with a sweet undertone of bourbon. It’s a clean but subtle aroma that lasts for hours.
Kenneth Cole Black Bold
Kenneth Cole created the Black Bold shampoo plus body wash with an audacious aroma that others around you are sure to notice. At first, there is a blend of cedar, nutmeg, incense, and lotus. In time, it settles into suede, ambergris, and violet leaves with the base of leathery musk. Who needs a cologne when you have this in the shower?
Fascinating Facts about Body Washes for Men
Did you know that Charlize Theron and Ben Affleck both starred in AXE ads? (1). Since then, AXE has branched out into making shower gels, not just body sprays.
But how did we get from bar soap to this mad variety of body washes?
Believe it or not, liquid soap first appeared in the mid-1800s at the end of the Civil War (2). But it took until after the Second World War for shower gels to appear.
Gels and liquid soaps differ in their primary ingredients. While liquid cleansers are based on saponified oil, gels are often petroleum or plant-based. This helps them lather well in hard water. But they require emollients, moisturizers, and conditioning agents to double as shampoo.
People often ask if they can wash their body with shampoo or their hair with a body wash. The answer is that it depends. If you ever tried cleaning your hair with bar soap, chances are you ended up with straw.
But shower gels and body washes have a lower pH than soap plus more moisturizers. That means they are less likely to dry out the skin and hair (3). So it’s perfectly fine to pack a men’s all-in-one body wash for your next weekend trip. It’s more convenient that way. You also can check the best face creams for men on the market.
Conclusion
As you’ve discovered today, you can find almost any scent to enjoy in the shower. Some are subtle, and others linger throughout the day.
Which one of these best-smelling body washes will be your new favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Related: momcurls.com/best-body-washes-acne-prone-skin/
Resources:
- https://www.ctv.ca/ by Kevin Naulls, 23 January 2019, accessed 16 April 2019
- http://www.soaphistory.net/soap-history/history-of-liquid-soap-and-shower-gel/ accessed 16 April 2019
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shower_gel accessed 16 April 2019
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