We Tested the Best Body Wash for Men of 2025 and Can’t Get Enough of These

Body wash, or body gel, continues to be a growing grooming category, as men ditch the traditional soap bars of past eras. That just makes sense: Body wash is not only much easier to apply, but the best body washes out there provide an irresistibly creamy lather and fragrance. They can even make you (sort of) excited about showering, which is something we could all do more of post-pandemic.As you might expect, the sheer selection of body wash options today is more expansive than ever. Whether you’re at the corner drugstore or an upscale store specializing in grooming products, the full array can be dizzying. That’s why we’ve whittled down what we believe are the very best body washes for men right now, with the help of experts from the worlds of dermatology and grooming who chimed in with their thoughts. We also scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed again in our own bathrooms with dozens of body washes on the market to figure out what truly works.Below you’ll find our list of the best body washes for men, based on that testing as well as consultation with doctors and barbers. There is no single body wash for every man, but we found that Kiehl’s Bath and Shower Refillable Liquid Body Cleanser outshined competitors as the overall top body wash. Still, whatever your skin type, fragrance preference (or fragrance-free preference), and budget, there’s a body wash here for you. Read on to find an outstanding bottle that’ll keep you clean and delightfully fresh so you can conquer whatever else you have to do in the day.And to upgrade your whole routine, check out the greatest hits from our 2025 Men’s Journal Grooming Awards, including best face sunscreen, aftershaves, beard oil, beard brushes, and colognes.Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Related: Best Acne Body Washes for Men in 2024 to Clear BacneBest Body Wash for Men at a GlanceBest Overall Body Wash: Kiehl’s Bath and Shower Refillable Liquid Body CleanserBest Exfoliating Body Wash: Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body ScrubBest Scented Body Wash: Dr. Squatch Fresh Falls Body WashBest Body Wash for Sensitive Skin (That’s Also Fragrance-Free): Vanicream Gentle Body WashBest Body Wash for Dry Skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry & Sensitive Skin with Prebiotic OatBest Body Wash for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Body Wash With Salicylic AcidBest Antioxidant-Powered Body Wash: Salt & Stone Body WashBest Does-It-All Body Wash: Suave Men Shampoo Conditioner Body Wash 3 in 1 Charcoal & Warm GingerBest Luxury Body Wash: Corpus Nº Green Body WashBest Budget Body Wash: Cremo Golden Amber Body WashBest Body Washes for Every Skin TypeBest Overall Body Wash: Kiehl’s Bath and Shower Refillable Liquid Body Cleanser

Kiehl’s Bath and Shower Refillable Liquid Body CleanserCourtesy

While Kiehl’s does a dependable job all around, the stalwart brand (since 1851!) particularly knocks it out of the park with its Kiehl’s Bath and Shower Refillable Liquid Body Cleanser. A straightforward set of ingredients gently cleanses the whole body (which is, well, the point of body wash), while soothing and moisturizing your skin with aloe vera, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and sodium PCA. When you lather it on you’ll feel a wonderfully silky texture, but best of all is the scent. Powered by grapefruit extract, this body wash smells ridiculously refreshing and, dare we say, even mouthwatering? Oh, and the option of refill bags cuts down on plastic waste, making this our clear all-around winner.Best Exfoliating Body Wash: Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub

Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body ScrubCourtesy

Okay so it’s not a body wash, per se, but a body scrub does the same job except more. Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub is a thick, rich paste meant to be used sparingly, featuring skin-softening coconut oil and avocado butter, and a mix of fine and chunky sea salt to exfoliate and reveal the fresh skin underneath those dead cells. And though it sounds odd at first, vodka-extracted lime offers both a punchy scent and cleansing power.Related: Best Shaving Cream for Men to Get a Closer Shave in 2025Best Scented Body Wash: Dr. Squatch Fresh Falls Body Wash

Dr. Squatch Fresh Falls Body WashCourtesy

We can’t seem to get enough of men’s grooming brand Dr. Squatch’s Fresh Falls scent, from the shampoo iteration to this body wash. Noticeable but unobtrusive, the aroma is linen-like, giving your whole body a soft, luxurious halo of freshness. The ingredients help, too: moisturizing glycerin, coconut oil for a rich lather, and plant-derived saccharide isomerate that strengthens the skin. We love that the price is only slightly over $1 per ounce.Best Body Wash for Sensitive Skin (That’s Also Fragrance-Free): Vanicream Gentle Body Wash

Vanicream Gentle Body WashCourtesy

There’s a reason Vanicream is sold not just at CVS, but also at the limited-supply pharmacy shop inside your local doctor’s office. The small but mighty brand is beloved by dermatologists, thanks to pared-down, proven ingredients. If you suffer from eczema (this product received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance) or simply get irritated skin here and there, try Vanicream Gentle Body Wash, which true to its name handles sensitive skin beautifully. There are zero harsh cleansing agents, botanical extracts or essential oils, sulfates, parabens, or most any other potential irritants. Simple enough: It just gets you clean, without the rash or bumps afterward.Related: I Tested All the Top Afteshaves and This Is the Best Option to Prevent IrritationBest Body Wash for Dry Skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry & Sensitive Skin with Prebiotic Oat

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry & Sensitive Skin with Prebiotic OatCourtesy

We’ve long been fans of another dermatologist-recommended brand, Aveeno, especially for its prebiotic oat formula that not only hydrates, but also works to lock in that moisture. It’s a drugstore staple whether you have normal or aggravated skin. The barely-there scent is perfect for people who want just a whiff of fragrance, and the price is exactly right.Best Body Wash for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Body Wash With Salicylic Acid

CeraVe Body Wash With Salicylic AcidCourtesy

If you have acne-prone skin, you almost certainly already know about CeraVe’s trusted facial cleansers. But acne can creep all kinds of places. For that we recommend CeraVe Body Wash With Salicylic Acid. The salicylic acid in the formula is key, as it’s proven to remove dead skin cells and sebum, fight blackheads, and prevent future breakouts. As you might expect, the body wash is also free of fragrance, parabens, and anything else that might trigger a flare-up.Related: Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Breath Fresh With These Dentist-Approved ToothpastesBest Antioxidant-Powered Body Wash: Salt & Stone Body Wash

Salt & Stone Body WashCourtesy

Sure, you’ve heard all about how you should eat more blueberries for the free radical-fighting antioxidants. But antioxidants also protect your skin, and give Salt & Stone Body Wash its magic sauce. The “invigorating gel will have you racing to the shower,” says Emily Clark, senior barber at Fellow Barber. “Bonus points for the elevated packaging.”Best Does-It-All Body Wash: Suave Men Shampoo Conditioner Body Wash 3 in 1 Charcoal & Warm Ginger

Suave Men Shampoo Conditioner Body Wash 3 in 1 Charcoal & Warm GingerCourtesy

We can’t say any two-in-one, or three-in-one, grooming combo is going to do each job with the same effectiveness of individual products. But we also can’t resist the anxiety-killing convenience of the extremely affordable Suave Men Shampoo Conditioner Body Wash 3 in 1 Charcoal & Warm Ginger. While the formula may not work for all skin types, the charcoal provides a deeper cleanse than other generic drugstore products, and the ginger scent is fresh and just tingly enough. If you’re the type of guy who wants fewer bath products that do more for you, go forth.Related: Best Beard Trimmer Selects of 2024 to Shape Facial HairBest Luxury Body Wash: Corpus Nº Green Body Wash

Corpus Nº Green Body WashCourtesy

California-based Corpus’s Body Wash is coconut-derived for a creamy, soothing emulsion that delicately cleanses and restores moisture to your skin. You can feel good about the formula that’s vegan- and cruelty-free, and made without synthetic fragrances, parabens, SLS, or phthalates. No, it’s not cheap, but that’s not the point. This is “the ultimate in subtle luxury,” according to Clark. “It softens and cleanses in one go.” And the scent, fueled by bergamot, pink lemon, orange blossom, and cardamom? “Absolutely addictive.”Best Budget Body Wash: Cremo Golden Amber Body Wash

Cremo Golden Amber Body WashCourtesy

We all could use a little wallet relief these days, but you don’t have to feel stingy with Cremo Golden Amber Body Wash. Priced at about 60 cents per ounce, the cleanser nevertheless delivers with ingredients like glycerin and marula seed oil. But the beach-inspired scent, a blend of sweet red currant and juicy pineapple, with base notes of ambergris and moss, is what keeps fans coming back for more.How to Choose the Right Body WashThe goal of a body wash is straightforward: get rid of the gunk, get a nice lather going, and feel fresher. But in reality, every man’s skin reacts differently to various products. That’s why you should pay close attention to certain criteria in order to make sure you’re giving your body’s skin the extra hug it deserves. “The primary function of a body wash is to cleanse off sweat and dirt, preventing them from clogging hair follicles and causing inflammation or acne,” says David Kim, M.D., board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology and the founder of LIGHTSAVER. “When selecting a body wash, men should prioritize gentleness and hydration, ensuring it effectively removes sweat and dirt without excessively drying the skin.” Here’s what to look for and keep in mind as you shop.Natural ingredients: These are usually better. If you don’t know and can’t pronounce most of the ingredients in a grooming product, you may want to steer clear. While some guys can definitely handle certain chemicals and fragrances, others with skin irritation should look to the body washes we’ve highlighted that are pared down to essentials like glycerin, plant oils, and other naturally derived ingredients. “Avoid parabens, a preservative that can impact the endocrine system, and sulfates, which strip the skin of essential lipids,” suggests Dr. Kim.Hydrating components: “Ingredients like ceramides and glycerin are often included in skincare products, such as men’s body washes, for their moisturizing benefits. Whether derived from natural sources or produced synthetically, these ingredients can help improve the hydration and overall health of the skin,” says Dr. Kim. Related: 10 Best Body Lotions for Men of 2024 to Keep Skin MoisturizedExfoliators: “Physical exfoliators have textured granules that manually slough away dead skin,” says Dr. Kim. They can include natural materials such as walnut shells, coconut shells, apricot pits, oatmeal, ground sugar, or synthetic additions, like microbeads. Microbeads are typically made from plastic and are less widely used these days.” Chemical exfoliators, on the other hand, include acids that enzymatically exfoliate the skin to soften and brighten it. These acids include AHAs (lactic, glycolic, mandelic acid, etc.) and BHAs (salicylic acid). Salicylic acid can be particularly effective for acne. “To maximize the benefits without damaging the skin, it’s best to exfoliate once or twice a week, not daily,” notes Dr. Kim. Price: We all have a budget, and it can be easy to spread body wash on thick (we live for the lather!). The options listed here are meant to span every budget, from cleaners at well under a dollar per ounce to more luxurious formulas with fancy add-ons.Fragrance: Fragrance is not for everybody. If you like it and it works with your skin, great, but some (especially synthetic) fragrances can be red flag irritants for people with sensitive skin. On the other hand, if you enjoy a refreshing aroma, look to the products above with interesting, and not overpowering, scents.How We Picked the Best Body WashesTo assemble this list of the best body washes for men, we tested dozens of different options on the market, from new products to perennial classics (hello, CeraVe and Vanicream). We also consulted with various experts, including dermatologists and barbers, who collectively have decades of professional experience. I also researched the vast selection of body washes currently available and pored through customer reviews to get a better sense of what to look for.Why You Should Trust MeI’ve been writing and editing men’s style and grooming stories for over a decade, whether rhapsodizing about how I learned to love my bushy eyebrows (and why you should, too) or explaining pedicures for wary men. Over the years, I’ve tried a wide array of body washes, creams, lotions—anything that will make my body feel, smell, and look better, along with being healthier. As a happy bald man who shaves my dome, it’s all the more important for me to emphasize not just cleanliness but care in my all-over body routine. After trying dozens of body washes, I feel almost absurdly hydrated, silky, and approachably scented.See Full List of Winners From Men’s Journal 2025 Grooming AwardsRelated: 7 Best Face Washes of 2024 to Beat Breakouts for Good