As a beauty editor, I like to elevate my everyday rituals by using products that make me feel good. Take body cream, for example. Moisturising after the shower is not always the most exciting of tasks, but I know that by using a thick, nourishing cream that smells like my favourite spa, I can make this task a whole lot more luxurious. However, there’s one product in particular that I swear by for elevating your everyday body routine, and it’s seriously underrated. Yep, I’m talking about body wash.
This product is often overlooked, but a good body wash is my secret to making my shower feel a whole lot more special. That’s why this is one of the only products that I’m willing to splurge on. I mean, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to start their day with an uplifting scent and a nourishing product that leaves their skin feeling silky soft? If you’re keen to know more about the best body washes on the market, keep on scrolling for my edit and my tips and tricks on how to choose the right body wash for you…
How to Choose the Right Body Wash
When it comes to choosing the best body wash, there are a few things to consider.
- Formula: Depending on your skin type, you’ll want to think about what formula works best for you. If you have drier skin, you may prefer an oil consistency, whereas those of you with oily skin might want to opt for a gel or foam.
- Ingredients: The ingredients will also play a big part in choosing the best body wash for your skin type. Dry skin types will want to look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or nourishing oils, while those of you who want something a bit more exfoliating may want to look for AHAs or BHAs.
- Scent: I always recommend choosing a scent that will pair with your favourite perfume so that you can fragrance layer. That being said, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to choose an unscented formula to avoid irritation.
The Best Body Washes, Tried & Tested
1. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel
Sol De Janeiro
Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel
Best for: A summer scent
Formula: Cream-gel
Key ingredients: Fatty acids, polyphenols, cupuaçu butter, coconut oil and açaí oil.
I recently went on holiday, and this was the only shower gel I took with me. In my opinion, it is summer in a bottle. It comes with the brand’s signature pistachio and caramel fragrance and smells so sweet and warm. I love the cream-gel formula as it feels both cleansing and nourishing at the same time and is packed with hydrating ingredients such as cupuaçu butter and coconut oil. My favourite thing about this product is that I can layer it with my Sol De Janeiro body cream and Sol De Janeiro perfume and whenever I do this, everyone asks me what scent I am wearing.
Pros
- Smells incredible
- Moisturising formula
Cons
- May be too sweet for some
2. Tatcha Hinoki Body Wash
Best for: A wintery scent
Formula: Gel
Key ingredients: An essential oil blend.
If sweet, summery scents aren’t your thing and you’re looking for something more earthy and woody, let me introduce you to this body wash from Tatcha. With notes of cedar and hinoki, it’s the perfect scent for the autumn and winter months. The gel formula provides an exfoliating experience, featuring an eco-friendly alternative to microplastic beads, while the essential oil blend adds a hydrating touch.
Pros
- Earthy, woody scent
- Chic packaging
Cons
- Not everyone will like the exfoliating properties
3. Murad Sensitive Skin Heartleaf Soothing Body Cleanser
Murad
Sensitive Skin Heartleaf Soothing Body Cleanser
Best for: Sensitive skin
Formula: A gel-like cream
Key ingredients: Fermented heartleaf extract, ceramides and microalgae.
Okay, so I know I said that I love a shower gel with a luxurious scent, but if you have sensitive skin, then chances are you don’t want to use a heavily-scented product every time you wash your body. If that’s the case, then I highly recommend this body wash from Murad. While the fragrance might not blow you away, the formula certainly will. It features fermented heartleaf extract to soothe and hydrate the skin, alongside microalgae to provide a cooling effect. Whenever my skin feels irritated, this is the body wash I reach for.
Pros
- Soothes the skin
- Hydrating formula
4. Aesop Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser
Aesop
Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser
Best for: A luxury experience
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Cedar atlas, patchouli and clove bud.
A new beauty product from Aesop, this body wash is for those of you who want to upgrade your everyday shower routine. While the nourishing cream formula is gentle on the skin, the fragrance certainly packs a punch. To me, it smells like walking into an Aesop store, with a rich, heady, spa-like aroma that leaves me feeling revitalized every single morning. Pair it with your favourite Aesop body cream and fragrance and let the compliments roll in.
Pros
- Spa-like scent
- Nourishing formula
Cons
- Not the chicest packaging
5. Necessaire The Body Wash Hinoki
Nécessaire
The Body Wash Hinoki
Best for: Smoothing the skin
Formula: Gel
Key ingredients: AHA/BHA/PHA and niacinamide.
If you want a body wash that contains gentle exfoliating acids to smooth the skin, then look no further, as chic it-girl brand Nécessaire has got you covered. Not only will this body wash look great in your shower, but AHA, BHA and PHAs will work to resurface and smooth the skin. While I wouldn’t reach for this on days that my skin is feeling dry or sensitive, it’s great for days when my skin is feeling more congested and in need of a boost. Plus, the fresh hinoki fragrance always leaves me with an expensive-smelling aroma that I just can’t get enough of.
Pros
- Exfoliates the skin
- Looks chic
- Smells fresh
Cons
- Not the best choice for very dry or sensitive skin as can feel a little stripping
6. Jo Malone London Purify Shower Gel
Jo Malone London
Purify Shower Gel
Best for: A spa-like experience
Formula: Gel
Key ingredients: Glycerine and conditioning ingredients.
New from Jo Malone London, this body wash is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a spa-like experience in my own home. The gel-like formula has the most incredible scent with hyssop, myrtle and juniper essential oils. It’s definitely more of an evening fragrance, and one I reach for when I want to wind down for the night, but even when I’m sitting on the sofa in my pyjamas, I love knowing that I smell super luxurious.
Pros
- Spa-like scent
- Chic packaging
Cons
- Not everyone will be a fan of the essential oils
7. Sundae Very Vanilla Whipped Shower Foam
Sundae
Very Vanilla Whipped Shower Foam
Best for: An affordable shower gel
Formula: Foam
Key ingredients: AHAs and kakadu plum.
Yes, this looks a little bit like whipped cream and no, I’m not mad about it. Sundae’s shower foams are a fun and more affordable way to make you smell good all day long. As a gourmand fragrance lover, I always opt for the vanilla scent as it pairs so well with my body creams and perfumes, but the brand has so many delicious fragrances on offer. While a foam formula may sound like a nightmare for dry skin, this product actually features nourishing ingredients, alongside exfoliating AHAs.
Pros
- Fun packaging
- Delicious scents
- More affordable than other options in this roundup
Cons
- Although nourishing, this might still be too stripping for very dry or sensitive skin
8. Elemis Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream
Elemis
Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream
Best for: Moisturising benefits
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Frangipani and monoi oil.
Last but by no means least, let me tell you all about this luxurious body wash from Elemis. The cream formula feels incredible on the skin and always leaves my limbs feeling soft and nourished thanks to frangipani and monoi oil. It’s suitable for all skin types and works to cleanse the skin without stripping away protective oils. Plus, the beautifully light fragrance lingers delicately on the skin for a unique scent experience.
Pros
- Nourishing formula
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- A lighter scent than other options in this roundup
Opening image: @emmahoareau