The 14 Best Luxury Body Washes That Rival Your Favorite Perfumes
These nourishing formulas are far from boring.
Confession: I'm incredibly lazy when it comes to my body care routine. I know the skin on your body deserves just as much love as the skin on your face, but I can't be bothered to apply body lotion or oil. I get the major ick with sticky or tacky textures, and God forbid a product takes longer than a few seconds to fully absorb. Thankfully, the best luxury body washes more than make up for my lack of body care, because, let's be honest, we all deserve an especially luxe shower experience from time to time.
Over the years testing new beauty products, I've nailed down what makes a luxury body wash stand out from the rest. For starters, it has to smell amazing. Whether it's a warm and cozy musk scent or a fresh floral blend, I want my body wash to hold up to my favorite perfumes. Then, most importantly, it needs to go beyond just cleansing my skin. Formulas full of hydrating ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E (among others!) are key for getting more bang out of my buck, plus many tackle skin conditions like keratosis pilaris and bacne. It's also a wise idea to look for luxe sulfate-free formulas when you can.
"Sulfate-free formulas are generally better for long-term skin elasticity because they cleanse the skin without excessively stripping its natural oils," says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. "The skin barrier is important to retain moisture and adequate hydration improves the overall appearance of the skin, which can include elasticity." She notes that when cleansers are too harsh, they can disrupt the barrier, leading to increased water loss, dryness, and over time, skin that is less resilient. "By using gentler, sulfate-free cleansers, the skin is better able to maintain hydration and barrier function, which supports healthier skin over time."
Ahead, I found 14 body washes that pass my strict standards with flying colors. The opulent formulas below will have your skin as smooth and soft as can be, while leaving you with a scent you'll be tempted to sniff all day long.
Cyklar, the body care brand every editor I know is obsessed with, is worth all the hype. Its oil-infused body gel leaves my skin softer than ever, but it also takes the cake for the best-smelling body wash I tried. The lingering warmth of sandalwood, vanilla, and amber has me sniffing my skin all day long.
French beauty brands know a thing or two about body washes, if this cult-favorite find is any indicator. It has the slippery, moisturizing feel of a body oil, but once it hits water, it turns into a decadent milky lather. I'm obsessed with its warm almond scent, plus it doubles as a shaving cream that allows you to get an ultra-smooth shave.
I'm sure you've seen this bottle all over your Instagram page, but the formula inside is well worth the praise. This gel cleanser uses antioxidants and ocean botanicals to soften and soothe skin. It's especially made for those who spend lots of time outdoors and may have dryer skin as a result.
Fragrance girls have been knowing about Bvlgari's luxurious scents, but the brand's body washes are just as good. With Eau Perfumée Thé Blanc, you'll be transported away to a breezy summer day where you're surrounded by fresh notes of white musk, subtle florals, and tea. It lathers exceptionally well, so one pump is all you need to cleanse your body from head to toe.
There's a reason this cult-favorite pick is constantly selling out—it's that good. It's packed with skin-loving vitamins and oils to cleanse, nourish, and soothe skin. Its light eucalyptus scent is calming, too, just like a trip to your favorite spa. Nécessaire essentially put leveled-up body washes on the map with this hit.
Glossier can do no wrong in my eyes. The brand revamped its fan-favorite Body Hero wash with a new scent called Sandstone—the very same blend in Glossier's just-launched body mists. It's a fresh and green scent with notes of clary sage, fig leaf, and sandalwood that has a grounding effect. You'll love its hydrating oil-to-soap formula, too.
If you prefer body oils over lotions, this pick is sure to be a hit in your routine. This oil turns into a silky lather that hydrates your skin and nourishes the skin barrier. It also smells absolutely delicious, with a scent of sweet florals and sandalwood. You may never go back to your drugstore body wash after you've experienced this one.
If you're unfamiliar with Soft Services, allow me to put the brand's editor-loved body wash on your radar. It's gentle, non-irritating formula works for every skin type under the sun, whether you're acne-prone or ultra dry. It's all thanks to its glycerin-fueled formula, which hydrates and soothes skin, even well after rinsing it off.
As someone who typically showers in the mornings, this body wash has made a world of difference in my routine. Its invigorating blend of citrus and eucalyptus wakes me up like a cup of coffee, which I can never get enough of in the morning. If that's not enough to impress, it's also chock-full of vitamin C for clearer, brighter skin with every wash.
I'm always looking to restore my skin barrier, especially during super hot or freezing cold temperatures, which is why this creamy gel cleanser is at the top of my shopping list. It utilizes squalane, aloe vera, colloidal oat protein, and green tea to nourish and hydrate your skin, and the neroli, palmarosa, and cedarwood essential oil scent is out-of-this-world good.
Jo Malone perfumes are some of my favorites in my collection, so I was ecstatic to see that one of my holy grail summer fragrances also comes in a body wash formula. For the uninitiated, this scent instantly takes me to a cliffside overlooking the ocean, where I'm surrounded by fresh, salty air and the woody, earthiness of the beach. It's particularly a great buy if you prefer lighter scents, as it's not too strong.
Senior Beauty Editor, Samantha Holender, is obsessed with Oak Essentials, and I take all of her recommendations very seriously. With its invigorating, herbal scent, one pump is all it takes for a spa-like experience. According to reviews, a little goes a long way in leaving your skin clean and refreshed.
I'm very anti the typical Smell of Summer. I find mango- or orange-scented everything a little saccharine for my taste. But this lime and coconut blend channels a tropical island, while still feeling elevated and fresh.
I never knew I needed peppermint in my shower routine until this body wash came into my life. The scent instantly jolts me awake and almost tingles on the skin, which feels incredible when I'm running on five hours of sleep. Aside from its fresh, minty scent, it also earns major points for its plant-based formula.
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Meet the Expert
Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD is a leading board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout Manhattan, New York and Englewood, NJ at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology Cosmetic Surgery, as well as an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell - New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Garshick provides a wide variety of cosmetic and medical procedures and services including treatments for acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis, moles, psoriasis, rosacea, signs of aging, skin cancer, skin tags, vitiligo, and wrinkles.
She completed her undergraduate education at Emory University and attended medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine, where she graduated with Research Honors and Alpha Omega Alpha. As a medical student, Dr. Garshick was awarded the prestigious Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School, during which she performed dermatology clinical trials and research at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was also awarded the American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin Academic Achievement Award for graduating in the top of her class and the William Dameshek Award for Research Excellence. Dr. Garshick’s post-graduate training in dermatology began with an internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She completed her dermatology residency at Cornell’s New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident in Dermatology. Dr. Garshick has numerous publications in scientific journals and book chapters, including a chapter on the treatment of acne, and has presented at national meetings. She specializes in general medical dermatology, including adults and pediatrics, and cosmetic dermatology, including neurotoxins, fillers, chemical peels, and lasers. Dr. Garshick is also involved in teaching the dermatology residents at Cornell, leading discussions reviewing the latest dermatology literature. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the Women’s Dermatologic Society, as well as an Assistant Clinical Professor.
