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The 9 Best Body Washes for Men in 2026, Tested by Grooming Editors
Ultra-moisturizing options from Nivea Men and Oribe landed atop our rankings.
AMONG US MEN, there has long been one lingering conundrum when it comes to bathing—bar soap vs body wash. But just like shampoos, conditioners, or beard products, whatever product you ultimately choose to go with should come down to your own personal needs and preferences. If added moisturization and a great scent are what you're after, the best body washes for men have plenty to offer.
Best Body Washes for Men
- Best Overall Body Wash: Nivea Men Sensitive 3-in-1 Body Wash
- Best Smelling Body Wash: Oribe Côte d'Azur Replenishing Body Wash
- Best Multipurpose Body Wash: Jack Black Black Reserve Body and Hair Cleanser
- Best Value Body Wash: Method Body Wash, Cedar and Cypress (3-Pack)
- Best Moisturizing Body Wash: Bevel Moisturizing Body Wash for Men
The conversation around bar soaps and body washes is a lot like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. It's a never-ending debate with no definitive answer that generally comes down to your own personal opinion—or what coast you grew up on. As an East Coast guy, I'm always going to lean Bird—just like anyone with dry or sensitive skin should lean body wash.
Unlike your typical bar soaps, a quality body wash rinses your skin without stripping it of its natural oils, so you leave the shower squeaky clean, but not ashy. You can consider that Bird's jumpshot, but there's a bit more to keep in mind when searching for the right body wash for you.
What to Consider
Skin Type
Like most grooming products, body washes are generally formulated for certain skin types. For example, if you have dry skin, a harsher wash might dry your skin out even more, leading to itchiness and irritation. In this case, look for a body wash that’s specifically formulated for dry skin. They’re often creamier and contain ingredients meant to moisturize skin and bolster the skin’s protective barrier. It may seem like marketing mumbo jumbo, but I assure you, it’s not. Choose a body wash designed for your needs, and your skin will thank you.
Active Ingredients
Similarly, different body washes will contain different active ingredients based on the skin type they are designed for. All body washes will contain surfactants, which are the ingredients that actually cleanse your skin, but even then, what kind of surfactants they contain depends on the skin type they are targeting (harsher surfactants can irritate dry or sensitive skin, for instance). Beyond that, most body washes will contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or plant-derived oils, which help to keep skin moisturized after it’s been cleansed.
Dermatologist, Dr. Joshua Zeicher, MD, confirms the importance of looking for stearic acid and ceramides in a body wash. He says that stearic acid is a fatty acid found naturally in the outer skin layer, which helps seal the skin barrier. When applied topically to the skin, it also acts as an emollient to soften rough cells on the skin's surface. Similarly, ceramides are a lipid that keeps the skin barrier intact, which is especially useful for dry skin or eczema.
Scent
How a body wash smells obviously plays a big part in the experience of using it—and is, of course, a personal choice. But whether you like heavy fragrance or not, where the scent comes from should also play a factor in how you choose a body wash. Many will list "fragrance" on the ingredients list, which can mean that the added fragrance is chemical-based. Others may list essential oils or other ingredients that give the formula its scent. Neither of these is inherently better than the other, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance, it’s worth noting that both could possibly irritate your skin depending on how concentrated they are.
If you're somebody who likes to be ahead of the trends, young people—especially younger men—will be pining for premium yet adventurous scents in 2026, according to Ann Gottlieb, who helped create AXE's Fine Fragrance Collection. This includes fragrances that use fruity, floral, and elegant woods, she adds.
How We Selected
With so many body washes available across every price range, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choices. Thankfully, here at Men’s Health, we’ve been testing body washes since 2018, so there was plenty of firsthand experience to pull from. During the past year and a half, I’ve retested old favorites from the better part of the last decade based on this intel, evaluating how well they cleansed, smelled, and felt.
I also leaned on the counsel of board-certified dermatologists for which products they recommend, and what ingredients to look for. This was in addition to trialing the latest and greatest offerings, especially those which made their way into my bi-monthly best new releases in grooming column. After testing dozens of body washes over these past 18 months, these are the nine that performed the best.
Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Commerce Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
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