I could sit here and type out an entire paragraph on all the most normal things a body wash is supposed to do, and apply them all to Harry’s. In fact, let’s try that: It cleans! It nourishes! It smells real nice! It lathers easily! So there you have it: This very affordable body wash is worth your spend.
The Best Luxury Shower Gel for Men: Flamingo Estate Body Wash
This is one of those body washes where you feel like “something’s up” as it works on your skin. It’s less viscous than a gel—dense with oils to nourish, purify, and soothe—but lathers just the same. Flamingo Estate’s M.O. is a farm-to-shower caddy approach to beauty and grooming, with high-quality ingredients in their natural formulas.
I would suggest shelving this one if you have overly sensitive skin; while I find it extremely nourishing and cushioning on skin, I’m reluctant to recommend high concentrations of essential oils to anyone with a fickle disposition. They can, at the very least, appreciate how delightfully aromatic my favorite one smells. (Rosemary & Clary Sage, that is—though Peppermint & Juniper Berry ain’t far behind.)
The Dermatologist Pick: CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
Sanghvi calls out CeraVe’s best selling wash as the best of any drugstore options. Sure, it’s a cream-based option rather than a gel, but maybe you’re in this article for a body wash in general, as opposed to just gels. After all, consider the evidence here: “It’s packed with ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to restore the skin barrier and provide long-lasting hydration. It’s also fragrance-free, making it a go-to for sensitive skin types,” she says. Plus, the drugstore facet means it is supremely cost accessible too, compared to many others on the roster.
What to Look for In the Best Body Gel for Men
When choosing a body wash, formula certainly reigns. And what separates a formula that goes above and beyond are its key active ingredients, notes Sanghvi. Those include a variety of categories, like hydrating actives, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory actives, and purifying actives.
Here is a peek at some hero ingredients in each of these categories, with some commentary from Sanghvi on where to set expectations.
Hydrating Active Ingredients
“While hyaluronic acid is a star in hydrating facial products, it’s not as effective in body wash,” Sanghvi says. The ingredient requires more skin-contact time to be absorbed—however, its inclusion can still be beneficial in a body wash: “It might provide a temporary soft feel [on the skin],” she says. Nothing wrong with feeling supple and soft!
Unlike hyaluronic acid, ceramides don’t need as much skin contact time to apply their benefits. “Ceramides are great for restoring the skin barrier and providing lasting hydration, especially for dry or sensitive skin,” she says.
Score one more for the post-shower softness. Shea butter is known for its moisturizing properties, and Sanghvi says that it can create a protective barrier on the skin, since it tends to stay at the surface of skin, especially with short contact time.
As a humectant, glycerin pulls moisture towards the skin. “Even with short exposure, it can provide a hydration boost and prevent skin from drying out after the shower,” Sanghvi says.
Sanghvi says that coconut oil can leave a protective layer on the skin—similar to shea butter for that surface-level softness.
“Urea is a powerful humectant and mild exfoliant, with a smoothing effect despite short contact time” she says. (More on exfoliants below.)
Soothing, Anti-inflammatory Active Ingredients
In a body gel, niacinamide’s calming properties shine through. “Even in short contact, it can help strengthen the skin barrier over time, especially in washes for sensitive skin,” Sanghvi says.
Oatmeal can calm irritated, itchy, or sensitive skin, even in a short contact.
This one is a common base ingredient in many body gels. “Aloe vera can calm irritated skin even in the short period it stays on the skin in body wash,” Sanghvi says.
Purifying Active Ingredients
While tea tree oil is often regarded for its anti-inflammatory and sebum-toning properties, Sanghvi notes that it can also help reduce bacteria and manage body acne.
A hero ingredient in detoxifying formulas. “Charcoal draws out impurities from the skin and is great for oily skin or body acne,” Sanghvi explains. “Its short contact time in body wash can limit any deep-cleansing effects, though it can still help absorb excess oil.”
Chemical Exfoliants vs. Physical Body Scrubs
You can also look for exfoliating actives (including physical scrubs) for dry, rough skin as well as acne-prone skin.
Exfoliating Actives (Chemical Exfoliants): These include alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, as well as beta-hydroxy acids, or BHAs. “Exfoliating acids are more effective than many other ingredients in this short-contact scenario,” Sanghvi says.
- AHAs (like glycolic or lactic acid) target surface-level skin cells, even with short exposure, says Sanghvi. “They work by breaking down dead skin cells. Using an AHA body wash a few times a week can smooth rough patches and even out skin tone over time.”
- BHAs are more beneficial for acne-prone skin. The main one used in salicylic acid. BHAs are oil-soluble, so they can into the lipid layer of skin and into the pores. Here they get rid of trapped skin cells and oil buildup—even with the brief contact of a body wash, notes Sanghvi.
Exfoliating Scrubs: Body scrubs can be great for smoothing skin, but overuse can lead to irritation, says Sanghvi. “I recommend a gentle scrub with fine particles (like sugar or jojoba beads) rather than large, rough granules that can create micro-tears in the skin.” She adds that twice a week is enough physical buffing for most people, too. “Scrubbing too often, or with too much intensity, can strip away healthy skin cells, leading to dryness and sensitivity.”
How We Tested and Chose the Best Men’s Shower Gels
Wash, rinse, repeat—literally. With thousands of products coming through our doorways each year, we put all of these products to the test, and then stick with the ones we love best—sometimes that means calling in old favorites and seeing how they stand the test of time. And for body gels, we choose the products that leave skin softer and smoother with each rinse—and which smell fantastic (or don’t smell like anything at all, if that’s the point, too). Brands get bonus points for ingredient-powered formulas, and we also chose a roster that covers a variety of needs, skin types, and budgets. Hopefully you find something new you love here—or validate a longtime loyalty.
FAQ
Which is better, bar soap or shower gels?
Dr. Sanghvi prefers body wash in most instances, since the best body wash for men can jack up their formulas to nourish skin and prevent dehydration. While there are many synthetic detergent-based soaps (a.k.a. syndet bars) that do a better job nourishing the skin, the fact is that natural soaps can often be over-stripping of skin’s natural moisture.
What type of loofah is best for showering?
Dr. Sanghvi prefers silicone loofahs for their non-porous nature. “These are less likely to harbor bacteria compared to natural loofahs or sponges,” she says. “They also provide gentle exfoliation without being too abrasive on the skin.”
How long should a shower be?
“Limiting your shower to 5-10 minutes and using lukewarm water helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier,” Dr. Sanghvi says. Furthermore, she notes that hot water “can strip your skin of natural oils, leading to dryness.” Skin care comes first, folks.
When is the best time to apply body lotion?
Chase every mild and time-managed shower with a layer of hydrating body cream, and make haste: “Post-shower is the perfect time to lock in hydration,” says Sanghvi. “While your skin is still slightly damp, apply a rich body cream or lotion to trap in moisture and maintain skin softness.”
About the Experts
Dr. Asmi Sanghvi is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at Bethany Medical Clinic in NYC.
Adam Hurly is a veteran grooming journalist, with over 11 years on the beat—and GQ’s grooming voice since 2016. In 2024 he launched Blue Print by Adam Hurly to house all of his experience and expertise.
