5 Best Body Washes for Men of 2021: Our Top Picks for All Skin Types

Men, here’s the thing: after a long day of running up and down, you’ll need to wash your body thoroughly to get all dirt and crap off you.

Soaps are good (great in fact) for this quest, but some will dry your skin thereafter. This isn’t good for you.

You can decide to share a unisex soap with your partner or roommate, but that isn’t a solution either. What then is?

A proper body wash rated specifically for men is what you’re missing out on. You should know that our skin is different from that of women.

A man’s skin is coarser and thicker. Also, we have higher collagen levels, which make us look approximately 15 years younger than the opposite gender. (1)

A body wash lathers up your skin quicker and better than bar soap. Moreover, different body washes have different effects on different skin types: dry, oily, wrinkly, and acne-prone skins.

But with a bombardment of men’s grooming products in the market nowadays, there are just too many of them to make an informed decision.

That’s why I went out of my way to provide you with everything you need to know about body wash for men.

You couldn’t be any cleaner – and smell nicer too!

The 5 Best Body Washes For Men Overview (2021)

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How to Choose the Best Body Washes for Men (2021)?

Choosing the right body wash closes down to your skin type. Is it dry, oily, or sensitive?

Go for a product that targets these specific skin types. You could always refer to the list that I have provided. Those with normal, perfectly healthy skin will have an easier time scouring through products.

Aside from the skin type, there are also other factors to consider. To make everything make sense, I have provided you with a list of features to look for in body washes. These will help you make an informed purchasing decision.

1. Types of Body Wash

When scrolling through different e-commerce platforms, you’ll realize that body washes come in different types.

Here are the key differences between them:

• Bar Soap

Bar soaps are perfect for daily use and travel. They normally target the hands, groin, stomach, etc. However, a bar soap comes up short when you need to clean hard-to-reach parts.

Also, bar soaps have strong cleansing agents. They are one-dimensional and can’t double up as a shampoo, for instance.

• Shower Gel

The word shower gel and body wash are normally used interchangeably. After intense research, I found out that there is a difference between the two. A shower gel is thicker than a body wash and also comes with a richer lather.

Shower gels make an excellent option for fighting eczema.

• Body Wash

Body washes differ from shower gels in that they are clearer, and gravitate towards a soapy or milky consistency. They also come with lots of exfoliating and moisturizing properties, as I’ll explain in a minute.

Aside from the fact that body washes are designed for different skin types, they also feature moisturizing and exfoliating effects. This makes them more effective in cleaning the body.

• Moisturizers

Moisturizing body washes nourish the skin and remove any wrinkles making you appear younger. They are ideal for men with dry skin.

• Exfoliators

Body washes with exfoliating properties are excellent for deep-cleaning the skin to get rid of dirt and oils. Ingredients used in such body washes include jojoba beads, pumice crystals, and glycolic acid, among others.

Pro Tip:

2. Cleaning Tool

When showering using a body wash, you’ll require something to scrub the dirt off your skin. You have three options to go for: a sponge, washcloth, or loofah.

• Sponge

Sponges are great for those with sensitive skin or anyone who’s not looking to deep exfoliate his skin. Manufacturers normally indicate the sponge’s side for cleaning your body and the side for your back.

Pro Tip:

• Washcloth

Standard washcloths are what many men use. These lie in the middle of sponges and loofahs in terms of how abrasive they are. Choosing to use a washcloth is a matter of personal preference.

• Loofah

Loofahs are excellent for deep exfoliating your skin. They’re normally harvested from natural sponges and are great for getting rid of dead skin cells on any part of the body.

There have been remarks questioning the use of loofahs. I wish to make this clear. Loofahs are hygienic, to start with. The only thing is that they tend to carry dead skin cells off your body in their crannies and nooks. They can’t help it because that’s how they are designed.

When you‘re done showering, chances are that you’ll leave your loofah in the bathroom. The nice and humid environment of the shower room is ideal for the growth of bacteria.

How do you combat this?

Let your loofah dry after showering. You can either take it outside or open your bathroom window. For extra caution, you can rinse it after showering. Secondly, bleach your loofah to get rid of any present bacteria. The process is a tedious one, but effective.

Lastly, replace your loofah when it starts smelling or changing color. (2)

3. Skin Type

There are a few things to look out for when picking a body wash in terms of your skin type.

• Dry Skin

Many reasons result to dry skin. It may be the diet, environmental reasons, atopic dermatitis, or you’re allergic to a particular thing.

Not even the best body wash can solve this problem. But a simple upgrade from your regular bar soap to the right body wash should have a huge impact.

For starters, you’ll need to shower using your body wash once in a few days (if not every day). The reason for this is your sebaceous glands. The glands are found at the base of each hair follicle and produce the sebum oil.

The function of the sebum oil is to ensure that your skin is moisturized, nourished, and healthy in general.

Secondly, you should pat yourself to dry after showering. This is the opposite of the vigorous drying that most men prefer. Also, remember to apply body lotions and drink plenty of water every day.

• Oily Skin

Oily skin is that which tends to generate excessive sebum oil.

The result is shiny spots on the skin or even worse, mild pimples throughout the oil build-up areas. To settle this menace, look for body washes with BHA (salicylic acid) or AHA.

These two will assist in removing excess oil build-up on your skin without over-drying it. You’ll finally have the even and matte skin complexion that you’ve always wanted.

• Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, there are two primary factors to pay attention to: scent and chemicals.

Scent and chemicals are what cause irritation to sensitive skin. Eliminate these two factors, and you remain with a simple and highly effective product that works without irritating your skin.

• Bad odor Skin

Many men will reach out to body washes to overshadow their body’s bad odor with the fragrances produced. While this is okay, there is a better solution. Look for antibacterial body washes.

These body washes will stop the spread of the bacteria on your skin that emit the foul scent. Luckily, such body washes are plenty on the market.

• Acne-Prone Skin

There are specific body wash products in the market designed specifically for acne-prone skin.

These products contain Benzoyl Peroxide as an ingredient. Benzoyl Peroxide has been tested and proven to be effective at reducing the occurrence of acne.

So, if you want to successfully fight off acne from your skin, this is the ingredient to look for.

Pro Tip:

Here is a video illustrating how to create a simple DIY homemade body washes for men:

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The 5 Best Men’s Body Washes Reviews & Top Picks (2021)

Here are the top 5 men’s body washes that I came up with after siphoning out tens of products.

I have also included the skin type for each product to assist you in making a decision.

1. Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gel

VIEW ON AMAZON

Molton Brown has branded itself as one of the most reputable companies of the 21^st Century.

It offers consistently high-quality products with signature scents that are normally striking and evocative. Such an example of its product is the Molton Brown Bath &Shower Gel.

There has been a lot of hype around this shower gel. And this is exactly what to expect from an effective product that exceeds the expectations of the consumer.

What you’re getting with this shower gel is an impeccable quality gel made using natural ingredients and which comes with an amazing and unique scent.

You can trust this shower gel to provide you with deep and vigorous cleaning that will eliminate toxins and other impurities without being too harsh on the skin. Its ingredients are great for the skin.

Pepper seed oil helps relax the muscles and good for blood circulation. This makes the gel excellent for a post-workout shower. Glycerin, on the other hand, acts as a moisturizer and astringent. It will hydrate and soften your rough skin, making you look great.

A big secret to this gel’s success is that the manufacturers blended its ingredients with Madagascan black pepper oil, basil, and coriander.

There are two results to this. First, an excellent product that offers good antioxidant protection.

And secondly, a product with an energizing and invigorating scent that will stick around for a couple of hours. Get all the ladies looking your way!

This gel comes in three different scents, and you can choose your best. There is the top note with black pepper scent, hear note with coriander scent, and finally the base note with vetiver scent.

Pros

• Amazing masculine scent
• Relaxes the muscles and boosts circulation
• Great for a post-workout shower

Cons

• Relatively expensive

2. 18.21 Man Made 3-in-1 Body Wash

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There is no ‘manly’ body wash in my list like the 18.21 Man Made 3-in-1 Body Wash.

With its incredible scent, there is no better way of shooting your confidence to the highest levels. Lather up with this body wash in the shower for a refreshing, exciting experience that leaves you cleaner than before.

18.21 is no major international brand, just a small and independent company that focuses on quality. That’s what they showcased us with their body wash. You’ll be stricken by the whiskey-looking appearance of this body wash combined with the liquor style labeling of the company’s logo.

This same creativity is also seen in the product. The scent of the body wash is that of sweet pipe tobacco. This is courtesy of the tobacco used in the ingredients together with vanilla, dried fruit, and spicy saffron.

This is honestly one of the best smelling body washes that I’ve come across. Its lather is paraben-free and is infused with jojoba, quinoa, and macadamia for added moisture to your skin. It also comes with an attractive sheen that will last you the entire day.

I also love this body wash for its hydration property. What’s even better is that it doesn’t leave you with the greasy feeling that most body washes do.

Just as fine whiskey, the Man Made 3-in-1 Body Wash is well-refined for the perfect balance of moisturizing and cleansing properties. Moreover, it’s highly versatile and can be used as a body wash, conditioner, and shampoo.

Pros

• Highly versatile and may be used as a conditioner and shampoo too.
• Lovely scent
• Great packaging
• Moisturizer nicely without a greasy feeling

Cons

• Requires a longer period to rinse off than other body washes

3. Dr. Song Acne Face Wash & Body Wash

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Acne affects a lot of adult men. The experience is painful, difficult, and sometimes embarrassing.

The Men Glow Up crew understands this, and that’s why I included the Dr. Song Acne Face Wash & Body Wash in my list.

The enticing and appealing white bottle of this product is a show of what to expect from its performance. This body wash contains 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, which releases oxygen to your skin’s surface. In turn, this helps to fight acne-causing agents; all types of acne, from those on your face to legs and back.

The icing of the cake is that this body wash is completely non-irritating. It will vigorously fight acne while being gentle on your skin. Also, it nourishes and hydrates the skin for a firmer and healthier complexion. Wouldn’t you love that?

Dr. Song Acne Face Wash & Body Wash is versatile and can be used on the face and body. Also, while it is specifically designed to tackle acne, it also acts as a superb all-round wash. You get more than what you pay for with the product.

Lastly, this body wash is all-natural with no toxic chemicals or parabens. Its large bottle should provide you with enough amounts to last you a couple of months;

Pros

• Helps fight body odor
• Helps to treat acne
• It can last you up to 2 months.

Cons

• There were complaints of a leaky dispenser.

4. RUGGED & DAPPER Dual-Purpose Body Wash and Shampoo for Men

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RUGGED & DAPPER Dual-Purpose Body Wash and Shampoo for Men is an excellent dual-use shampoo for both the body and hair.

Its all-natural ingredients (although it also contains a few chemical ingredients) will provide you with a clean and healthy wash, better than many expensive-for-nothing products.

Some of the ingredients used in this body wash include orange peel, tea tree, and rosehip. The ingredients are responsible for the product’s manly scent and also its moisturizing and nourishing effects. It’s worthwhile to note that this body wash doesn’t contain any artificial perfumes or fragrances.

If you are new to the world of body wash and want something all-natural and effective, the RUGGED & DAPPER Dual-Purpose Body Wash is an excellent option to settle for.

Pros

• Relies heavily on natural ingredients
• Dual-purpose for both the body and hair
• Has moisturizing and nourishing effects

Cons

• Not everyone likes the scent.

5. Brickell Men’s Invigorating Mint Body Wash for Men

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Brickell was only established in 2014, but its growth rate is astounding. The company is rapidly climbing up the ranks to be among the most successful companies of the game – even surpassing some of the bigwigs that have been in existence ever since.

Their hard work and determination have seen them rise to one of the major grooming and skincare companies around.

A big secret to their success is attributed to the fact that the company only incorporates natural ingredients in its products, and body washes in specific.

The Brickell Men’s Invigorating Mint Body Wash for Men doesn’t include any chemical substance that may have adverse effects on the consumer. Its formula is made up of tea tree oil, vitamin E, glycerin, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.

This makes the body wash excellent for men with sensitive skin. Aloe vera and glycerin are both wonderful moisturizing ingredients. Aloe vera doubles up to restore vitamins to your hair and skin. Jojoba oil, on the other hand, cleanses your skin of bacteria and rebuilds its natural cushion.

I also love the mint scent of this body wash courtesy of its peppermint, which light, easy but noticeable.

There is no better way to kickstart your day than a shower with the Brickell Men’s Invigorating Mint Body Wash for Men.

Pros

• All-natural ingredients
• Gentle, nice smelling mint scent
• Ideal for men with sensitive skin

Cons

• Slightly expensive

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How to Use a Body Wash? – 5 Simple Steps To Follow

Now that you know what to look out for in a body wash for men, and some of the incredible options in the market.

The next thing I’ll teach you is how to use a body wash. This might seem obvious to you, but trust me, there is the correct way of using it – and you may have been wrong all along!

Here are 5 simple steps to follow.

1. Use warm water

The keyword here is warm, not hot. Extremely high temperatures can dry your skin and fight off the moisturizer found in your body wash. Take the temperature a few notches down to a moderate temperature.

Also, not too cold; I fear cold water.

2. The cleaning Tool

Some people may opt to shower solely using a bar soap without any cleaning tool. You’ll want to apply the soap to a washcloth, sponge or loofah. This makes it more effective than when you were to use the soap solo.

3. Generate a lather

Pour a decent amount of body wash to the cleaning tool of your choice and generate a rich lather. Doing so will provide a more consistent result than when you would have started scrubbing immediately.

4. Rub your skin mildly.

While men are known to be rough, gentle is the way to go here. Rubbing as hard as you can to get rid of germs isn’t necessary. This might lead to dryness and mild irritation on your skin. Apply moderate pressure.

5. Rinsing and drying yourself

After cleaning your entire body, the next step will be to rinse your body thoroughly. Have a quick smell if any part still has a nasty smell. This is an area that might need extra attention. If it’s there, repeat the process.

If not, gently dry yourself off using a clean, dry towel.

Final Thoughts

What a productive day – you now know the best body washes for men and how to use them. This thereby means I have been successful in my quest, hooray!

Despite the slightly expensive price tag slapped on the Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gel, it still scoops my award for the best overall product. I’m the kind who doesn’t mind spending that extra buck for quality. And that’s what this product offers.

If you have sensitive skin, I highly recommend the Brickell Men’s Invigorating Mint Body Wash for Men. Irritation and inflammation are foreign terms with this product.

This, however, isn’t to dispute the rest of the products as of lesser quality. On the contrary, these are some of the best products you’ll find in the market. Which one is your favorite?