The Best Body Wash for Men for Every Type of Skin

Whether you’re on the hunt for the best bar soaps or the best body wash for men, it really is just a matter of preference. Both use the same key ingredients to cleanse, nourish, and refresh skin. And when it comes to the best way to scrub-a-dub-dub, you need to find one that agrees with your skin’s needs and variables.

Skin variables include sensitivity, acne, dryness, oiliness, and even body odor. And a high-quality body wash will honor those variables without disrupting the skin’s barrier functions. The skin needs this barrier in order to trap moisture and maintain softness, and if it’s compromised, you’ll know it via redness, itching, dehydration, or cracking. This could mean finding a body wash that has specific and targeted active ingredients—or simply choosing one that lacks any bad-for-you ingredients. Read on for GQ’s picks for the best men’s body wash across various needs and budgets.

The Best Body Wash for Men, According to GQ

The Best Overall

Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Wash

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The Best for Soft Skin

Sachajuan Body Wash Fresh Lavendar

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The Best Hybrid Exfoliator

Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Hand+Body Scrub

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Best Overall: Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Wash

What makes the best overall body wash? While there’s no one-size-suds-all solution, Wonder Valley can claim the crown for most guys. A multitasker that cleanses, hydrates, and supports your skin’s microbiome? Check. Suitable for all skin types? Check. Stylish, sustainable aluminum packaging? Check. A silky yet viscous formula? Check. Free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or artificial dyes? Check—you get the idea. Wonder Valley keeps it simple yet effective with a focus on key natural ingredients: willow bark, an antioxidant emollient that hydrates and improves skin tone; ashwagandha, which boosts collagen production; aloe vera to soothe; and Wonder Valley’s own California extra virgin olive oil for hydration and antioxidant benefits. The result? An exceptional cleansing lather paired with a subtle, woody, balsamic, citrus fragrance. All of this comes in a chic container that adds some indie style to your tub. Wonder Valley proves that the niche grooming movement is not going anywhere—it is only expanding with fantastic products, like this body wash, that are natural, effective, and darn cool.

Best for Softening Skin: Sachajuan Body Wash

While proprietary tech in grooming products can sometimes feel like a gimmick, Sachajuan’s Earthen Silk Tech’s proof is in the pudding. Given the brand’s cult-favorite roots in haircare, it’s no surprise their body washes also leave your skin silky smooth. At the heart of their Earth Silk Technology is oat beta-glucan—a soothing and softening ingredient derived from Scandinavian-grown oats (the Swedes know their skin care). These soluble oat fibers penetrate deep into the skin, giving some serious hydration you can feel. The gel lathers beautifully, and while there are plenty of body washes that soften skin, this one stands out. After showering, my skin felt extra smooth for most of the day. As for the scents, an intoxicatingly good lavender blend with vanilla, musk, and tonka bean adds a layer of calm to an already soothing experience.