Body washes have become the new standard for cleaning up in the shower. Though they’re very common and inexpensive to purchase, no two body washes are exactly alike. And many commercial brands contain chemicals and other ingredients that are irritating to the skin, and even toxic to our insides!

You’ll find plenty of helpful information in the following paragraphs, including the benefits of using body wash over traditional bar soap, bath tools that can make your bathing experience more pleasurable and productive, ingredients to beware of, and a list of recommended male body washes you should consider using.

Bar vs. Body Wash: Benefits of Using a Body Wash

• Better Lather: A bar of soap is much harder to make a good lather out of, particularly if you don’t have a lot of body hair to work with. Body wash lathers with ease, particularly when combined with a bath sponge, pouf, or body scrubber. The lather from most body washes is incomparable to bar soap.

• Less Film: This goes for film on your body, which actually robs our skin of moisture, but also they leave a “very” dangerous, slippery film of soap and moisturizer in the bathtub. Film is very common with bar soap, since by nature it’s so thick. Certain body wash products will leave a film, particularly in the bathtub, but if you read the reviews and do some experimentation of your own, it’s not hard to find a film-free product in your price range.

• Better Moisture Retention: Lye has been used in bar soaps for centuries. Lye, even in the small amounts used in most bar soap, can be very drying to people with chronically dry or moderately dry skin types. And most certainly irritating to people suffering with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions that lead to over-drying. If you have naturally oily skin, bar soap may not be a bother for you. Otherwise, lye-free body washes are a great way to keep valuable moisture where it belongs: in your skin!

• Aromatherapy While You Wash: Most men would rather not talk about this when they’re hanging out with the guys, but having a pleasant aroma surrounding you while you bathe is very relaxing. Body washes are so light and airy that their fragrances envelope you much more so than a traditional bar soap, and leave your bathroom smelling fresh and clean for hours after you finish bathing.

• More Bang-for-Buck: “A little dab’ll do ya” is an understatement when comparing a good body wash with bar soap. If you’re hairy in nature, this is especially true, as excess soap from a bar will always get wasted as the soap clings to hair, then goes unused. The increased lathering effect works in body wash’s favor here, saving you countless otherwise wasted dollars over the course of a year, if you make the switch.

Tools That Make Washing With Body Wash Easier

• Bath Pouf: Sometimes also called a “mesh sponge”. If you keep your eyes open, you can get a free pouf when you purchase your favorite body wash. A bath pouf can really extend the mileage of a single bottle of body wash. They also have a mild exfoliating effect on your skin, though nothing compared to a good loofa or bath brush.

• Loofa: A loofa makes it easier to lather up your body wash than if you were to simply use your hands. They also have a rough texture that helps exfoliate skin while you wash.

• Bath Brush: If you decide to go with a bath brush, buy a long-handled one, so you can wash the far reaches of your back with it too. Bath brushes are great for forming a lather, but many commercial bath brushes may be too abrasive for people with sensitive skin. Look for a soft-bristled version if this is you.

• Sea Sponge: Sea sponges are very gentle in nature, despite often being labeled as a “skeleton sponge”. Sea sponges are great for forming a heady lather, while being super-gentle on the skin. If exfoliation is one of the criteria you’re looking for in a bath aid tool, a sea sponge may not be the best choice.

What to Look For Before You Buy

When it comes to what you should look for in a body wash, the answers are more about what you should avoid. Choose products based on your needs: ie., deep cleaning, exfoliating, unscented, lasting odor protection, moisturizing (non-drying), organic, all natural, etc.

Once you find a product that you think might fit the bill, read the list of ingredients and avoid those listed below whenever possible, particularly if they’re listed at or near the top of the ingredient list. Manufacturers place ingredients in order of the quantity used in the product. So the first ingredient you see will make up the bulk of the product, and so on.

1. Castor Oil: Castor oil is often touted as a skin conditioner, and it is to a point; tightening the pores and reducing the signs of wrinkles. However, over time it dries the skin and actually causes more damage than benefit.

2. Sulfates: Includes a slew of potential ingredients that are very harsh and drying to the skin. Ingredients to watch for include: Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), and Alpha Olefin Sulphonate (AOS, Sodium C14-16).

3. Propylene Glycol: This is a serious allergen and one of the number #1 reasons you get a negative skin reaction from certain soaps and detergents.

4. Triethanolamine: This ingredient causes irritation all over the body, particularly in areas where mucous membranes exists, such as the face and anal regions. This ingredient isn’t found in most female-specific washes due to large number of mucosal membranes found in the vaginal area. If you buy an all-body formulation, for use on the body and hair, Triethanolamine isn’t likely to be on the ingredient list, due to it being a scalp irritant.

5. Benzines: Benzine is a toxin that will sometimes be listed as the sulfate “Alpha Olefin Sulfonate” or one of its other pseudonyms. Benzine is a serious toxin that penetrates the skin barrier and actually accumulates throughout the body, causing untold effects on the brain, organs, and circulatory system.

In addition to reading the list of ingredients, don’t be afraid to consult a dermatologist if you have skin issues, or even if you don’t and just want to make sure you’re using the best product possible to maximize cleansing and skin health.

It’s very easy to pick up the first bottle you see on the shelf, or the highest-rated product found on Amazon. However, what’s best for everybody else may not be what’s best for you. Not to mention that most people buy hygiene products with blinders on, not recognizing the drawbacks to their health when using products with certain dangerous ingredients included.

Price isn’t a great way to determine if a product is safe or not either. Reading the ingredient list is the very best way to protect yourself. If you’re buying online, go to the manufacturer’s website if the site you’re purchasing from doesn’t include the product’s ingredients with the listing.

Top 10 Men’s Body Washes

1.Nivea Men Active3 Body Wash for Body, Hair & Shave

Where to buy: Amazon

Active3 is a multi-use body wash that also doubles as a shampoo/conditioner, and a decent shave gel. Don’t count on this product giving you an ultra smooth shave, particularly if you have a thick beard and/or sensitive skin. Active3 is an invigorating, moisture restoring body wash, with a clean smelling fragrance, and a great foaming effect.

 

 

2.Dove Men Plus Care Body Wash

Where to buy: Amazon

This Dove product is a deep cleaning body wash that contains micro grains for gentle exfoliation, combined with advanced micro moisture beads that restore moisture to dry skin. It does contain small amounts of Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS), but very few incidents of skin irritation have been reported with this product, and it leaves skin feeling super moisturized. The scent is mild, yet pleasant.

 

3.Old Spice Fresh Collection Denali Body Wash

Where to buy: Amazon

This Old Spice body wash is marketed as smelling just like the open-air freshness found in nature. In truth, it smells like a milder version of what you’d find in one of those white bottles of Old Spice aftershave! This isn’t a negative though. The mild invigorating scent is pleasant, and if you or your special lady doesn’t like Old Spice products, you’ll know to avoid the Fresh Collection.

 

4.Suave Men Body Wash

Where to buy: Amazon

Suave has a reputation beyond repute when it comes to hair and skin hygiene products. This body wash has an excellent lather and a mild, refreshing scent that kills odors without overpowering. Suave men rinses clean, without leaving a thick residue on your skin or bath tub.

 

 

5.Burt’s Bees Natural Skin Care for Men Body Wash

Where to buy: Amazon

This special 36-ounce, 3-pack of Burt’s Bees is a really great deal, particularly if natural cleansing ingredients are what you’re looking for. This stuff costs a bit more, but you’re assured there’s nothing drying, irritating or toxic included in its ingredient list. The smell is amazing and very masculine, with the smell of citrus, fir, and cyprus. The lather isn’t as good as the more commercially-available products above, but this product is 100% chemical free.

 

6.Baxter of California Invigorating Body Wash

Where to buy: Amazon

Baxter of California is a product made for the man’s man in all of us, who also likes to take care of his skin, while smelling really good! The Italian Lime and Pomegranate smell is divine, and their most popular. This product has a mild foam, and unfortunately does have a few of the no-no ingredients people with sensitive skin should avoid. This product is marketed and favored by its fans purely for the unmatched fragrance it offers!

 

7.Cedarwood Body Wash and Shower Gel

Where to buy: Amazon

Citrus, sage, rosemary, and glycerine all combine to make Cedarwood a really invigorating and relaxing shower gel for men who take pride in their hygiene. Not much is said about this product, and marketing is purely word-of-mouth. With small price tag and 4 out of 5 stars, this Cedarwood body gel is definitely worth trying out.

 

 

8.Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

Where to buy: Amazon

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing is a product that men typically associate with something their wife or girlfriend would buy. It’s not just made for girls though, and perfect for use by men who aren’t looking for a product that leaves a powerful scent behind on the skin. It includes plenty of natural moisturizers, including colloidal oatmeal. This two-pack is a great deal you won’t soon find at your local retail store either.

 

9.Magnetic Attraction Enhancing Body Wash

Where to buy: Amazon

Dial claims Magnetic Attraction contains the male hormone “androstadienone,” proven in laboratories to attract the opposite sex! This is a clean-rinsing product that won’t leave your skin, or the tub slippery when you’re finished bathing. Even if you don’t meet the girl of your dreams after using it, the smell is rather “magnetic” offering a mild woody/citrusy scent.

 

 

10.Jack Black Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body

Where to buy: Amazon

Men love Jack Black! It isn’t hard to figure that out when you see the initial shocking price tag. At $50 for 33 ounces for this bulk container, you might think it’s overpriced. Once you try it, you’ll soon change your mind. This hair and body wash really goes a long way. The premium nature of the product means that it’s designed to leave the men who buy it (and their women) very satisfied. Rosemary, juniper berry, and eucalyptus all work together to clean your skin and relax your muscles and nasal passages. Try the smaller 3-ounce size if you’re not sure Jack Black is for you.

Summary

The advice and product information shared on this page are all you need to pick a great body wash for daily use. Buying in bulk is always the best way to acquire the best savings, but if you haven’t yet found a body wash that works for you, buy a few different products in smaller package sizes until you find one that you (and your lady) enjoy!