The Best-Smelling Body Washes That Last All Day Long

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There’s something incredibly satisfying about stepping out of the shower feeling clean, refreshed, and smelling amazing. 

Although body washes are there to clean you, it’s always better to have one that smells good. However, not all body washes are created equal when it comes to lasting fragrance. In this guide, I’m going to be sharing some of the best-smelling body washes that provide a long-lasting scent, so you can feel fresh and confident all throughout the day.

OUAI Body Cleanser

You probably know OUAI for their hair products, but their body products are just as good. The OUAI Body Cleanser combines notes of rose, bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk for a delicate yet sophisticated scent. 

The carefully curated blend of fragrances not only smells good when you’re lathering it up, but the scent also lingers on your skin for hours after your shower, keeping you feeling fresh and subtly perfumed throughout the day. I also like that the formula is full of hydrating ingredients like jojoba and rosehip oils to keep my skin nourished and moisturized throughout the day.

Beauty Pie Soul Providers Energizing Body Wash

The Beauty Pie Soul Providers Energizing Body Wash is like having a cup of coffee in the shower as the citrusy scent is a really invigorating fragrance that wakes you up and keeps you feeling revitalized all day long. 

I love a fresh scent, and this body wash has a lovely combination of zesty citrus notes, aromatic herbs, and woody undertones, that create a natural yet uplifting aroma that stays with you throughout the day. The formula is nice and gentle, which is great for people with sensitive skin (but it will be great for any skin type), it really cleanses the skin without stripping it of its essential oils, which is why it’s easily one of the best body washes I’ve tried.

L’Occitane Cleansing & Softening Almond Shower Oil

L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Oil is a really luxurious product, and slightly different from the other body washes on this list — in the best way possible. When you first pump this out, it’s an oil, but once you add some water to it and start rubbing it over your body it turns into a smoothing, milky texture.

The scent isn’t strong, but it’s infused with sweet almond oil and almond proteins to give a slightly sweet, nutty scent that smells amazing. If you have dry skin, this is going to be the perfect body wash for you as the oil-to-milk texture really softens and soothes the skin. 

Cremo Rich-Lathering Palo Santo Body Wash

One of my favorite scents of all time is Santal 33, but I do not have the money to go and buy the Le Labo perfume so I try and find anything that has the same scent. The Cremo Rich-Lathering Palo Santo Body Wash is from the men’s section, but it has that same scent that I love so much in the Santal 33 perfume.

The scent of this body wash is a sophisticated blend of earthy, woody notes with hints of citrus and spice. The scent feels really grown up and chic, easily one of the best smelling body washes that I’ve used. I like that it has a nice, rich lather that it gives so I feel extra clean after using it.

Native Body Wash – Eucalyptus & Mint

I really like a lot of the Native Body Wash scents, but the Eucalyptus & Mint scent is my particular favorite. I love the earthy, refreshing scents of eucalyptus and mint that create a refreshing and energizing fragrance that lasts all day. 

The cooling aroma of eucalyptus blends seamlessly with the crisp, clean scent of mint, providing a burst of freshness that revitalizes the senses and leaves you feeling refreshed throughout the day. 

Salt & Stone Antioxidant-Rich Body Wash

I’m a big fan of the Salt & Stone products, I use both the deodorant and the body cream in the Santal scent and love the way it smells. It only makes sense to follow up with the Antioxidant-Rich Body Wash as the perfect choice for the best shower experience possible.

This body wash is infused with antioxidant-rich botanicals like green tea, rosemary, and olive leaf extracts that cleanse and hydrate the skin while leaving behind a subtle, lingering scent that lasts all day. The Santal & Vetiver scent is obviously my favorite, but I’ve also smelled the other scents which smell just as good. It’s not one of the most budget-friendly options, but if you’re in the market for some new high-quality products to join your shower routine, this one is great.

Saltair Body Washes

Saltair Body Washes are getting pretty popular and come in a really nice range of scents, which made it impossible for me to pick out just one that was my favorite as they all smell incredible.

Whether you choose the fresh, aquatic scent of Sea Breeze or the calming aroma of Ocean Mist, Saltair Body Washes provide a long-lasting fragrance experience that I can’t get enough of. The gentle formulas of these body washes cleanse the skin without drying it out, ensuring that the fragrance lingers on your skin for hours after your shower, whether you normally like a floral fragrance or woodsy scents, they have a scent for everyone’s personal preference.

Method Body Washes

The Method Body Washes are another example of great body washes that you can pick up from the drugstore. These body washes are affordable, contain all natural key ingredients, and come in a great range of refreshing scent options that last a really long time. I like their fruity scents and fresh scents a lot, but they also have a lot of more subtle scents and floral scents which are a great option for people who don’t like scents that are too overpowering.

One of my favorite scents is the energy boost one, a citrus scent that is full of clean ingredients. It has a nice creamy lather that looks after itchy skin, better than a lot of the other natural body wash picks that I’ve used before. They also have a range of men’s body washes that have more of a musky scent, which I also really love.

Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Body Wash

I feel like I have heard nothing but positive reviews on social media of Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Body Wash for years now, it always seems to be popping up on the list of the best-smelling body washes, so it’s probably no surprise to a lot of you that I’ve also included it in this list.

This body wash definitely does not have a subtle scent, it’s very sickly sweet — just like the name would suggest. If that’s the kind of scent you enjoy, you’ll love this body wash. If you prefer something a little more subtle, I’d definitely not recommend it.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel

Finally, we have another award-winning body wash, the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel. This has the hydration that a body lotion would give you, combined with the nice lather you’d get from traditional bar soap – obviously with the delicious scent of tropical fruit that the Sol de Janeiro range is really well known for.

This is the ideal choice for people who love a fresh, fruity scent for their body washes. Plus, if you want to make sure that the scent lasts all day long, you can also follow up with their matching body lotion and body fragrance.

How to Choose The Right Body Wash For Your Skin Type

Choosing the right body wash tailored to your skin type is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin. It will turn your daily shower ritual from a necessary chore into something that you really look forward to. Firstly, identify your skin type: dry, oily, combination, or sensitive.

For dry skin, opt for moisturizing body washes enriched with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, argan oil, avocado oils, or hyaluronic acid. Look for labels mentioning “hydrating,” “nourishing,” or “moisturizing” to replenish lost moisture and keep your skin barrier intact.

If you have oily skin, seek out body washes with gentle, oil-balancing properties. Ingredients such as tea tree oil, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid effectively cleanse pores and remove dead skin cells, keeping your skin fresh without stripping away essential oils.

For combination skin, choose a versatile body wash that balances both oily and dry areas. Consider a gentle, pH-balanced formula that cleanses effectively without causing irritation. Look for terms like “balances skin” or “suitable for all skin types.”

Sensitive skin requires extra care. Opt for fragrance-free and hypoallergenic body washes to minimize the risk of irritation or allergic reactions. Look for gentle, soothing ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, or chamomile to calm and protect sensitive skin. 

Always read labels carefully and avoid harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances, which can exacerbate skin issues. If you’re unsure about the products, conducting a patch test is a great way to test out whether beauty products will irritate your skin.

Ultimately, selecting a body wash that caters to your skin’s unique needs ensures a nourishing and enjoyable bathing experience while maintaining skin health and vitality.

Time to Jump in The Shower

I hope that you’ve found the best-smelling shower gel for daily use after reading this post! I think that every product I mentioned is a really good body wash, that’s far better than your typical bar soap. 

Let me know which one you try out!