The 13 Best Smelling Body Washes for All Skin Types

Crack open a bottle of this soothing body wash, and a relaxing day at the spa doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Rich in lipids—which support the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture, this body wash coats your skin in nourishment with each lather and leaves an uplifting eucalyptus scent in its wake.

Key notes: - Pure eucalyptus oil

Size: 8.4 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I would honestly be more than happy only using Necessaire’s body wash for the rest of my life. I love how its signature eucalyptus scent smells—it’s invigorating, soothing, and gives you that ‘clean’ feeling. Its new scents, Santal and Hinoki, smell divine (Necessaire perfumes, when?). I also find body washes semi-stripping, but this one has nourishing oils with vitamins A, C, and E, and omega-6 and -9 that keep skin soft and hydrated.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

Early mornings are easier to navigate with this body wash in your shower routine. The fresh pear is the first note you smell, anchored by jasmine and grass elements, inviting you to a momentary stroll through a park on a springtime day.

Key notes: Pear, jasmine, freshly cut grass

Size: 8 fl oz

Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “To say I’m obsessed with the Leila Lou collection is an understatement—I have the body oil, body milk, and eau de parfum. Still, the body wash is my absolute favorite because it’s the first layer of my Leila Lou scent bubble. Beyond the bright, sunny aroma, this body wash has a bunch of plant extracts that nourish the body—no harsh stripping over here!”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Body scrubs can be just as relaxing as massages, and this exfoliating body wash allows you to gently buff away impurities from head to toe right from the comfort of your home. Non-abrasive and highly aromatic, the Hinoki Body Wash was formulated with hinoki wood essential oils to promote relaxation and ease.

Key notes: Forest awakening essential oil

Size: 6.8 fl oz

Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “I did not expect Tatcha to come out with body products. This exfoliating body wash is some good stuff. I have tried a lot of body scrubs, and this one has to be one of my favorites. It is very gentle on the skin when you apply it. After washing it off, my skin feels so smooth and hydrated.”

This comforting body wash dispenses a jelly formula with tiny microbeads that gently slough away dead skin and unveil a smoother, soft-to-the-touch texture. Lemon zest is the star of this show, with a tinge of vetiver and violet deepening the scent more.

Key notes: Lemon zest, violet, vetiver

Size: 8.45 fl oz

Sephora rating: 4.9/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Anything lemon-scented is a win in my book. I love the bright aroma, but I like how soft my skin feels even more after each wash. I sometimes add the accompanying lotion and mist to the mix for scent layering.”—Nerisha Penrose

Ouai’s St. Barts cleanser quickly transports you to a tropical island, courtesy of fruity notes like orange oil, dragonfruit, orange blossom, and aquatic ocean breeze accord. Scent aside, the body wash nourishes the skin with rosehip and jojoba oil.

Key notes: Dragonfruit, orange blossom, tuberose, amber

Size: 10 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “This was worth the splurge to treat myself to a luxurious shower experience in the summer! I can’t afford a vacation, but I can feel like I’m on one when I smell the exotic, tropical scent of this body wash. It’s a thick gel, so a little goes a long way, making the bottle last a long time. I am getting the lotion next so I can surround myself with this heavenly scent!”

Youth to the People’s expansion into body care was met with open arms and dozens of rave reviews for this body cleanser. Taking the same gentle approach of its skin care range to its body collection, this body wash is also packed with superfoods (kale and green tea extracts) and niacinamide to improve the skin’s barrier.

Key notes: Fresh greens, black pepper, cedarwood

Size: 16.4 fl oz

Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I love this body cleanser’s earthy, green aroma. However, if you are not a fan of deeper, more masculine scents, this is not for you. The fragrance envelops my shower as I lather on my body, creating such a luxurious spa-like experience. All you need is one pump, I promise! A little goes a long way. I just ran out, and I have had my bottle for about four months.” —Danielle James, digital beauty director

Dove’s line of serum-based body washes caters to a wide range of skin woes and types. This one, however, was made with melanin-rich skin in mind. It works to boost radiance and improve the skin barrier with a five percent pro-ceramide serum and a blend of oils for added nourishment.

Key notes: Black cherry, almond butter

Size: 18.5 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Smell is amazing, texture is great. Keeps my skin from getting dried out during the heat and cold weather.”

From the almond oil to the almond milk concentrate, L’Occitane does almond-scented anything well. Its latest addition to the almond family, the Shower Cream, is a creamy, soothing body wash with a faint almond scent and softening almond oil that keeps the skin moisturized for hours on end.

Key note: Sweet almond oil

Size: 4.5 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “As a fan of the shower oil, I knew I would love the shower cream as soon as I tested it. Not only does it smell delicious—especially when paired with the shower oil—but it’s as moisturizing as lotion feels.”—Nerisha Penrose

If your skin is feeling dry, this rose-scented body wash is designed to restore moisture via botanical extracts and a slew of oils. Floral and citrus notes enhance the shower experience, and the delicious scent lasts past dry down.

Key notes: Rose, Italian mandarin, violet

Size: 8.5 fl oz

Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Rose was the first fragrance note I loved. While it is no longer my only love, I still revisit it like an old friend, and this Corpus body wash is a lovely take on the classic floral. A touch of citrus gives the scent a subtle brightness, while the wood notes add depth for a little more complexity and keep it from falling flat. A little goes a long way, and I take my time when using this formula just to be able to stay with the fragrance a moment longer.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

Salt & Stone’s Santal & Vetiver body wash is a good place to start if you want to transform your bathroom into your favorite hotel stay. Woody and warm, this cleanser combines amber, sandalwood, cardamom, and more to create a luxurious scent experience; vitamin C, plant extracts, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid penetrate deep to give the skin the TLC it deserves.

Key notes: Amber, sandalwood, cedar, vetiver

Size: 15.2 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “There’s nothing more relaxing to me than a day at the spa, but if I’m being honest, making time for the luxurious respite can be difficult sometimes. So, an alternative for me is taking an extra long hot shower and using this Salt & Stone body wash. The smell is so calming and indulgent that it makes you feel like you’re at a resort or five-star hotel. And the minimal frosted bottle looks really nice in my bathroom, which is always a plus.” —Nerisha Penrose

This body wash rejuvenates the skin with Sachajuan’s Earth Silk Technology, a humectant-rich complex, to improve the skin’s overall appearance and health.

Key notes: Lavender, musk

Size: 16. 9 fl oz

Revolve rating: 4.3/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I currently have three different body washes in rotation, but this is the only one on its last leg. The mix of lavender, musk, and tonka bean swirl around in my shower as I lather it all over my body, creating the perfect base for all of the floral and musky scents I like to layer on top in the form of body cream, body oil, and perfume.” —Nerisha Penrose

All the goodness found in a garden is packaged in this gorgeous green bottle. Eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, and lavender take the starring roles of this earthy wash, formulated with oils like olive oil and babassu to impart intense moisture and calm the skin.

Key notes: Eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, lavender

Size: 16.9 fl oz

Flamingo Estate rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My mother has a small vegetable garden in her backyard that she savagely and fiercely protects from her persistent enemies: rare birds, fluffy bunnies, and Bambis. Whenever I visit home, she has a list of garden chores for me to do, and this body wash smells like that experience; it’s herby, without being sweet or floral, and really green. The mix of lavender and eucalyptus give me that sort of “awake” feeling, and it feels refreshing.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director