Article updated: April 26, 2023
Hey man, it’s time to ditch that feminine or gender neutral smelling body wash and start taking showers like a real man.
While that “summer ocean breeze” scented body wash might work well for the ladies, it’s well past time you upgraded your daily grooming routine and started using a body wash that not only smells great, but is specifically designed for men like us.
Since choosing the best smelling body wash for men isn’t a matter of just one man’s opinion, I enlisted the help of thousands of user reviews from guys like you and me (that many noses can’t be wrong) to bring you this list of 8 best smelling body washes for men. Enjoy.
The Lineup:
- Molton Brown – Re-charge Black Pepper
- Cremo – Blue Cedar and Cyprus
- Anthony – Alpine Wood
- Brickell – Invigorating Mint
- Olivina Men – Bourbon Cedar
- 18.21 Man Made – Sweet Tobacco
- Bath & Body Works – Bourbon
- Pré de Provence – No. 63
Page Contents
8 Best Smelling Body Washes for Men Reviewed
Molton Brown – Re-charge Black Pepper
Since this list is all about the best smelling body washes for men, it only makes sense to kick it off with this Re-charge Black Pepper scented body wash from Molton Brown. Unlike pretty much any body wash you’ll find in stores, Molton Brown is on another level when it comes to luxury grooming products with a rugged, masculine edge. Re-charge Black Pepper is one of their signature scents and dare I say, it smells like manliness personified in body wash form. With notes of black pepper, lemon, ginger, coriander, basil, violet leaf, vetiver, oak moss, and ambergris, this body wash from Molton Brown is strictly for discerning gentleman who desire nothing but the best.
What else is great about Molton Brown body wash?
• The scent lasts
Lot’s of body washes smell pretty good, but that great scent rarely makes it beyond the confines of the shower before the smell fades into oblivion. What’s great about Molton Brown body wash is that it not only smells awesome in the shower, but the scent lingers on the skin for most of the day. After all, when something smells this good you’re not gonna want to keep it a secret.
• It lathers really well
One of the things I really like about this Molton Brown body wash is that it works into a thick, rich lather that makes getting clean satisfying and easy. While a big lather might not seem like a big deal, it’s actually beneficial for a couple reasons. A thick lather does a better job of breaking down dirt, oil, bacteria and grime, and it stretches the life expectancy of the body wash since less is needed per use.
• Other great scents
While I certainly haven’t tried all of Molton Brown body wash fragrances, Re-charge black pepper isn’t the only scent they offer. With over 15 fragrances available, Molton Brown has developed quite the reputation for producing some of the best smelling body washes for men. If Re-charge Black Pepper doesn’t strike your fancy, I recommend checking out their Tobacco Absolute or Russian Leather scents.
What I don’t like:
I’d like to see Molton Brown offer this in a larger size bottle.
Cremo – Blue Cedar & Cyprus
One of the things that really sucks about the smell of common grocery store bought body washes is that they are, well, common. Big brand companies seem to think that every guy wants to smell like a jockstrap wearing athlete or a crisp sea breeze. While those scents are okay for high schoolers, it’s about time gentlemen such as ourselves upgraded to something more refined and mature. Enter Cremo body wash for men. Cremo seeks to bridge the gap between ordinary scented body wash – and extraordinary scented body wash. Their team of self proclaimed “scent experts” custom formulate each of their complex fragrances for gentleman who desire something more from their daily grooming routine. One of Cremo’s original fragrances that tickles my fancy is their Blue Cedar and Cyprus. It pairs the classic woody scent of cypress and cedar, with a splash of citrus and lemon peel. The result is a refreshingly masculine fragrance that is bold, unique, and uncommonly good.
What else is great about Cremo Blue Cedar & Cyprus body wash?
• Leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized
A kick-ass fragrance isn’t the only thing that’s great about Cremo Blue Cedar & Cyprus. It also does an awesome job of cleansing the skin without leaving it feeling dry or stripped of moisture. That’s because it contains skin moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and aloe that are known for their ability to nourish, moisturize, and hydrate.
• Scent options
Scent is subjective, I get it. That’s one of the things that’s so great about Cremo; they have a diverse line of 9 unique scented body washes for men. Blue Cedar & Cyprus not your cup of tea? No problem. Here is a few of their other highest rated, best smellers sellers:
- Bourbon & Oak
- Sage & Citrus
- Citron & Vetiver
- Silver Water & Birch
- Cooling Citrus & Mint Leaf
- Sea Grass & Driftwood
• A little goes a long way
When you’re using a great smelling body wash like Cremo Blue Cedar & Cyprus, it can be pretty disappointing when you reach the bottom of the bottle. One of the things that I really like about this body wash is that it tends to take a while to reach the bottom. That’s because a little bit of it goes a long way. Just a small dollop is needed to quickly work into a thick, rich lather that cleanses from head to toe, and prolongs the lifespan of the bottle.
What I don’t like:
Nothing. Great scent. Reasonable price. Good all-around deal in my opinion.
Anthony – Alpine Wood
If you’re looking to give your nose hairs something to be excited about and up your man game at the same time, I highly recommend you check out this Invigorating Rush body wash from Anthony. It features a masculine “alpine wood” scent that smells like you literally just stepped into a forest. It smells fresh, clean, bold, and basically rugged as all hell. It’s also packed with a shit ton of skin beneficial ingredients that you won’t find in other body washes, including: eucalyptus, birch leaf, Canadian balsam, alba extract, and sage leaf extract. Bottom line: when it comes to best smelling body washes for men, this super premium Invigorating Rush body wash from Anthony is definitely worth a long sniff.
What else is great about Anthony Invigorating Rush body wash?
• Body and hair
Like most men, I appreciate a grooming routine that is simple and convenient, and that’s one of the things that I really appreciate about Anthony Invigorating Rush cleanser. Not only is it an awesome smelling body wash, but it doubles as a shampoo as well. While I typically don’t use multi-purpose washes on a regular basis, I find that they make life easier, and are super convenient for my post-workout shower at the gym. After all, the fewer products I have to cram into my gym bag the better.
• Invigorating rush – literally
I initially assumed that the name Invigorating Rush was just there to sound good and didn’t have any real significance based on reality. I was wrong. The “alpine wood” scent provides a blast of wake the fuck up refreshment to the senses during those early morning showers. It leaves you feeling energized, refreshed, and dare I say, invigorated.
What I don’t like:
Pricey. As with most Anthony products, you can expect to pay a premium for their products.
Brickell – Invigorating Mint
It’s really no surprise that I included a Brickell product on this list. And it’s not because I’m biased, or a fan boy – because I’m not. The real reason is because their products are simply kick-ass, and they smell awesome. Like all of Brickell’s products, their Invigorating Mint body wash for men is formulated using only safe, natural, and organic ingredients that are designed to outperform the synthetic crap commonly found in other brands. Aside from offering a refreshing blast of minty fresh goodness to every shower, this Invigorating Mint body wash is designed to cleanse, hydrate, and moisturize, while leaving skin smelling clean and masculine.
What else is great about Brickell Invigorating Mint body wash?
• It’s invigorating – No, really
Hell, they don’t call it Invigorating Mint for nothing. One of my favorite things about this body wash is the way the fresh mint fragrance wakes my lazy ass up in the morning. It’s sort of like someone giving you a kick to the balls while you’re half asleep – minus the pain and agony.
• It’s highly moisturizing
As it turns out an awesome fragrance isn’t the only superpower this body wash has. It’s also full of nourishing and hydrating ingredients that leave the skin feeling squeaky clean without being stripped of moisture. Here’s what’s inside:
- Glycerin – A vegetable based oil that nourishes the skin by drawing in moisture and locking it in.
- Aloe vera – Helps nourish, soothe, hydrate and moisturize the skin. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness, irritation, and discomfort.
- Jojoba oil – Derived from the seed of a plant that is commonly found in Arizona and California. This oil is full of vitamins E & B, that help protect and moisturize the skin.
- Vitamin E – An antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damaging free radicals. It also contains moisturizing and healing properties.
- Tea tree oil – Contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that soothe the skin. It’s also very effective at fighting acne.
• A little goes a long way
Brickell’s products are known to be super premium and highly effective, but they typically don’t carry a cheap price tag. That being said, it’s important to point out that a little bit of this stuff goes a long way. Just a small dollop works into a thick, rich lather that easily cleanses from head to toe. I’d estimate that a bottle of this stuff can last around 3 months (give or take) with daily use. For best results I highly recommend using a loofah or washcloth in order to achieve the best lather.
What I don’t like:
Pricey. As with most Brickell products, their stuff isn’t cheap. But I will admit, a bottle of this Invigorating Mint body wash does last, so I can’t complain too much.
Olivina Men – Bourbon Cedar
Bourbon and cedar scented body wash? Does it get anymore masculine than that? Olivina Men is based out of Nashville, Tennessee and as you probably deduced, specialize in men specific grooming products for guys who care about function, fragrance, and quality. “Bourbon cedar” is one of their signature scents and can be found in many of their male skincare products, including: deodorant, shave cream, bar soap, lotion, and of course this all-in-one body wash. Their all-natural bourbon cedar scent can be described as smoky, woody, and manly, with subtle notes of vanilla. It’s certainly a departure from those feminine smelling products in the grocery store aisle.
What else is great about Olivina Men body wash?
• A little goes a long way
While this certainly isn’t the cheapest men’s body wash you’re going to come across, it is on the other hand very long lasting. I find that 2 small pumps from the pump bottle is all you need to work this all-in-one body wash into a thick, rich lather that is capable of cleansing from head to toe.
• All-in-one
Not only is this a great smelling body wash, but it’s a great smelling shampoo and face wash as well. Olivina Men formulated this all-in-one wash for safe, effective use from head to toe. It’s perfect for gym goers, guys looking to simplify their daily shower, or if you just want to reduce shower clutter.
What I don’t like:
Nothing. I think Olivina did a great job on this one. The price is probably going to be higher than you’re used to paying for body wash, but the 33.8 ounce size bottle is pretty big and does last a while. I did read a few reviewers mention that their pump broke after a few uses, but I personally didn’t experience this problem.
18.21 Man Made – Sweet Tobacco
Quite possibly the manliest smelling body wash on the list is this 18.21 Man Made Wash. Taking inspiration from prohibition era speakeasy lounges, this body wash features a robust sweet tobacco aroma with hints of spicy saffron, dried fruit, Manuka honey, dark vanilla, tonka bean, exotic woods, and powdery musk. It smells like liquid masculinity in a bottle – and a it’s a pretty badass looking bottle too. Inspired by the look and feel of a whiskey bottle, 18.21 Man Made Wash manages to look as awesome as it smells.
What else is great about 18.21 Man Made Wash?
• 3-in-1
Not only is this an awesome smelling body wash, it’s an awesome smelling shampoo and conditioner as well. 18.21 formulated this 3-in-1 wash to offer men an easy and convenient solution for getting clean. Not only does it leave skin feeling squeaky clean and moisturized, it removes excess oil, dirt, and grime from hair, while providing nourishing hydration. What’s inside:
- Macadamia glycerides – Offers moisturizing benefits, while acting as an emollient to help soften and soothe the skin.
- Hydrolyzed quinoa – Contains vegetable protein to cleanse and nourish hair. It also helps strengthen, protect, and repair damaged hair, and can even help promote new growth.
- Hydrolyzed jojoba esters – A natural hair and skin conditioning agent that also acts as an occlusive to protect and lock in moisture.
• Awesome lather
Aside from the great scent, the other thing I really like about 18.21 Man Made body wash is how well it lathers. Just a little bit of this stuff is needed to work into a thick, rich lather that cleanses from head to toe. While it does lather quite well with just the hands, I highly recommend using a washcloth or loofah to achieve optimal lather with this one.
What I don’t like:
It’s pretty expensive for a body wash. I would like to see 18.21 lower the price on this one a bit.
Bath & Body Works – Bourbon
If you’ve ever walked through the mall, I’m sure you’ve noticed the Bath & Body Works store and the feminine smelling fragrances wafting through the front door. What you probably failed to notice however is their line of men specific grooming products that were being drowned out by all the loud, flowery smelling products for woman. I don’t blame you. Part of Bath & Body Works’ Men’s Collection is this bourbon scented 2-in-1 hair and body wash. It Features a bold scent of white pepper, dark amber, and Kentucky oak that leaves skin smelling tough, rugged, bold, and unmistakably masculine.
What else is great about Bath & Body Works body wash?
• Long lasting scent
I get it, you want a body wash that smells great in the shower, but also stays with you and keeps you smelling awesome throughout the day. I’m with you on that one. That’s what I really like about this Bath & Body Works Bourbon scented body wash. Not only does it create a masculine blast of nose pleasing fragrance to my morning shower, but it lingers on the skin for most of the day. After use, if you plan on getting up close and personal with anyone, expect compliments.
• Body & hair
You don’t have to limit this awesome smelling body wash to just your body, you can let your hair in on the action too. Bath & Body Work’s designed their Men’s Collection of body washes to double as effective, hair cleansing shampoos as well.
What I don’t like:
I’d like to see Bath and Body Works offer this in a larger size bottle.
Pré de Provence – No. 63
Handcrafted by French artisans, Pré de Provence No. 63 is a line of men’s products that’s inspired by the natural scents and fragrances found in the tranquil setting of Provence in southern France. No. 63 features a masculine scent that’s described as: warm, spicy, and peppery with a citrus top note, rounded by cedar wood, plum, violet leaves, and finished with an amber base of leather and tobacco. If that description doesn’t fit the model of best smelling body wash for men, I don’t know what does.
What else is great about Pré de Provence No. 63 body wash?
• Moisturizing
Yes it’s important for body wash to leave our skin smelling great, but I bet you also want it to leave your skin feeling soft, supple, hydrated and smooth as well, right? One of the great things about this Pre dé Provence No. 64 body wash aside from it’s scent, is it’s ability to moisturize the skin. It’s formulated with skin nourishing ingredients such as:
- Glycerin – Glycerin is an emollient and humectant that attracts moisture to the skin and keeps it there.
- Shea oil – Due to the high concentrations of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea oil, it’s very nourishing and moisturizing for the skin.
- Aloe vera – A highly moisturizing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that hydrates and improves skin’s elasticity.
• Long lasting scent
When you have a men’s body wash that smells as good as Pré de Provence No.63, it makes sense that you would want the fragrance to last as long as possible. That’s where this body wash excels. The scent lingers on the skin for hours, and leaves you smelling fresh, masculine and rugged. Expect compliments.
What I don’t like:
For the price, I’d like to see Pré de Provence offer this in a larger size bottle.
How to Use Body Wash – 4 Tips
Using body wash isn’t exactly rocket science. You slather the stuff all over your body and rinse it off. How hard could that be?
While I’m not exactly here to tell you how to use body wash, I do however want to provide you with some tips and tricks that help you get the most out of that awesome smelling body wash, and maybe help you save a little money in the process.
Tip #1 – Less is more
One of the most common mistakes guys make in the shower is using way more body wash than is actually needed. After all, your skin can only get so clean right?
My advice is to use a small dime sized amount and see how far that get’s you. I think you’ll soon discover that you’ve been using way more than needed all along. And if you do happen to need more, you can use more. At least you’ll know you aren’t wasting product and basically rinsing your hard earned money down the drain.
Tip #2 – Use a washcloth or loofa
While this tends to be one of those personal preference type of things, I do however recommend you guys use a washcloth or loofa when cleansing with body wash. I figure most guys typically use their hands to distribute body wash, but in reality this is the least effective method of getting clean, and it’s the most wasteful.
Not only will a washcloth or loofa build a bigger and better lather, the textured surface of these applicators does a significantly better job of sloughing away dead skin, dirt, oil, and grime. Let’s face it, the smooth palm of your hand has zero exfoliating capabilities, and it requires more product to build less lather, which = money wasted. It’s kind of a lose-lose-lose situation.
Tip #3 – Don’t wash your face with it
Unless your body wash is designed for facial use, I recommend keeping it below the chin. While it can be tempting and convenient to lather your face up since it’s already on your hands, body wash’s cleansing agents are specifically designed for, you guessed it, your body.
The skin on our faces tends to be more sensitive, and is more prone to drying out than the skin on our bodies. So unless the bottle specifies otherwise, keep body wash on your body and use face wash on your face.
Tip #4 – Rinse thoroughly
When all is said and done, make sure you rinse thoroughly with warm water. Pay close attention to those sensitive nook and cranny areas like your balls, taint, and ass. Body wash that’s left on the skin can cause unpleasant irritation and dryness.
Thanks for checking out my list of best smelling body washes for men. If you found this article helpful, I recommend checking out my list of best smelling shampoos for men. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, feel free to drop me a line in the comment section below.
Thanks for sharing. I might give that molton brown one a go. Sounds like it would smell really good.
Thanks for stopping by Oliver. You can’t go wrong with Molton Brown. Smells really good.
I was thinking the same thing, it does sound like it would smell great!
It does. Thanks for reading, Eli.
Thanks for sharing, most of these sound like they smell really good. It’s hard to choose.
I totally understand your dilemma Phil. You can’t really go wrong with any of them. Thanks for reading.
I’m totally going to get the Molton Brown body wash for my husband, it sounds like it would smell so good. Thanks!
Thanks for commenting Kristina, your husband is gonna love it.
which of these lasts the longest on your skin? I’d like to be able to forgo the fragrance and still smell good all day. I have the 18.21 on the way already…….
Nice, 18.21 Man Made smells awesome and is definitely one of my favorites. As far as longevity goes, I find that Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper probably lasts the longest on the skin — a solid 8 hours at least. Pre de Provence, Bath & Body Works (Bourbon), and Anthony (Alpine Wood) also last pretty long on the skin too and are a bit less expensive. But I think you’ll find that the scent of 18.21 Man Made lasts pretty long too.
That 18.21 Man Made sounds perfect for my husband. Thanks for the suggestion!!
The 18.21 Man Made body wash is awesome, Amanda. I’m sure your husband will like it. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Brickell is a horrible product. I wouldn’t put it in the same league as many of the ones you have listed here.
Im surprised that your list doesn’t include Jack Black.
I have had positive experiences with most of Brickell’s products. What is it that you don’t like about them?
Molton Brown is an awesome product of which I used a handful of their scents. You can’t really go wrong with any of them. I steered away from them when they increased their prices and removed the antiperspirant from their line. They simply went with deodorant in lieu of their since removed antiperspirant which I might add was probably best ever I used! I have since tried 1821 body and hair wash and am very happy with their product to date. I am intrigued by the other brands you highlighted and will at some point try them out.
Thanks for your article!
Thanks for your input, Andrew. I’m definitely a big fan of Molton Brown brown body wash and have had nothing but positive experiences with the scents that I have tried. I also really like 18.21 Man Made shampoo/body wash. They actually use that same awesome sweet tobacco fragrance in a few of their other men’s products. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the scent. Thanks again for commenting.
Thank you for the quality information you have given!!! This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to get the best smelling body wash for men.
Thanks for commenting, Nasib.
With your description of the no.63, it makes me think it would be something you use say around the holidays… It made me think of say like Christmas in front of the fireplace…
Yeah, now that you mention it, I can totally see that. Thanks for commenting Robb.
Can confirm, Molton Brown body wash is the shit!!! It smells so good! I’ve tried 4 of their body wash scents men to date and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Re-charge black pepper is excellent and is super masculine and just smells great. I find myself sniffing my own arm throughout the day just to catch a whiff lol.
Pretty cool list of the best smelling men’s body washes…
Nice Blog and efficace advices. I’m actually from France and I hope some of them can be shipped safely. Do you suggest purchasing in bundles to have deodorant and parfume combine?
I’ve recently switched from bar soap to body spray because I really like the scent options of body spray. Bar soap does a good job of cleaning but the scent options can get kind of boring. Body wash on the other hand has so many different options it makes shopping kind of fun and exciting to get new scents to try. I am looking for a great smelling body wash that is great for date nights and has a long lasting scent. I see a few possible options on here so I look forward to giving one of these a try.