body washes luxury

Upgrade Your Shower Experience With One Of These Luxury Body Washes

Suds up in style.

Though showers are a quotidian task, the addition of a luxurious body wash can turn the ordinary into an opulent experience. Good quality shower gels and body washes go beyond promoting cleanliness alone, working to transform every shower into a sensory ritual.

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The key benchmarks for the best luxury body washes? A truly lush formula should have an elegant, sophisticated scent that subtly lingers on your skin throughout the day, have a texture that you enjoy using, and be formulated with gentle, nourishing ingredients that leave your skin feeling clean yet hydrated. 

The best luxury body washes in 2024

To turn your shower into a sensory delight, these are the best luxury body washes you can buy. 

1. Aesop A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser

luxury body washes aesop rose

Quintessential apothecary brand Aesop never fails to create a luxurious body care experience. The Aesop A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser is a lightly lathering body wash that exudes a subtly floral (yet still unisex) scent of roses, black pepper, and cardamom. Plus, the brand’s signature bottle adds instant chic to any shower or bathroom vanity.

2. Grown Alchemist Body Cleanser

luxury body washes grown alchemist

Scented with chamomile, bergamot, and rose, this body wash iteration from botanical beauty brand Grown Alchemist leaves skin feeling cleansed and refreshed without stripping it of moisture. Neroli, rosemary, and tangerine oils contribute to the beautiful scent, while antioxidant and fatty acids in jojoba, macadamia, and rosehip oils work to nourish and soothe the skin.

3. Jurlique Softening Shower Gel Rose

One of our favourite luxury body washes, this soap-free Jurlique Softening Shower Gel Rose features the natural scent of – you guessed it – rose which lingers on the skin long after your shower is over. The addition of aloe and honey ensure your skin feels nourished and smooth, making it ideal for even dry skin types. 

4. L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil

Don’t let the word oil put you off; the L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil comes in a rich, non-slippery texture that turns into a creamy formula when it comes into contact with water. Particularly good for those with dry skin (or anyone who wants to imbue a touch of French sophistication into their shower experience), this shower oil features a soothing, sweet almond scent. 

5. Fresh Sugar Lychee Body & Hand Wash

Like most of their products, the Fresh Sugar Lychee Body & Hand Wash smells…fresh. The invigorating scent can be attributed to citrus oils and a lychee scent, while brown sugar acts as a humectant to retain moisture. Meanwhile, glycerin and shea butter make using the Fresh Sugar Lychee Body & Hand Wash a soothing experience.

6. Sensori+ Detoxifying & Soothing Shower Oil Macedon Trail

luxury body shower oil sensori

Rich in nourishing plant oils like grapeseed, sweet almond, and avocado, this shower oil soothes the skin while removing impurities and pollutants. The Sensori+ Detoxifying & Soothing Shower Oil Macedon Trail turns into a light foam when it comes into contact with water and leaves your skin so moisturised you can even opt to forgo body lotion afterwards.

7. Philosophy Amazing Grace Ballet Rose Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel

luxury body washes philosophy

With a sophisticated, feminine scent featuring notes of rose, lychee, peony, and pink musk, this multipurpose luxury body wash is perfect for those who like their shower gels to really lather up. 

8. Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap

luxury body washes mario badescu

A shower gel with a little extra. This invigorating botanical blend is accompanied by exfoliating AHAs, making it the perfect body wash for those who experience bacne, body breakouts, and keratosis pilaris. 

9. Lush Sleepy Lavender Shower Gel

luxury body washes lush

Designed to send you into a peaceful slumber, the Lush Sleepy Lavender Shower Gel is the perfect addition to your bedtime routine. Calming lavender puts you in a peaceful mood, while oat milk soothes the skin and leaves it feeling soft. 

10. Officine Universelle Buly Huile De Savon Damask Rose Cleansing Oil

Courtesy of heritage beauty brand Officine Universelle Buly, this cleansing oil cleanses and soothes the skin, leaving behind nothing but the layered scent of rose adorned with notes of vetiver and ginger. 

11. Guerlain Shalimar Satin Shower Gel

Boasting the olfactory notes of Guerlain Shalimar, a sensual fragrance released over a century ago, this shower gel wraps the skin in oriental floral notes with a touch of vanilla.

12. Mugler Angel Shower Gel

Enveloping users in the seductive gourmand scent of Theirry Mugler Angel, the Mugler Angel Shower Gel sees a blue gel transform into a creamy mousse that moisturises as it cleanses. Skin is left feeling nourished, with candied notes of praline, caramel, and vanilla lingering on the skin.

13. kit: Wellness Wash

Earthy and herbaceous, this botanical body wash is infused with adaptogens and is the ideal fit for the Aesop-loving crowd. Notes of sweet orange, mandarin, cedarwood, and vetiver contribute to a nuanced olfactory profile that calms the mind as it cleanses the skin.

14. Saya Body Wash

The Saya Body Wash sees lime, lemongrass, peppermint, and lemon myrtle come together to create an invigorating scent reminiscent of the Australian bushland. The inclusion of aloe vera, kakadu plum, and desert lime work to hydrate and brighten the skin as it cleanses.

15. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4Play Shower Cream Gel

For those who like the sweeter side of life, the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4Play Shower Cream Gel is the way to go. A gourmand scent laced with notes of pistachio, almond, vanilla, and salted caramel is encased in a creamy formula spiked with cupuaçu butter and coconut oil which work to soften and condition the skin. The sweet scent lingers long after the water stops running, leaving you smelling good enough to eat all day.

16. Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Body Wash

Hey, if it was good enough for Lizzie, it’s good enough for us. Luxury British brand Molton Brown is a favourite among the well-heeled — including the residents of Buckingham Palace — and was awarded a royal warrant from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. While you can’t go wrong with any of the brand’s scented body washes, we’d recommend the Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Body Wash. A fresh, aquatic scent, it sees notes of cardamom and bergamot tempered by a salty marine accord, with a woody base of cypress, cedarwood, and musk.

17. Patricks BW1 Multi-Action Body Wash

For those who like their body washes to go further than cleansing alone, the Patricks BW1 Multi-Action Body Wash is ideally suited to acne-prone skin. A cocktail of vitamins A, C, and E meet antioxidant-rich blueberry and green tea, as well as salicylic acid which work to hydrate and exfoliate the skin to prevent breakouts. Despite its functional approach, it doesn’t skimp on sensory appeal, featuring an intoxicating scent of bergamot, cognac, and amber.

18. Tiffany & Co. Shower Gel

With its jewellery taking centre stage, the Tiffany & Co. Shower Gel is a quiet achiever. Infused with an elevated, sensual scent of delicate citrus, iris, patchouli, and musk, it boasts surprising longevity, staying on the skin well after you’ve towelled off.

19. Cremo Palo Santo Body Wash

Offering an unbeatable value proposition, Cremo’s line-up of body washes features elevated (and sometimes atypical) scents like Bourbon & Oak and Sage & Citrus. The Cremo Palo Santo Body Wash sees cardamom and papyrus layered with the nuanced woody scent of palo santo to create a heady scent that evolves as you lather up.

20. Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate

Essential oils of mint, geranium, and rosemary unite to create a luxurious body wash that energises the mind and revives the senses. It uses Saponaria officinalis extract to create a natural foaming effect, with the scent of the essential oils intensifying when the come into contact with hot water, transforming every shower into a spa-like experience.

FAQ

What body wash does the royal family use?

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was known to favour brands like Molton Brown, Clarins, and Elizabeth Arden, each of which has been issued with a royal warrant. Molton Brown’s range of luxurious body care staples are a favourite among the royal family, as are soaps and body washes by fellow British brand Yardley.

What is the best smelling body wash?

Often, the best smelling body washes are those that take a fragrance-inspired approach to their formulas. The best smelling body washes include Guerlain Shalimar Satin Shower Gel, Aesop A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser, Le Labo Santal 33 Shower Gel, and kit: Wellness Wash.

What are the best luxury shower gels?

Some of the best luxury shower gels include Aesop A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser, Molton Brown Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Shower Gel, and Officine Universelle Buly Huile De Savon Damask Rose Cleansing Oil.

Is expensive shower gel worth it?

For those who prioritise a luxurious sensory experience, a luxuriously scented shower gel is often worth every penny. However, when it comes to function, more affordable shower gels are just as effective at cleansing the skin of dirt and impurities.


Words by T. Angel