Taking a hot shower is the perfect way to start your day, especially if you lather up with something that smells amazing! But a great scent isn't the only factor to think about when it comes to deciding which men's shower gel to wash your body with - you may also want something moisturising to combat dryness or a product made with natural ingredients that won't irritate sensitive skin.
To help make the shopping experience easier for you, we've created a guide to everything you should consider before popping a men's shower gel into your basket. We've also compiled a list of our top products to buy from Amazon, John Lewis, and Boots, including both budget and luxury brands like Molton Brown, Green People Organics, and Bulldog. You'll be feeling squeaky clean in no time!
Quick List - Top Men's Shower Gels
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Before you start shopping, there are a few different factors to bear in mind when purchasing a men's shower gel. These include which ingredients are best for your skin type, the origin of the ingredients, and which fragrance is most likely to appeal to you.
As we all have different skin types, there's no one-size-fits-all product when it comes to men's shower gels. In this section we'll explore how to choose the right product for your skin type, discussing which ingredients are beneficial as well as which ones you should avoid!
When your skin type is dry, it's usually a result of dehydration, and can be worsened by exposure to cold weather. To combat the flakiness, you'll need ingredients that will lock in moisture and leave your skin feeling smooth.
Glycerin is the perfect ingredient to beat dryness - it contains humectants that attract water from the air which in turn provide instant hydration for your skin. Similarly, L-Arginine creates a protective barrier that keeps moisture in, preventing your skin from drying out.
In order to maintain a good level of moisture in your skin, you should also avoid ingredients that can cause a loss of oil or water, such as alcohol, and processed chemicals like sulfates.
If your skin type is oily, you may find that it often feels greasy to the touch. Oily skin is typically caused by excess sebum production, which can result in acne if it mixes with dead skin cells and gets trapped in your pores. This isn't just limited to your face, though, as acne can occur all over the body.
Tea tree oil, which is a natural antiseptic, not only reduces oiliness but also eliminates the bacteria that cause acne. Another acne-busting ingredient is aloe vera, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pimple redness and lightly hydrate oily skin without adding greasiness.
Like with dry skin, alcohol and sulfates are a big no-no for oily skin, as they strip away the natural oils which can actually end up causing the body to produce even more sebum!
Those with sensitive skin know that many ingredients can cause problems, and the last thing you want to do is to start your day with a shower that makes them worse!
Sulfates in particular strip away moisture and can irritate sensitive skin, causing redness and itching. They can also clog pores which contribute to breakouts. So if possible, avoid products with sulfates in and go for gentle, non-foaming ingredients instead.
Similarly, synthetic fragrance (which often contains alcohol) is a common allergen that can aggravate your skin. Choose a fragrance-free shower gel or opt for one with natural ingredients like essential oils that will keep you smelling fresh without the stress.
Next, let's talk about fragrance! Whilst those with sensitive skin should avoid synthetic fragrances in favour of essential oils, many of us love a scented shower gel that makes us smell good. But which type of fragrance should you go for?
If you're an early bird who likes to shower at the crack of dawn, you'll want to choose a product with an invigorating scent like mint, citrus, eucalyptus, or pepper. Mint and eucalyptus not only smell amazing but they leave your skin feeling tingly and super clean. Fresh citrus aromas and the spicy scent of pepper also do the trick when it comes to awakening your senses.
For those who prefer to take an evening shower, we suggest earthy fragrances like sandalwood and bamboo. Sandalwood can have a calming effect on the mind, whilst bamboo has a herbaceous aroma that will transport you to the middle of a peaceful forest. Perfect for unwinding before bed!
Some large corporations unfortunately still test their skincare products on animals, but the good news is that there are many companies who actively avoid this practice. You can rest assured that if a shower gel is labelled cruelty-free, it means that no animals have been used in the testing stages of its production.
But if you follow a vegan lifestyle, be aware that the cruelty-free label doesn't automatically mean a product is free from animal-derived ingredients. Some shower gels may still contain extracts of honey, beeswax, lanolin (from sheep's wool), or glycerin derived from cows. Luckily, plant-based glycerin is available as an alternative and it moisturises your skin just as well!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Man Cave Sensitive Body Wash | ![]() | Kind to Your Skin, Your Wallet, and the Environment | |
2 | Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel | ![]() | Iconic, with a Mood-Boosting Fragrance | |
3 | Bulldog Original Shower Gel | ![]() | Man's New Best Friend | |
4 | Adidas | ![]() | Affordable and Refreshing | |
5 | Rituals The Ritual of Samurai Shower Gel | ![]() | Ideal for a Relaxing Shower Before Bed | |
6 | Green People Scent-Free Shower/Bath Gel | ![]() | Organic, Vegan, and Fragrance-Free | |
7 | SEB MAN | ![]() | An Uplifting All-In-One Formula | |
8 | Brickell Invigorating Mint Body Wash | ![]() | Energising and Hydrating | |
9 | Elemis Sharp Shower Body Wash | ![]() | Stay Fresh All Day with This Minty Gel | |
10 | Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Chinotto Di Liguria | ![]() | A Citrus Scent For Special Occasions |
This zesty shower gel by ManCave is great for all skin types, with a whole host of nourishing ingredients. Aloe vera soothes irritation while L-arginine helps to lock in moisture and anti-bacterial lemon oil provides a deep clean.
This product is also ethically sound - it's vegan, cruelty-free, and has fully recyclable packaging. With gentle ingredients, a fresh citrus fragrance, and a super low price, it's no wonder we think this is the best men's shower gel available to buy this year!
This shower gel by iconic brand Molton Brown is one of their top-selling products and has won several awards for its bold, spicy fragrance. With detoxifying Madagascan black pepper oil and moisture-boosting glycerin, it's a real treat for your skin.
If you're after a high-end product with a mood-boosting scent that will provide a deep yet hydrating clean, look no further! The only reason it isn't top of our list is the slightly high price, but we think it's worth the investment if you have the money to spend.
This fantastic shower gel by Bulldog contains moisturising aloe vera and plant-derived glycerin, as well as peppermint and eucalyptus oils for an invigorating scent. With all-natural ingredients and no sulfates, it's suitable for all skin types - even sensitive and dry ones.
We also love that it's vegan and cruelty-free, so you can rest assured that no animals (especially bulldogs!) were harmed in its creation.
This refreshing gel by Adidas has a non-drying formula that's enriched with marine extracts, meaning it hydrates while cleansing. As it can also be used on your face and hair, why not keep it in your gym bag for when you need a quick post-gym shower?
Although it contains sulfates, this product has been dermatologically tested and is suitable for everyday use. Best of all, it's extremely affordable and you get plenty for your money, so it's ideal if you're on a tight budget!
As the brand name suggests, this luxurious product by Rituals is designed to help you turn your daily shower into a meaningful, calming practice. It combines skin-softening bamboo extract with the rich and relaxing scent of sandalwood.
We especially love the unique shower foam technology that gently cleanses and soothes your skin, leaving you feeling fully de-stressed - perfect for bedtime!
If you're looking for a scentless, sulfate-free shower gel to add moisture to your sensitive skin without agitation, you can't go wrong with this one by Green People! Plus, it's made with 83% organic ingredients such as soothing aloe vera and marshmallow extract.
The only downside to this skin-softening product is that it's quite a small amount for a tenner. Still, it's not a bad price to pay for high-quality ingredients that won't irritate your skin.
We love the simple packaging and concept of this shower gel by SEB MAN, which doubles up as a shampoo and beard wash. It has an uplifting bergamot and pink pepper fragrance, plus extract of guarana to wake you up on even the frostiest morning!
While this product doesn't come cheap, the fact that it's super concentrated and you can use it on your hair too makes it good value for money.
This all-natural formula by Brickell has an energising peppermint fragrance that's perfect for starting your day with. Ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin will hydrate sensitive or dry skin, whilst tea tree oil makes it equally as suitable for acne-prone skin.
It's just a shame that this product is rather small for the price, especially compared to our other recommendations. Still, it's a good choice for travellers who don't fancy lugging a large bottle around in their suitcase.
This zingy shower gel by Elemis contains cooling spearmint and peppermint essential oils, which will improve your circulation as well as giving your skin a tingly sensation! And, of course, it's bound to keep you smelling super fresh all day.
We love the fact that the packaging proudly states that this product is free from sulfates, so it's suitable for dry/sensitive skin. Although it's good for the conscience as it's not tested on animals, it is a luxury buy price-wise.
This highly fragrant shower gel by Acqua Di Parma will envelop you in the rich aromas of mandarin, cardamom, and patchouli. Plus, it's super creamy so will leave your skin feeling deeply nourished as well as smelling fantastic.
Unfortunately, there's no information available about whether this product is cruelty-free or vegan, and it does contain sulfates. It's also rather expensive, so is perhaps best saved for special occasions only!
Have a read through our related articles for tips and tricks on shopping for other gent-focused goodies online, as well as our usual handpicked rankings of the best products out there. Treat yourself (or your man)!
Whether you're looking for a cheap and cheerful product or something more luxurious to lather up with, we hope you've enjoyed browsing our list of the best men's shower gels on the market. By choosing one of our recommendations, you can guarantee that hopping into the shower each day will be something to look forward to - even on cold mornings!
Author: Nicola McClements
No. 1: Man Cave|Sensitive Body Wash
No. 2: Molton Brown|Re-charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel
No. 3: Bulldog|Original Shower Gel
No. 4: Adidas|
No. 5: Rituals|The Ritual of Samurai Shower Gel
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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