20 dreamy body washes our beauty team always reach for (2024)

I don't know about you, but Sunday nights have become my go-to evening for a little self-care... In between re-watching every single episode of Grey's Anatomy, I'll peel myself off the sofa, fill a bath with lavender bath salts, slap on a face mask and lather up with a dreamy-smelling body wash (all while pretending to be somewhere exotic and far-flung rather than South West London).

The great news is, that you don’t have to spend a fortune trying to recreate a snazzy spa experience at home. When it comes to a decadent body wash, sometimes the more affordable brands are the ones Team Beauty go back to time and again, such as the Soap & Glory Clean on Me Shower Gel. The bottle certainly looks no frills, and it costs less than a tenner, but we seriously love it. The foamy formula lathers to make you feel super clean but best of all comes the scent. Truly, it's creamy and dreamy.

Fancy something a little more extravagant? I hear ya! Glossier's Body Hero Daily Oil Wash, £28 has a rich oily formula that melts into the skin, removing dirt and impurities and transforming into a milky lather as it comes into contact with water. It leaves skin feeling soft and supple, thanks to its moisture-rich ingredients (perfect if you're a dry skin sufferer).

In the mood for more shower inspo? Here are the 20 best shower gels to have on your radar…

Not just a pretty pastel bottle with a quirky slogan, this Melbourne-based body brand has in-shower hydration perfected (at a price that won’t make you wince too hard). Shea butter, vitamin E and green tea make up the skin-pleasing roll call, and you have lavender and sandalwood to thank for the spa-like scent.

Niacinamide makes an appearance in many facial skincare routines, so it makes sense that its powers also extend to body care. The 2% active ingredient regulates oil production, leaving the skin feeling balanced and soothed. But above all, it’s pH-appropriate. Thrush, who?

You may recognise this beauty from your boujee hotel stays (and for sneaking it home after, too). Cowshed's shower gels never fail to transport you to a relaxing state of mind and this one in particular is filled with soothing properties to balance and calm muscles.

This indulgent price point hasn't stopped this luxurious body wash from becoming a bestseller in the category. As you can imagine from the name, it's made with top grade rose oil, not to mention cardamom and black pepper. It makes hoping in the shower feel like a luxury get away. Stick this in the shower when you have house guests and it's guaranteed to impress.

If you want a shower gel that transports your mind to a far-flung tropical island, this is it. The creamy lather leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturised, removing any dirt without being too harsh or stripping skin of its natural oils. The pistachio and salted caramel fragrance is, hands down, better than any perfume I've ever smelt.

It's official, Glossier can do no wrong. Their Body Hero is an oil cleanser 'inspired by the ones for your face, but made for your body' say the brand. It contains a blend of seven oils that attract grime and sweat, lifting it from your skin and washing away. The formula transforms to a milky froth when it comes into contact with water, then washes away without drying out skin. Win, win, win.

Boots' Soap and Glory once again nails affordable excellence. While some luxe shower gels may have you reaching for the bar soap first for a pre-clean, this creamy high-street shower gel leaves you feel properly clean, without stripping the skin. And it holds its own against those luxe shower gels with it's silky texture and its notes of bergamot, mandarin, musk and amber.

When is someone going to trademark coconut as the official smell of summer? I mean, who do we need to speak to around here to get this actioned? Whatever the season, this affordable yet five-star-holiday-smelling shower treat will boost your mood and leave the skin on your limbs feeling smooth and supple thanks to hero ingredient, coconut oil. The fact it’s paraben and SLS free, vegan society approved and comes in a PCR (post-consumer recycled) bottle is a bonus.

Struggling to sleep? Don’t underestimate the power of a good shower gel, especially one laced with the antioxidant-rich plant extracts such as aloe vera, rose flow, chamomile and lavender. This body wash is like a duck on water – calm and tranquil on the outside, but working hard underneath, with hydrating heroes hyaluronic acid and coconut water seeing off skin dryness faster than you can say, night night!

If you like a shower gel that gets suuuper foamy, you'll love this body wash. The luxe creamy formula froths up as you rub it into the skin, and captures any dirt or impurities to leave your bod feeling clean and refreshed. Plus, the dreamy scent of Organic Rice Milk and Cherry Blossom is basically happiness in a bottle.

Sulphate-free and packed with aromatherapy oils, including lavender, vetiver and camomile, this shower gel is more like a spa treatment than a body wash. Skin-softening coconut oil leaves limbs feeling nourished and smooth, whilst the calming scents help destress your mind.

I still can't believe this shower gel costs less than £4... The clever formula is pH balanced to support naturally healthy skin, contains zero harsh ingredients (like SLS/SLES) and is rich in skin-nourishing minerals. Lather up with this and it'll leave you feeling soothed and clean. You can also get 2 packs on Amazon for under £7.

Travel minis no longer equal compromise. This hit exfoliating shower gel from Sol de Janeiro cleanses and clarifies with salicylic acid(a BHA) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), delivering bright glowing skin without scrubbing it away with a physical exfoliant. It smells like fruity vanilla heaven and is perfect for travelling (coming in at 90ml). One bottle of this and you'll be going back for the full size.

The vegan-friendly seaweed formula is 100% free from synthetic fragrances, instead, it's packed with natural aloe vera and tea tree, to hydrate and repair the skin as you wash. The bar also contains tiny crushed coriander seeds and peppercorns, to gently exfoliate leaving the skin feeling smooth.