These Best Smelling Body Washes Rival Your Favorite Perfumes

If you’re a huge fan of the eau de parfum, this body wash is all you need to keep Bal D’Afrique glued to your skin for hours. Its notes mimic the OG fragrance and combine in a soft lather that gently cleanses your skin while creating the first layer of your scent bubble.

Key notes: Bergamot, African marigold, violet, vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood

Size: 7.6 fl oz

Nordstorm rating: 4.8/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “There’s nothing I love more than finding my favorite perfume in other forms, so you can imagine my excitement when I was gifted Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique body wash and lotion. Of course, it smells exactly like the eau de parfum—woody and deeply sensual, the kind of smell that makes you close your eyes to fully bask in its glory.”—NP

This formula combines the cleansing of a body wash with the nourishment of an oil to ensure you’re moisturized from the first lather to the dry down. After rinsing, your skin is coated in a silky film that doesn’t make you feel unclean but rather soft and supple. Even better, it’s formulated with the same comforting, warm amber-floral scent of its body butter accompaniment.

Key notes: Velvet plum, violet, orchid, amber, sandalwood

Size: 13 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This is my favorite daily treat to my skin. Since I’m prone to breakouts on my body, I typically use an AHA-infused body wash to exfoliate and treat my acne. On the days I'm looking for extra nourishment, this body wash delivers. The silky texture lathers well and leaves my skin in better shape than how I started.”—NP

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

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.”—NP

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 ELLE editor says: “I’m always dreaming of my next vacation, so whenever I want a dreamy, sunny escape, I reach for this body wash. The scent has a bright, salty beach air-like aroma with a hint of tanginess. To enhance the smell, I pair it with the accompanying body butter, and I'm instantly transported to a Caribbean island.”—NP

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

Our expert 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, beauty expert

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.”—NP

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

Our expert 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, beauty 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 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.” —NP

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.” —NP

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