BODY WASH
For convenience (and perhaps a higher pleasure factor), many people prefer a body wash to soap, and there were some very impressive scores for this category. The main concern about body washes-v-soap is environmental – but as with all beauty products, we encourage diligent reading of recycling symbols and recycling ALL packaging, whenever you can. (To which end, we keep a mini recycling bin in the bathroom.)
We trialled loads in this category, and ended up with a bunch of beauties. Many of them are all or somewhat natural, with recycled and/or recyclable packaging, and covering different price points. One thing we’d say: in common with most bath and body products testers had individual preferences about fragrance and consistency (cream or gel) and also strong views about packaging – an increasing number of testers are now concerned about ‘green’ factors, e.g. natural/organic ingredients and recyclable packaging.
GOLD AWARD and BEST NATURAL Tisserand Aromatherapy Lavender & Neroli Soothing Body Wash
From the company originally founded in 1974 by legendary aromatherapy Robert Tisserand, this wash from the brand’s Nature’s Spa Collection was a huge success with our testers. They found it a real treat for body and mind, giving it a very high average score. (FYI you can often find this aromatherapy blend of lavender and neroli flower oils will waft you into a state of calm, while skin softening and healing ingredients – aloe vera and calendula – get to work. Lavender and Neroli is one of four options in the Nature’s Spa Collection, each with matching products for a fab treat. Interestingly, some testers were previously soap users but found this converted them.
£14 for 250ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I truly loved the natural aromatherapy fragrance, which felt soothing for both mind and body. It lathered well, without taking ages to rinse off. Feels like a really luxurious spa experience. I love other aromatic shower gels, but think I might actually prefer the holistic fragrance of this one. When first dispensed, I thought the consistency might be a little thin, but when moistened, this was no problem. A little was sufficient for use. It foamed sufficiently for me, without being too foamy. I did feel it was quite moisturising and did not feel the need for a body lotion afterwards. My skin did feel soft and smooth after using for a week’ • ‘Great consistency and texture - smooth and reasonably thick, enough that it didn't run out of your hand and waste product. It felt quite luxurious and a little really did go a long way - I only used an amount around the size of a strawberry in the palm of my hand and this was enough for my whole body. Lathered well and felt luxurious, I prefer a shower gel that foams up well rather than one that is runny so this was ideal. Easy to rinse off but the scent did linger on my skin which I was happy about - this felt like a high quality shower gel. My skin felt soft, this body wash did not dry out my skin or leave it feeling tight’ • ‘A little bit of spa in the shower - this body wash is luxurious in texture and consistency, and the smell is amazing! Loved this body wash - it compares well to the texture and consistency of more expensive brands - feels thick and luxurious, lathers up well and a little goes a long way which is great. Loved the smell - I felt like I was in an aromatherapy spa when I was using it’ • ‘It was lovely! I would usually steer clear of anything lavender fragranced but combined with the neroli it was a lovely, decadent fragrance. It's a lovely product with an expensive smelling scent that leaves your skin feeling and looking soft and nourished. The fragrance fills the bathroom - it's very spa like! My skin was definitely softer and l didn't have the tightness I usually have on my skin towards the end of the day’ • ‘I loved this shower gel; the smell is amazing - heavily scented with lavender being the overriding scent. Feels sensual on the skin and is especially relaxing when showering before bedtime. I felt relaxed and calm and my skin refreshed.
£14 for 250ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath and Shower Gel
A real departure from more usual bathtime fragrances, the British brand describes this bestselling gel formula as ‘sultry with spicy pink pepper, vibrant ginger and rich patchouli. And it was a hit with testers and their partners. Molton Brown has been approved by Leaping Bunny as cruelty free since 2012 and the manufacturing facility is carbon neutral. All formulas are vegetarian. Almost all bottles are made with at least 50% recycled plastic. The brand has its own recycling scheme in their UK and Ireland stores. However, the foaming agent is sodium laureth sulphate and there are quite a few lab made chemicals in the formula so probably not for committed ‘greens’, as one tester noted.
£25 for 300ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. A premium luxury bath and shower gel that smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling great. You will love it. The fragrance really is something else. It smells amazing and I could smell it on my skin the following day. Even my partner commented on how gorgeous it smells. The consistency is really good. The same each time you use the product, it is rich in colour and has a thick texture. I found a little goes a very long way too. It did foam to some extent but not as much as other products do. However I find a lot of product foam too much so it was nice to use a product the wasn't overkill with foam. I didn't use a body cream afterwards as my skin smelt and felt amazing after use and that's from the first use. A lot of products can take several uses to improve skin. I instantly noticed my skin was softer after first use and had a natural glow to the skin too • ‘This was by far my favourite product! The fragrance is incredible like no other I can describe. The product applies fantastically with a little product going a long way without too much foam. My skin felt amazing after one use, feeling soft and smooth. The fragrance is long lasting so much so I could smell it the following day, which is very rare for a product. It's nice to find such a great all round bath/shower product. I prefer it to all my other bath and shower products, as it smells so gorgeous. I have already bought more’ • ‘I loved the fragrance. It doesn't smell sweet and sickly. It smells luxurious and leaves your skin with a mild fragrance. I suffer from dry skin and usually always use a body lotion but if I’m in a hurry and need a quick shower then my skin is nourished using just this product. My skin appears brighter and fresher. More nourished. I love Molton Brown products. There are many wonderful fragrances in the range but the Fiery Pink Pepper smells glorious. You don't need much product at all when you use it. It can be a bit pricier but we'll worth the money for this luxury’ • ‘LOVE IT! I started testing this at the end of September as the weather was just starting to get that hint of autumn and winter. The scent is so warming. It's ever so slightly what I would deem to be a more masculine scent. The scent makes me feel all wrapped up and cosy and ready for the winter. For me personally, I probably wouldn't use this in the spring or summer, as it's definitely more of an autumn/winter scent. Even though my water is rock hard, it still lathered up well. I'd love to take this on a trip to a softer water area as I imagine I'd need to use even less and still get even more bubbles and lather’ • ‘My partner has complimented on the scent when I have had a shower. It is a really strong sensual scent with a masculine tone to it. He was really impressed with the scent as he was expecting it to be a more floral sweet scent. After a shower it really radiates through the house and the house smells divine.’
£25 for 300ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Tisserand Aromatherapy Happy Vibes Bath & Shower Wash
Perfect for brightening your day, says the brand, about this uplifting blend of lemon tea tree, bergamot and nutmeg 100% natural, pure essential oils. It will, they promise, also promote feelings of positivity – and don’t we all need that?! There’s even a Happy Ritual: which ahem consists of massaging all over the body in the shower or bath, then rinsing well. (We could probably all manage that…) The foaming agent is derived from coconut oil. The product is free of animal derived ingredients, sodium laurel/laureth sulphates, parabens and potential irritants such as MCIT (methylchloroisothiazolinone), which dermatologists have warned about in connection with eczema.
£14 for 400ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Lovely body wash, with an uplifting fragrance that is perfect for starting off the day. It lathers well and leaves the skin feeling cleansed and refreshed. I like the scent and how little you needed to use to get the full effect of the product. I have seen quite an improvement in my skin just after few washes my skin felt more supple smooth and soft which really helped me feel better as my skin used to get really dry before. For sure I will buy this product its an amazing must have bath product for me’ • ‘Amazing smell that stays on all day after shower. I was complimented on smell. Pump Dispenser delivers a perfect amount’ • ‘I would highly recommend this beautiful and luxurious shower wash. The scent is vibrant and uplifting and clearly ensures a happy vibe. It leaves the skin feeling fresh and clean and not at all tight or uncomfortable that some shower creams can cause. It has some lovely aromatherapy smells and a pleasure to use. If using as a body wash, it’s quite thick so you can rub it in and it stays on the skin without running off and going everywhere. A little goes a long away and therefore the product will last longer. It’s free of parabens and other nasty ingredients’ • ‘The body wash comes in a very large plastic bottle with a flip top cap, making easy to open and close whilst showering. There's a small hole through which the product is dispensed and this made it easy to control the amount that comes out when you squeeze the bottle’ • ‘The fragrance is the star of the show here! Lemon tree, bergamot and nutmeg provide a really refreshing scent, making it perfect for a morning shower. It's a lovely bouncy, uplifting fragrance and the fact that it comes from 100% essential oils means it lasts for a long time. My bathroom smelt heavenly with this! It does a brilliant job at cleansing and leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed’ • ‘Loved, loved the ingredients list -packed with essential oils and totally free from nasties like SLS, parabens and phenoxyethanol. It's also certified organic by the Soil Association, which I found reassuring. It's around three times the price of a high street body wash, but the bottle is huge and after three months I've got more than half left, so this will last a long time. I think the price is a fair reflection on the ingredients used so it's priced well. I definitely plan to repurchase this’ • ‘Brown plastic bottle and cap. Recyclable, Made in England and Vegan. A pure essential oil blend of lemon tea tree, bergamot and nutmeg - a fabulous smell. Although it was called Happy Vibes to brighten your day with an uplifting blend, I also enjoyed it in the evening in a bath. Wonderful smell, very relaxing especially when using in the bath definitely one to try’ • ‘bright and cheerful. Perfect for winter mornings. Its not a fragrance I usually go for - I love soft fragrances - think almond, vanilla, oat. This was a world away and I'm so glad I've tried it. I'm especially loving it during dark mornings - it's fresh, cheerful and reminds me of sunshine. Foamed well for me, and I enjoyed that. Not too powerful and drying. Soft and lightly fragranced skin. I felt clean, happy and confident using this shower gel. My after shower fragrance was adored by my partner.’
£14 for 400ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL SenSpa Relaxing Body Wash
This low price, high performance range is almost all natural (no parabens, silicones, animal ingredients, mineral oil or SLS), vegan-friendly, smells truly and is properly aromatherapeutic. The products are born out of the spa at Careys Manor, a luxury hotel in Hampshire, echoing their therapeutic approach. They're exclusive to Waitrose (including online and for home delivery), but also found on the senspa.co.uk website, as well as in the Careys Manor spa. This fragrant, 97% natural body wash contains organic lavender, starflower and jasmine extract with soothing geranium, bergamot and patchouli. The tube is recyclable. Our testers mostly loved it, and it gained a bunch of top marks brought down a bit by a couple of testers who felt the lavender scent was old-fashioned… A fan countered this by saying ‘this product smells gorgeously fresh and uplifting. No hint of granny’s underwear drawer whatsoever!’ (Made us laugh so we thought you’d like it too.) A second BB Award for this product; it gained one last year too. We always love seeing a totally different panel of testers liking the same product.
£6.50 for 200ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. If you want to feel like you are relaxing at a spa then this shower gel is for you as it has a gorgeous lavender scent which attaches to the steam and creates a calming zen. The body wash lathers well and gives a good cleanse. I found it to be the perfect consistency as it was runny enough to dispense easily and yet thick enough to give a creamy lather. I found that a little did go a long way and one good squeeze onto my shower puff was enough to cleanse my skin properly. It was just really nice having a lather that smelt of calming lavender. My skin definitely felt softer and more hydrated. I found that my legs felt smoother as well!’ • ‘Love everything about this, can see myself buying every time I need a new shower gel! It’s kind to my dry sensitive skin as well. A really good body wash that smells great – vey uplifting - and lathers up well’ • ‘I really liked this body wash as it had a lovely fragrance, which made me feel calmer and relaxed. In the morning it helped me relax into the day ahead but some evenings I would have a shower so I found using this body wash combined with the steam from the shower I could just close my eyes and breathe in the lavender and it just helped me wind down for the day. One thing I look for in a shower gel is a good lather and this certainly delivered. I didn't need to use a lot in order to generate enough lather to give me a full cleanse. Really great product’ • ‘I loved the fragrance of this shower gel. It is very subtle, but a really lovely gentle lavender scent. I really liked the fact that it was so natural, and was very relaxing to use in my shower in the morning. As this is a natural product, it is quite low foaming, but I also really love that. I am not a huge fan of very foamy bubbly products as I often find they are quite harsh and strip my skin of natural oils, and leave my skin dry. This was a beautiful texture, and left my skin feeling lovely’ • ‘I found it very moisturising, my skin was very comfortable and felt good afterwards. I didn't feel the need at all to put any moisturiser on after having a shower with this product. My daughter loved the smell of it too, so she would often walk into the bathroom after I had a shower and comment on the lovely smell!’
£6.50 for 200ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Miller Harris Secret Gardenia Body Wash
The fragrance from this cult perfumery brand is described as ‘an intimate bouquet of soft gardenia, fresh yuzu and fruity nashi pear’. And the ‘secret’? Ah, that’s because it’s inspired by the clandestine, off limits gardens of London, which you might catch a drift from as you pass by, but can never enter. There are skin-softening ingredients – coconut extracts and vitamin E – and the butterfly-friendly formula is suitable for vegans. It’s free from phthalates, artificial colorants, parabens and formaldehydes, with high levels of natural raw materials. (Another secret: it’s one of Sarah’s favourites.) The plastic bottle is fully recyclable, made with recycled post-consumer product.
£24 for 300ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I was soooo excited to receive this in my box, and it was the first one I tried because this scent is a bit of me!!! By using the wash to layer, the fragrance lasted the night out, and into the next day, and was even lingering in the car!!! The wash itself is rich and foamy, and didn't dry my skin in any way. Anyone struggling for a gift idea, this is the one, hint hint!!!’ • ‘It was nice and foamy for a wash. I used with a natural sponge, and a 50-pence size was easily enough for a full wash. It foamed really well. I like lots of suds, makes me feel clean, and there wasn't an issue with "shall I pour again." It felt like a rich and luxury product, and that it was a bit of a treat. I didn't feel dry at all after using it. I did use a body lotion after, but out of habit now rather than necessity’ • ‘I used this before meeting girlfriends, and layered using the perfume. My girlfriends noticed immediately, and a waitress even stopped to ask me what I was wearing, who doesn't love it when that happens!’ • ‘I loved the slightly woody fragrance of this body wash, it left a touch of scent on my skin afterwards. The bottle design is simple and stylish’ • ‘It has the most exquisite but very gentle fragrance, I'm in love! The bottle has a flip cap, which doesn't pour out too fast despite the wash being quite runny, which is just as well as I didn't need a lot of this product to get a nice foam. My skin didn't feel dry at all after using this, in fact I probably could have got away without a body lotion, but that’s something I would never do!!’ • ‘ Luxurious pampering and gorgeous treat for shower time! My skin loved it too! Oh and my bathroom smells gorgeous-bonus! I have now finished this, and am missing it already!’ • ‘This is a really lovely body wash - a great present to buy for friends and family’ • ‘It leaves the skin vey moisturised. Even when washing it off the skin feels moisturised, softer and smoother, hydrated and no more dryness that made it itchy’ • ‘It The packaging shape is cute for this product and when I first saw it I was excited but also thought that's not going to last long as I do use a lot of shower gels and body washes. Once I started using it didn’t seem like it was finishing any time soon. The product is on the thick side but dispenses well and a little goes a long way. While scrubbing you actually feel clean and fresh.’
£24 for 300ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD L'OCCITANE Almond Shower Oil
Formulated to give all day nourishment and moisturisation for skin, this in shower body oil from a now legendary French company is heaven for the many of us who love a subtle but delicious scent of marzipan and vanilla (there is the odd soul who doesn’t). Once it comes into contact with water, the cleanser transforms into a milky veil, which some testers felt had a slight lathery feel. The sweet almond oil works with the protective barrier of the skin to keep it soft and supple. It’s a multi award-winning classic and now a second Beauty Bible Award winner, loved by a new panel of testers (and Team BB actually too).
£19.50 for 200ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. The fragrance is very delicate but obviously there, I could still get a slight smell of it occasionally a lot later in the day. It doesn’t overpower but it is there. The perfect balance for me. The texture was impeccable, it smoothed onto my skin perfectly and a small amount in my palm was enough to generously cover my whole body. The oil texture felt very decadent but was also easy to rinse off. It very slightly foams, more like a milky consistency that feels amazing as it smooths easily over skin. It rinses off very easily, surprisingly so for an oil which I would usually associate with being stubborn to remove. The shower head alone was enough to wash it off. I found this to be very moisturising for my dry skin. I have exceptionally dry patches on my knees and elbows, which not much seemed to help. These patched were looking markedly less noticeable after around 10 days of use and after a month they were gone. I stopped using my body moisturiser for the first couple of weeks of testing it as well, so it has done an astounding job to my skin alone. My skin has improved notably. My elbows, knees and ankles were scaly and dry at times, those patches have now all but gone. My skin in general looks far smoother, hydrated and in turn brighter. I can see and feel a huge difference in how happy my skin is. My husband has commented positively on the subtle scent and even he noticed the improvement to the patches on my elbows in particular. I would 1000% buy, I love it completely! ’ • ‘I never would have thought that shower oil would be one of the things I would be willing to splash out on, this has completely changed my opinion on that matter. It is luxurious, decadent, functional, sensory and worth every single penny, the 250ml bottle lasted 3 MONTHS, and that’s with me using it every single day, and using a decent amount at that. I have recommended it to everyone: my friends, sister and mum’ • ‘It’s a luxurious shower oil, which turns into a milky texture. Its smells beautiful and makes your skin feel hydrated and soft. Great for after swimming’ • ‘The fragrance is delicate and subtle. There is a hint of almond, which is quite an addictive fragrance, which lingered on the skin. My skin certainly felt softer after using the shower oil. Straight after coming out of the shower my skin was left with a silky sheen to it and felt smooth. The smoothness continued the more I used it and the small raised bumps I have on my buttocks seemed to be less pronounced after using this shower oil. My husband did say he liked the scent in the bathroom after I had used the shower oil. It feels luxurious, has a subtle fragrance which is long lasting, it is moisturising on the skin leaving it silky smooth and moisturising too’ • ‘I also used this shower oil to shave my legs. It was ideal as it has a subtle lather so you can see where you have shaved and also the razor glides really easily over the shower oil. It left my legs feeling silky smooth!’
£19.50 for 200ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD NEOM Super Shower Power Body Cleanser
If you can’t face an ice bath or 6am spin, try this energising, hydrating cleanser, suggests NEOM (the NE is our dear and wonderful friend Nicola Elliott, co-founder and guiding spirit of this B Corp business). The super power blend of essential oils – spearmint, rosemary and eucalyptus – should wake up the sleepiest head; it’s the same as the NEOM Scent To Boost Your Energy range. And just in case you haven’t got to the double espresso yet, there’s a shot of organic coffee extract (actually there to cleanse), plus moisturising oat milk (bit of a cappuccino theme maybe…). The generous 500ml flip top bottle (100% recycled materials and 100% recyclable) will give up to 100 days of use, so while the initial cost isn’t a Beauty Steal, cost per use is pretty much of a steal. So lets get going and find out what our testers said; oh one thing first, they do warn not to use it on your face as it may cause tingling. (You might find it tingles on intimate parts, too, according to testers.)
£26 for 500ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. This really is an experience! You feel your skin tingle and awake when you use this shower gel. Use it on your more ‘private’ parts and you will certainly feel the zing….This leaves you feeling wide awake and very alive, A small amount mixes well on the skin and there is no soapy, sudsy foam - just a lovely light gel that cleanses and softens. The zingy scent is a great start to the day and a great way to wake up body and mind. Love this - never had one like this…’ • ‘This product had psychological benefits, the ingredients and smell of the product made me feel alert, awake and uplifted. One day I felt a bit low but after using the body wash I felt wide awake and ready to face the day, product is easy to use, great sensory experience, skin felt so clean and hydrated after use. Very moisturising I didn’t need to use as much cream as I normally would’ • ‘I adore the scent, it’s fresh and a bit minty, its great. My husband comment a few times about how nice I smelled after using this body wash. It did lather nicely when using a flannel but when just using hands not so much. It rinsed off easily but left behind the beautiful scent. I did still use a moisturiser after the body wash but if I’m honest, I probably didn’t need to. It feels like the bottle lasts a lot longer than other body washes I have used before and I am now a convert from soap, mainly for the smell!! ’ • ‘I never used anything like this product before. Would recommend 100%. I as not sure if NEOM body products would be good but they are! I loved the fragrance. I Mostly used this product in shower and it fragranced the whole bathroom. It uplifts your mood instantly and oils in product help you to unwind. Product cleanses body well and doesn’t irritate. I have used this so many times and bottle is not even half empty’ • ‘A minty fresh shower gel in a really big size. Good for mornings as a wake-up or after a workout.’
£26 for 500ml - click to buy