19 Best smelling soaps for men of 2023

There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to smell good and look good in this day and age. Most guys’ soaps shouldn’t be scentless or have that same generic musky scent. It’s time for a change.

There is an assumption that men shouldn’t use fragranced soaps and that all that matters is getting a good cleanse, but, fellas, that’s just not the case! We believe that no man should be deprived of a wonderful smelling soap for their shower routine. So whether you’ve just come out of the gym or you’re in the mood to wash up, you should have the luxury of scented soap at your fingertips.

We’ve carefully curated 19 of the best smelling soaps for men of 2023 to include a variety of scents and soaps that have amazing benefits for the skin. Therefore, even the pickiest guy will find a scent they can appreciate on this list! So, without further adieu, the best smelling soaps to turn your year around for the better include:

1. Blu Atlas Body Wash

In a perfect world, your soap or body wash doesn’t just smell fantastic, it also nourishes your skin and contains various beneficial ingredients. This is why Blu Atlas Body Wash will always have our hearts!

We don’t usually play favorites, but this completely natural body wash contains green tea, sugar cane, and aloe vera to clean pores, lock in moisture, soothe the skin, and of course, leave you smelling fresh and ready to roll. But, of course, we bet you’re already impressed and ready to lather up, and we don’t blame you.

Blu Atlas Body Wash offers you the convenience and hydrating properties of a body wash, with the added boost of all-natural ingredients and a delightfully fresh scent. The best of both worlds, if you ask us. Stock up on this body wash, and you will never go back to that old bar of soap again.

2. Mistral Bourbon Vanilla Luxury Soap

We’re never going to say no to any combination of vanilla and bourbon in soap form. When you choose to get some suds in with this luxury soap, you’ll be enjoying rich hydration from argan oil and glycerin, along with fine blended fragrances from Grasse, France.

We’re not in high school french class anymore, but to this soap, we say oui s’il vous plait-yes please! If you’re looking for that deeply mesmerizing scented soap to enhance your shower or bath routine, we’ve got it right here.

3. Dr. Squatch Cool Fresh Aloe Men’s Natural Soap

Because who doesn’t want to smell like a fresh spring morning after a nice long shower? This restorative aloe-built bar completely deep-cleans your skin, without stripping it of much-needed moisture, of course. Dr. Squatch’s cool, fresh aloe soap contains coconut oil and is made from all-natural oils with no harsh chemicals.

For all the fellas with sensitive skin out there, this soap is just right to keep your skin feeling fresh without unnecessary irritation. No grit or residue from this bar is another reason why we highly recommend you slip a bar or two of this soap into your soap arsenal!

4. Bearsville Cedarwood & Citrus Soap Bar

We picked this zesty and energetic soap bar for guys who like to shower in the morning and get a boost to their day. Bearsville Cedarwood & Citrus is all-natural and handcrafted in small batches.

This soap carries cedarwood, lemongrass, and orange notes to instantly wake you up and get you ready for whatever the day brings. Organic oils and no harsh chemicals make Bearsville Cedarwood & Citrus Soap Bar a great and invigorating choice for your skin.

5. Malin + Goetz Rum Bar Soap

Malin + Goetz offers this nicely dark-scented soap that effectively cleans all skin types without stripping the skin of any natural oils. We love this soap bar not just because of its amazing rum scent but because it works for all skin types.

It contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin, and it also rinses off in the shower without leaving any additional chalky or gritty residue. So if you’re looking for fragranced soap and have sensitive skin, this rum bar soap may be just what you need. Try it out for yourself and see how it makes its way into your nightly shower rotation.

6. Swag Brewery Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Soap

If you’re looking for that soap that’s a bit more on the spicy side and packs a punch every time you slip into the shower, this Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Soap may be just what you’re looking for.

This soap bar has a rich and oaky scent and contains clean and natural ingredients like apricot seeds, rosemary leaf extract, and crushed oats to treat your skin nicely every time you lather up. And, of course, this soap contains real whiskey. However, we’d recommend using the soap for an incredible bathing experience rather than trying to eat it.

7. Jack Black Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body

Get some suds in with this energizing hair and body cleanser by Jack Black. We recommend this soap if you live at the gym or are constantly working up a sweat. Containing rosemary, eucalyptus, and juniper berry, you’ll find yourself refreshed, clean, and energized with this body wash from head to toe.

After your shower, you’ll be ready to catch another gym session or basketball game with the crew as soon as possible!

8. Baxter Exfoliating Body Bar

Exfoliating soap bars can help remove dead skin cells and leave skin renewed and glowing. This Baxter of California exfoliating body bar lives up to its promise, taking care of dead skin cells with jojoba meal and crushed olive seed. Buff up all areas on your body and walk away with a crisp cedarwood and oakmoss essence following you.

A body bar that smoothens and cleans has never looked so slick! Try this body bar yourself and watch it work its magic, providing you with a mini spa experience all from your normal shower routine.

9. The Yellow Bird Soap Bar Activated Charcoal Lemongrass & Lavender

We recommend this soap because not only are you in for a thorough cleansing with use, but you also get relief for irritated skin and acne issues. The wonders of this soap lie behind its ingredient list packed with all the good stuff, such as activated charcoal, lavender essential oil, which has natural antiseptic properties, shea butter, and much more.

The combination of these natural ingredients makes for a refreshing scent that just can’t be beat. We’ll be having a backup of this soap bar to cleanse our skin and leave us hydrated, refreshed, and ready to go.

10. Yuzu Shea Butter Soap Eucalyptus Mint

It’s widely known that shea butter is a powerhouse ingredient for the skin, and soap bars that contain this ingredient can have a lot of benefits. The Yuzu soap bar contains deeply moisturizing shea butter and other plant-based oils that will hydrate and cleanse, such as coconut oil and hemp seed oil.

We love the eucalyptus and mint scent as it adds a cool and minty zing to your morning or night routine. If you’re into soaps that have a nice lather, this one is the perfect fit for you. So stock up and watch the lathering magic unfold!

11. Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar

If you’re looking for a soap that digs deep into the skin, we’ve got it. The Erno Laszlo cleansing bar delivers nutrients and brings back skin balance while detoxifying along the way. A combination of charcoal and dead sea mud team up to draw toxins from the skin and purify. We recommend this soap bar if you want to gently exfoliate but treat the skin to a mix of nutrients.

12. Beekman 1802 Honey & Orange Blossom Goatmilk Soap

If you’re looking to lather up with a soap that’s a bit on the sweeter side, the Beekman 1802 Honey & Orange Blossom soap can make sure you’re good to go. Goat milk is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. It also contains jojoba seed oil and shea butter.

Good for the skin and a tasty scent? We might pack an extra bar for after our gym session, too! So try this soap bar if you’re looking for something sweet and pampering for the skin.

13. Oars + Alps Peppermint Charcoal Soap

Sometimes, that fresh zing of peppermint scent from a good bar of soap just tops off a shower, you know? Oars + Alps peppermint charcoal soap bar is a top choice for us for a best-smelling, all-natural soap.

Not only does it refresh and energize skin, but it contains activated charcoal, volcanic sand, and spirulina to purge skin from dead skin cells and bacteria. It also reduces excess oil too. The peppermint oil this soap helps with circulation and relieves sore muscles.

So lather on this soap and enjoy the peppermint ride to cleanliness, especially if you suffer from oily skin or muscle aches after a workout.

14. Ursa Major Morning Mojo Bar Soap

When you’re looking for a refreshing soap bar that moisturizes and hydrates skin with a fresh mint and eucalyptus scent, Ursa Major has you covered. Watch this Morning Mojo Bar Soap work its mojo and get you clean, refreshed, and ready to take on your daily routine after your morning shower.

This magic soap contains peppermint, honey, volcanic rock, and shea butter. These are all the ingredients needed to earn this beneficial soap bar are “Yes!” from us. If you’re not a morning person yourself, this soap may just turn you into one.

15. Suds Boardwalk Soap

Use your shower time to take a trip to the beach with the Suds Boardwalk soap bar. We love this natural handcrafted soap because it contains soothing peppermint oil, kaolin clay to unclog pores and exfoliate the skin, and iron oxide to protect skin from UV damage even when you’re not at the beach hitting the waves.

The sprinkle of sea salt to refresh skin and addictive ocean and mint scent is just the cherry on top. So even when it’s not summer, we’ll be lathering up with this clean and fresh soap!

16. Caswell-Massey Heritage Woodgrain Sandalwood Bar Soap

This plant-based soap contains glycerin to keep skin ultra-moisturized, and it is triple-milled to outperform and outlast many other soaps in the market. What makes this soap a favorite for many guys is its highly unique scent, which is a combination of sandalwood, cedarwood, and clove that adds a spicy kick to your shower and bath routine whenever you use it.

If you’re looking for a muskier darker scent with that added zing to leave you revitalized, this soap bar will deliver just what you need. Smell good and feel even better after your next shower.

17. 54 Thrones Alata Samina Black Soap Detox Bar

Sometimes guys just want to provide a little detox action to their skin, too. This soap is handmade and contains completely natural ingredients. The Black Soap Detox Bar includes a large portion of plantain skins, coconut oil, cocoa pods, and shea butter. This soap bar not only smells fantastic, but the benefits on your skin are detailed and impressive.

Clean away any grime and dirt from all of the day’s events with this detox bar, and get vitamins A & E from the plantain skins it contains. We recommend this soap for guys looking to try something a bit new and out of their comfort skin but still immensely rewarding and purifying for their skin.

18. Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Exfoliating Body Soap

For a soap that helps exfoliate your skin and leaves you feeling and smelling great, turn to Kiehl’s. This soap bar is packed with jojoba seed powder, pracaxi oil, and pumice, so you can deeply clean your skin with every wash. The rich and woodsy smell of cedarwood, sandalwood, and eucalyptus, along with amazing texture and lather, are just bonuses to make sure this soap finds its way into your shower.

Need further convincing? Don’t just take our word for it. Try this bar of soap out for yourself and see if it’s worth the hype!

19. Charles + Lee Coffee Bar Soap

It would be an injustice to not include a coffee-scented soap. So follow that morning cup of joe with another cup of joe in the shower using this deliciously scented coffee and vanilla soap bar from Charles + Lee.

Packed with shea butter for skin nourishment and ground Arabica beans and oatmeal for exfoliation, your skin and you are in for a mighty good treat every time you step into the shower. We recommend this little soap bar for the coffee fiends who want to smell like their favorite drink.

You’ve Got Your List of the 19 Best Smelling Soaps, But That’s Not All

Now that we’ve covered our top soaps, it’s important to narrow down what kind of soap you are actually in need of. With so many soaps out there, you don’t have to stick with a basic soap that barely gets the job done. After all, guys, we’re all adults here, and as grown-ups, we have to pay attention to the products we’re using.

There are some close contenders that could work for various men, but this is why it’s important to narrow down what you are looking for in your soap. Some of the factors to take into consideration when it comes to deciding on a soap or body wash to guarantee you will be one happy camper during your shower include:

Factor 1: Bar Vs. Liquid

It may seem pretty unnecessary and even kind of silly to think about, but the bar soap vs. liquid body wash ordeal can be pretty intimidating for many guys. So, is there a clear winner between the two? Well, it’s essential to look at some of the differences and benefits between the two first.

A liquid body wash is more convenient, but a block of bar soap can come in handy if you’re looking to stick to basics during your bathing routine. Many liquid body washes can be more hydrating than bar soaps, depending on what tickles your fancy. If you also like dramatic lathering, a body wash is the right choice for you.

Factor 2: Your Skin’s Needs

Do you suffer from dry and flaky skin? Are you looking for a soap that exfoliates and leaves your skin feeling revitalized? What about hydrating soaps that can help with acne issues?

Your skincare routine begins when you step into the shower. There are quite a few soaps that can target specific skin needs. If your skin is on the sensitive side, or you want a soap that can work with more unpredictable skin, there are many great soap options!

Factor 3: Soap Ingredients

As with anything you slather onto your skin, you want to make sure the soap or body wash you choose has some of the most natural ingredients around that can benefit and uplift your skin. You don’t want to use any soaps that contain parabens or harsh chemicals and dyes.

We recommend using soaps that are all-natural, vegan, and with no harsh chemicals. Level up your bathing routine with soaps that contain nourishing and natural ingredients that won’t irritate your skin!

Can I Use Scented Soap With Sensitive Skin?

Nowadays, you don’t have to trade in an amazingly scented soap to keep your skin free from irritation. Many soaps and body washes made with all-natural ingredients will offer a pleasant smell derived from natural essential oils or other plant ingredients. This way, you can go into your shower routine confident your skin will get nourishment and be left with a lingering scent.

Plus, when using all-natural ingredients, you’ll be able to skip the irritation that often comes with using other scented soaps. Overall, if you are dealing with acne and dry skin, a bar of natural soap can do the trick to hydrate and moisturize while also providing a mesmerizing scent from one of its ingredients!

Ingredients to Look Out For in Soap/Body Wash

There are just some ingredients in soaps that will enhance your skin and your shower routine. We are all for natural ingredients and won’t advocate for any soap containing harsh chemicals, dyes, or ingredients that shouldn’t be near a soap or body wash. Some of the ingredients that make a soap or body wash a clear winner in our book include:

• Glycerin is a plant-based cleanser that locks in moisture without taking away oils from your skin. Most of the soaps in our list below contain this ingredient!

• Shea butter is often found in hypoallergenic soaps and is safe for all skin types. In addition, it’s deeply soothing for the skin and a favorite ingredient of many.

• Essential oils can be found in manually all-natural soaps. Different benefits come from different oils, but the most popular ones include lemon oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, and more.

• Coconut oil is a popular ingredient found in natural soaps with moisturizing and skin-softening properties. Another popular oil with the same properties is sweet almond oil.

Why Should I Use a Scented Soap?

To smell good, of course! In all seriousness, using a scented soap with calming fragrances such as peppermint, coconut, lavender, and other natural scents from botanical plants has been shown to help with ease and relaxation. Who knew?

If you have a tough day at the office, just lathering up with your favorite scented soap can destress your mind and allow you to unwind for a relaxing night in. We’re no psychologists ourselves, but we agree that a natural scent from your soap or body wash can instantly transport you to a spa-like experience.

A scented soap and body wash can also come in the clutch to leave you smelling and feeling fresh all day. After a long run or breaking a sweat at the gym, we all just want to smell good sometimes, you know? Not to mention the confidence that comes with the lingering scent of your favorite soap or body wash after you’ve gotten out of the shower. Guys, when you’re walking around knowing you smell good, fresh, and clean, your confidence can instantly skyrocket!

Closing Thoughts?

Fellas, go ahead and leave those boring unscented soaps behind. In this day and age, it’s time to embrace the fragrance of the different soaps listed above and be confident your skin is getting some much-needed nourishment. With an amazing smelling soap, you’ll feel like you’re ready to take on the world.