Yes, having a bath is nice, but sometimes nothing can beat a relaxing hot shower while singing along to your favourite tunes. Throw in a luxury shower gel and you have yourself a winning combination.
If you like to shower in the morning, a bold and invigorating citrusy scent is just what you need to liven up your senses and feel ready to face the day, while a more subtle, calming scent can help you to unwind and settle down in the evening.
The best luxury shower gel shortlist:
Best luxury shower gel for fragrance: Molton Brown Coastal Cypress, Sea Fennel Bath and Shower Gel
Best luxury shower gel for sensitive skin: ESPA Bergamot & Jasmine Bath and Shower Gel
Best cruelty-free luxury shower gel: Awake Shower Essentials Set
Best refillable luxury shower gel: Kiehl's Grapefruit Bath and Shower 1L Refillable Liquid Body Cleanser
Best luxury shower gel for men: Hugo Boss Bottled Unlimited Shower Gel
Best long-lasting luxury shower gel: L'Occitane Verbena Shower Gel
Best luxury bath and shower gel: Kiehl’s Original Musk Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser
Best moisturising luxury shower gel: Aveeno Daily Moisturising Yogurt Body Wash
Best luxury cooling shower gel: Elemis Cool Down Body Wash
Best luxury shower gel for cleansing skin: Satsuma Shower Gel
Best ethical luxury shower gel: Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Bath and Shower Gel
Here are our top picks for the best luxury shower gels to lather up with whenever you choose to shower.
Best luxury shower gels
Best luxury shower gel for fragrance
Description
Of course, we had to include Molton Brown on this list of the most luxurious shower gels. With notes of cardamom, salted cypress and Australian sea fennel, this smells truly divine and reminds us of lounging by the sea.
Best luxury shower gel for sensitive skin
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Description
Bergamot and jasmine are known for their healing and soothing properties, so if you are looking for a luxury shower gel for sensitive skin, this is the one for you. Itu2019s gentle enough to use daily and makes dry skin feel super soft and supple.
Review: “Who needs a spa when you have this in your bathroom? It's a soft, foaming wash that smells so beautiful. The smell lasts on my body long after I've finished showering. I use this every day and immediately feel relaxed and refreshed. It doesn't leave my skin dry either as some other products do. Bonus: the bottle is beautiful and looks amazing in the bathroom.”
Best cruelty-free luxury shower gel
www.cowshed.com
Description
What a lovely luxury shower gel gift set this is! Inside the smart grey wash bag, you'll find a beautifully refreshing bitter orange and grapefruit shower gel, which is packed full of essential oils, along with a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. We love that everything included is vegan friendly.
Best refillable luxury shower gel
www.kiehls.co.uk
Description
If you're partial to a shower and a bath, this body cleanser will foam up and double as a bubble bath that'll rinse away any dirt and impurities from the day. This 1L Kiehlu2019s Pouch Refillable saves on average 81% more plastic than a typical Kiehlu2019s single-use product and contains 2-5 times the formula.
Tried and tested by Eleanor Weaver, Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best: "I love that Kiehl's are working towards being more sustainable with their products, and the refillable pouch, which might seem like it carries a high price-tag, actually gives you great value for a luxury shower gel with the amazing amount of cleanser that'll truly last for you, the family, or if sharing with a partner. A little goes a long way!
"This shower gel felt gentle on my skin, making it a good choice for a range of skin types, and it left my body feeling soft and clean. The grapefruit fragrance is subtle but refreshing and fruity. The formula had a lovely, silky texture and though it may be a little thinner in consistency than other shower gels on this list, it seems that this helps to keep it gentle on the skin and helps to make the pouch last longer.
"I haven't tried it as a bath product, only in the shower. You do get good suds but if you're looking for more foam, I'd recommend using a body puff to really lather it up to get it going."
Best luxury shower gel for men
Description
When it comes to menu2019s shower gel, weu2019d highly recommend BOSS. It has a fresh and enticing fragrance, with notes of sandalwood, musk, mint and grapefruit, what a combination.
Looking for more men's fragrances? Discover our guide to the best men’s summer fragrances here.
Best long-lasting luxury shower gel
Description
Another decadent shower gel that is delicate on sensitive skin. As soon as you open the lid you will be magically transported to the South of France, with crisp and fruity orange and lemon aromas.
Best luxury bath and shower gel
www.kiehls.co.uk
Description
For something a bit more subtle, Kiehlu2019s Musk Shower Gel will do the trick. If you donu2019t fancy a shower or need to unwind after a stressful day, pop a few drops in the tub and enjoy a relaxing bubble bath.
Best moisturising luxury shower gel
www.boots.com
Description
If you are someone who always seems to have dry skin and is looking for a solution, it might be time to try out Aveeno's yogurt body wash. It not only gently cleanses the skin reducing skin dryness, but also helps to preserve the skin's natural moisture.
Best luxury cooling shower gel
Description
If you're looking to cool down after a workout or refresh after a day in the summer heat, this hydrating blend of Birch Sap and Mango will leave you feeling revitalised and your skin nice and soft.
Tried and tested by Eleanor Weaver, Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best: "This shower gel from Elemis was lovely and creamy on application and felt much thicker and more luxurious than my standard shower gels. It left my skin feeling hydrated, smooth, and refreshed, though I have to say that the scent takes a little getting used to.
"When I first tried this shower gel, the strong menthol scent was a punch to my nostrils which was really quite overpowering in a small shower cubicle! It takes over more than the floral aromatic oils, but I completely see why it's been recommended as a cool-down product.
"The menthol does make your skin feel cooler in the shower and would be great as a post-exercise remedy - and in my experience as a remedy for a blocked nose too! I tried it on a hot day in June and stayed cool post-shower, and you don't need to worry about smelling of menthol all day as the scent lifts post-wash."
Best luxury shower gel for cleansing skin
www.thebodyshop.com
Description
How about an invigorating citrus scent to make you feel awake and ready to face the day? This pick-me-up contains real satsuma essence and smells good enough to eat, but please donu2019t.
Best ethical luxury shower gel
Description
Sticking to the food theme, you can moisturise and clean your body at the same time with this shower gel made from Fairtrade honey.
What to read next:
Turn your home into a zen sanctuary with these calming products
Arabella Horspool is a Storytelling Executive for What's The Best. She enjoys reading, creative writing, reviewing books and TV shows.
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