Body washes form an excellent way to tidy up after a long span of sweat and dirt. No matter whether you are looking for a scented bathing experience or a layer of moisture, there is something out there for you. However, you must know the nitty gritty of the formula, properties and tendencies of the body wash you choose so that it caters to your specific needs. Here are some of the categories of body wash, men may use, depending on their requirement:

• Shower gels
  The shower gel formula is clear, often comes brightly colored and is labeled as either body wash or shower gel. They are similar to shampoos inconsistency. They serve the main function of cleaning. Water and detergent are the main ingredients of a shower gel. They remove oil and grime from your hair and skin and offer thorough cleaning. However, they risk making the skin too dry. Therefore, manufacturers often add some conditioning ingredients to prevent such dryness of the skin.
• Moisturizing body washes
  The moisturizing body wash formula is plain creamy. Thick in consistency, they are often labeled as cream oil, deep moisture and nourishing. They serve the prime purpose of cleansing, along with the added benefit of moisture. In addition to water and detergent, they contain oils like soybean and petroleum jelly. They leave the skin well-moisturized, unlike shower gels. They also come in various fragrances and are slightly pricier than shower gels. For men, body wash of this type is suitable, especially post a workout.
• Exfoliating body washes
  The exfoliating body wash for men can go for containing beads, sugar or salt. These ingredients help in removing dead skin and keep it smooth looking. People with excessively sensitive skin need to look for body washes that use sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI), which is the mildest detergent.
• Body washes for treating skin conditions
  Another category of body washes caters to skin conditions. When paired with a sponge or loofah, you can easily exfoliate dry skin and moisturize your parched self with a nourishing body wash. There is a wide range of medicinal body wash; men may use when they are suffering from various skin ailments. However, these body washes only need to be used as prescribed by a medical practitioner.
• Body washes with lifestyle benefits
  Market shelves are filled with body wash for men that suffice to fit in your lifestyle and workout regimen. For example, there are body washes to cater specifically to swimmers and are formulated to remove chlorine and chlorine smell from the skin. For a sportsperson, who runs a risk of suffering from sore joints, there are body washes that contain essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, or rosemary to relieve the muscle fatigue. The all over bathing experience gets transformed into a soothing and relaxing experience with essential oils.

What to avoid in a body wash for men

There are certain types of chemical components in body wash for men that available in the market that are known to damage our well-being in numerous ways. Here is a list of these chemicals:

• Parabéns
  Parabens are a group of compounds that act as a preservative. Researchers indicate that parabens are carcinogenic. They are also known to mimic hormones in the body, which disrupts your natural hormone system. It’s best to settle for a paraben-free body wash for men that are available in the market.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate
  More popularly abbreviated as SLS, this particular ingredient causes soaps and body washes to foam up and form a thick lather. SLS and SLES may irritate those with sensitive skin. Prolonged exposure to these two ingredients can irritate eyes. FDA also regulates the amount of SLS and SLES that can be added to bathing products. However, the best step is to choose a sulfate-free body wash for men.