The 20 best shower gels and body washes to turn your bathroom into a spa

Never have I ever come across a shower gel like Sundae's. Housed in a slender aerosol can, the whipped texture of this product really is reminiscent of squirty cream. Just don't be tempted to eat it!

The Very Vanilla scent is my favourite; classic and timeless yet sweet and fresh. But if that's not your jam, the brand offers so many more variations. There's a scent for everyone!

Niacinamide makes an appearance in many facial skincare routines, so it makes sense that its powers also extend to body care. The 2% active ingredient regulates oil production, leaving the skin feeling balanced and soothed. But above all, it’s pH-appropriate. Thrush, who?

Spas are, no doubt, expensive and while this shower cream may be at the top end of our budgets, it's the most affordable for replicating an at-home mini break.

The scent is one that'll send you to sleep in 20 minutes (so best use in the evenings!) and its texture is creamy AF. Not to mention that its skin-loving ingredients – evening primrose oil, glycerin and aloe vera – are ones that help moisturise and nourish the skin.

You may recognise this beauty from your boujee hotel stays (and for sneaking it home after, too). Cowshed's shower gels never fail to transport you to a relaxing state of mind and this one in particular is filled with soothing properties to balance and calm muscles.

This indulgent price point hasn't stopped this luxurious body wash from becoming a bestseller in the category. As you can imagine from the name, it's made with top grade rose oil, not to mention cardamom and black pepper. It makes hoping in the shower feel like a luxury get away. Stick this in the shower when you have house guests and it's guaranteed to impress.

If you want a shower gel that transports your mind to a far-flung tropical island, this is it. The creamy lather leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturised, removing any dirt without being too harsh or stripping skin of its natural oils. The pistachio and salted caramel fragrance is, hands down, better than any perfume I've ever smelt.

It's official, Glossier can do no wrong. Their Body Hero is an oil cleanser 'inspired by the ones for your face, but made for your body' say the brand. It contains a blend of seven oils that attract grime and sweat, lifting it from your skin and washing away. The formula transforms to a milky froth when it comes into contact with water, then washes away without drying out skin. Win, win, win.

Boots' Soap and Glory once again nails affordable excellence. While some luxe shower gels may have you reaching for the bar soap first for a pre-clean, this creamy high-street shower gel leaves you feel properly clean, without stripping the skin. And it holds its own against those luxe shower gels with it's silky texture and its notes of bergamot, mandarin, musk and amber.

OK, OK, we hear ya – £40 for a shower gel?! It's beyond excessive but so worth it... because body care needs know no bounds.

The smell is glorious and totally reminiscent of Byredo's iconic perfumes. So, if you want to delicately scent your body while simultaneously cleansing and caring for your skin, look no further.

Plus, it's the ultimate gift. Whoever said receiving a shower gel as a bday present is boring was a liar!

Silky smooth skin incoming with L'OCCITANE's Almond Shower Oil. The formula transforms from a silky golden oil to a velvety milk-like lather upon contact with water to moisture as it gently cleanses.

Ingredients-wise, the omega-rich sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil both hydrate at the same time as providing powerful emollient properties to help enhance visible skin elasticity and suppleness, alongside supporting a radiant, renewed finish.

When is someone going to trademark coconut as the official smell of summer? I mean, who do we need to speak to around here to get this actioned? Whatever the season, this affordable yet five-star-holiday-smelling shower treat will boost your mood and leave the skin on your limbs feeling smooth and supple thanks to hero ingredient, coconut oil. The fact it’s paraben and SLS free, vegan society approved and comes in a PCR (post-consumer recycled) bottle is a bonus.

Struggling to sleep? Don’t underestimate the power of a good shower gel, especially one laced with the antioxidant-rich plant extracts such as aloe vera, rose flow, chamomile and lavender. This body wash is like a duck on water – calm and tranquil on the outside, but working hard underneath, with hydrating heroes hyaluronic acid and coconut water seeing off skin dryness faster than you can say, night night!

If you like a shower gel that gets suuuper foamy, you'll love this body wash. The luxe creamy formula froths up as you rub it into the skin, and captures any dirt or impurities to leave your bod feeling clean and refreshed. Plus, the dreamy scent of Organic Rice Milk and Cherry Blossom is basically happiness in a bottle.

Sulphate-free and packed with aromatherapy oils, including lavender, vetiver and camomile, this shower gel is more like a spa treatment than a body wash. Skin-softening coconut oil leaves limbs feeling nourished and smooth, whilst the calming scents help destress your mind.

I still can't believe this shower gel costs less than £4... The clever formula is pH balanced to support naturally healthy skin, contains zero harsh ingredients (like SLS/SLES) and is rich in skin-nourishing minerals. Lather up with this and it'll leave you feeling soothed and clean. You can also get 2 packs on Amazon for under £7.

Green People are known for championing the very best natural and organic ingredients within their product formulations, and this shower gel is no exception. Made without parabens, alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), harsh foaming agents, SLS/SLES, gluten, petrochemicals, mineral oils, silicones... and the list goes on!

It moisturises skin leaving it soft and clean, whilst the calming aroma of lavender and aloe vera help soothe.

Travel minis no longer equal compromise. This hit exfoliating shower gel from Sol de Janeiro cleanses and clarifies with salicylic acid(a BHA) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), delivering bright glowing skin without scrubbing it away with a physical exfoliant. It smells like fruity vanilla heaven and is perfect for travelling (coming in at 90ml). One bottle of this and you'll be going back for the full size.

The vegan-friendly seaweed formula is 100% free from synthetic fragrances, instead, it's packed with natural aloe vera and tea tree, to hydrate and repair the skin as you wash. The bar also contains tiny crushed coriander seeds and peppercorns, to gently exfoliate leaving the skin feeling smooth.