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BETWEEN HITTING THE gym, working all day, then running our errands in the evening, sometimes a quick shower to freshen up is out of the picture. That's where body wipes come in. Also commonly referred to as "shower wipes" or "cleansing wipes," this grooming hack is the key to staying fresh and clean even through the busiest of times. The best part about buying men's body wipes? The selection has never been better! These days, there are wipes made for sensitive skin, wipes made to handle heavy cleaning (like after manual labor and post-gym), and wipes made for outdoor activities.
Best Body Wipes
Perhaps you're looking for a body wipe for below-the-belt use? Or maybe a body wipe you can use on your next weekend camping trip? Regardless of what you're looking for, all of the body wipes curated below are going to provide crucial cleanliness for those days when you need it most.
What to Consider
Let’s get this out of the way first: wipes are not substitutes for a real shower or body wash. But, they are handy when you need to refresh between showers, like if you’re heading straight from the office to a date or you had an especially sweaty morning commute (like if you have to take the NYC subway in August). Wipes are handy tools in a pinch, but we don’t recommend them being the only way you clean yourself. That said, when you’re choosing a wipe, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Ingredients
The main job of wipes is the remove sweat, oil and dirt, so you’ll usually find ingredients like different kinds of alcohol, which easily get that job done. Since some alcohols can be drying on the skin, you’ll also often find moisturizers like glycerin to help moisturize your skin after the alcohol cleanses it. You may also find botanical oils, like tea tree, which provide different effects (tea tree, for instance, has an astringent and antimicrobial property) and aloe which is soothing to the skin.
Packaging
Typically wipes come in two types of packaging: one large pouch or individually wrapped. We tend to favor individually wrapped wipes because they’re easier to take on the go with you, but a larger pouch can be good if you keep them someplace handy, like your desk drawer, and want to reduce a bit of waste.
Fragrance
Wipes are kind of like deodorant in the sense that they are often good at covering up body odor and they do this by the addition of fragrance to the formula. Most people want this from their wipe, but if you have sensitive skin that may get irritated from too much fragrance, look for a fragrance-free version that cleans your skin without the need for added fragrance.
Biodegradable
One of the biggest downfalls of wipes is that they create way more waste than something like, say, a shower. Even if you’re not especially concerned about creating waste, it’s a good idea to look for a wipe that is biodegradable so all those wipes you use won’t clog up landfills. You’ll also notice that some wipes are “flushable,” meaning they’re designed to be flushed down a toilet without clogging it, but we always recommend throwing them out in a trash can just in case.
How We Selected
As Men's Health editors, we very active, busy lives. For this story, our grooming editors, led by Garrett Munce, sweat-tested every major body wipe on the market and considered its ingredients, fragrance, and just how well it worked (bonus points if it's biodegradable). We narrowed down our list to the absolute best ones that kept us relatively fresh after a tough workout. Read on for our definitelve list of the best body wipes for men.
Pros
- Made with menthol and aloe
- Cut in a sizable square
- Come in a resealable pouch
- Effectively scrubs away dirt
Cons
- Fragrance may not be great for sensitive skin
Duke Cannon developed their Field Towels with the help of military service members. Based on our extensive testing, we found Duke Cannon's body wipes the best in class for its pleasant scent and odor-fighting capabilities that kept us relatively fresh after a long workout. These towels have a refreshing, cooling feel thanks to ingredients of menthol and aloe, and they come in sizable sheets that make it easy to get clean fast. We also like the fact the wipes come in a resealable pouch, so you can keep a bag of these bad boys in your car or at your desk in an organized manner.
These wipes are aptly named and really do give a fresh, clean freshly-showered feeling (but once again, we warn you that they are not a substitute for actually showering). We found that they’re especially good after a hard workout or at the height of summer because they wick away sweat quickly and effectively and leave your skin feeling soothed and, of course, clean. Keep in mind that they do have added fragrance, so they may not be great for sensitive skin, but we found that they’ll be great for most users.
Read more: Best Body Washes
Ingredients | Water, glycerin, propylene glycol, aloe |
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Packaging | Individual |
Fragrance? | Yes |
Biodegradable? | No |
Pros
- Dermatologist approved
- Leaves skin feeling smooth
- Unscented
Cons
- Not individually packaged
Fragrance free, pH balanced, and dermatologist approved, these gentle cleansing cloths from Cetaphil are going to take away dirt while keeping the skin healthy and smooth. They're unscented and intentionally formulated to greatly limit any stripping away natural protective oils.
While these wipes are mainly designed for your face, we found that they’re just as effective for cleaning up on the go. You don’t get the same intense fresh feeling as you do with some other wipes on this list because they are fragrance-free, but they’re just as effective at removing dirt, oil and grime, which–let’s get real–is the most important thing. And if you use them on your face, you can rest assured they they won’t irritate your skin or eyes and are safe enough to use every day.
Ingredients | Water, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol |
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Packaging | Packet |
Fragrance? | None |
Biodegradable? | No |
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Pros
- Dual sided use
- Gently exfoliates to help remove dirt
- Caffeine added to reenergize skin
Cons
- Small-ish size
These wipes have a special two-sided use feature. Use the textured Arctic Blue Ice Crystal side to gently exfoliate and erase dirt and sweat. Then, turn over and use the other side to get a caffeine boost that will tighten the skin and leave you feeling reenergized. The best part is they're formulated to be safely used on the face.
While they’re not super large, the double-sides aspect of these wipes allows them to pull double duty. They’re perfect for wicking away sweat from your face and body after a workout or anytime you need a quick refresh. We found that we tended to use them on our faces more than anything else, but they’re also great for armpits, chest, groin and other areas that tend to get sweaty quickly and the menthol helps drive home that fresh feeling no matter where you use them.
Read more: Best Bar Soaps
Ingredients | Water, propanediol, polysorbate 20, citric acid, aloe |
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Packaging | Packet |
Fragrance? | None |
Biodegradable? | No |
Pros
- Both formula and material is plant-based
- Fragrance comes from essential oils
- Great scent
Cons
- Small-ish size
Created with biodegradable, plant-based materials, these wipes effectively clean while being friendly towards the planet. The best feature about these wipes though, is the rich cedar and sandalwood scent.
Natural products sometimes get the reputation of not working *quite* as well as their more typical counterparts, but we are there to tell you that these wipes get the job done and then some. The scent comes from natural essential oils, sure, but there is also aloe vera in the formula to help soothe and calm skin and give these wipes a nice cooling effect. Not to mention, they’re perfectly sized to help you freshen up any area of your body, wherever you are.
Read more: Best Colognes
Ingredients | Water, aloe, matricaria flower extract, cucumber, glycerin, citric acid |
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Packaging | Individual |
Fragrance? | Yes |
Biodegradable? | Yes |
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Pros
- Extra large size
- Plant-based formula
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- Essential oils may irritate sensitive skin
Hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and alcohol-free, these cleansing wipes are a solid choice for outdoor use and for post-workouts. They're formulated with tea tree oil and chamomile that moisturizes and leaves a pleasant odor (as opposed to leaving your skin feeling dry and sticky).
Speaking of dry and sticky, that’s usually what happens when a formula has too much alcohol in it. These wipes get around that feeling by leaving it out completely, which can be good news for people with dry or sensitive skin. The astringent and antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil take its place with just as much effect. Did we mention yet how big these wipes are? They’re a full 12 inches by 12 inches, meaning there is plenty of size to freshen up even the larger areas of your body like your chest and back.
Ingredients | Water, propylene glycol, glycerin, chamomile |
---|---|
Packaging | Individual |
Fragrance? | Yes |
Biodegradable? | Yes |
Pros
- Discreet size
- Soothing formula with aloe vera
- Sturdy material
Cons
- Too small for large areas of the body
Manscaped developed these wipes for the below-the-belt area first, but they can also be used as a general body wipe. The positive about these wipes is they're wallet sized and have a soothing aloe formulate that's gentle on the skin. The negative is, well, they're wallet sized. It's a niche body wipe that clean an important area of the body well.
Okay yes, they’re small so they’re probably not great for a long hike or if you’re trying to extend your shower on a long-haul flight. But in a world where you need a quick refresh after a long day at the office before heading to dinner? These are your ticket. The size makes them discreet, so you don’t have to worry about being clocked taking your wipes to the bathroom and they’re just big enough to freshen up the areas that really matter (groin, butt, pits). Keep a pouch in your desk drawer and you won’t regret it.
Ingredients | Water, aloe vera, benzoic acid |
---|---|
Packaging | Individual |
Fragrance? | Yes |
Biodegradable? | No |
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Pros
- Large size
- Contains skin-soothing ingredients
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Essential oils may be harsh on sensitive skin
These outdoor-focused body wipes are extremely versatile (can be used on the face and also on gear) and measure a massive 12" x 12". They're unscented, alcohol free, and pet-friendly! Here's an excellent Swiss Army Knife of a body wipe.
That Swiss Army knife aspect is exactly why these are your best friends when you’re on the trail. Not only are you typically going a long time without a shower (particularly if you’re camping for multiple days), but you also don’t want to take too much stuff with you. The large size allow these versatile wipes to really cover a large area (like, your whole body) and allow you to at least feel less dirty until you can get to a real shower.
Ingredients | Ingredients: Aloe, vitamin E, tea tree oil |
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Packaging | Individual |
Fragrance? | Yes |
Biodegradable? | Yes |
Pros
- Good size
- Contains skin-friendly ingredients
- Soft material
Cons
- Contains added fragrance
These Shower Sheets are soft and pre-moistened with aloe and jojoba oil to add extra hydration to the skin. Each wipe unfolds to a spacious 9” x 12.5”, making it easy to get clean in a jiffy.
As a brand, Anthony is known for their innovative skincare solutions for men and these wipes are no exception. The same high level of quality that’s in the skincare products are here in these wipes as well, including the ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba seed oil. They’ll leave your skin feeling freshened up but not dry, tight or filmy. Suitable for all skin types, they can even be used on your face, though we found we prefer them on our bodies because of the scent.
Ingredients | Glycolic acid, aloe vera, jojoba seed oil, peppermint oil |
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Packaging | Individual |
Fragrance? | Yes |
Biodegradable? | No |
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Can I Use Body Wipes on My Face?
It's important to not confuse body wipes with face wipes. While you can safely use a face wipe to clean your body, the chances are the face wipe won't clean away dirt as well as a body wipe can.
And as far as using a body wipe for your face, steer clear from that happening as much as possible. Using a body wipe on your face could damage your skin and cause inflammation or scratching, since most body wipes are made for more heavy duty use.
The only caveat to using a body wipe on your face is when you have a wipe that's deemed suitable for both (typically noted on the packaging).
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