I hoard. But only really specific kinds of things. Body wash is one of them—you can never have enough good body wash. Everyone needs a clean body! This is why anytime I find a new body wash I like, I'm taking it home. Not just the fancy stuff either—if I see a new body wash in Duane Reade, I'm taking that one home too. It's my usually affordable, easy to come by pick-me-up.

In the summer, this hoarding habit gets a little more crucial: I hike a lot, I run a lot, I need at least two showers a day. I make them short and not too hot—I try to be environmentally conscious. I need both of them though, and I like to rotate through body washes as per my moods. The scent doesn't stick on you, but it is my most reliable form of self-care. Try it—you won't be disappointed. Here are some of my favorites:

Baxter Of California Italian Lime & Pomegranate Invigorating Body Wash

These first three are marketed towards dudes, but, if I know one thing from the Top Shelf series, it's that women seem to love dudes' deodorant, cologne, and shaving cream smells just as much, or more, than the women's stuff. So maybe these brands are just leaning into that? I love Baxter of California, everything they make smells like you could buy it at REI. In a good way.

Weleda Men's Active Shower Gel

Obsessed with this body wash. It's cheap, but it smells very fancy to me. Fancy in a Regime Des Fleurs way without being $1M. The best way I can describe the scent is like a mix of something very clinical, but combined with a little mint and a blue raspberry Ring Pop.

Harry's Fig Body Wash

Harry's body washes are a true bang for your buck win for me: $6.99 at Target for a HUGE bottle. You only need the tiniest amount for a massive lather and the scent is STRONG. The fig is super nice—it's a very clean, soapy fig scent.

Tom's Of Maine Natural Moisturizing Creamy Coconut Body Wash

These new Tom's of Maine body have just the right texture with a scent that sticks to you for a little longer than usual. The coconut is super special, reminds me of a Painkiller. Go to the beach, get a sunburn, go to Ripper's for fish tacos, be exhausted, get home and wash off with this. Then curl up and watch Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. Voilà! Perfect summer night.

L'Occitane Verbena Icy Shower Gel

L'Occitane Verbena is my all time favorite shower gel. This is a punched up version of that. It's a little less botanical smelling, and a little more menthol-y. Excellent for a hot summer day with a cold shower.

Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Arancia Di Capri

Ok here's the splurge, but I think you need one body wash you save hidden on a high shelf. One you can pull out only when you've had a really bad day and you want to turn your shower into a special place. This is that one. It's like triple sec for your body, mixed with a bit of a Neroli Portofino vibe, but also like expensive candy. Happy summer.

—Tom Newton

Photographed by the author.