We Like Our Shower Routines to Smell Mouthwatering—10 Dangerously Good Formulas Editors Love
You won't ever look back.
While gourmand perfumes tend to be universal crowd-pleasers (especially since sweet, nostalgia-steeped scents have hit a fever pitch in the fragrance market), gourmand bodycare tends to be a little more polarizing. Most people don't want to step out of the shower smelling like a cupcake, and hey, that's totally fair! Rather, there's something about a fresher, lighter scent that just smells, well, clean, which is why scented body products tend to rely on bright, crisp notes (herbs, florals, etc.) and aquatic elements.
Allow me to convince you of the glorious experience that is a gourmand shower routine. Don't get me wrong. I'm forever drawn to those aforementioned fresh, clean showertime scents, but lately, I've been emerging from my bathroom in a cloud of sugared steam I can only describe as dangerously good. There's a sillage so mouthwatering it garners "You smell incredible" compliments from friends, coworkers, and strangers alike, even without a single spritz of perfume. I swear! To extend this gourmand-bodycare kick, I decided to ask my fellow WWW editors about their favorite sweet-smelling washes, oils, and creams. They did not disappoint on deliciousness. Scroll ahead for the sweet yet sophisticated lineup I'm slowly collecting.
"I'm not a gourmand person at all," admits associate beauty editor Maya Thomas. "But I think Le Monde Gourmand's Crème Vanille Perfumed Body Icing Crème smells nice since it's balanced with amber and soft florals." Not to mention, its whip-thick texture infused with cocoa-seed butter, shea butter, and coconut oil feels like glazing your skin with frosting.
Okay, this bodywash is definitely a capital-G gourmand. With notes of vanilla, maple syrup, caramel, and roasted coffee bean, it's truly a dessert-inspired perfume in soap form. It's so sweet that it smells almost buttery, but that's exactly why I love it so much. I find myself craving the decadent aroma every time I head for a rinse. That being said, don't think the formula prioritizes scent over a quality wash. Created by a dermatologist, it comes infused with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, ashwagandha, and prebiotic inulin to soften and balance the skin.
Both beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock and Beauty Director Erin Jahns are quick to call out this decadent Josie Maran number. Despite its dense consistency, it absorbs into the skin instantly, leaving nothing behind but a well-hydrated glow and a whisper of creamy Madagascar vanilla.
Saltair has some of the best scented body products in the game, so it's no surprise its sophisticated gourmand body oil is a top seller. Beloved by Jahns, the formula melts into skin and makes your limbs glow for hours on end without feeling sticky—perfect to apply before an event when you're showing off some skin.
I, too, initially raised a brow at Dove's Crumbl collaboration, but trust me. These scents are just as sophisticated as they are yummy. New to the limited-edition lineup is Key Lime Pie, which features notes of fresh lime zest, buttery graham cracker crust, smooth vanilla, and fluffy whipped cream. When combined with Dove's 24-hour MicroMoisture technology, it really feels like a treat for your skin barrier.
In addition to a blend of skin-conditioning butters (cupuaçu, mango, shea, and cocoa), this derm-tested, facial-grade formula comes infused with a biomimetic lipid complex that mimics skin's natural moisturizing factors and plumps the skin. In terms of fragrance, "the signature vanilla musk scent is divine—warm, soft, and not too heavy," McLintock notes.
Cherry is a polarizing scent. You're either obsessed with its mouthwatering sillage or find it way too saccharine for your tastes. I adore the fruity gourmand note; love it or loathe it, it gets you noticed! Assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert agrees and named this limited-edition Soap Glory wash as one of her faves.
"I love the original Bum Bum scent so much, but this one with notes of vanilla, orchid, sugared violet, and sandalwood deserves more credit," McLintock declares. I concur, especially if you're looking for a scent to transport you to a beach getaway. It's a sweet, tropical dream in a jar.
Iota's collab with Oishii, home to the premium Omakase Berry, leaves behind a juicy, intoxicating trail of freshly picked strawberries. I absolutely flew through the bodywash when it launched (it's now sadly out of stock) and can confirm the matching lotion is just as divine. Snag it while you still can!
By Rosie Jane's Dulce fragrance is so nostalgic to me. That blend of vanilla, brown sugar, and dulce de leche practically screams "Y2K icon," and the body-oil version provides a perfect layering base. When you apply it on slightly damp skin right out of the shower, its warm, sweet, and slightly earthy (thanks to hinoki wood) aroma will truly last you all day.
