I Test Beauty Products for a Living & My New Holy Grail Is This Body Wash That Actually Smells Like a Luxury 5-Star Hotel

For the better half of five years, I spent my career as a beauty and fashion writer. I’ve had the privilege of trying and testing all kinds of beauty things under the sun — from lab-sample mascaras to lip-plumping devices and everything in between. But after years of trial and error (with the battle scars to prove it as well), testing […]

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For the better half of five years, I spent my career as a beauty and fashion writer. I’ve had the privilege of trying and testing all kinds of beauty things under the sun — from lab-sample mascaras to lip-plumping devices and everything in between. But after years of trial and error (with the battle scars to prove it as well), testing out new products doesn’t give me that same thrill as it once did. I think a lot of it has to do with products that end up being exactly the same as the rest, or the “wow factor” that’s promised falls very short. So when I come across something I genuinely love at first use, it always catches me off guard. And the latest to do so is a luxurious body wash that smells absolutely divine.

Take it from me: as someone with a small Sephora’s worth of beauty products in their home, I don’t go crazy for bath soap. To me, soap is soap — as long as I feel squeaky clean at the end of my shower, I don’t really care where it comes from or what else it does. But when I came across Saya’s Body Wash, that thought completely went out the window. From top to bottom, everything about this body cleanser is amazing. 

First, Saya is an Australian skincare brand that uses organic botanicals in its products. They use unique ingredients that are native to Australia or found across the world, like Kakadu plum, desert lime, and aloe vera, among other things. That unique combination creates a beautiful body wash that feels soft and silky. Once mixed with water, it becomes a delicate lather that hydrates without drying out the skin. Although I said before that soap is soap to me, I was happy to know that this body wash was made without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates and is also pH balanced. The older I get, the more I realize that all soaps aren’t made equal and that some can cause issues with my pH levels. 

But the true delight of Saya Body Wash lies in its captivating scent. Almost immediately after pumping the body wash onto my loofa (also, the fact that it has a pump dispenser is a major plus), the invigorating aroma of citrus and lemongrass awakened my senses. According to the brand, the body wash is “naturally perfumed with essential oils of lime, lemongrass, peppermint and lemon myrtle.” And let me tell you, that blend is truly intoxicating. The fragrance instantly transported me to a five-star luxury hotel. It’s a potent scent that’s not overpowering or artificial, making the shower experience truly delightful.

The shower has always been my happy place, so of course, I’m always looking forward to taking one. But Saya’s body wash has made the best part of my day so much better. Lately, I’ve been soaping up two or three times more just to get the rush of smelling it again. It truly is the little things in life that make it great. 

All in all, I would give the Saya body wash a solid 10 out of 10. I admit that when I saw the $50 price tag before trying it, I was skeptical because I didn’t believe soap should cost that much. However, knowing it’s made with the best ingredients and shipped directly from Australia made the price more justifiable. You also get close to 17 fluid ounces in one bottle, and a little goes a long way. And the way I see it, a night at a luxury hotel could cost three to four times as much when I can just bring that sense of luxury into my home instead. Trust me when I say it will not disappoint.