Body spray is great for those who are looking for a scent that keeps them smelling refreshed but isn’t as potent as perfume or cologne. Technically, body spray is a lighter cologne that is quite watered down.
It is made up of around 0.5% perfume oil and the rest is a mix of alcohol and water. You can use body spray to cover up any unpleasant smells that may occur during the day.
However, it isn’t like deodorant as you can’t use it on your underarms and it doesn’t neutralize bacterial smells.
Think of body spray as a confidence booster. You can use it after a shower, during the day, and even before a date. It is incredibly light and will keep you smelling fresh. Body spray is always best used alongside a deodorant or antiperspirant just to be safe.
There are some brands, however, that like to combine body spray and antiperspirant properties to combat bacterial smells too. There seems to be endless options for body sprays on the market and choosing the right one may seem like an impossible task.
We will take a look at some of the best body sprays available to buy and what you should look for when purchasing a body spray. Keep reading to find out more.
Cologne VS Body Spray – What’s The Difference?
There are two different applications for these products, one of them is an aerosol spray, and the other one isn’t. Besides this difference, there are vastly different amounts of alcohol and fragrance compounds in each of these.
Body sprays have more alcohol in them than colognes do. This means that body sprays don’t usually last as long when it comes to scent. Some people believe that the quality is also sacrificed with body sprays because of this.
The more alcohol that is in a product then the less fragrance that is present due to the fact that alcohol is a carrier for fragrance compounds. Once this evaporates from the skin, the fragrance is what you are left with.
So, body sprays tend to not have very long lasting scents due to the fact that there is so much alcohol content in them. This means that body sprays usually need to be topped up as the day goes on and aren’t as overpowering as some colognes can be.
Both of these have their own individual uses and it’s up to the wearer which one they will require at any given time.
OUR TOP PICK
Jack Black’s Black Reserve body spray is advertised for use throughout the day. It is a very masculine spray that has warm and deep scents of Red Cedarwood and Cardamom.
These scents are combined delicately with the relaxing and soothing scents of Lavender and Bergamot.
It is great for use after a shower or before a big date as well as frequent use throughout the day, if needed.
You can’t go wrong with Jack Black’s body spray. If you’re looking for something elegant and refreshing as well as affordable, then this is one to beat.
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EDITORS CHOICE
Wait, Axe? You're recommending smelling like a high schooler?
Axe gets a lot of bad press, but the trick here is not to go for the basic version.
If you like your body sprays to have a little spice kick to them as well as an undertone of sweetness, then Dark Temptation is what you’re looking for.
Dark Temptation manages to blend sweet and spicy with a combination of chocolate, peppercorn, and amber scents.
This is by far the best Axe body spray that is available and doesn’t actually make you smell like a chemistry exam, which is a bonus! On top of that, it is affordable and easy to come by.
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BEST VALUE
Old Spice Pure Sport has a citrus kick to it that has taken over the traditional old spice scent makeup. The Old Spice antiperspirant roll on has been a hit over recent years and there’s a reason for it.
The brand is continuously releasing new and refreshing scents. This body spray is great for after your workout shower to get you going through the day.
Old Spice tends to stick to their traditional recipe meaning that you can never go wrong with it.
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Tom Ford is a fragrance genius. In fact, if we could stick Tom Ford body spray in all of these slots then we would. The only downside to this purchase is that it’s definitely a splurge.
Oud Wood was originally a cologne and has officially been turned into its own body spray. It’s not as overpowering as the original cologne which means you can wear it all throughout the day.
The other difference to the traditional cologne is that the body spray is only a fraction of the price for the same scent experience.
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This body spray is best for those who have sensitive skin. It is made up of chamomile and aloe vera which means it’s incredibly cooling and calming for the skin.
Technically, Bálla is supposed to be used for more concealed areas and your feet.
However, it can be used all over thanks to its wonderful natural and safe ingredients. If you want to make a good impression in more private departments, then this is the one to stick with.
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CK One has been a best selling brand for body spray for a while. It is a very balanced fragrance and the body spray still holds up to that title. The scents are incredibly harmonious and just a pleasure to wear.
With this particular body spray you will find that the scent is a mix of floral, citrus, spicy, sweet, and musk notes. The result of this combination is a wonderfully uplifting scent that makes for a fantastic pick me up through the day.
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Yes, this spray is actually a facial spray, but we know you can use it on any part of your body to help keep it refreshed, toned, and smooth throughout the day. It has a delicate combination of seaweed extract and aloe gel.
However, we can promise you that this spray doesn’t in fact smell like seaweed, which we’re sure is a relief. It doesn’t matter where you spray it, you will feel the instant change of it’s cooling, calming and tingling effects.
Some have said this feels like caffeine for the skin and is great for areas that may be suffering with sunburn.
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Dior advertises this body spray as a perfume, and whilst it’s technically a perfume, we believe it benefits heavily as a body spray. Its wear is long lasting but is not as overpowering as wearing a cologne all day.
It also smells a lot fresher than the other colognes that Dior has to offer which furthers its use as a body spray. We enjoy the Sauvage signature smell and there’s a reason for its rise in popularity.
This spray will last you a while and is bound to get you through the day even with just one spritz after your morning shower.
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We thought we would list our pick for best antiperspirant as we do recommend that you wear all body sprays after applying antiperspirant first.
This antiperspirant in particular is our favorite due to the fact that it is extremely fresh and can be used for any body part that sweats.
You can’t spray this on your face, but it is useful for your underarms and any other areas where you want to be rid of moisture. If you sweat terribly from your feet or crotch, then we suggest using a powder spray.
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RUNNER UP
Powder sprays are excellent for areas that are a little more sensitive such as your feet and crotch. It helps to keep the moisture levels low as well as lessening the uncomfortability that comes with swamp crotch.
Use this after a shower once you are completely dry. This is excellent for those extremely warm days where you know you’re going to suffer the worst sweat of your life.
Once this powder is applied to your skin it will also help reduce friction that comes with walking in hot weather. Make sure to apply it to the areas that you suffer with chafing and rubbing the most.
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Our Top Pick
Each of our best options can be used for different situations, therefore it is difficult to pick just one that we think everyone should use.
However, for these varying uses, we can narrow down our top picks so that it is easier for you to choose the one that suits you bed.
For those of you that are looking for a spray that you can use after your workout or after your shower, we would recommend choosing the drugstore options like Axe or Old Spice.
But, if you’re looking for something that adds fragrance throughout the day, especially something that’s subtle, then we would say stick with Jack Black’s body sprays and even the CK One option.
Buyer’s Guide
There are several things to consider when it comes to choosing the best body spray. Here, we will cover everything you need to know in order to find the best choice for you.
Value
Before spending all your earnings on a top notch body spray, you want to consider whether you’re paying for the brand name alone or whether you’re paying for the fragrance quality itself.
Are you paying the money because they are using less alcohol in their ingredients or more perfume concentrations? Are they offering a larger quantity? Whatever your reasoning, make sure you know what you’re paying for.
Body sprays range widely in price. You can find body spray ranging in prices from $5 to $100. Make sure you know what you want to use the spray for.
If you’re looking for something that makes you smell better then it may be worth considering buying their colognes as they will last you much longer and not require as many uses.
Ingredients
The fun thing about body spray is that many different brands interpret what a body spray is differently from one another. So, for this reason you need to know what it is you’re actually purchasing.
Are you buying something that is stopping you from sweating or something that is providing a refreshing odor? Does the body spray you’re looking at have a higher concentration of perfume oils making it closer to a cologne?
Is the spray you’re purchasing natural and can it be used to refresh your skin? All these questions will be answered in the ingredients section.
Make sure to read this section on the back of the bottle so you can fully understand what it is that the product is aiming to do.
Every body spray is different.
Portability
You don’t want to buy a body spray that is difficult to carry around. Generally, body sprays that weigh more than 3.4 ounces will not be allowed to be put into a carry-on bag. This is something to consider.
Another thing to note is that any aerosol sprays must be anti-inflammatory if you are considering taking it with you abroad. It doesn’t matter how large the bottle is, these rules apply.
You will know whether or not the bottle is flammable or not by the flame symbol that is placed on the packaging. This icon is usually found on the back of the bottle near the barcode. If it is flammable, then it’s best to leave it at home.
You will find that the majority of drugstore brands will have travel size body sprays on offer that meet all the requirements for carry ons.
This includes deodorants and antiperspirants as well. It is important to always double check these details before purchasing anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will Body Sprays Last?
This is entirely dependent on the brand and product formula that you buy. Generally speaking, on average your body spray scent will last for several hours and will start to fade gradually over this time.
If you’re more interested in a scent that is going to last all day and will not need to be applied more than twice, then you will probably want to look at purchasing a cologne or perfume such as the Dior Sauvage pick or the CK One option.
Another thing to try may be to add layered sprays. For example, you could layer a scented lotion with the scented body spray from the same brand. More often than not, brands will offer multiple products in the same scent for this reason.
Do Body Sprays Have An Expiration Date?
Yes, body sprays do actually have an expiration date. However, the shelf life of body sprays tends to be very long, anywhere between three to five years. This is all dependent on the brand as well as how the product is stored over time.
If you keep your body sprays in a dry and cool place then it will prevent it from being exposed to UV light and heat.
Heat and UV lighting is known to degrade sprays and similar products over time. So, make sure to bear this in mind when storing your body spray.
How Many Sprays Of Body Spray Will I Need To Use?
This is all dependent on your own personal tastes as well as what you’re using the body spray for. Are you simply spraying it everywhere after the shower, or are you looking for a top up during the day?
The usage of the body spray will affect how many sprays you will require.
We don’t have any rules for how many we think you will need, it is worth experimenting to see what works for you and if you are using too much, then you can dial it back. Alternatively, if you think you need more, then you can always add more.
You are the judge in this situation.
Conclusion
We hope that this list has been helpful for you to determine which body spray is best for you. It’s important to note that body sprays are a personal thing and it all comes down to your own opinion.
Of course, these sprays are our personal favorites, but what one person may like, another person may not.
Take the time to play around with scents and find out what really works for you. Once you have done this, you’ll probably find yourself having found the body spray that you will want to keep using for the rest of your life!
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