Whether your shower experience looks something like this:

Or this...

Or maybe even this...

...I'm sure there is one thing we can all agree on - nothing can be quite as invigorating or relaxing as a good, scented shower gel. Some are moisturizing, some are exfoliating; some are creamy and some are fruity; and some are even combo hair shampoo and skin cleansers. Here are 7 of my favorite shower-time guilty pleasures from a range of brands, in a range of styles. What have you been showering with lately?

PHILIP B NORDIC WOOD
HAIR & BODY SHAMPOO

Smell like a sauna with this one-step cleanser from famed hair stylist, Philip B. This combo hair and body shampoo tones and hydrates while creating a cooling effect thanks to its pure 6% botanical blend of Norwegian Spruce, Balsam Fir, White Pine, Cedarwood and Camphor with Oat extracts, Wheat Amino Acids and Aloe. Try this one if you want to feel like showering in a Finnish forest. $39 USD for 11.8 ozs

MOLTON BROWN
TEMPLETREE BODY WASH

One of Molton Brown's bestsellers, the blissful bath and body wash blended with moisturizing algae extract and purifying templetree flower extract smells great with notes of jasmine, rose and sandalwood. Foams well and leaves skin feeling soft and lightly scented. Try this one if florientals entice you. $30 USD for 10 ozs

THE BODY SHOP
MORINGA SHOWER GEL

This soap-free shower gel from The Body Shop contains real moringa seed oil and has the delicate scent of white flowers. I first sniffed it in TJ Maxx and had one of those "Whoa! That smells amazing!" moments and bought it on the spot. To my nose, I smell jasmine and honeysuckle. With a rich lather and an affordable price tag, try this one if you like white florals. $10 USD for 8.4 ozs

PUIG AGUA LAVANDA
SHOWER GEL

I know that many of you will smile when seeing Puig's Agua Lavanda included in this list, as so many of us have been using this product for, well let's face it, decades! Originally created back in 1940, this classic aroma with notes of Bergamot, Lavender, Moss, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Musk, Clary Sage, Tonka Bean, Cedarwood, and Geranium recalls classic eaux de cologne highlighted by lavender and herbs. Try this if you want to get a little old school in your shower. ~ $14 USD for 25.5 ozs

YVES ROCHER
BLUE CEDAR FROM TEXAS
SHOWER GEL

From the ever-affordable Yves Rocher who introduce and discontinue much-loved products annually, the Blue Cedar shower gel seems destined to stick around for a while, and for good reason - it smells absolutely wonderful! This is a light, almost fresh cedar aroma with a gentle scent that lingers on the skin. Try this one if you enjoy woody aromas. $4 USD for 8.4 ozs

BURT'S BEES
PEPPERMINT & ROSEMARY
BODY WASH

From Burt's Bees of honeyed fame comes a surprising, 99.9% natural, herbal mint body wash with glycerin to help soften skin. For those who are prone to itching and drying after use of scented washes, take heart - feedback on this product is stellar with many noting how great their skin feels after use. Just a piece of advice, you must love mint to fully enjoy this. ~ $10 USD for 12 ozs

DOVE GO FRESH
CUCUMBER & GREEN TEA
COOL MOISTURE BODY WASH

And finally, for maximum affordability and skin-quenching nothing can beat a Dove shower cream. I've tried a few and so far they all smelled wonderful, but the Cucumber & Green Tea cool Moisture Body Wash surprised me with its gentle tea and cucumber aroma, not at all as perfumey as some other lower-priced products. In fact, if Dove ever launched this as an eau de toilette, I'd be first in line to purchase. Try this if you're looking for something green and refreshing. ~ $5 USD for 22 ozs

What's currently in your shower that you'd like to recommend?

Products mentioned in article

Molton Brown Templetree Body Wash

Philip B Nordic Wood Hair & Body Shampoo

The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel

Puig Agua Lavanda Shower Gel

Yves Rocher Blue Cedar Shower Gel

Burt's Bees Peppermint & Rosemary Body Wash

Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Moisturizing Body Wash

Marlen Elliot Harrison

Dr. Marlen Elliot Harrison’s journalism in the fragrance industry has appeared in international print and online publications such as Playboy...(more)