Finding the best shower gel for men isn't just about lathering up — it's about what you put on your skin every single day. At Elsie and Tom, we believe your grooming routine deserves the same care and intention as everything else you do. That's why our range is built around natural, skin-loving ingredients and complex, woody fragrance blends that feel as good as they smell.
Relaxing Embrace Organic Hand and Body Wash
Our Relaxing Embrace Organic Hand and Body Wash is a deeply nourishing, essential oil-rich body wash that soothes sensitive skin and wraps you in a calming, woody fragrance. Organic, cruelty-free, and made in Suffolk — it's a gentle and effective alternative to your daily cleansing ritual as it's free from parabens, phthalates, SLS and SLES.
The Best Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
Most mainstream shower gels strip the skin of its natural moisture barrier, leaving it dry and tight. Our formulation takes the opposite approach — enriched with plant-derived actives and nourishing botanicals that work with your skin, not against it.
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Deep moisture retention — key natural emollients help lock in hydration throughout the day, so skin stays soft and supple long after you step out of the shower.
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Gentle, effective cleansing — lifts away dirt and impurities without disrupting the skin's natural pH balance.
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Skin barrier support — botanical extracts help calm and reinforce the skin's protective layer, reducing redness and irritation.
Harsh sulphates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, and artificial preservatives are common culprits behind irritation and flare-ups. Our body wash is formulated without unnecessary synthetic additives — making it one of the best options for sensitive skin on the market. Essential oil ingredients like lavender, geranium, and patchouli have long been used in natural skincare for their soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits, delivering a shower experience that's as therapeutic as it is invigorating.
What's Inside
Every ingredient in our body wash earns its place. Here's what's doing the work:
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Potassium Cocoate — a gentle, organic coconut oil-derived cleanser that creates a rich, creamy lather without stripping the skin's natural oils.
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Potassium Oleate — derived from organic olive oil, this mild surfactant conditions as it cleanses, leaving skin soft rather than tight.
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Decyl Glucoside — a plant-based, RSPO-certified surfactant known for its exceptional mildness, ideal for sensitive skin.
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Glycerin — an organic humectant that draws moisture into the skin and helps maintain hydration long after rinsing.
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Potassium Citrate & Citric Acid — work together to balance the pH, keeping it gentle and skin-compatible.
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Naturally occurring essential oil constituents Lavender, geranium, bergamot and patchouli.
Natural Artisan Soaps — A Timeless Alternative
For those who prefer a bar format, our handcrafted soaps offer the same commitment to quality in a traditional form. Cold-processed and packed with skin-nourishing plant oils and butters, they cleanse without stripping — leaving skin feeling genuinely clean, not squeaky or tight. Each bar is scented with our signature essential oil blends, so you get the same complex, masculine fragrance experience whether you prefer a wash or a bar.
Available as individually wrapped bars or as a gift box of two — the same soaps, just a lovely way to try a couple of blends or treat someone.
The Natural Ingredients at the Heart of Every Bar
Each bar is lovingly made with the most skin-nourishing natural ingredients we could find. No fillers, no synthetics — just pure, plant-derived goodness.
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Shea Butter — intensely moisturising and rich in vitamins A and E, shea butter softens and conditions the skin while helping to reduce inflammation and support the skin's natural barrier.
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Coconut Oil — a deeply penetrating oil with natural antimicrobial properties that cleanses thoroughly while locking in moisture.
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Castor Oil — draws moisture into the skin and helps create a rich, conditioning lather that rinses clean without stripping.
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Olive Oil — packed with antioxidants and oleic acid, it nourishes and protects the skin, helping to maintain elasticity and keep dryness at bay.
Complex, Woody & Masculine Fragrance — Done Properly
There's a reason woody fragrances have endured as the benchmark of masculine scent. Notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, and patchouli carry a depth and warmth that synthetic alternatives simply can't replicate. Our essential oil blends are composed with the same care as a fine fragrance — layered, balanced, and designed to care for your skin.
Whether you prefer something clean and fresh or deep and resinous, our range offers a scent profile to suit every preference — all grounded in natural ingredients that are as kind to the planet as they are to your skin.
Our Essential Oil Fragrance Blends
We don't use synthetic fragrance oils — we use pure, responsibly sourced essential oils that interact with the skin in a meaningful way. Our current soap scents are:
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Patchouli and Wood — combines the grounding earthiness of patchouli with vetiver's natural antiseptic properties, cedarwood's astringent qualities, and bergamot's antibacterial benefits to purify and balance the skin.
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Pepper and Bloom — soothing lavender paired with geranium's oil-balancing properties, all energised by black pepper's circulation-boosting benefits for healthy, glowing skin.
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Relaxing Embrace — lavender's healing properties, geranium's skin-balancing effects, bergamot's brightening benefits, and patchouli's cell-regenerating power for healthy skin renewal.
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Oriental Orange — may chang's toning properties paired with bergamot's acne-fighting abilities, grounded by patchouli, vetiver, and cedarwood for a comprehensive skincare experience.
These blends don't just smell exceptional — they're chosen because they complement the skin's natural chemistry, leaving a subtle, masculine scent that lingers without overpowering.
Elevate Your Grooming Routine
A great grooming routine isn't complicated — it just needs to be consistent and built on quality. Here's how to get the most from your Elsie and Tom products:
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Use warm (not hot) water — hot water strips natural oils from the skin. Warm water opens pores gently and lets the botanicals absorb more effectively.
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Work into a lather with your hands or a natural loofah — this activates the essential oils and ensures even coverage across the skin.
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Take a moment to breathe in the fragrance — our woody, masculine blends are designed to be an experience, not just a product. The aromatherapy benefits are real.
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Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Made in Suffolk. Crafted with Intention.
Every Elsie and Tom product is made in small batches in Suffolk, using sustainably sourced ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. We're cruelty-free, and we never compromise on quality. When you choose our men's shower gel or natural soaps, you're choosing a product that's been made with genuine care — for your skin, and for the world around us.
Shop our full range below:
Ingredients & Regulatory Information
Relaxing Embrace Organic Hand and Body Wash — Full INCI:
Aqua, Potassium Cocoate**, Potassium Oleate**, Decyl Glucoside***, Potassium Citrate, Glycerin**, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, *citral, *citronellol, *geraniol, *limonene, *linalool.
*Naturally occurring in essential oils. **Made using organic ingredients (19.8% of content). ***Derived from RSPO Mass Balance Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil.
Natural Artisan Hand Made Soaps are made with shea butter, coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, and our own pure essential oil fragrance blends. See individual soap information for full ingredient lists: Patchouli and Wood, Pepper and Bloom, Relaxing Embrace, Oriental Orange.
For external use only. Should not be used on the eyes, damaged or irritated skin. If in contact with the eyes, wash with plenty of water. If irritation occurs, discontinue use and seek medical advice.
