8 Eco-friendly Body Wash Brands Using Organic & Natural Ingredients
Bathing and showering are part of our daily rituals, sometimes happening more than once a day depending on habits and lifestyle.
This ritual helps us protect our largest organ, our skin, as we wash away the day’s dirt, dust, and grime.
To cleanse their skin, many opt for body wash. But this very item, while ridding you of dirt, dust, and grime, may be absorbing chemicals into your body through the skin and washing down the drain into the environment.
Body wash is considered a cosmetic and as such ingredients other than colorants, while regulated, do not need to be FDA approved.
These ingredients include a cocktail of potentially toxic chemicals that come with associated risks for our health and the environment.
Let's explore the sustainability and meet some brands that are making some organic body wash options with eco-friendly materials.
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Environmental and Health Impacts of Conventional Body Wash
When it comes to the environment, toxic chemicals in conventional body washes swirl down the drain and enter waterways where they can impact aquatic life. But it does not stop there.
Body wash is contained in disposable plastic bottles.
Plastic is derived from the fossil fuel petroleum.
A non-renewable resource, petroleum contributes to carbon emissions when extracted and manufactured for plastics and other purposes.
Sometimes bottles are wrapped in plastic packaging, which increases emissions as well as waste.
Bottles are also bulky and heavy to transport, adding to their carbon footprint.
This is especially in comparison to bar soap because body wash requires about five times more energy to manufacture and about 20 times more energy for packaging production.
Because body wash is heavier and bigger, it also takes up more volume during transportation, requiring more trips, thus increasing fuel and emissions. And that’s just the environmental cost.
The chemicals used across a broad range of bath and beauty products have all kinds of health implications, ranging from skin irritation to cancer.
Harmful Ingredients to Avoid When Shopping for Body Wash
Due to the minimal amounts of chemicals in these products and given that they’re washed off, the levels are usually not considered a concern.
But when you think about how often you use body wash, it can add up to a lot of exposure.
If you are concerned about choosing non-toxic options, here are a few of the ingredients to remain cautious of when checking labels while shopping for body wash.
Parabens
Parabens are used as a preservative in bath and beauty products and are easily absorbed into the body.
They have been linked to endocrine disruption and cancer.
When checking labels, keep an eye out for ingredients that contain the word paraben like methylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, or butylparaben.
Formaldehyde
Some preservatives may release formaldehyde, which is linked to cancer. Preservatives to avoid, in addition to parabens, include:
quaternium-15
DMDM hydratoin
diaziolidinyl urea
sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate
Fragrances
Fragrances are regarded as “trade secrets” and as such the ingredients used to make them do not need to be disclosed.
In this way, hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals could be lurking in your body wash, without appearing on the ingredients label.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used across a range of products including those found in your bathroom.
Often hidden in fragrances, phthalates are thought to have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system.
Sulfates
Sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are found in shampoos, conditioners, and body wash and are what cause the product to lather.
It can strip the skin of natural oils, drying it and leading to irritation.
Triclosan
Triclosan – often found in antibacterial soaps –creates dioxins, which are carcinogens.
Dioxins can also disrupt the endocrine system and affect thyroid function.
Nitrosamines
Nitrosamines are impurities that have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and organ system toxicity.
They can show up in ingredients like DEA (diethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine), and MEA (monoethanolamine).
BPA
Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is used in plastic bottles.
What to Look for in Eco-Friendly Body Wash
Sticking to good old-fashioned bar soap can mean less impact on the environment and your health.
But if you’re set on body wash, here are a few tips to follow – even if you choose bar soap, some of these tips can apply.
Read ingredients lists and be wary of terms such as “clean” and “green” as these are not regulated and can be broadly interpreted.
Use recyclable or reusable containers and search for brands or stores with refill options.
Choose fragrance-free products.
Avoid antibacterial body wash and soap.
Look for BPA-free plastic.
Keep an eye out for Made Safe labels. This is a third-party certification that requires full ingredient disclosure.
Support eco-friendly brands that limit toxic ingredients.
8 Eco-Friendly Body Washes
If you're ready to find some of the best natural body washes from small businesses, this list is perfect for getting you started!
These brands are using non-toxic & sustainable ingredients, eco-conscious packaging, and crafting high quality body washes perfect for sensitive skin.
Plaine Products Refillable Body Wash
Founded by sisters Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine, Plaine Products offers a range of personal care products including a hair and body wash.
Available in refillable bottles, this product is vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO, biodegradable, and contains no sulfates, colorants, palm oil, or silicone.
They also run their ingredients through the Environmental Working Group’s database to ensure they are safe and non-toxic.
Their low waste aims are furthered in their packaging, which includes using longer-lasting aluminum bottles, as well as boxes for shipping made from 100% recycled materials that they use more than once.
Plaine Products also tracks their environmental impact and as of June 2022 they have eliminated 404,748 plastic bottles from landfills.
Their body wash scents feature unscented, rosemary mint vanilla, and lavender. Their refillable bottles of body wash can be purchased for $27-$30.
EcoRoots Organic Bar Soap Body Wash Alternative
Bar soap is a great option when exploring eco-friendly alternatives to body wash. EcoRoots has a huge variety of organic options.
Made with herbs and oils, this soap is cold-pressed by hand in small batches.
It is free of synthetic fragrances, colorants, parabens, sulfates, and animal products, making it both vegan and cruelty-free.
It is package free and available in scents such as lavender, tangerine lavender, patchouli, peppermint, lemongrass, grapefruit calendula, and sage.
One bar is said to replace up to two bottles of body wash and their aim is to be plastic-free as far as possible.
When shipping, EcoRoots uses only recyclable materials and these can be reused, composted, or recycled.
EcoRoots soap bars can be purchased for $12 each or conscious consumers can create a soap bundle for 20% off.
Meow Meow Tweet's Grapefruit Mint Hand & Body Wash
An all-natural vegan apothecary, Meow Meow Tweet is all about providing ethical, eco-friendly, and sustainable personal care products, including a unique body wash option.
Meow Meow Tweet features a Hand + Body wash option that is crafted with dual purpose in mind and can be used for washing your hands, washing your body, hand-washing clothes, removing stains and making an all-purpose household cleaner.
Their Hand + Body Wash is crafted from scratch in the spirit of traditional castile soap.
Loaded with organic aloe vera, the creamy lather cleanses without stripping your skin of it’s vital moisture.
The Grapefruit Mint scent is a fresh burst of citrus and the texture is a gel.
Plus, this body wash gives back donating $5 from every bottle to DigDeep for their Navajo Water Project.
Bathing Culture's Organic, Biodegradable, Cruelty Free Body Wash
Manufacturing locally in Portland and San Francisco, Bathing Culture’s organic, biodegradable, and cruelty-free Mind and Body Wash is made with plant-based oils, potassium hydroxide, vegan-friendly plant glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, guar bean, citric acid, and a Cathedral Grove essential oil blend.
A concentrate that is 100% soap, their body wash is available in refillable glass bottles and can even be used as a shampoo.
A plant-based product, it is free of chemicals and synthetic fragrances. Bathing Culture's organic body wash ranges in price from $18-$35.
SheaMoisture Fair Trade Body Washes Great for Dry Skin
SheaMoisture is a Black owned and Black lead hair, bath, & skincare brand.
SheaMoisture is the legacy of Sofi Tucker, a pioneering mother of four and entrepreneur, who sold Shea Butter, African Black Soap and homemade beauty preparations in Sierra Leone in 1912. Today the brand honors her and carries on her legacy.
This sustainable brand prides itself on using No Sulfates, No Parabens, No Phthalates, No Mineral Oil, No Animal Testing, & No Petrolatum.
SheaMoisture also uses a lot of fair trade ingredients such as shea butter.
SheaMoisture body washes feature moisturizing options such as the Manuka Honey & Yogurt Skin Renewal recipe, the African Black Soap Soothing Body Wash, Oatmeal + Vitamin E Soothing Body Wash, and more.
Their body washes range in price from $8-$11.
Corvus Botanicals Zero Waste Bar Soap
If it’s solid soap bars you’re looking for Corvus Botanicals has some unique scents including lavender and rosehip, coffee and clove, charcoal and tea tree, and mint and eucalyptus.
With minimal, plastic-free packaging that is 100% compostable, their focus is firmly on low waste.
As their name suggests, Corvus Botanicals focuses on plant-based ingredients, and these are sourced from the CITES and INCI databases ensuring they do not use endangered or threatened species.
Corvus Botanicals uses organic ingredients whenever possible.
Through the organization One Tree Planted, they plant a tree for every order made.
Corvus Botanical bar soaps can be purchased for $8 making this one of the more affordable sustainable swaps.
SoapDistillery Non-Toxic Sustainable Body Wash
Soap Distillery is a Black owned business that takes sustainability seriously with their biodegradable and reusable packaging and eco-friendly ingredients.
This brand also values giving back as they donate to local organizations such as the Broadway Youth Center.
Their products are made with care in small batches using natural ingredients.
Their body wash is infused with Aloe and Calendula making it the perfect for hand washing by the sink, or lathering your body in the shower.
This sustainable body wash comes packaged in a eco-friendly glass bottle with a pump for easy use.
Their body wash scents include unique scents such as gin, limoncello, and beer + cigarettes.
These body washes can be purchased for $20.
The Seaweed Bath Co. Plant Based Body Wash
Made with Maine seaweed, The Seaweed Bath Co. products are free of sulfates, parabens, ammonia, phthalates, and formaldehyde.
Harnessing seaweed’s power to soothe irritated and flaking skin, The Seaweed Bath Co. offers body washes and soap that exfoliate, hydrate, and nourish.
Containing no artificial colorants or fragrances, they focus instead on using high-quality ingredients like unadulterated essential oils to provide aromatherapeutic scents, while color is derived from the use of plant-based ingredients.
The Seaweed Bath Co. products are also vegan and cruelty-free, with body washes contained in bottles made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.
The Seaweed Bath Co. body washes can be purchased for $12-$15.
Their liquid body wash features unique scents such as grapefruit + orange, rosemary + mint, orange + eucalyptus + cedar and more.
Tips for Picking Out a New Body Wash
Swapping out your body wash for a more natural formula is an easy way to make your shower routine cleaner from harmful chemicals. This is especially smart if you have itchy skin or other skin conditions that might be impacted by harsh ingredients.
Here are some tips for picking out a more gentle body wash that will leave you with clean & smooth skin.
Read the ingredient list to make sure none of the harmful ingredients, synthetic preservatives, or synthetic dyes listed about are included.
Look for organic ingredients such as organic coconut oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, and more. These are commonly used in organic body washes.
Consider your skin type. Do you suffer from dry skin? Make sure you pick a body wash that is moisturizing.
Consider looking for fair trade ingredients as this ensures the ingredients were responsibly sourced.
Consider the packaging as this is a big part of sustainable products. Is the shower gel in a plastic bottle? What will the end of the lifecycle look like for that container? Try to look for compostable, biodegradable, or reusable packaging.
Try starting with a travel size bottle. This way you can try a small amount on your skin to make sure it's the perfect body wash for you.
When exploring different scents try to avoid artificial fragrances and opt for natural scents
Hopefully this guide has given you an idea on which eco-friendly ingredients to look for, which harsh chemicals to avoid when shopping for body wash, and given you some sustainable brands to check out for organic products.
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