At the first glance it might look like there are many options for organic and all-natural body wash products. However, upon closer examination it becomes clear that many so-called “natural brands” or “natural products” are using marketing tactics to deceive us. There are many companies that use harsh toxic ingredients in combination with few natural ingredients, but they use greenwashing to make us believe the products are all natural. Some of the deceiving marketing tactics include using green color, placing pictures of plants, leaves, and flowers on the packaging, using words in large fonts like nature, organic, bio, herbal, botanical, eco, handmade, etc.
The best way to avoid greenwashing is to educate yourself about the potentially harmful chemicals. If you want to avoid chemicals in your personal care products and are committed to using all-natural and environmentally friendly items, start by reading a few articles from websites like SafeCosmetics.org and EWG.org. It is also helpful to know how to read labels, and how to detect toxic ingredients on the products’ ingredient list.
Different Types Of All-Natural Ingredients
There are several types of natural ingredients that are being used in personal care products and cosmetics: organic, natural, and naturally-derived. Organic ingredients are those that were produced without pesticides and fertilizers. Skin care products can be formulated with purely organic ingredients (100%), or use a certain percentage of organic ingredients in their formulations. Moreover, the percentage of organic ingredients used in a product determines if USDA Organic seal is allowed to be displayed on the label or not.
Unlike “organic”, the term “natural” is actually not regulated by the government, and it is up to the individual brands of how much they commit to being natural. However, there are few nonprofit organizations like EWG, NaTrue, EcoCert, NPA, and Made Safe, that are dedicated to the natural products industry, and offer natural products certifications and seals to the qualifying brands.
The “all-natural ingredients” certification means that all ingredients in the product are made of a natural source (non synthetic) like plants, herbs, and minerals. The claim “made with natural ingredients” indicates that the product contains some natural (non synthetic) ingredients, and may or may not contain harmful ingredients (check the ingredient list). If the product is made with naturally-derived ingredients (can be described as plant-based, mineral-based, bio-based) it means that ingredients have natural origin, but have been processed, and may or may not contain harmful ingredients (check the ingredient list).
Best All-Natural Body Wash
After some diligent research we narrowed it down to the top 18 best all-natural body washes. The following organic and all-natural body washes and shower gels are formulated without harmful and irritating ingredients, and are particularly important for those with skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, acne, and sensitive skin.
100% Pure Honey Almond Shower Gel
This hydrating foaming shower gel is rich in minerals and vitamins, and is formulated with coconut oil, aloe vera, rose hydrosol, lavender honey, almond extract, green tea, red algae, and other natural ingredients. It gently cleanses and tones the skin, while locking in moisture and revitalizing the body. The honey-glazed almond aroma promotes uplifted mood.
Different scents available: Vanilla Bean, Coconut Lime, Coconut, Blood Orange, Pink Grapefruit, Mangosteen, French Lavender, and Eucalyptus.
Babo Botanicals Hydra Therapy Wash
Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic body washes are the best bet for those with sensitive, dry, rosacea and eczema-prone skin. This moisturizing plant-based body wash is gentle enough for daily use and is EWG Verified. It is specifically designed for very sensitive and irritable skin and formulated with pure and soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, calendula flower extract, aloe, coconut oil, shea butter, cacao seed butter, chamomile, and other nourishing components.
Goop G.Day Ginger + Ashwagandha Energy Body Wash
This luxurious body wash is loaded with adaptogens – stress relieving, balancing and stimulating herbs and roots such as ginger, ashwagandha, ginseng and licorice. It also includes antioxidants like green tea, Japanese shiso leaf, and pink peppercorn berries, as well as potent botanical extracts and oils. Good for your body and your mind. An awakening and refreshing showering experience guaranteed!
Weleda Refreshing Body Wash
This invigorating body wash is infused with an uplifting citrus scent that comes from lemon and orange essential oils. It cleanses the body gently while also conditioning skin with organic sesame seed oil, and energizing your senses with lemon peel. This body wash is NaTrue certified, which insures the high standard of all-natural ingredients. Refreshing Body Wash is best for normal and dry skin, but Weleda offers a range of all natural body washes formulated for different skin needs: soothing, relaxing, hydrating, pampering, replenishing, sports, and men active.
Juice Beauty Ylang Ylang Spa Wash
Deep cleansing body wash that is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Its non-drying and hydrating formula includes a blend of organic oils like coconut, jojoba, evening primrose, linseed, and borage seed oils that nourish the skin. In addition, this spa body wash also helps to even out skin tone and texture with brightening ingredients, vitamins and proteins (aloe, apple & grape juice, vitamin B5, soy protein). The aroma of ylang ylang flower is light and refreshing. It is formulated for all skin types but will benefit the most those with normal, dry and mature skin.
EO French Lavender Shower Gel
Have relaxing aromatherapy experience in your shower while gently cleansing your skin. This calming shower gel is made with organic herbs like aloe, chamomile, calendula, and white tea, and a moisturizing blend of fig and hop extracts. It leaves your mind relaxed and your skin soft and hydrated. Also available in the following scents: Awakening grapefruit & mint, Lovely rose & lemon, and Content vetiver & coconut.
Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser
This gentle non-drying body cleanser is infused with a luxurious oil blend of marula, maracuja, Sacha Inchi Seed, sweet almond, and sunflower oils, which are high in antioxidants and deeply moisturize. In addition, the blend of multi-amino acids replenishes, restores, soothes and protects skin barrier. A fruity scent is very mild.
This body wash doesn’t foam up much, and will work better if used with body loofah. Formulated for all skin types including sensitive.
SheaMoisture Coconut Daily Hydration Body Wash
Experience an intense hydration while gently cleansing your skin with a blend of 100% virgin coconut oil, organic coconut milk, shea butter and acacia Senegal. This all-natural body wash restores, nourishes, calms, soothes, moisturizes, and softens skin, and helps skin maintain its natural pH balance.
SheaMoisture offers a range of body washes designed for different skin types: African Black Soap Body Wash for oily and acne-prone skin, Raw Shea Butter Wash for dry skin, Manuka Honey & Yogurt for stressed skin, Purple Rice Water Wash for sensitive skin, and Coconut & Cactus Water Wash for dehydrated skin.
Puracy Natural Body Wash
This hypoallergenic body wash is formulated with plant-based and mineral-based non-toxic ingredients. Pink Himalayan sea salt is a featured ingredient in this cleanser, which naturally exfoliates, and restores purity and balance. Your skin will be left smooth, hydrated, and clean. If you are a citrus lover, you’ll like a refreshing light scent of grapefruit, lemon and orange peel. Also comes in a scent of Coconut & Vanilla, and Bergamot & Sandalwood.
True Botanicals Nourishing Wash
True Botanicals makes all their skincare products certified and safe not only for people but also for the planet (all products carry the Made Safe® seal).
The Nourishing body wash is formulated with high quality potent and clean ingredients like green and white tea (antioxidants), aloe vera, and olive fruit extract, which leave skin clean, soft and moisturized. It has a luxurious creamy texture, foams well, and has pleasant woody-citrusy scent.
Be One Organics Spearmint Body Wash
Start your morning with a refreshing and nourishing body wash that’s made with USDA certified organic ingredients including aloe juice and oil blend of coconut, shea butter, olive, jojoba and sunflower oils. A refreshing scent comes from spearmint and eucalyptus oils. Safe for all skin types including sensitive.
It is formulated without stabilizers and thickeners, so make sure to shake the bottle well before each use.
Rahua Shower Gel
This luxurious shower gel is infused with some unique ingredients sourced from the Amazonian rainforest like rahua and sacha inchi and palo santo oils, which are rich in antioxidants and help restore and tone skin. In addition, hibiscus extract gently exfoliates and helps to control oil production, while quinoa promotes skin healing and moisture retention. This nourishing shower gel also has aromatherapeutic properties as it’s filled with relaxing lavender, uplifting eucalyptus and sweet vanilla aroma.
Desert Essence Fragrance Free Body Wash
Fragrance-free soothing body wash that is ideal for sensitive skin. It gently cleans, purifies, and calms skin with the help of powerful all-natural botanical ingredients like green tea, jojoba oil, aloe, yucca cactus extract, sea kelp, and willow bark. The antioxidants in this all-natural body wash protect the skin from environmental aggressors. It is safe for all skin types especially sensitive. Other scented options available as well.
Plant Apothecary Wakey Wakey Body Wash
All-natural organic body wash that will boost your mood! The scent of rosemary and lemongrass essential oils has aromatherapeutic properties and helps to stimulate mind and body. It is made with very few simple ingredients like coconut oil soap, olive oil soap, jojoba oil soap and aloe, which gently cleanse and nourish the skin.
Attitude Super Leaves Soothing Shower Gel
Gentle shower gel with a subtle scent of white tea leaves and jasmine. It is EWG Verified, meaning it has been crafted with non-toxic and safe ingredients. The plant-based and mineral-based ingredients such as white tea, moringa seed extract, watercress and Indian cress extracts have regenerative, detoxifying and antioxidant properties, and will leave your skin soft and radiant. Many other delicious scents are also available from the same brand.
Basd Seductive Sandalwood Body Wash
This nourishing plant-based body wash is designed for all skin types. It is made with organic ingredients like aloe vera and green tea, which are powerful antioxidants with moisturizing properties. Sandalwood scent with a hint of bergamot comes from a blend of essential oils and natural fragrances, and is considered a natural aphrodisiac. Also available as Mint and Crème Brulee scents.
Alaffia Everyday Shea Body Wash
All natural body wash scented with lavender essential oil. This moisturizing body wash is handmade and formulated with unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, and African neem extract.
Overall, it’s a great all-natural and budget option for those with normal and dry skin. Also available in vanilla-mint scent, passion fruit and unscented.
EO Everyone 3-in-1 Bath Soap
This multipurpose EWG verified cleanser can be used as shampoo, body wash or bubble bath. It is made with organic and plant based ingredients, and contains coconut, vitamin E and B5, aloe, chamomile, calendula, and other herbs. In addition to the creamy texture this gentle soap has a pleasant coconut and citrus scent that comes from the pure essential oils. This is a convenient option for those who prefer multipurpose products and simplified skincare and body care routine. Other scents also available.
Check out our list of best organic body soaps.
Choose best body moisturizing product for your skin!
Read also about Natural Skincare For Acne.
Difference Between Body Wash And Shower Gel
When it comes to body cleansers, the terms “body wash” and “shower gel” are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing. That is to say, some of the main differences between body wash and shower gel is texture, properties, and scent.
Texture. A typical body wash has runny and liquid-like texture. In contrast, a shower gel texture is thicker with gel-like consistency due to the higher concentration of the emulsifiers.
Properties. A body wash is usually formulated with more moisturizing ingredients (emollients) in comparison to the shower gel. Moreover, since most body washes have hydrating properties, they are considered a better option for those who live in cold and dry climates. On the other hand, shower gel will work better for those who live in warm and humid climates, and for people with acne-prone, oily or combination skin.
Scent. If you are not a big fan of strong aroma, opt for a body wash as it generally contains a lower concentration of fragrance than a shower gel.
Sources:
Baghdanov C. “12 chemicals in personal care products you should avoid: the dirty dozen.” National University of Natural Medicine, Mar. 2019
“Chemicals of concern.” SafeCosmetics.org
“Cosmetics, body care products, and personal care products.” U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Apr. 2008
Fowler J.F, Woolery-Lloyd H, Waldorf H, Saini R. “Innovations in natural ingredients and their use in skin care.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Jun. 2010, Vol. 9
“How to read a cosmetic label.” School of Natural Skincare
“Myths on cosmetics safety.” EWG Skin Deep
“Organic cosmetics.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Sep. 2018
“Personal care products: science summary.” Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
“What symbols on cosmetic labels mean.” Consolidated Label Co., Apr. 2016
