This post will review the best non toxic body lotions and creams. Lotions that are made from healthy ingredients, and are free from parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances and irritants. Many of these moisturizers are organic, cruelty free and natural too.
Most people have at least one body lotion in their home. These moisturizers can help skin stay moisturized, lock in hydration, smooth the skin, and can also help you smell really nice. Some lotions even come with added benefits and properties such as including ingredients like collagen, certain vitamins and minerals or having anti-aging properties.
Unfortunately, not all body lotions are created equally. Conventional body lotions can contain ingredients that are not so great for our health. Sadly, the regulations for the personal care industry are rather lacking in many countries (including both Canada and the US), which means that harmful ingredients, toxic chemicals, toxic ingredients, synthetic fragrances, and other skin irritants can end up in the products that are sold on shelves. That is why it’s important to always read product labels and only choose personal care products, such as body lotions, creams and moisturizers, that are made with safe, non-toxic ingredients.
The reason this is so important is that our skin is our body's largest organ, and many of the ingredients that we put on our skin get absorbed directly into our bloodstream, meaning that they can then impact our internal organs. This is why it's so important that the ingredients you are using on your skin be safe for health.
When it comes to body lotions, luckily there are now many brands that make your health and safety their priority, and formulate their products with safe ingredients. More and more brands are using natural, organic ingredients that are also often vegan, cruelty free, fragrance free and nontoxic.
In this post I will share a round up of the best non-toxic body lotions that are great for many different skin types, ages and budgets. These creams are all made with clean ingredients, are free from harmful chemicals, and includes natural lotions, organic lotions and vegan lotions too. For best results you will want to apply these creams and lotions soon after bathing to help your skin barrier retain moisture and give you the best smooth and hydrated skin texture.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links whereby if you purchase the product through that link I make a small commission. This does not cost you anything extra and allows me to keep this website running.
Table of Contents
My top picks:
Non Toxic Body Lotion Roundup
Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion
Size: 240 mL or 8.11 ounces
Price: $29 USD for the initial bottle and $28 USD for the refills - be sure to use my 20% off code to help you save money!
Features and certifications: cruelty free, vegan, tested for contaminants, made with organic ingredients.
Featured Ingredients: Water, Safflower Seed Oil, Glycerin, Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera oil), Grapefruit Peel Oil.
The hydrating body lotion from Beautycounter is my my overall top pick for the best body lotion. Beautycounter takes the safety of their products very seriously, even going as far as testing every batch of products for contaminants to ensure that no harmful ingredients end up in their products.
The Beautycounter body lotion is light weight and non greasy. It's made with safflower seed oil, coconut oil and is scented with essential oils and is made without synthetic fragrances, parabens or phthalates. It's great for those with sensitive skin and the product is also eco-friendly because you initially buy a bottle, and then simply purchase the refills after that.
Beautycounter Melting Body Balm
Size: 3 ounces or 85 grams
Price: $34.50 USD - be sure to use my 20% off code below to help you save money!
Features and certifications: vegan and tested for contaminants, made with organic ingredients
Featured Ingredients: Jojoba Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Coconut Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Carnauba Wax, Vanillin.
If you want even more hydration, the Beautycounter Melting Body Balm is for you. It is thicker and more moisturizing than the body lotion and is still formulated with safe, non-toxic ingredients. It is a wonderfully luxurious toxin-free lotion and a small amount goes a long way with this product. I personally love the smell of the body balm, it makes me feel like I am on a tropical vacation. The smaller size of this body balm also makes it perfect for carrying in your purse, work bag or gym bag.
Primally Pure Body Butter
Size: 4 ounces or 8 ounces
Price: $26 USD for 4 oz and $46 USD for 8 oz - be sure to use my 10% off code to help you save money!
Features and certifications: all natural ingredients, made with organic ingredients.
Ingredients: Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil*, Mango Butter, Shea Butter*, Sweet Almond Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Arrowroot Powder, Beeswax (cera alba), Essential Oils of Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Peppermint, Rosemary Extract*, Non-GMO Vitamin E. *Organic
Primally Pure makes amazing natural body care products, and their body butter is my absolute favourite. It is so hydrating! It's made with all natural ingredients including tallow from grass fed cows which is rich in Vitamins A, D, E and K, and conjugated linoleic acid. It also contains organic mango butter, shea butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil and extra virgin olive oil to provide even more deep hydration. I also love using this body butter as a really hydrating hand cream.
This body butter is great for all skin types and comes in a few different scents, which are all naturally scented with essential oils. My personal favourite scent is the citrus mint one. The body butter also comes in a recyclable and reusable glass jar.
100% Pure Body Butter
Size: 3.4 ounces
Price: $30 USD
Features and certifications: cruelty free, vegan, gluten free, made in the US.
Ingredients: The ingredients vary depending on the scent, but some of the feature ingredients include cocoa butter, avocado butter, shea butter, argan oil, rosehip seed oil and organic aloe vera leaf juice.
100% Pure is another well known clean beauty or clean skincare brand. They make natural body butters in various fragrances including Coconut Whipped Body Butter, Honey Almond Whipped Body Butter, and more. The body butter is great for dry, flaky skin and will help prevent moisture loss if applied soon after bathing. Made with with enriching cocoa butter and natural oils like avocado oil for extra hydration.
100% Pure Body Lotion
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $26 USD
Certifications and features: cruelty free, vegan, gluten free, made in the USA.
Main Ingredients: The ingredients vary depending on the scent, but some of the feature ingredients include organic aloe leaf juice, avocado butter, reship seed oil, cocoa butter and more.
Like their body butter, the 100% Pure body lotion is also another great natural moisturizer. It is made with natural ingredients and comes in different scents including vanilla bean and honey almond. Compared to the body butter the is a light weight moisturizer.
Alaffia Body Lotion
Size: 32 ounces
Price: $16.99 USD
Features and certifications: fair trade, cruelty free
Featured Ingredients: Lemongrass Extract, Shea Leaf Extract, Handcrafted Shea Butter Certified Fair Trade, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Red Palm Oil, Essential Oils (Scented Versions Only).
Alaffia makes a few different body lotions depending on your skin type. Their Everyday Lotion is great for those with normal to dry skin, while their Everyday Shea Body Lotion is great if you have normal to very dry skin. You can get these lotions in different scents, like lavender and coconut, and they also have an unscented or fragrance free option.
Alaffia products are all clean, fair trade, sulfate-free and contain no parabens, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, artificial color or synthetic fragrances. They are also more affordable than many of the other clean lotions on the market.
Attitude Body Lotion
Size: 16 ounces
Price: $19.35 USD
Features and certifications: made in Canada, cruelty free, vegan, EWG verified, recyclable, and Ecologo certified, biodegradable and low aquatic toxicity.
Featured Ingredients: Water, stearyl alcohol, tapioca starch, shea butter, avocado oil, olive fruit oil, mango seed butter, oat kernel flour, xanthan gum, sweet fruit, green fruit.
Attitude body lotions are an affordable option that are easily found in many drug stores and grocery stores. They are made with hypoallergenic, natural ingredients that are great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Their products are also eco-friendly.
Acure Seriously Soothing Body Lotion
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $11.07 USD
Features and certifications: vegan and cruelty free.
Featured ingredients: Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, cocoa butter, safflower seed oil, meadow foam seed oil.
Acure body lotion is another great safe option. It's made with cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal, sunflower seed oil and deeply moisturizing aloe. It is even clinically shown to provide moisture for 24 hours when used as directed. This lotion is also paraben free, sulfate free, mineral oil free, petrolatum free, and formaldehyde free. This clean lotion is also unscented so if you are sensitive to scents or fragrances this is a great option.
Babo Botanicals Lotion
Size: 8 ounces or 237 mL
Price: $12.32 USD
Features and certifications: EWG verified, vegan, cruelty free, pediatrician tested, safe for babies and children.
Featured ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, calendula, non-GMO colloidal oatmeal.
Babo Botanicals makes amazing non toxic and clean products for babies and adults with sensitive skin. They offer a variety of body lotions, some being fragrance free, and some scented with essential oils such as lavender. Made with plant based ingredients their moisturizers are hypoallergenic to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Their lotion is also gluten free, soy free and dairy free.
Dr. Bronners Organic Hand and Body Lotion
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $16.57 USD
Features and certifications: cruelty free, non-GMO, USDA organic, fair trade.
Featured ingredients: organic jojoba oil, organic coconut oil, USA grown hemp and avocado oils.
Dr. Bronner's has been making natural and organic soaps and organic body lotions for over 100 years. Their organic hand and body lotion comes in many different scents and is vegan and made without any animal products. This lotion is formulated to help soothe and moisturize, plus help keep skin extra smooth and supple. It's good for most skin types, including sensitive, dry, rough or combination skin.
Everyone Body Lotion
Size: 32 ounces
Price: $29.85 USD for a 2-pack
Features and certifications: EWG verified, GMO free, cruelty free, gluten free
Featured ingredients: organic calendula, aloe vera, and chamomile with the antioxidants of white tea extracts plus vitamins E and B5.
Everyone makes very affordable body lotions in many different scents. Their lotion is plant based and made with pure essential oils, coconut oil, aloe vera and vitamin E. This is an ultra gentle formula that is gentle enough to be used on your face and body. Everyone Nourishing Lotion is also paraben free, triclosan free, and synthetic fragrance free. Their bottles are also made with previously-used recycled plastic so are an eco-friendly option.
Pipette Body Lotion
Size: 170 mL or 5.7 ounces
Price: $8.99 USD
Features and certifications: hypoallergenic, EWG verified, vegan and cruelty free.
Pipette is another great clean beauty brand. They make safe products for babies and those with sensitive skin. Their baby body lotion is a daily moisturizer that you can use all over, head-to-toe. It's lightweight and quick absorbing and helps to restore the moisture balance baby's skin using essential fatty acids, ceramides, and plant-derived squalane. Pipette also makes a body lotion designed for adults.
Rocky Mountain Soap Body Lotion
Size: 240 mL (daily lotion size)
Price: $21 CAD
Features and certifications: vegan, non-GMO, cruelty free
Featured ingredients: shea butter, oat kernel oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company is local to where I live and they make amazing non toxic and natural personal care products so I had to include them in this roundup. They make natural body butters, foot butters, belly butters, natural body lotions and hand creams. Their products are made in Canada from all natural ingredients. They also offer a recycling program where you can return your empty containers to the store so they can be re-used.
Puracy Organic Baby Lotion
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $9.99 USD
Features and certifications: hypoallergenic, vegan, gluten-free, biodegradable, certified cruelty free and made in the USA.
Ingredient highlights: vitamin E, shea butter, jojoba seed oil.
Puracy Organic baby lotion is a scent-free moisturizer that is designed for use on babies sensitive skin. It is formulated to be both hydrating and calming. It is light weight and non greasy and dries quickly. It is made with natural ingredients and has a light lavender and grapefruit scent.
Carina Organics Body Lotion
Size: 250 mL
Price: $13.69 USD
Features and certifications: hypoallergenic, cruelty free, paraben free, biodegradable, vegan and gluten free.
Carina Organics makes many different body lotions and creams including unscented and scented options. I personally love the unscented option, which is a daily moisturizing and hydrating skin cream that's made with natural and certified organic plant, vegetable, flower, and tree extracts.
Earth Mama Body Lotion
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $17.99 USD
Features and certifications: dermatologist tested, NSF/ANSI 305 Certified by Oregon Tilth, Leaping Bunny Certified, cruelty free.
Ingredient highlights: organic olive oil, organic shea butter, organic aloe, organic calendula.
Earth Mama is a great non toxic brand that makes products that are gentle enough for kids and babies. Their body lotion is moisturizing and soothing, and calming, so it's great for those with sensitive skin, and for babies. Earth Mama is also Plastic Neutral - for every item sold, Earth Mama funds the recovery and processing of the same amount of plastic waste from the environment in partnership with rePurpose Global.
Earth Mama makes a few different body lotions including Calming Lavender, Unscented and Sweet Orange.
Pure Haven Body Lotion
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $24.95 USD
Ingredient highlights: organic aloe vera leaf juice, organic sunflower seed oil, hydrogenated olive oil, essential oils.
Pure Haven makes a great clean hand and body lotion that is lightweight, non greasy and hydrating. It leaves leaves skin soft and smooth and absorbs really nicely. It has a subtle, refreshing scent that doesn't linger, but smells amazing.
Weleda Skin Food
Size: 75 mL or 2.5 ounces
Price: $16.68 USD
Features and certifications: Certified Natural Personal Care, cruelty free
Ingredient highlights: beeswax, chamomile, calendula, almond oil, essential oils.
Weleda is a popular non toxic personal care brand that is found in many locations including Whole Foods stores and on Amazon. Their Skin Food lotion is formulated with plant based ingredients, and hydrates the skin with extracts of rosemary, chamomile, and pansy in a nourishing base of sunflower and sweet almond oils. There is an ultra rich hydrating option, as well as a more lightweight lotion depending on your needs.
Avalon Organics Hand and Body Lotion
Size: 32 ounces
Price: $16.49 USD
Features and certifications: non-GMO, certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 Standard, cruelty free and Leaping Bunny certified.
Ingredient highlights: aloe vera leaf juice, safflower seed oil, oat bran, shea butter and coconut oil.
Avalon Organics makes a hydrating hand and body lotion that is certified organic, plant-based and made with botanicals and essential oils. Their hand and body lotion comes in lavender and unscented options, depending on your preference.
Of course there is no way for me to possibly include all the safe and non toxic lotions out there in this post. As such, I thought it would be helpful to share a list of ingredients or harmful chemicals to watch for and avoid when you are out shopping for lotions.
Ingredients to avoid in lotions:
In case you are out shopping and trying to read labels, here is a handy list of ingredients to watch for when you read ingredient lists. If you see any of these terms I would recommend avoiding the product.
Fragrance or parfum
Fragrances are considered to be trade secrets. This means that companies don't have to disclose the ingredients they use to make their fragrances. Hidden within that little unassuming term could be hundreds of chemicals or ingredients, some of which could be harmful to your health. And you don't get to know what any of them are. And unfortunately, the ingredients used to make these fragrances can be harmful to your health.
The ingredients used to make fragrances can be hormone disruptors, allergens, airway irritants, neurological-toxins and ingredients linked to infertility. That's why I recommend avoiding any product, not just lotions, that uses synthetic fragrances or that won't disclose their fragrance ingredients. Unfortunately, the majority of lotions on the market do contain fragrances so it's important to read labels and the ingredient list carefully. To avoid fragrances, check for the words "fragrance", "scent", "perfume" or "parfum" in the ingredients list.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives and anti-bacterial agents used in many beauty and skincare products, including body lotions, to help increase their shelf life and stability. The parabens used most often in personal care products are methyl, ethyl, butyl and propyl paraben.
The problem with parabens is that some of them have weak estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity. In other words, they can lead to hormone imbalances and are therefore considered to be endocrine disruptors or hormone disruptors.
Hormone imbalances can lead to a number of health problems including thyroid disease, infertility, acne, fatigue, weight gain, etc. And parabens have been linked to breast cancer, skin cancer, decreased sperm counts and infertility (Reference, Reference, Reference, Reference).
Phthalates
Phthalates are used to make products flexible and to help fragrances and scents last longer.
Phthalates can also be included in a products fragrance formula so also be sure to avoid products with the words fragrance, perfume or parfum in the ingredient lists.
Ethanolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA)
Europe and Canada prohibit the use of DEA in cosmetics and personal care products due to concerns regarding the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. However, these chemicals are still allowed to be used in other countries.
There is also concern that these chemicals can negatively impact male fertility as in vitro studies have shown they impair sperm motility and viability. Animals studies also shown concering neurological effects. TEA is also an immune and respiratory toxin.
To avoid ethanolamines, look for DEA, TEA and MEA when reading ingredient lists.
PEGS
PEG compounds (PEGS) are formed by condensing water and ethylene oxide. While PEG compounds themselves are usually safe for health, they can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is a known carcinogen and because they are used as penetration enhancers, depending on what other ingredients are in the product, they can potentially make other toxic ingredients more harmful.
Triclosan
Tricolsan is an anti-bacterial agent that is added to personal care products in order to prevent bacterial contamination, and to kill bacteria on the surface of the skin. Triclosan is used so commonly that 75% of Americans have detectable levels in their urine.
Animal studies have shown triclosan to be an endocrine disruptor and other studies show that it can alter your microbiome.
Formaldehyde releasing preservatives
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and certain preservatives when used in personal care products can release formaldehyde over time. Some of these preservatives to watch for and avoid include:
- quaternium ingredients
- DMDM hydantoin
- diazolidinyl urea
- imidazolidinyl urea
Others:
- Petroleum-based ingredients:
- petrolatum
- polysorbate ingredients
- propylene glycol
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Retinyl Palmitate - you can read more on why I avoid retinol in this post.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
But don't worry, you don't need to memorize this list of chemicals. I have created a free printable download with a lists of ingredients for you to watch for and avoid in cosmetic products and personal care products.
Frequently asked questions:
While both are moisturizers, generally lotions are lighter in texture and formulated with more water compared to creams which are usually thicker and more hydrating.
You can apply body lotion anytime, but it works especially well if you apply it after bathing to help lock in moisture.
No it is not. Bath and Body Works products contain artificial fragrances as well as other unsafe ingredients which I would recommend avoiding.
I hope you found this post helpful. If you have any questions please let me know.
Other health information you will like:
- The Best Non Toxic Dental Products
- The best non toxic period underwear
- The best non-toxic deodorants
- The best non toxic laundry detergents
- Is there mercury in your mascara?
- Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better?
- How to choose safe cookware
- Are candles toxic?
- The best non toxic toothpastes
- The best non toxic face masks
Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips!
Our expertise:
Dr. Erin Carter, MD, FRCPC, is a physician with board certifications in internal medicine and rheumatology. She is passionate about nutrition, environmental health and low toxicity living and has been doing research and publishing information in this area for years. She is also a self-trained chef and has been creating and publishing recipes since 2015. Her recipes have been featured on many different websites and online publications.
References:
- Queckenberg, Christian, et al. "Absorption, pharmacokinetics, and safety of triclosan after dermal administration." Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 54.1 (2010): 570-572.
- Janjua, Nadeem Rezaq, et al. "Urinary excretion of phthalates and paraben after repeated whole‐body topical application in humans." International journal of andrology 31.2 (2008): 118-130.
- Gong, Mengyan, Yinping Zhang, and Charles J. Weschler. "Measurement of phthalates in skin wipes: estimating exposure from dermal absorption." Environmental science & technology 48.13 (2014): 7428-7435.
- Parabens and their effects on the endocrine system
- Parabens can enable hallmarks and characteristics of cancer in human breast epithelial cells: a review of the literature with reference to new exposure data and regulatory status.
- Epigenetic alterations induced by genotoxic occupational and environmental human chemical carcinogens: A systematic literature review.
- Fragrance: emerging health and environmental concerns.
- Environmental Determinants of Chronic Disease and Medical Approaches: Recognition, Avoidance, Supportive Therapy, and Detoxification.
- Inhibition of Polyisoprenylated Methylated Protein Methyl Esterase by Synthetic Musks Induces Cell Degeneration.
- Human exposure to nitro musks and the evaluation of their potential toxicity: an overview.
- Kraeling, M. E. K., Yourick, J. J., & Bronaugh, R. L. (2004). In vitro human skin penetration of diethanolamine. Food and chemical toxicology, 42(10), 1553-1561.
- Panchal, S. R., & Verma, R. J. (2013). Spermatotoxic effect of diethanolamine: An in vitro study. Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction, 2(3), 196-200.
- Craciunescu, C. N., Wu, R., & Zeisel, S. H. (2006). Diethanolamine alters neurogenesis and induces apoptosis in fetal mouse hippocampus. The FASEB journal, 20(10), 1635-1640.
- Health Canada. 2022. List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients. Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
- Darbre PD., et al., Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2008.
- Golden R., et al., A review of the endocrine activity of parabens and implications for potential risks to human health. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, vol. 35, pp 435-58, 2005.
- Oishi S., Effects of butylparaben on the male reproductive system in rats. Toxicology and Industrial Health, vol 17, pp 31-9, 2001.
- Darbre, P. D. (2006). Environmental oestrogens, cosmetics and breast cancer. Best practice & research clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 20(1), 121-143.
- Boas, M., Feldt-Rasmussen, U., & Main, K. M. (2012). Thyroid effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 355(2), 240-248.
Leann
Rocky Mountain (Soup) typo
Erin Carter
Oh thanks so much for noticing! I just fixed it 🙂