This post shares the 20 best non-toxic body washes. Body washes that are free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates, artificial fragrances and other potentially harmful ingredients. These body washes are made with natural, safe and organic ingredients and many are also vegan, cruelty free and good for the planet.
Did you know that our skin is our 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 every organ in our body. That is why it's so important that the ingredients you are using on your skin be non toxic and safe for health.
Unfortunately, the regulations for the personal care industry and beauty products 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 to consumers, including conventional body washes. That is why it's important to always read product labels and only choose personal care products made with safe, non toxic ingredients.
When it comes to body washes, the good news is that there are now many brands that make your health and safety their priority, and formulate their products with safe ingredients and without harsh chemicals. More and more brands are using natural, certified organic ingredients that are also often vegan, cruelty free, fragrance free and nontoxic.
In this post I will share a collection of 20 non toxic body washes that are free from harsh ingredients and are great for the whole family including organic body washes, natural body washes and natural soaps.
After you finish reading this post, be sure to check out the best non toxic body lotions too.
Disclaimer: some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means that if you purchase the product through that link, I earn a small commission. It doesn't cost you anything extra and helps me keep this website running. I truly appreciate your support!
Table of Contents
My top picks:
Best overall safe body wash: Beautycounter Citrus Mimosa Body Wash - use code CLEANFORALL20 to save 20%
Best clean body wash available in drug stores: Attitude body wash
Best natural body wash for babies and children: Earth Mama body wash, Baja Baby body wash, Hello Bello body wash
Best clean body wash for boys and men: Boyzz Only body wash
Most affordable clean body wash: Dr. Bronner's castile soap, Whole Naturals castile soap
Best body wash for pregnancy and postpartum: Pipette body wash
Best multi-purpose body wash: Alaffia African black soap
20 Non-Toxic Body Washes
Beautycounter Citrus Mimosa Body Wash
Size: 275 mL or 9.29 ounces
Price: $29 USD (refills are $28 USD) - be sure to use my 20% off code to save money!
Certifications: Environmental Working Group (EWG) verified, cruelty free, vegan.
Featured Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Coconut Acid, Panthenol*, Orange Peel Oil, Tangerine Peel Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Tangerine Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Peppermint Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Limonene.
Beautycounter body wash is my personal favourite non toxic body wash. It smells heavenly, but is scented with natural essential oils and avoids harmful synthetic fragrances. It's a non-drying, creamy body wash that comes in a refillable container to cut down on waste, so it's also better for the planet. You purchase the initial body wash, and then just purchase the refills after that. It's great for every skin type including dry skin.
Beautycounter also tests every batch of their products for contaminants to make sure no harmful chemicals or ingredients end up in their products by mistake (like what has happened with the benzene that has been found in many sunscreens, dry shampoos and deodorants recently). Beautycounter products are also cruelty free and they are never tested on animals.
Beautycounter has also been kind enough to give me a 20% off code for new customers!
Primally Pure Body Wash
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $32 USD - Be sure to use my 10% off code to help you save money
Certifications: All natural ingredients and plant-based ingredients.
Featured Ingredients: Fractionated Coconut Oil, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera Juice, Olive Oil, Glycerin, Essential Oils of Grapefruit, Lemon, Peppermint and Orange, Sunflower Oils, Shea Butter, Rosemary Extract.
Primally Pure is my second favourite safe body wash. This is the most natural body wash on the list. This body wash is made with all natural ingredients and comes in three different scents including eucalyptus and lavender, citrus and mint, almond and vanilla. These body washes are scented with natural essential oils like lavender essential oil and the citrus mint one is my personal favourite.
The Primally Pure body wash is a low suds, creamy body wash to help clean and moisturize your skin while protecting your skin's natural microbiome.
Attitude Body Wash
Size: 473 mL or 16 ounces
Price: $14.98 USD
Certifications: EWG Verified, vegan, cruelty free, ECOLOGO Certified, sustainable, biodegradable and low aquatic toxicity.
Featured Ingredients: Water, sodium coco-sulfate, coco-glucoside, glycerin, sodium cocoyl isethionate, citric acid, sodium chloride, glyceryl oleate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, grape seed oil, oat kernel extract, guar gum.
Attitude body wash is a great option that is widely available in drug stores. It is EWG verified and made with safe, non toxic ingredients. They make both fragrance free, hypoallergenic and scented body washes depending on your needs and how sensitive your skin is. Their body wash scents include bergamot and ylang ylang, patchouli and black pepper, peppermint and sweet orange scent, and petitgrain and jasmine.
Attitude also now makes body wash that comes in a refillable aluminum container so it's better for the planet and more eco-friendly.
100% Pure Body Wash
Size: 8 ounces
Price: $20 USD
Certifications: Gluten Free, Vegan, Made in the USA
Featured Ingredients: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Rose Hydrosol, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Extracts of Vanilla Planifolia Fruit, Green Tea, Red Algae, Lavender Honey, Thyme Flower/Leaf, Oregano Leaf, Rosemary Leaf, Vanilla Fruit Flavor, Japanese Honeysuckle Extract, Hyaluronic Acid
100% Pure is one of the better known non-toxic personal care brands. They make many great personal care products, including great body washes. Their shower gel is a natural body wash that is formulated with natural ingredients and it comes in many different scents including vanilla bean, French lavender, coconut lime, coconut, pink grapefruit, blood orange and more. It's formulated to be sulfate free, hydrating and gentle.
Carina Organic Body Wash
Size: 360 mL or 12.2 ounces
Price: $19.39 USD
Certifications: Vegan, cruelty free, gluten free.
Featured Ingredients: Palm oil, coconut oil, glycerin, pine extract, peppermint leaf oil, chamomile flower extract, nettle leaf extract, dandelion leaf extract, clover flower extract, apple cider vinegar, olive fruit oil, linseed seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil.
Carina Organics makes great non toxic personal care products. The Carina Organics Shampoo and Body washes are no exception. The body wash is hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty free, soy free, gluten free and made with 100% biodegradable ingredients. You can also commonly find Carina Organics products in drug stores and grocery stores.
Andalou Naturals Body Wash
Size: 251 mL or 8.5 ounces
Price: $11.91 USD
Certifications: Cruelty free
Featured Ingredients: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Fruit Stem Cells, Bioactive 8 Berry Complex, Lauryl Glucoside and Stearyl Citrate, Lime Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Coconut Water, Sunflower Seed Extract, Argan Kernel Oil, Rosehip Fruit Oil, White Tea Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, May Chang Fruit Oil, Parsley Seed Oil, Lemon Peel Oil.
Andalou Naturals is another great brand that can be found in most health food stores and many grocery stores. Their shower gel comes in many different scents, is made with natural ingredients, is organic, gluten free and cruelty free.
The Andalou Naturals is also the most affordable natural shower gel in this round up.
Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap
Size: 237 mL or 8 ounces
Price: $10 USD
Certifications: Organic, non-GMO, vegan, cruelty-free, fair trade.
Ingredients: Water, Saponified Organic Coconut, Organic Olive Oils, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Vitamin E.
Dr. Bronner's castile liquid soap is one of the best known castile soaps on the market. It ranks a 1 on the EWG skin deep database and is made with healthy, natural ingredients including plant oils like coconut oil, hemp seed oil, and jojoba seed oil. It comes in liquid and bar soap forms and with formulas for both babies and adults. You can also get scented and unscented versions of the Dr. Bronner soap depending on your preference. The soap is also packaged in 100% post consumer recycled plastic to help reduce their environmental impact.
Earth Mama Body Wash
Size: 160 mL or 5.3 ounces
Price: $9.99 USD
Certifications: Organic, cruelty free
Featured Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Vanilla Fruit Extract, Lime Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Ginger Root Oil, Shea Butter, Calendula Flower Extract, Aloe Leaf Juice
Earth Mama makes many amazing non toxic products and their body washes are no exception. Formulated with safe ingredients with products for both babies and adults, the Earth Mama body wash is made without artificial fragrances, parabens, triclosan, parabens or sulfates. It's made with ingredients like organic olive oil, shea butter and calendula and is dermatologist tested and certified by Oregon Tilth.
Rocky Mountain Soap Body Wash
Size: 250 mL
Price: $18 CAD
Certifications: Made in Canada, all natural, cruelty free, vegan, non-GMO, Leaping Bunny certified.
Featured Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Coco Betaine, Coco Glucoside, Humic acid, Lactic Acid, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company is a local brand to where I live that makes so many amazing non toxic personal care products made with natural ingredients and organic ingredients. The Rocky Mountain Soap Company Everyday Hero Natural Shower Gel is a great safe body wash that has a beautiful, refreshing scent and helps moisturize and exfoliate the skin.
Pure Haven Body Wash
Size: 8 ounces or 227 grams
Price: $17.95 USD
Certifications: Not specified
Featured Ingredients: organic aloe vera leaf juice, coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, water, glycerin, organic sweet orange oil, xanthan gum, sodium levulinate, sodium phytate, citric acid
Pure Haven makes a few different body washes including pink grapefruit body wash and sweet orange body wash and they avoid harmful ingredients like parabens, artificial fragrances and known endocrine disruptors in their products.
Pipette Relaxing Body Wash
Size: 236 mL or 8 ounces
Price: $14.99 USD
Certifications: EWG verified, Leaping Bunny certified, hypoallergenic
Featured Ingredients: Water, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Squalane, Magnesium Chloride, Cocoyl Proline, Sodium Gluconate, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Mandarin Orange Oil, Rose Geranium Flower Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Limonene.
The Pipette body wash is specifically designed for those with sensitive skin including those who are pregnant and postpartum. Their 100% plant-derived scent is a gentle botanical mix of bergamot, mandarin orange, and rose geranium flower.
C'Est Moi Vanilla Vibes Cleansing Body Wash
Size: 300 mL or 10 ounces
Price: $29.99 USD
Certifications: EWG verified, hypoallergenic, dermatology tested, vegan
Featured Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Rice Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Xanthan Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Coconut Oil, Linseed Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Citric Acid.
Another great clean body wash is the C'Est Moi Vanilla Body Wash. It's made with natural and organic ingredients including aloe, calendula, cucumber extract and avocado oil so it's gentle, hydrating and refreshing. It is great for those with sensitive skin and acne prone skin.
Sea Kind Glow Body Wash
Size: 473 mL or 16 ounces
Price: $19.76 USD
Certifications: EWG verified, vegan, non-GMO
Featured Ingredients: Purified Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Lauryl, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Protein, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin, Grapefruit Peel Oil.
The Sea Kind Glow Body Wash is an all natural, vegan body wash that is great for both men, women and children. It's scented with essential oils and avoids synthetic fragrances. It's designed for kids and adults and is made with powerful Marine Actives sea plant extracts to help nourish and protect the skin. Additionally, with every purchase of Sea Kind products, you help support sea conservation organizations.
The Honest Company Body Wash
Size: 296 mL or 10 ounces
Price: $10.97 USD
Certifications: EWG verified, paediatrician tested, hypoallergenic
Featured Ingredients: Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Matricaria Flower Extract, Coconut Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Coconut Acid, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid.
Another great option are the body washes from The Honest Company. Their body wash is also a shampoo so it does double duty. Their body wash comes in both scented and fragrance free options depending on your preference. Their body wash is made with naturally derived ingredients and are tear free and are specifically designed for babies and kids.
Whole Naturals Castile Soap
Size: 64 ounces
Price: $26.99 USD
Certifications: EWG verified, cruelty free, non-GMO, vegan, certified organic, 100% biodegradable
Ingredients: Purified Water, Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Hemp Oil, Almond Sweet Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Prickly Pear Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Coconut Oil.
Whole Naturals Pure Castile Soap is a great affordable, non toxic body wash option. The formula is mild and gentle and formulated without palm oil. It's also vegan and cruelty free. It's made with many natural oils including argan oil, coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, almond oil and apricot oil so it's nice and hydrating and won't cause skin irritation. It can be used as a body wash, face wash, baby wash, dish soap, cleaner and more.
Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap
Size: 950 mL or 32 ounces
Price: $17.99 USD
Certifications: cruelty free, vegan
Ingredients: African Mint Aqueous Extract, Shea Butter and Palm Kernel Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Mentha Arvensis Oil.
Made with shea butter, the Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap is a great natural body wash. It comes in different scents, and is a very affordable price. It's a great all in one product that can be used as a face wash, body wash, shaving soap and shampoo. I personally love the peppermint scent.
Seven Minerals Castile Soap
Size: 33.8 ounces
Price: $19.95 USD
Certifications: EWG verified, vegan, non-GMO, 100% biodegradable, made in the USA.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Organic Argan Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Vegetable Glycerin
Another great Castile soap option is the one by Seven Minerals. It can be used as hand soap, body wash, shampoo, a dish soap, household cleaner and more! This multi purpose product is vegan, formulated with natural carrier oils and is safe for sensitive skin. It is unscented and safe for babies, kids and adults. It's made with coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, Argan kernel oil, and hemp oil to help moisturize and soothe the skin and avoid any skin irritation.
Boyzz Only Body Wash
Size: 236 mL or 8 ounces
Price: $16.85
Certifications: EWG verified, vegan, gluten free, no animal testing, biodegradable, made in Canada, CertClean certified, Leaping Bunny certified
Featured Ingredients: Water, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Vegetable Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Rice Bran Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil*, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Orange peel oil, Jojoba seed oil, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Neroli oil, Cedarwood Oil, Spearmint Leaf Oil.
As the name implies, Boyzz Only products are formulated specifically for boys and men. Their products are sulfate free, vegan and paraben free and made with organic ingredients. Their body washes come in unscented as well as scented versions, depending on your preference.
Baja Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
Size: 355 mL or 12 ounces
Price: $23.99 USD
Certifications: EWG verified, gluten free, cruelty free, hypoallergenic, tear free, PETA approved, 100% plant based ingredients, made in Canada
Ingredients: Glacial Water, Coco Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Myristic acid, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glucose, Glucose Oxidase and Lactoperoxidase
Baja Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is formulated specifically for babies, infants and kids meaning it is extra gentle and non-irritating. It's made with plant based ingredients and is free from harmful ingredients like parabens and phthalates. It comes in either unscented or lavender, depending on your preference.
Hello Bello Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
Size: 296 mL or 10 ounces
Price: $6.92 USD
Certifications: tear free, paediatrician approved, hypoallergenic, gluten free
Featured Ingredients: Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Raspberry Ketone.
Another brand formulated specifically for babies, the Hello Bello Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is a great, non toxic option for kids and babies. Their products are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested and pediatrician tested. They come in a variety of scents so you're sure to find something you love!
Ingredients to avoid in body wash and why:
As I mentioned earlier, personal care products, including body wash, can be made with ingredients that can have negative health risks. Let's discuss some of these ingredients in more detail so you can understand why it's important to avoid them.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives used in many beauty and skincare products to help increase their shelf life and stability. The parabens used most often in personal care products are methyl, ethyl, butyl and propyl paraben, which are used as preservatives and antibacterial agents.
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 classified as endocrine disruptors or hormone disruptors.
Endocrine disruption 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).
Fragrances
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 body wash, that uses synthetic fragrances or that won't disclose their fragrance ingredients. To avoid fragrances, check for the words "fragrance", "scent", "perfume" or "parfum" in the ingredient list.
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.
But don't worry, you don't need to memorize these chemicals. I have created a free download for you with a list of ingredients to avoid in skincare and cosmetic products:
I hope you found this information helpful! If you have any questions please let me know.
Frequently asked questions:
When reading body wash ingredients, one of the main ingredients to watch out for and avoid is fragrance or parfume. Fragrances are considered to be trade secrets in personal care products, meaning the company doesn't have to disclose what ingredients are in their fragrances, and often the fragrances are where hormone disruptors and other harmful ingredients such as phthalates are found.
Dove body wash is sulfate free and paraben free but they do contain artificial fragrances. Therefore, Dove body wash would not be considered non toxic and it would be best to avoid it.
Sadly, many body washes on the market contain ingredients that can be dangerous or harmful to our health. They can contain ingredients that can irritate the skin, contribute to hormone imbalances, infertility, and other negative health effects. Luckily, more and more brands are starting to formulate their products with safe and non toxic ingredients, so be sure to choose brands that focus on your safety.
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! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!
Other health information you will be interested in:
- The best non toxic toothpastes
- The best non-toxic deodorants
- Is there mercury in your mascara?
- Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better?
- How to choose safe cookware
- Are candles toxic?
- Is ceramic cookware safe?
- The best non toxic face masks for all skin types
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:
- 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.
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