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Ready to dive into the clean beauty world and make your routine more green? Start by swapping that conventional body wash or bar soap that's been sitting in your shower for months with a natural body wash. Not only are natural and organic body washes generally nicer to your skin (shout out to gentle surfactants and plant-based ingredients), but they're almost always better for the environment too—whether that means being made with sustainable ingredients, or being housed in recyclable, eco-friendly packaging. So to get you started on your natural body wash ~journey~, I rounded up the 17 best options to try right now—from acne-clearing foam washes to low-lather cleansing oils, there's an option for everyone.
Our top picks for the best natural body washes of 2022:
Best Fragrance-Free Natural Body Wash
Nécessaire The Body Wash Fragrance-FreeRead more
Best Natural Exfoliating Body Wash
Boscia Papaya and Pomegranate Enzyme Exfoliating Body Cleanser
Read more
Go ahead and check out the entire list of the best natural body washes below, along with the three most important things to keep in mind when choosing a natural body wash to add to your shower routine.
Best Fragrance-Free Natural Body Wash
Nécessaire The Body Wash Fragrance-Free
Pros
- Made without fragrance, sulfates, or other harsh surfactants
Cons
- Has very minimal lather
Not into scented skincare? NBD. Nécessaire's natural body wash is fragrance-free and has zero perfume-y or overpowering scent. Even better? The super gentle formula won't strip your skin while you suds up in the shower.
THE REVIEW: "My skin is super sensitive and I’ve tried several other body washes but my skin always felt dry afterwards," writes a tester. "Even though this is pricey, I decided to give it a try and I'm so glad I did. It's so worth it and makes my skin feel smooth and soft after washing."
Color | Sandalwood |
---|---|
Blob | Niacinamide; Fragrance Free; Cruelty-Free; allure 2019 Best of Beauty Award Winner; Vegan; Clean Plus Planet Positive |
Highlighted Ingredients | - Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Cleanses, nourishes, and balances. |
Best Natural Exfoliating Body Wash
Boscia Papaya and Pomegranate Enzyme Exfoliating Body Cleanser
Now 14% Off
Pros
- Contains enzymes and acids to exfoliate skin
Cons
- Some testers said it dried their skin out
Made with a trio of gentle exfoliators—including fruit enzymes, lactic acid, and mandelic acid—this all natural body wash gently dissolves dead skin cells while you cleanse so it feels baby soft when you step out of the shower. With continued use, it can even help minimize the appearance of dark marks, sun spots, and scars too.
THE REVIEW: "This body wash leaves you with smoother, softer, and brighter skin," says a tester. "I have noticed the skin on my elbows is way less rough and the hyperpigmentation on the backs of my thighs and under my arms has improved a ton."
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Pros
- Made with nourishing oils to smooth and soften skin
Cons
- Doesn't lather as well as other options on the list
Don't be fooled by the oily texture of this natural body wash. As soon as you massage it into damp skin, the formula turns into a milky lather that washes away dirt and oil while infusing your skin with a blend of nourishing coconut oil and antioxidant-rich hibiscus and passionfruit seed oils.
THE REVIEW: "If you have dry skin, this shower oil is for you! It's super gentle and hydrating, and because it's an oil, it doesn't lather as much as a typical body wash but it definitely cleanses. I absolutely love the way it makes my skin feel."
Pros
- Made with brightening ingredients to make your skin glow
Cons
- Contains fragrance that may irritate certain skin types
Dull skin is officially cancelled. This body wash from Alo (yep, the same brand that makes your fave workout leggings) is packed with naturally-derived ingredients, including hydrating aloe vera and brightening amla extract (it's loaded with vitamin C) to give your skin a radiant glow.
THE REVIEW: "This is a beautiful body wash," writes one tester. "It's very creamy and creates good lather on a pouf. The scent is lovely—a mix of ginger and citrus—but still light. It even makes my skin feel more moisturized too."
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Pros
- Ideal for dry, dehydrated skin types
Cons
- Contains essential oils that may irritate certain skin types
I've been using this moisturizing body wash from Weleda for months and I'm not gonna lie my skin has never felt softer. It uses nourishing sea buckthorn berries and sesame oil to strengthen your skin barrier so it can better hold on to precious moisture. A dream for anyone with perpetually dry skin.
THE REVIEW: "I love the silky texture and refreshing scent of this body wash," writes a reviewer. "It makes my skin feel so soft when I get out of the shower that I don't even need body lotion."
Pros
- Concentrated formula is made without water or other filler ingredients
Cons
- Unique formula takes a little bit of time to get used to
Most conventional body washes are made with up to 70 percent water, which is pretty wasteful considering clean water is 1. a scare natural resource and 2. needs to be stored and shipped in a bulky plastic bottle. The alternative? This waterless natural body wash from low-waste beauty brand Everist. The concentrated, plant-based formula comes out of the aluminum tube as a paste, and then turns into a sudsy wash once it comes in contact with your wet skin.
THE REVIEW: "This body wash smells amazing! When I shower with it I like to close my eyes and pretend like I'm vacationing in southern Italy. It rinses clean and my skin is left feeling soft and clean."
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Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free formula is made with plant-based ingredients
Cons
- Contains essential oils that may cause skin irritation
Made with a combo of gentle, coconut-derived surfactants, moisturizing plant seed oils, and soothing white flowers extracts, this body wash from all-natural skincare brand Corpus is the perfect everyday cleanser. It comes in three different scents, but I personally love the bright citrus and spicy notes in N° Green.
THE REVIEW: "The feeling of this gel is so soothing, enveloping, and luxurious," says a tester, adding that "it leaves your skin super soft and silky without any residue and the scent engulfs you in a cocoon-ish feeling."
Pros
- Eco-friendly aluminum packaging is 100 percent recyclable
Cons
- Some shoppers say it's not stocked in Target stores
Made with low-waste aluminum packaging instead of plastic, this natural body wash can be easily recycled (and multiple times at that—75 percent of aluminum ever produced is still in use today) making it not only good for you, but the planet too.
THE REVIEW: "I love this body wash! It creates a nice cooling sensation and smells very clean and minty too," say one review. "And I really love that it's so easy to recycle curbside too."
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Pros
- Affordable and widely available at drugstores
Cons
- Some testers say the consistency is a bit watery
Wind down at the end of a long, stressful day with this drugstore body wash. The 98.7 percent natural formula uses lavender flower extract to help chill you out, plus a plant-based complex that gets you clean without stripping your skin.
THE REVIEW: "I absolutely love this product! The scent is lovely and not overwhelming. I almost hate to give it such a good review because I selfishly would like to keep it all for myself! Try it and I bet you will love it too," says one tester.
Pros
- Lots of product for the price
Cons
- Some testers say the formula has a clay-like scent
Grab this natural body wash for days when your bod needs a serious cleaning (aka after a sweaty-ass workout). It's made with detoxifying volcanic clay to get rid of dirt, sweat, odor, and excess oil without drying out your skin and disrupting your skin barrier.
THE REVIEW: "I get very dry skin, especially in winter, and this soap doesn't strip my skin," reads one review. "And since I use sunscreen all year long, my pores tends to get clogged, but this stuff has been doing miracles to keep my skin clear." "It's also a huge bottle—it's been months and I'm not even half way through using this," says another tester.
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Pros
- Ideal for acne-prone skin
Cons
- May be too drying for certain skin types
A few months ago I was dealing with some pretty annoying bacne, and let me tell you, this natural body wash from Jason was legit the only thing that cleared it up. It contains antibacterial tea tree to zap zits and de-gunk clogged pores, plus moisturizing vitamin b5 to prevent your skin from getting dried out.
THE REVIEW: "My derm recommend I try this for my body acne and folliculitis because it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties—it's made a huge difference for my skin. Super impressed!"
Pros
- Creamy formula is full of nourishing and moisturizing ingredients
Cons
- Some testers say the formula isn't foamy enough
This natural body wash from Drunk Elephant is straight magic when it comes to softening super dry, flaky skin. The creamy, low-foam formula (it's kinda like a co-wash for your skin) is infused with nourishing maracuja oil and amino acids to deeply moisturize and smooth rough patches.
THE REVIEW: "This is a great choice for dry, sensitive skin," says a reviewer. "My skin has really been struggling this summer and things that typically worked for my skin have caused further irritation. Using this wash along with the Drunk Elephant body lotion has really calmed down the sensitivity."
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Pros
- Formulated with super-sensitive skin types in mind
Cons
- On the pricey side for a body wash
This natural body wash from Pai is ideal for dry, sensitive skin types. The mild, creamy formula is free-from common skin irritants (like sulfates, dyes, and synthetic fragrances), and is infused with soothing magnolia berry and vitamin-rich camellia oil to calm your skin while you cleanse. Plus, it comes with a gentle konjac sponge so you can exfoliate as needed.
THE REVIEW: "My sensitive skin loves this stuff," writes a tester. "I've never experienced any irritation from using it and love that it really cleans my skin without me feel overly dry."
Pros
- Designed for super dry skin types and those with eczema
Cons
- Some testers say it has a weird smell
If you're prone to eczema, then you know all too well that the wrong body wash (aka one with stripping sulfates and harsh ingredients) can make your skin a red, flaky mess. Play it safe and opt for this natural body wash from Skinfix. The oil-based formula transforms into a light lather as it comes in contact with water to remove dirt and nourish your skin.
THE REVIEW: "This isn't like other soaps that leave your skin feeling stiff after you rinse," writes a tester. "If you have dry skin and you’re looking for a good quality body wash, I highly recommend this one."
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Best Eco-Friendly Natural Body Wash
Ren Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash
Now 10% Off
Pros
- Packaging is made from recycled ocean plastic
Cons
- One of the more expensive options on the list
Not only is this natural body wash clean and green—it's packed with plant-based ingredients to cleanse and hydrate your skin—the sustainable packaging it's housed in is clean, too. The bottle is made from recycled ocean plastic (aka the stuff you see floating around in the Pacific garbage patch).
THE REVIEW: "I love this body wash! It smells fresh and clean and feels crisp and light. And knowing it is eco conscious also feels good too!"
Pros
- 2-in-1 formula can be used to cleanse your hands, body, and hair
Cons
- Contains limonene and linalool which may irritate sensitive skin types
There's a lot to love about this natural body wash. First, you can use it everywhere—on your body, hands, face, and even your hair as a shampoo. Second, it's vegan and cruelty-free (save the bunnies!). And last, but definitely not least, the brand supports homeless communities across the United States by helping bring mobile shower units to people living on the streets. Pretty amazing, right?
THE REVIEW: "This checks all the right boxes for me," says a tester. "It smells wonderful, lathers well, and is really moisturizing. And I really love that the brand helps underserved communities too."
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Pros
- Made with certified-organic ingredients
Cons
- Essentials oils provide a great scent but can potentially cause skin irritation
Not a morning person? Lather up with this natural body wash in the shower to help kickstart your a.m. It's made with mild, coconut-derived cleansers and infused with an energizing blend of organic essential oils (I see you orange and grapefruit) to ~stimulate~ your mind and body.
THE REVIEW: "I am so pleased with this body wash!" It smells absolutely amazing and is so moisturizing too. Using it is a great start to the morning!"
What body washes are all-natural?
Body washes that contain plant-based ingredients and are free-from potentially toxic ingredients like parabens, sulfates, PEGS, and synthetic fragrances and dyes are considered all-natural. The best ones contain gentle surfactants and hydrating and nourishing ingredients (like aloe vera, coconut oil, and jojoba oil) that moisturize skin and keep its protective barrier healthy and intact.
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How to choose a natural body wash:
Skip the sulfates.
Sulfates (you'll see them as sodium laureth and/or lauryl sulfate on an ingredients list) are sudsy cleaning agents used in many conventional body washes. They're super harsh on skin and can also be contaminated with carcinogens, so natural formulas forgo them for gentler surfactants derived from coconuts. If you see sulfates on the label of your body wash, it's a clear sign that the formula isn't natural.
Keep an eye out for certain logos.
USDA Organic, Made Safe, EcoCert, B Corp...these are all independent groups that vet everything from a product's safety to its environmental impact. Seeing their name or logo on your natural body wash is an easy way to verify that it's actually as clean and green as the label says it is.
Know that natural doesn't always equal gentle.
Just because your body wash is natural doesn't automatically make it suitable for sensitive skin. Many natural body washes are filled with essential oils, which smell amazing, but can be potentially irritating. So if your skin is sensitive or prone to things like eczema and rashes, always choose a natural body wash that's fragrance-free, meaning it's made without synthetic fragrances *and* plant based ones from essential oils too.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing clean beauty stories that range from the best all-natural sunscreens to the best organic makeup brands. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but an expert when it comes to natural skin and body care. She regularly tests and analyzes natural body washes for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and estheticians to assess new formulas, brands, and technologies.
Lauren Balsamo
Deputy Beauty Director
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram.