How to Choose The Best Natural Non-Toxic Body Wash

Discover the harmful chemicals hiding in your body wash and how to choose the best natural non-toxic body wash brands.

Picture this: You’re winding down after a seriously hectic day, getting ready to step into a blissfully hot shower. You reach for your usual go-to bottle of body wash but hold on a sec. Have you ever stopped to consider what’s actually in it? Like, really looked closely at the label?

If you take a moment to read the ingredients, you might be surprised – and not in a good way. A lot of conventional body washes are packed with health-harming chemicals and synthetic fragrances. It turns out your body wash might not be your skin’s BFF like it claims to be.

Now, what if we told you there are many great body wash options made with natural, non-toxic, organic ingredients that are better for your skin and your health? Even better, they smell so good you won’t even miss your old body wash, and you’ll wonder why you hadn’t switched sooner.

It’s Time To Detox Your Shower Routine, and Here’s Why…

Unmasking the Toxic Chemicals That Might Be Lurking In Your Body Wash

Sulfates And Fragrance: Skin Irritants and Allergy Triggers

So, first, let’s talk about how some ingredients in traditional body washes can irritate your skin. You know those bubbles that make us feel super clean? They’re often made from sulfates. While more suds may make you feel like you’re getting a better clean, they are actually quite harsh, stealing your skin’s natural oils and leaving dryness, redness, and itchiness behind.

And don’t forget about fragrance. Of course, we know that a delicious-smelling body wash is usually its biggest selling point. But, because fragrance formulas are considered trade secrets, this means corporations can hide any number of chemical ingredients under the umbrella terms “fragrance” or “parfum,” so you really don’t know what harmful chemicals might be concealed under this nondescript term, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Ingredients that fall under the umbrella of fragrance can trigger skin allergies, eczema, and respiratory irritation and may potentially cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in some people. Double-check to ensure your body wash is free of sulfates and harmful fragrances to be sure you are taking care of your skin.

Hormone Disruption and Cancer Risk

Ingredients like parabens and phthalates mess with our body’s balance of hormones. Parabens are used in many personal care and beauty products as a preservative to prevent bacteria growth in body wash and shower gel. Recently, they have been linked to many health problems, including cancer, reproductive problems, and endocrine disruption, leading to fertility issues, weight gain, and even scarier, cancer.

And it gets worse. Some body washes contain formaldehyde, which, yes, is as bad as it sounds. It’s a known carcinogen that can irritate your skin and make you cough, wheeze, and struggle to catch your breath.

Eye Irritation

And lastly, if your eyes are ever red, itchy, or watery after your shower, your body wash may be the culprit. Those fragrances that can irritate your skin are also no friends to your eyes either.

So, in a nutshell, it’s really worth reading that ingredients list on your body wash carefully. Knowledge is power, and knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin can help you make better choices for your skin and your health.

Making The Switch To A Non Toxic Body Wash

If you’re ready to make the switch to a non-toxic, organic body wash, here are a few easy things to look for to ensure you are selecting one that is made from natural ingredients and free from any harsh chemicals.

Read Those Labels

Just like when choosing what foods to eat, the ingredient list is your best friend. Look for body washes with plant-based ingredients that sound more like a delicious smoothie and less like a chemistry experiment. Keep an eye out for those harmful chemicals we mentioned earlier – sulfates, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic fragrances.

You’ll find that natural body washes often have shorter ingredient lists. That’s a good thing! It means you’re getting more of what’s good for you and less of what’s not.

Suggested Reading: Love Your Curls With the 5 Best Natural Shampoo Brands for Curly Hair

Watch Out for ‘Fragrance’- It Hides In Tricky Places

A common trick is to list ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient. It seems innocent enough, but this term can hide a cocktail of chemicals. Instead, opt to skip body washes that contain synthetic fragrance and look for products that are fragrance-free or get their lovely smell from natural sources, like essential oils.

Natural products often indicate that their fragrances are derived from essential oils or other natural sources. While essential oils are generally safe and aren’t known to cause serious health problems, they still can cause skin and eye irritation, so it’s helpful to know if you are sensitive to any particular essential oils if shopping for an essential oil body wash. Do a patch test by applying a small amount of the product to your inner wrist or elbow and wait 24 hours to see if any redness, itching, or irritation occurs.

Look For Trustworthy Certifications

Natural and organic labels can be a good sign, but be sure they’re certified organic to avoid greenwashed products. Unfortunately, words like ‘all-natural’ aren’t regulated and can be thrown around freely.

USDA Organic and Ecocert- these certifications guarantee ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation

Environmental Working Group (EWG) and EWG Verified- The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. They have a fantastic database that rates the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. If a product is ‘EWG Verified,’ it meets the EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health. Be sure to check out the EWG skin deep database.

Leaping Bunny and PETA’s Cruelty-Free Bunny- these labels signify that the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals. For those who also want to avoid animal-derived ingredients, look for products labeled ‘vegan.’

TRUE Zero Waste- is a rising trend focusing on reducing waste to the minimum. Look for this label if you care about reducing plastic and packaging waste. Often, zero-waste body washes come in bar form (yes, good old-fashioned soap!) or refillable and recyclable containers.

Fair Trade- the fair trade certification indicates that the ingredients have been sourced in a socially and economically responsible way. It helps ensure that farmers and workers are treated fairly and minimizes environmental harm.

Our 5 Favorite Non-Toxic Body Wash Brands

1) Bathing Culture – Organic Mind + Body Wash

Bathing Culture’s Mind and Body Wash is an environmentally friendly, organic, nourishing body wash packaged in a super cute, refillable rainbow glass bottle. This all-natural body wash lathers like a dream, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated thanks to ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, sunflower oil, and skin-nurturing pure aloe vera and shea butter. The scent is like showering outside in a lovely Redwood forest on a brisk fall morning. With their sustainability ethos, Bathing Culture only uses 100% pre-existing recycled materials and palm oil-free formulations that are great for all skin types.

2) CORPUS – Nº Green Natural Body Wash

Having used the CORPUS deodorants for several years now (and loving them!), we were excited to see CORPUS had come out with a line of natural body washes. We had wanted to get our hands on the Nº Green Natural Body Wash for a while, and it didn’t disappoint!

We love CORPUS products for their luxurious, unisex, spa-like scents that give off an elevated woodsy vibe, like being at a high-end spa in along the California coast. Not only is the scent luxurious, but the texture is as well. The thick formula lathers easily and leaves you feeling fresh and clean from head to toe all day long.

After rinsing, the CORPUS body wash leaves a light scent on the skin that subtly lingers. We love the scent so much we wish the fragrance was a little stronger, but perhaps they will come out with a line of body lotions that we can layer on soon.

The 100% recyclable, sleek aluminum packaging looked gorgeous in our shower, but we admit the bottle size was a little smaller than we expected for the price. But we all deserve to treat ourselves once in a while and still would recommend this natural body wash as splurge-worthy.

3) UPCIRCLE Hand + body Wash with Kiwi Water

Three things drew us to this body wash: 1) the affordable price point, 2) the cute, eco-friendly packaging 3) the scent!

We weren’t familiar with the UPCIRCLE brand until we purchased this hand and body wash, but we loved it! We were instantly hit with a refreshing, zesty fragrance upon first use. What an amazing way to wake up during a morning shower.

We did encounter some issues with the pump, which resulted in some minor leakage – a point the brand may need to consider. But really minor in the scheme of things. We also do want to note that the body wash formulation does tend to stay on the skin and requires a little rubbing to get a completely clean rinse.

With UPCIRCLE’s commitment to being vegan, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly, we look forward to trying other products in their lineup soon.

4) Pai Skincare Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Surprisingly Gentle Body Wash

This is the body wash for you if you have sensitive or even eczema-prone skin. It’s true to its name – gentle yet genius. What sets this body wash apart for us is how it leaves our skin feeling nourished and hydrated. In addition, it didn’t cause any irritation or dryness, even when experiencing eczema flare-ups.

The included Konjac sponge is a lovely addition. It was really effective in generating a nice lather. The sponge’s texture is just right, providing a soft touch while helping to distribute the body wash evenly and effectively. The duo made our shower routine feel like a mini spa session.

Pai’s Gentle Body Wash elevates the overall shower experience, making it something we look forward to at the end of a long day. A genuine treat for sensitive skin.

5) Farmacy Honey Bubbly Moisturizing Body Wash

The Farmacy Honey Bubbly Moisturizing Body Wash is luxurious, hydrating, and especially great for those with dry skin or those who live in a dry climate. The gentle formula doesn’t strip natural oils and moisturizes skin quickly. The scent was a little odd and not the sweet honey scent we expected based on the packaging.

The shower gel had more herbal undertones that faded pretty quickly once we got out of the shower. If lather is important to you, we would recommend going with the Corpus – Nº Green Natural Body Wash since we really had to work to get some suds using either a washcloth or loofah to achieve the optimal amount of lather.

The good thing is that a small amount of this body wash will go a long way, making it a cost-effective choice. The cute packaging and the fact this product is a good value made this body wash a keeper in our book.

This post was about the best natural non-toxic body wash body wash.

To wrap things up, this post was all about the importance of understanding what harmful chemicals are lurking in your typical body wash – from skin irritants and allergy triggers to potentially harmful substances that can lead to hormone disruption and even increase your risk of cancer.

Additionally, it’s crucial to be aware of the misleading terms on labels, like ‘fragrance,’ which can conceal a plethora of harmful chemicals. This information is particularly relevant to anyone looking to detoxify their shower routine and make healthier choices for the products they are putting on their skin.

We delved into the world of non-toxic body washes and provided an easy guide on what to look out for when making the switch. Checking labels and seeking trustworthy certifications are all essential steps in making informed choices.

We recommended our top five favorite non-toxic body wash brands:

Next time you’re about to step into the shower, pause for a moment. Consider your body wash – the ingredients, the potential impacts, the alternatives. Then, take a step towards a healthier, cleaner you, and a greener planet by opting for something that is non-toxic.

We would love to hear your experiences! Do you have any favorites? Any questions or doubts? Feel free to share your thoughts, ask questions, or engage in a discussion below. Do you have any favorite non-toxic body washes that we missed?

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