Vegan body washes help nourish your skin directly without using harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
This means you’re literally applying real, natural, and healthy substances directly to your skin.
If you’re considering switching to a vegan certified body wash but don’t know where to start, fear not!
We’re going to take a look at what body washes may be best for you and your specific skin type, show you what to look for in a vegan organic body wash, and go over some of the most refreshing, invigorating, and skin nourishing body washes on the market today.
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Quick List of Top Picks
- Tree to Tub Soapberry for Body – Body Wash for Dry Skin
- ALEAVIA Enzymatic Body Cleanse
- Cove Castile Soap – Lavender
- Puracy Natural Body Wash – Citrus and Sea Salt
- Love Beauty And Planet Relaxing Rain Body Wash – Argan Oil & Lavender
- The Seaweed Bath Co. Body Wash – Eucalyptus & Peppermint
What Makes a Vegan Body Wash Better?
When you switch to vegan beauty products, you’re not only supporting an amazing cause but also giving your body a chance to thrive and become healthier.
You’ll get to avoid using animal by-products on your skin. I remember finding out uric acid (a substance usually derived from the liver of cows) was one of the main ingredients in many beauty products, including body MY wash.
To say the least, I found myself disgusted to realize I was rubbing it all over my whole body in every shower. I remember wanting to take a shower right there and then at the very thought!
In addition, many body washes contain insect by-products and are in many cases, tested on animals.
So first and foremost, by using vegan products you avoid supporting exploitation of animals. It doesn’t stop there, though.
A quality vegan certified and cruelty-free body wash will also help you improve the quality of your skin.
The Advantages Offered by This Type of Body Wash
Vegan body washes have quite an edge over commercially produced, over processed, synthetic and non-organic body washes.
First of all, they’re ideal for helping to prevent and even heal an extensive range of skin-related health issues.
For me personally, I struggle with body acne from time to time and have sensitive underarm skin. My body wash does an amazing job of eliminating these issues.
However, you don’t need to have allergies or dermatological issues to reap the benefits.
Vegan washes are gentle and non-abrasive. It makes sense when you think about it, vegan food makes you feel better inside, vegan beauty products help you on the outside. Additionally, you’ll get more bang for your buck.
Since the ingredients in a body wash of this kind aren’t over processed, they have a greater impact on your skin.
Ingredients also come in more concentrated forms, so you can use less body wash and still get the same, if not better, skin results. This is good for the environment and for your skin.
What Does Cruelty-Free Mean?
It’s important to keep in mind if you really want to live a vegan lifestyle, you’re probably going to want to cut out all products that exploit, hurt or kill animals in their making.
So what does cruelty-free really mean? The term certainly does seem to be thrown around a lot. Essentially, cruelty-free means a product has ingredients not tested on animals.
PETA takes things a step further to help ensure consumers are getting the most accurate information when looking for cruelty-free products.
Choosing cruelty-free beauty products is a great way to help protect animals and our environment.
Getting the Most Out of Your Body Wash
A body wash works by removing dirt, sweat, and oils from your pores. A good body wash will also have the right ingredient composition to help replace certain oils and add nourishing elements and moisture.
Knowing how to properly use your vegan-friendly body soap is just as important as buying the right one.
You’ll want to wet your skin, apply the body wash, and rinse. However, with vegan washes, you may also want to let your pores open up a bit first.
You also won’t be using as much body wash as you would with non-vegan alternatives. Vegan washes are often more potent and, usually, you’ll only use a quarter-sized amount.
Finally, you may want to use a pure cotton washcloth to apply the body wash.
This can help you scrub off dead skin cells without being overly abrasive to your skin. Some washes can also be mixed with your favorite vegan body scrub.
We recommend against using sponges or abrasive plastic loofah.
Did you know REAL loofahs are actually a type of plant pod? I didn’t! You can grow your own loofah. I know! My mind was blown when I found out.
How to Choose the Best Body Wash for Your Needs
Now that you know why these body washes are great and how to use them, it’s time to learn how to pick the right one for you.
Just like with every hair type, all skin types are a little bit different. Let me start by saying what works for me might not be the best solution for you.
We’re all wonderfully unique and thus, must find our own equally unique solutions when it comes to beauty products. However, I can definitely give you some guidelines to follow.
Know Your Skin Type
There are generally four different skin types. These are dry skin, normal/combination skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin.
While your skin type is one of the most important factors to consider when buying facial beauty products, the rest of your body matters, too.
Think of it like this: whatever your facial skin type is, your body will match, but not be quite as susceptible to damage or as sensitive.
Most of the skin on your body is a bit tougher than your facial skin, with the exception of your no-no-squares, which are very delicate and usually a bit more sensitive than the skin on your face.
Choose a Scent You Love
Vegan washes come in various indulgent and invigorating fragrances. It’s a good idea to choose a fragrance you love since you’ll probably be using your body wash often.
Another wonderful thing about vegan body washes is their fragrances come from natural products. This means a lavender body wash won’t just smell like lavender, it will be made of lavender!
You’ll be putting the real thing on your skin, what a pleasant shower-thought!
Consider Your Local Climate
Climate can have a pretty big impact on your skin. Even if you know your skin type, your climate can change how your skin reacts to external factors. Here’s an example:
I was using a deep-moisture body wash with algae and olive oil when I was in Arizona a few summers ago. I loved the way it balanced out the dryness in the air!
However, on my trip back up to Seattle, I immediately realized my skin wasn’t feeling as soft and touchable as it usually did.
I had a tiny breakout on my back, which my vegan certified body wash had never contributed to before.
It turns out the abrupt climate and humidity shift (and maybe some stress from traveling) had caused a mild skin reaction. The solution? I switched to an option that didn’t have any olive oil in it.
Seattle has plenty of stores with certified vegan cruelty-free organic products available, which I enjoyed. I actually shopped around a lot, which was really fun.
When I went to Austin, TX later on that month, I was able to switch right back to my regular vegan deep-moisture body wash with no problems.
Top Picks for Best Vegan Body Washes
Now for the really fun part! Let’s take a look at some of my absolute favorite vegan cruelty-free body wash options.
Hopefully, one or two of these will be perfect for you and for your skin.
Tree to Tub Soapberry for Body
Do you love wild ingredients, organic botanicals, and fresh ingredients? If you do, you may really enjoy TREE to TUB’s Soapberry for Body.
This body wash takes vegan beauty products to a whole new level. I love the pump at the top too; it makes it perfect for a shower shelf.
This is great for anyone who doesn’t want any kind of a film left behind on their skin after showering. It makes you feel so fresh, so clean, and so relaxed.
The formula composition is unique and uses wild grown soapberries. It’s also completely cruelty-free, vegan and fair trade certified, eco-friendly, and sustainably produced. I mean, come on, you can’t get more organic than wild-grown!
I feel like if you live in a really dry climate or you have super dry skin, this might not be the best choice. You’d definitely need to use a moisturizer with it after showering.
Still, if I was told I could only use one body wash for the rest of my life, I would probably pick this one. It’s really good!
What We Like
- Amazing fresh lavender scent
- Gently cleanses with no filmy residue
- Contains wild grown soapberries
- Makes your skin feel amazing
What We Don’t Like
- Not ideal for very dry skin types
ALEAVIA Enzymatic Body Cleanse
ALEAVIA’s body wash utilizes an exclusive prebiotic formula that balances your skin and protects your external layers in a totally natural way.
It combines 7 all-natural organic ingredients to create the ultimate washing experience. It’s an amazing option for anyone with sensitive skin, dry skin, or excessively oily skin.
It claims to help with a variety of skin conditions including rashes, dry patches, and acne.
It’s also one of the only body washes that can nourish and moisturize your skin at a cellular level.
The best part about this, however, is you can use it on your face. It can also be used for every single skin type!
The only downside is it’s a little more expensive than most other vegan organic body washes. All in all though, if you’ve got sensitive skin or other dermatological issues, this is an amazing option to consider.
What We Like
- Totally organic, vegan, and plant based
- Awesome for sensitive or dry skin
- You can use it on your face
- Only has 7 ingredients
What We Don’t Like
- A little more expensive than other options
Cove Castile Soap – Lavender
If you like the smell of essential oils, this is a great option to consider. Totally organic and vegan certified, Cove’s Castile Lavender body wash is like a fully immersive sensory experience in a bottle.
I absolutely love fragrances with citrus notes and lavender, so I was enamored with this product from the start.
This is the kind of body wash that helps to directly nourish your skin on contact. When you use harsh soaps, the natural balance of your skin is immediately thrown off.
This can lead to dryness, bacterial growth, and an imbalance in the pH levels of your skin. Cove Castile releases calming and soothing ingredients for a natural and gentle washing experience is great for your skin.
It also contains coconut, a known natural moisturizer. However, this wash leaves a bit of a film. This is probably due to the coconut moisturizing properties and not really a negative.
It’s a great option for anyone who is all about fragrance.
What We Like
- Very moisturizing
- Smells absolutely amazing
- A great overall value
- Good for all skin types
What We Don’t Like
- Leaves a film which some may not like
Puracy Natural Body Wash – Citrus and Sea Salt
This might just be one of my favorite everyday options.
Developed by doctors, Puracy’s Natural Body Wash is definitely one of the best formulas out there. From improving your natural pH balance to nourishing your skin directly on contact, this body wash is able to give you noticeable results after the very first use.
I love it contains citrus and sea salt! It has been specially formulated for men and women, so anyone can use it.
The sea salt also does a great job of purifying your skin. It comes in a concentrated bottle and will last for months.
However, if you have sensitive skin, some users have said this may not be a great option. This is probably because of its super foamy lather and highly concentrated formula.
It’s amazing value and really lasts and lasts!
What We Like
- A great value
- Concentrated formula
- Foams for rich lather
- Smells wonderful
What We Don’t Like
- May not be good for some sensitive skin
Love Beauty And Planet Relaxing Rain Body Wash – Argan Oil & Lavender
This body wash from Love Beauty And Planet is great for making your skin look healthier and more radiant and isn’t loaded with harmful parabens and questionable chemicals.
If you’ve got skin sensitivities, allergies, or acne issues, this body wash may be the perfect solution. It’s full of organic ingredients like lavender and coconut oil.
Relaxing, nourishing, and smooth, this is a great option for anyone wanting a quality body wash for a lower price.
It feels a little diluted, which makes it great for sensitive skin, but not as powerful as certain highly-concentrated options. Still, it’s relatively inexpensive and does truly smell amazing.
What We Like
- Organic and vegan
- Lower price point
- Smells really good
- Has argan and coconut oils
What We Don’t Like
- Not very potent
The Seaweed Bath Co. Body Wash – Eucalyptus & Peppermint
Here’s a calming and cleansing body wash option that moisturizes, hydrates, and feels so good on your skin. It’s absolutely wonderful to use.
Entirely cruelty-free, you can use this body wash without any guilt. You won’t have to worry about animals being harmed in any way.
It doesn’t just wash away impurities, it replaces nutrients and stabilizes your skin’s pH levels from the first use. It contains antimicrobial neem oil which protects and moisturizes all skin types.
However, some of its users have commented they aren’t fond of the scent while others enjoyed it.
For a unique moisturizing body wash that’s vegan certified and full of vitamins and minerals, this stuff is great.
This is the kind of body wash that helps your skin to look and feel its best all day long. On the downside, I have found I tend to go through it fast, which can be frustrating.
What We Like
- Vitamin rich formula
- Makes a big difference in skin
- Lathers well and smells good
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t last long
Top Choice for the Best Vegan Body Wash
So, which is the best option? I’ll definitely have to go with Puracy’s Natural Sea Salt & Citrus!
It’s probably my absolute favorite refreshing body wash and feels like a real treat to use. I look forward to my shower time when I know I will be cracking open a new bottle of this stuff!
It contains soothing cleansers with coconut extracts. This body wash is a great way to moisturize your skin naturally in one step.
With a variety of premium ingredients that give you nutritious dermatological benefits in a concentrated formula at a great overall value. Easily the best product at the best overall value for the money.