Showering at the end of the day, and even in the morning, is a time for relaxation – a moment to wash away not only impurities but also your worries and stress. And what better way to indulge yourself than with the best natural body washes? While a regular body wash is good, based on our firsthand experience, a natural body wash is better. It is your entry into the world of clean beauty as these body washes are not only good for your skin but also the environment. And soon you will find out why!

A natural body wash is very different from a traditional body wash. It is formulated with nature-derived ingredients such as botanical extracts, plant oils, and essential oils without synthetic additives or harsh chemicals. Some natural body washes may also include organic ingredients. They use gentle surfactants, as opposed to the sulfate-based ones, which according to a clinical investigation published in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic and Dermatology, repairs cleanser-induced skin damage and prevents further harm. Less on chemicals, and high on nature – that’s the USP of a natural body wash. It is gentle on the skin and high on emollients, offering intense nourishment without causing any skin damage. There are also several skin benefits that you can get from switching sides, including even skin tone, smooth skin texture, reduced tanning and hyperpigmentation, healthy skin barrier, softer skin, and radiant complexion.

And that’s not all! When you browse through the aisles with natural body washes, you will find they are typically environmentally friendly with most brands using sustainable practices in farming and formulation and eco-friendly packaging, thus, reducing their environmental impact. Moreover, we have found from using these products that they make skin healthier, happier, and brighter in the long run. So, to get you to make the swap, we have rounded up the 13 best options for all skin types and needs! Join the bandwagon and say hello to radiant skin with your friendly neighborhood beauty experts.   

• 1
  Best Overall

  Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

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This natural body wash is a holy grail for many individuals with dry and damaged skin. It may be a body wash, but feels like a creamy lotion. Thanks to its triple oat-infused formula, you can expect immense relief from itchy and irritated skin. But just because it has an extremely nourishing formula, you don't have to worry about its cleansing abilities. It lathers nicely and is also easy to rinse out. And once you rinse this body wash, you can witness cleaner, softer, and smoother skin. Drawing from our experience, depending on the level of dryness, this drugstore body wash can keep your skin moisturized throughout the day.

Key Ingredients: Oat flour, oat extract, oat oil, and shea butter

Skin Type: Dry and sensitive skin

2

Best for Body Odor and Acne

First Botany Cosmeceuticals All Natural Rosemary Mint Aloe Body Wash

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Wash away all the impurities and infections from your skin with the highly concentrated formula of this all natural body wash from First Botany Cosmeceuticals. Loved by both men and women, it is quite effective against several skin concerns like body odor, rashes, itchiness, smelly feet, acne, yeast infections, and a few others. Its sulfate-free formula is gentle on the skin and leaves a refreshing feeling that lasts all day. As indicated by our tests, with consistent use of this natural body wash, you can easily maintain healthier and happier skin. 

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, rosemary extract, peppermint, and aloe vera

Skin Type: All skin types

3

Best for Sensitive Skin

Native Lilac & White Tea Body Wash

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Get on the 'nurturing with nature' bandwagon with this non-toxic body wash that is free of all the nasty and harsh chemicals, including parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. It comes as a set of two to give you the best out of your buck. But, that's not its only favorable feature. Formulated with coconut oil-based surfactants, this pH-balanced body wash is very gentle on the skin but not on the impurities. Its aroma will invigorate your senses and instantly transport you to the sandy beaches of tropical islands. Our team discovered through using this product that it produces a luxurious lather and has a feel-good vibe to it.

Key Ingredients: Lilac, white tea

Skin Type: Sensitive 

4

Best Calming

Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Bath & Shower Gel

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Often cleansers leave you with tight skin, which is a sign of over-cleansing and is followed by dryness. But, that's not going to be a problem anymore with this healthy body wash from Avalon Organics. This plant-based body wash meets all your cleansing needs without causing any dryness or irritation. You need not worry about skin damage either. Its invigorating scent helps your mind and body relax. Infused with the goodness of star ingredients like organic aloe vera, chamomile, calendula, citrus extracts, and vitamin E, it soothes, smoothes, and softens the skin. After putting it to the test, we can say that it is a great addition to your nighttime shower routine and helps induce sleep.

Key Ingredients: Lavender essential oil, quinoa protein, aloe vera

Skin Type: All skin types

5

Best with Fruit Enzyme

Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Wash

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Elevate your shower routine with Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Wash—a natural body wash that harmonizes nature and skincare. This moisturizing, clarifying formula with glycolic acid and fruit enzymes provides gentle exfoliation for brighter, softer, and smoother skin. Infused with ginseng, grapefruit, and linden, this body wash hydrates and brightens naturally. Immerse yourself in a botanical blend that nourishes your skin, revealing the beauty of a natural radiance. Embrace the power of fruit enzymes for a refreshing, revitalizing shower experience that respects your skin and the environment.

6

Malin + Goetz Body Wash

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Revel in the purity of Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Hand + Body Wash—an ode to natural body care for both women and men. This cleansing, purifying formula caters to all skin types, even the most sensitive, without stripping or irritation. Immerse yourself in the hydrating embrace of a cruelty-free and vegan product. Elevate your daily routine with a body wash that respects nature and your skin, offering a sensory journey of freshness and nourishment for an effortlessly clean experience.

7

Best for Summer

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Detox Body Wash

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Fighting away all your skin woes caused by dirt, dust, pollution, and whatnot has been made easier with this detoxifying body wash. Get ready to give your skin the best treatment and pampering it deserves. Infused with real volcanic clay, this natural body wash will absorb all the impurities and toxins to reveal cleaner, softer, and refreshed skin. A must-have in the summer season and for those who are involved in a lot of physical work outdoors, this is the best non toxic body wash option with a 100% vegetarian formula. Based on our firsthand experience, the texture may not appeal to those with huge pores.

Key Ingredients: Coconut water, volcanic clay, lotus flower, ginger extract

Skin Type: Normal, Oily

8

Best for Dry Skin

Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Nourishing Body Wash

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The Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Nourishing Body Wash gets the job done and it does it quite well. First of all, it comes in a huge carton that will last you a very long time, making it super budget-friendly. It has a rich blend of antioxidant-rich and super-nourishing ingredients like panthenol, glycerin, several essential oils, and the brand's signature ginger extract. With its creamy formula and pleasant scent, get ready to make your shower feel incredible and enjoyable again. When we trialed this product, we found this chemical free body wash is free from paraben, sulfate, phosphate, and gluten, but may contain added fragrance.

Key Ingredients: Green tea, lemongrass, flaxseed, aloe vera

Skin Type: Dry Skin

9

Best for Daily Use

JASON Calming Lavender Body Wash

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Plant-based surfactants for the win! After conducting experiments with it, we can say that everything about this product is great, from its attractive packaging to its incredible performance. For dry, damaged, irritated, and sensitive skin, this is the healthiest body wash you can add to your routine. Its nourishing and nutrient-rich formula helps repair skin damage with regular use while offering a gentle cleanse. You can expect smoother and silky soft skin from the very first use. And if you are prone to redness or itchiness, you can stay stress-free, because you won't face any such problems with this one. You may also try the Jason Invigorating Rose Water Body Wash for a wonderful showering experience, that will leave you smelling like roses.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5, lavender essential oil

Skin Type: Dry, sensitive 

10

Best Moisturizing

Tree to Tub Moisturizing Soap Berry Body Wash

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Trust the Tree to Tub Moisturizing Body Wash to get the job done just right. With a natural and nourishing cleanser like Soapberry, it will elevate your shower routine to give you the silky soft skin of your dreams. It has a subtle scent that feels refreshing as you shower, which doesn't linger for long nor does it feel overpowering, making it an ideal find for those who cannot tolerate strong smells or suffer from migraines. This natural body wash with its nourishing formula helps with rough and dry patches on the skin. Through our practical knowledge, we suggest using it with a loofah for better results.

Key Ingredients: Wild soapberry, shea butter, aloe vera

Skin Type: Normal, Dry Skin

11

Best Fragrance

Method Body Pure Peace Body Wash

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In a pretty pink bottle, the Method Body Wash is nothing but full of cool, calm, and peaceful vibes. With its sweet and serene scent, that's noticeable but not overpowering, expect to get transported to a blissful state where stress is a no-show. There are two other variants with equally delicious but different fragrances for you to choose from. With its gel texture, you can spread it all over your body with ease and watch as it effectively cleanses your skin and makes it soft like a dream. Our investigation demonstrated that it is a good natural body wash with plant-based surfactants.

Key Ingredients: Peony, rosewater, pink sea salt

Skin Type: All  

12

Best for Winter

SheaMoisture Daily Hydration Body Wash

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SheaMoisture is one of the most popular clean body wash brands for several reasons. Approved by multiple beauty enthusiasts across the world, this body wash is a holy grail, especially for dry-skinned people. With organic ingredients and plant-based surfactants, it starts showing noticeable changes in your skin within a week. The vitamins and fatty acids help repair skin damage and improve overall skin health. Our findings show that its luxurious formula makes skin silky soft and smooth, while also helping it retain moisture. You can also have a spa day for yourself as it can be used for a bubble bath.

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, coconut milk, organic raw shea butter

Skin Type: All

13

Puracy Awake Body Wash

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True to its name, this Puracy body wash will awaken all your senses with its refreshing scent and formula. With its rich foam, it cleanses thoroughly without stripping your skin of its natural oils. You will be left with a clean and softly refreshing feel that will last all day. And no, you don't have to worry about redness, itchy patches, or dry skin, because this natural body wash will soothe the existing irritation and prevent potential skin damage. We have found from using this product that including this in your shower routine will help you readily switch from conventional body washes.

Key Ingredients: Sea salt, citrus

Skin Type: All

14

Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Foaming Gel Wash

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The gel-based formula of this natural body wash for women is nothing short of a spa-like experience at home. It features refreshing floral notes of bergamot, tea Rose, and amber, which will linger on your skin for a long time. While its fragrance is its main talking point, this body wash does a lot for your skin as well. It suds into a rich lather which cleanses your skin, leaving it softer, smoother, and brighter than before. Our research indicates that it feels very nourishing and refreshing, something that your tired and stressed body will love. 

Key Ingredients: Moroccan argan oil, rosehip oil

Skin Type: Normal, Oily, Combination

15

A LA MAISON Sweet Almond Hydrating Body Wash

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Pamper your skin with the luxe formula of this natural body cleanser from A LA MAISON. Enriched with vitamin E, it goes a long way to not only cleanse but also nourish your skin. This body wash incorporates the traditional French milled process used for creating soaps in its manufacturing and that makes all the difference to its quality and its performance. It is made with high-quality ingredients and it shows as soon as it touches your skin. You can also use it as a hand wash to prevent them from over-drying with frequent hand washing.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, olive oil, sweet almonds

Skin Type: Sensitive 

Choosing to walk on the natural route when it comes to shower routine may require quite a few changes that can feel confusing and overwhelming, given the number of natural-ingredients-based body washes you generally see on the shelves in the supermarket. But, you don’t have to worry as we are here to make things easier for you with our comprehensive guide. It will help you find the ideal body wash that suits your skin type and doesn't make you miss the very sudsy non-natural body washes.

You can easily choose the best natural body wash, which involves several key considerations to ensure you find a product that suits your skin type and personal preferences. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make the right choice:

Skin Type

Before you do anything else, determine whether you have normal, dry, oily, or combination skin type. It will help you narrow down your choices as different body washes address different needs. 

Ingredients

Read the product label carefully and make sure it doesn't contain any ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or irritation. Make sure, if not all, that at least a good majority of the ingredients are nature-derived. The ingredient list should not contain harsh ingredients such as sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate or synthetic fragrances. 

Targeted Ingredients

Look for natural and nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, shea butter, coconut oil, avocado extracts, oatmeal, seaweed extracts, green tea, honey, almond oil, fatty acids, glycerin, chamomile, peppermint oil, citric acid, jojoba oils, and calendula to name a few. You may also look for organic body washes such as from Carina Organics for maintenance of the skin’s protective barrier or pick the REN Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-fatigue Body Wash to nourish and energize your skin. 

Sharing some information for people with sensitive skin, our contributor Julia Shih, Founder of Body + Soul, a skin care brand, says, “People with sensitive skin should look for body washes that utilize essential oils rather than synthetic or fragrance oils which can cause skin irritation. Ideally, a good body wash will feature pure essential oils combined with omega-rich plant-based oils such as coconut, rosehip, or almond, which are wonderful for replenishing moisture that soaps can often strip.”

She adds, “Dry skin can be caused by internal factors such as dehydration, or external factors such as harsh weather. Products that contain light, natural oils high in omegas such as coconut and rosehip oil work better than water-based products when you're in need of rejuvenating dry skin.”

Certifications

Look out for certifications from reputable organizations such as "USDA Organic" to make sure the item is truly natural.

Fragrance

Natural body washes usually contain essential oils and other plant-based fragrances. Pick out a body wash whose fragrance aligns with your preferences.

Consult Dermatologist

If you are still confused or suffer from severe skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, you should consult a board-certified dermatologist. They will give you personalized recommendations based on your individual preferences, needs, and requirements.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Make it a point to read customer reviews and feedback on various online shopping platforms. You must take it a step further and also look through skin care blogs and forums dedicated explicitly to body care. It will give you insights into the real-life efficacy and performance of the natural body wash you wish to purchase.

Conclusion

Looking after your skin is an act of self-love that extends beyond your face. And with the best natural body washes in your body care routine, you can shower your skin with all the love, care, and pampering it deserves. Made from natural ingredients, these body washes cleanse away all the impurities without damaging the skin. Using them regularly will ensure your skin becomes its happiest and healthiest version. The Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash can help you get rid of dryness and uneven skin tone while the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Detox Body Wash improves bumpy texture to reveal smoother, softer, and younger-looking skin. Explore the world of natural body washes with the help of our recommendations and comprehensive guide, and get ready to say hello to a brighter you.   

Contributor: Julia Shih, Founder - Body + Soul