Beauty brands are becoming more transparent with their ingredients than ever before, and by now there's a massive selection of products out there for pretty much any lifestyle. That being said, the best vegan body washes require a little bit of research. While an ingredient list is often easy enough to find (even when you're shopping on the internet), it doesn't necessarily tell you where the ingredients come from.
In order to be considered vegan, a product has to be free of all animal-derived products like carmine, lanolin, and silk proteins. However, vegan is not the same as cruelty-free, although products can be (and often are) marketed as both and there's a lot of overlap out there. Cruelty-free means that the brand does not test its product on animals, but could use animal products in their formula. Burt's Bees is a great example of a company that's cruelty-free certified by Leaping Bunny, but isn't vegan because it uses beeswax and honey.
These body washes cleanse and hydrate your skin without animal-derived products, and they do it just as well as their non-vegan counterparts. And, there's a vegan option for every skin type — from super dry to sensitive, oily, or acne prone.
1This Cult-Favorite Castile Soap That's Gentle On Your Skin & The Environment
Dr. Bronner's Organic Pure Castile Liquid Soap, $16, Amazon
When I was working at a summer camp up in Maine, counselors would use this Dr. Bronner's Organic Pure Castile Liquid Soap to wash themselves in the lake — that's how safe it is for the environment. It's got all pronounceable ingredients that cleanse, hydrate, and leave a fresh natural scent, and people use it on everything from their hair to their faces.
2For The Driest Skin Types, All Year Round
AHAVA Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash, $24, Amazon
If your skin is super dry, AHAVA's Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash can help protect it from feeling even drier when you get out of the shower, because it's filled with ingredients that help to soothe and hydrate. It's got hibiscus for moisture, fig to ease inflammation, and Dead Sea minerals to give you glowing skin that feels comfortable.
3A Face & Body Wash With Tea Tree Oil For Breakout-Prone Skin
derma e Face and Body Wash, $20, Amazon
This face and body wash is formulated with tea tree oil, which is great when it comes to tackling acne-causing bacteria and odor-causing fungi. It cleanses gently, leaving your skin smooth, hydrated, and fresh, without the irritation harsher ingredients can cause.
4A Natural Wash For The Most Sensitive Skin Types
Puracy Natural Body Wash, $13, Amazon
With nearly 3000 reviews, Puracy Natural Body Wash is widely considered one of the best cleansers for extremely sensitive skin. In addition to skipping the sulfates and synthetic fragrances, it uses pink Himalayan sea salt and coconut-based ingredients to create a cleansing lather without disrupting your skin's moisture balance. "This is the first product to not cause a skin reaction (rash) which is simply amazing," says one reviewer.
5A Spa-Quality Body Wash With A Unisex Fragrance
ORIBE Cote D’azur Replenishing Body Wash, $42, Amazon
ORIBE is a favorite when it comes to hair care, but this replenishing body wash is gaining a fair bit of popularity, too. That's because of its incredible unisex scent, rich lather, and extremely moisturizing formula that leaves skin feeling like you just left the spa.
6Keep Skin Moist & Clear With This Activated Charcoal Soap For Body
This all-natural soap bar contains activated charcoal, lemongrass, lavender, and a blend of hydrating oils like organic palm, sunflower, coconut, and olive to moisturize and nourish the skin while you cleanse. Even better, all nine of this soap's ingredients are easily recognizable, and you probably already use a lot of them in your own home — which can't be said for most cleansers.
7If You're Looking For Something That Smells "Absolutely Amazing"
Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Wash, $29, Amazon
Made with essential oils that transport you to a faraway destination, Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Wash offers skin-loving moisture, loads of lather without sulfates, and a gorgeous scent. It also contains mango grapefruit and sandalwood, and reviewers say, "I actually can smell the gorgeous, sweet, creamy, gourmand vanilla on my skin all day after I use it!"
8Calm Your Mind & Your Skin With This Aromatherapy Wash
Kiss My Face Peaceful Patchouli Shower Gel, $10, Amazon
This brand is all about peace, happiness, and great skin with its Kiss My Face Peaceful Patchouli Shower Gel. It's Leaping Bunny certified, free of parabens and artificial fragrances, and contains essential oils intended to calm your mind as well as your skin.
9This Killer Combo That Helps Prevent & Heal Body Acne
Yes to Tomatoes Acne Fighting Body Wash, $9, Amazon
Yes to Tomatoes is quickly becoming a favorite in the skin care world. The combination of tomatoes, salicylic acid, and dandelion extract in Yes to Tomatoes Body Wash makes it great for soothing and healing body acne without drying skin out. Reviewers are saying things like, "It has prevented new breakouts so far. I love it!"
10This Blend Of Oils That Help Improve Elasticity
Hugo Naturals Shower Gel, $9, Amazon
If you're looking to improve elasticity, Hugo Naturals Shower Gel contains aloe, jojoba, and olive oil that replenish essential nutrients rather than stripping them. The result is soft, hydrated skin with a butter and oatmeal scent.
11This Gentle Formula That Won't Strip Your Skin
Om She Aromatherapy Mango Body Wash, $15, Amazon
This Australian-made mango body wash is called Om She Aromatherapy, and it skips all the harsh chemicals and instead uses ingredients like aloe, rosehip, and coconut oil. It provides a fresh, clean feeling without stripping your skin with lather, and it doesn't leave a sticky residue, either.
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