While the treatment of farm animals is what made me go vegan in the first place, learning about the plight of animals used for cosmetic testing made me commit to a fully cruelty-free lifestyle.
I couldn’t continue to purchase certain body washes knowing that it was rubbed into the eyes or forced into the mouths of helpless rabbits, rats, and mice.
But what’s a vegan to do?
Even with a solid knowledge of food ingredients to look out for, it can be overwhelming to navigate the world of beauty products and know which brands are guaranteed cruelty-free.
Not to mention, some completely vegan body washes and toiletries can be prohibitively expensive.
To make the process a little easier, we’ve compiled this list of the most highly rated and affordable vegan-friendly body washes.
Scroll down below the table to see more information about each product!
List of Vegan Body Washes
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Brand | AHAVA | Alba Botanica | Avalon Organics | Puracy | Acure | Hugo Naturals |
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Scents |
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4 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
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Antibacterial |  |  | | | | |
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For Sensitive Skin | | | | | | |
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For Dry Skin | | | | | | |
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For Acne Prone Skin | | | | | | |
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Moisturizing | | | | | | |
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Natural / Organic Ingredients | | | | | | |
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Gluten-free | | | | | | |
AHAVA Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash
Coming in at #1 on our list is AHAVA Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash and it does not disappoint!
This creamy body wash from Ahava was created for those with extra dry skin. This product contains fig extract which has anti-inflammatory properties and natural moisturizers to nourish and soften the skin.
The creamy texture from this body wash will leave your skin feeling like satin or velvet with an experience that is nothing short of luxury.
It is particularly great at removing any caked on dirt or sweat. Just lather up, scrub your body with a mesh poof or a washcloth, then rinse away the excess. Your body will be left clean and free of residue.
Ahava is cruelty-free, and PETA certified vegan company so you can be assured that no animals were harmed while you lather away. It’s a win-win!
AHAVA Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash comes in three luxurious scents: Hibiscus & Fig, Lotus Flower & Chestnut, and Tropical Pineapple & White Peach.
What We Like
With 80% 5-star reviews, AHAVA is a line of products that is truly worth the price. Gentle on skin, moisturizing, and cleansing with antibacterial properties, it is a fantastic and animal-friendly choice for those who have the budget.
What We Didn’t Like
While the functional effects of the AHAVA body washes get great reviews, the scents tend to get more mixed reviews. Some people express disappointment that the scents don’t live up to expectation, and are milder than anticipated.
Alba Botanica Very Emollient, Island Citrus Bath & Shower Gel
The Very Emollient Bath and Shower Gel by Alba Botanica comes in four fresh scents: Island Citrus, French Lavender, Midnight Tuberose, and Sparkling Mint. The body wash is hypoallergenic and made from 100% natural ingredients, and contains no parabens or synthetic fragrances.
Need a morning pick me up?
The scent from this shower gel is so good it’s sure to tickle the nose hairs. Never again will you just shower to get clean because you’ll love the invigorating burst of fresh-squeezed citrus.
This product is great if you have dry and sensitive skin. It contains a rich gel with a tropical burst of fragrance for extra dry skin. Where other products and fragrances may irritate sensitive skin, you should have no problems with Alaba Botanica.
The bottle is huge and can last anywhere from 3-6 months if you stick to around four to six pumps, which is the norm for a complete lather and cleaning.
What We Like
The scent of these body washes are heavenly, and the formula leaves skin feeling clean and moisturized. Somewhere between a gel and cream wash, the product makes a super luxurious lather.
What We Didn’t Like
Some users noted that the shipping for this product could be very hit or miss – some people reported that the bottle was damaged, or the lid was completely removed upon delivery, making unpacking a bit of a mess.
Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Bath & Shower Gel
Avalon Organics Nourishing Shower Gel is a gentle plant-based formula that joins quinoa protein, lavender essential oil, aloe and botanical cleansers to nourish and purify even the driest skin types.
This vegan shower gel contains a soothing lavender aroma which calms and the body and mind. Not only can you use this as your primary shower gel, but it’s also great for running bubble baths. Nothing like throwing your feet up at night in a nice hot bath with suds, lit candles and a soothing lavender aroma to calm the nerves and eliminate the daily stresses.
If you have an overly sensitive nose, no need to worry, the scent from this wash won’t turn you off. It is the perfect blend of scent and lather.
This body wash by Avalon Organics comes in six fragrances: Nourishing Lavender, Grapefruit and Geranium, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Ylang Ylang.
What We Like
The scent of these products is 100% luxurious, not too strong, and not too mild. It is also gentle on sensitive skin, and for those with dermatological issues – even users with sensitive skin noted no adverse reactions with this product.
What We Didn’t Like
Some users have reported receiving broken bottles/malfunctioning pumps upon delivery. However, we should note these broken bottles were replaced free of charge.
Puracy 100% Natural Body Wash
Complete with a balanced blend of emollients, luxurious cleansers, and essential oils, Puracy Natural Body Wash naturally hydrates, exfoliates, and balances your skin. Puracy is made by a US company based in Austin, Texas, and a portion of every purchase goes toward local charities.
This product is perfect for both men and women and can be used as a shower gel, body wash or a bubble bath.
Puracy carefully chose the plant and mineral based ingredients and formulated them into a premium solution that’s safe enough for the entire family including children and pets.
This shower gel contains all natural, hypoallergenic, non-toxic, vegan, gluten-free, and biodegradable ingredients.
What We Like
Puracy is a unisex product, designed for both men and women to be able to use as a body wash. The lack of any toxic ingredients makes this hypoallergenic body wash safe for children and pets.
What We Didn’t Like
Some users with sensitive skin have reported that prolonged use of this product caused irritation. Additionally, the scent can be strong, so if you’re looking for a more mild product, this may not be the product for you.
Acure Cell Stimulating Body Wash
Acure’s cell stimulating body wash does exactly what it says – stimulate the cells and moisturizes as it cleanses.
This vegan body wash contains a lot of ingredients that are great for the skin like organic Argan oil, sea buckthorn oil, Moroccan Argan stem cells, coq10, and pumpkin seed oil.
Acure Body Wash is available in three types: cell stimulating, sensitive skin, and ultra-hydrating. It’s silky, fresh and rinses off easily, making it a perfect choice for a go-to shower gel for all skin types.
It is 100% biodegradable, gluten-free, and free of any parabens or sulfates and is a great option for those with specific skin needs looking for a cruelty-free body wash.
What We Like
People with sensitive skin sing the praises of this body wash! It’s gentle on skin with a delicate scent and doesn’t leave any linger film. Users report that it leaves their bodies feeling “like silk.”
What We Didn’t Like
The only real complaint users seem to have with this body wash is the bottle it comes in. On the small side, people also report that the cap is very difficult to open, and it pours out of the bottle quickly.
Hugo Naturals Shea Butter and Oatmeal Shower Gel
If you’re looking for a body wash that “clean” of chemicals, then Hugo Naturals Shea Butter and Oatmeal might be the right choice.
It’s gentle botanical blend of jojoba, vegetable glycerin, Vitamin E, rich Shea Butter, soothing Oat extract & olive oil to effectively cleanse the skin while also restoring its moisture and elasticity.
It works exactly like a body wash should and the scent is just perfect – not too strong but also not faint. It also doesn’t have a perfume kind of smell like other body washes tend to have.
Hugo Naturals is completely free of parabens and synthetic fragrances and comes in four scents: Shea Butter & Oatmeal, French Lavender, Grapefruit, and Vanilla & Sweet Orange. The products are vegan, gluten, and soy free.
What We Like
This shower gel is very creamy and luxurious, and creates a rich lather that leaves skin feeling very soft. Users also note that this leaves skin feeling very clean.
What We Didn’t Like
If you’re looking for a shower gel with a strong scent, you may want to consider another product. Users report a very faint scent from these products. They also note that the scent is not lingering, and tends not to stay noticeable on the skin after the shower.
Method Moisturizing Body Wash
Method Body Wash comes in four fragrances: Coconut Milk, Olive Leaf, White Tea, and Surfside.
Best known for their line of cruelty-free home cleaning products, the company’s line of natural body wash has been very well-received, earning high ratings on Amazon.
What We Like
Even users with eczema note that this Method body wash is gentle and doesn’t cause any skin irritation. The wash leaves skin feeling beautifully soft.
What We Didn’t Like
All three of the scents are described as “unisex”, so those who are looking for a distinctly masculine or feminine scent may seek another product with a stronger smell.
However, if you’re looking for a product that everyone in the family can use, this is a great option.
Are Big Brands Like Dove and Aveeno Vegan?
One of the things that makes shopping for cosmetics so difficult is the fact that sometimes, a cruelty-free product can have a parent company that engages in animal cruelty. This is the case with big-name brands like Dove and Aveeno.
Dove is owned by Unilever, which tests on animals so their products can be sold in countries like China, where testing is required to enter the market.
Additionally, they test on animals whenever they are working with a “novel” ingredient, despite there being no laws about required animal testing for cosmetics in the United States.
Unilever is consistently rated one of the worst companies for animal welfare, and has been caught in several scandals regarding its treatment of animals. You can read Unilever’s full statement regarding animal testing here.
Similarly, Aveeno is owned by Johnson & Johnson, which also tests on animals for the purposes of selling cosmetic products overseas.
Because there are so many cruelty-free options in stores and online on sites like Amazon, there is simply no need to buy from companies who test on animals to increase their profits by selling overseas.
You can use your dollars to tell these companies that are compromising their ethics to expand their product reach is unacceptable by buying only cruelty-free products from cruelty-free companies.
Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to do find out more information about which products and brands are 100% vegan-friendly.
Things to Look for When Buying Cruelty-Free Body Wash
Just like milk-derived products can hide in food under a huge list of names, it can be hard to scroll through a list of ingredients on a bottle of body wash and know which ones came from animals.
Additionally, the ingredients don’t always tell the whole story – just because a product is free of animal ingredients doesn’t mean the company doesn’t engage in animal testing.
For this reason (and so you don’t accidentally purchase something that isn’t cruelty-free), I suggest one of the following methods when you’re shopping for body wash and other toiletries.
Leaping Bunny
The first approach is to look for products that are Leaping Bunny certified. In the 1990s, consumers were already interested in shopping for cruelty-free beauty products, but the process could be confusing and misleading.
Companies would sometimes write “animal-friendly” or “cruelty-free” on the packaging without any participation from animal groups. In response to this, eight national animal protection groups came together to promote a single standard for cosmetics, and an internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo.
A product with this logo on the packaging is designated as completely cruelty-free. Read more about Leaping Bunny, and search for cruelty-free companies, at leapingbunny.org
PETA’s Database
The second approach I’d suggest is referring to PETA’s cruelty-free company database located here. You can toggle what you search for by product type and availability by country, or download a complete list of businesses that don’t test and keep it in your wallet while you shop.
If you have an iPhone, you can use the Cruelty Cutter app to simply scan the product and learn about the cruelty-free status of the manufacturer. It’s easier than ever to lead a cruelty-free lifestyle!
Making the Switch
If you’re anything like me, you probably have quite a bit of non-vegan-friendly cosmetics and body washes laying around, and it can be overwhelming to think about overhauling your whole collection at once.
Not to worry!
As you run out of each product, simply replace it with a cruelty-free alternative until everything has been swapped out.
There’s no expectation that someone swaps out everything they own overnight – small changes when it’s time to replace body washes and other cosmetics will still get you closer to living 100% cruelty-free.
When you purchase cruelty-free body washes, you’re taking a stand to protect animals used in animal testing, sending a message to cosmetics companies, and looking out for the planet by choosing ingredients that are gentle and natural.
By arming yourself with knowledge through these lists, resources online, and apps for your phone, you can feel good about every cosmetic purchase you make – and that will make your shower even more luxurious!
Hi,
Thank you so much for posting this article! I am at the very beginning of switching many things over to cruelty-free. I have a particular moral issue with animal testing, but I am not quite on the vegan train yet. That being said, I don’t mind anything vegan, it’s just not a “requirement” for me, per se.
I appreciate the information and resources you have listed here. I thought you might like to know that an advertisement at the bottom of your page is for an Aveeno product! It looks like clicking this would send me directly to Amazon to purchase a specific Aveeno product (Aveeno daily moisturizing body wash, to be exact). I found this quite strange, since you post about Aveeno NOT necessarily being cruelty-free, vegan, etc. Granted, I do not know much about ads.. This could have been placed based on my search history or maybe even on your use of the word “Aveeno” in your article. I am just bringing this up out of curiosity and for awareness!
Thanks again for all of this great information. I am doing lots of research as I am transitioning my products to cruelty-free and I really appreciate sites like this one.
Kristi