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In our skincare routines it can be so easy to forget about the rest of our bodies so that’s why we compiled a list of sustainable body care products to ensure you’re taken care of from head to toe!
This list is full of sustainable skincare products to moisturize, protect, exfoliate and cleanse your skin. We prioritized products that are made with incredible ingredients that don’t harm the planet or the people that made them.
Of course it is impossible to have body care products that are 100% sustainably made but this list includes the top products that we feel are actually effective and will make your skin glow while making minimal impact on the planet.
Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist. Please consult a medical professional if you have skin concerns.
This post is all about the best sustainable body care products.
What to look for when shopping for eco friendly body care products
The beauty industry is massive and there are tons of products to choose from. Aside from being mindful of the amount of skincare that is in your skincare routine, what other things should you be mindful of to help reduce your carbon footprint?
Here is a starting place for things to keep an eye out for when choosing new products and working towards lessening your environmental impact through your skincare routine:
- Glass bottles, recycled plastic bottles, paper packaging etc.
- Plastic-free packaging if you can buy these products from your local zero waste store
- Carbon neutral certification
- Made in small batches to reduce too much excess product being produced
- Sustainable ingredients (sustainably sourced using organic farming methods)
- Certified organic ingredients
- Refillable options
- Vegan and cruelty free
Every product on this list will not have everything listed above. It is rare to be able to find skincare products that check every eco-friendly skincare box.
The clean beauty industry still has a ways to go so don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
It’s important to work towards progress over perfection!
The Best Sustainable Body Care Products
1. Versed Retinol Body Cream
Retinol is such a powerful ingredient that helps with clearing your skin and leaving it smooth and refreshed. Its main claim to fame is smoothing out wrinkles and helping with acne breakouts.
I truly feel like when I wake up in the morning after using this product my skin visibly looks smoother and more refreshed.
Just be sure to lather on the sunscreen in the morning since retinol products can make your skin more vulnerable to the sun!
Why we love Versed:
- Certified cruelty free
- Vegan
- Post consumer recycled packaging
- Ethically sourced ingredients
2. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap For Body Wash
Dr. Bronners is a go to cleanser for literally everything around the home and even for your body!
If you want that refreshed and tingly feeling I suggest you check out their peppermint scent. It will leave you feeling squeaky clean! But they have tons of other scents (and unscented too!).
I suggest breaking the bar in half and only putting half in your shower to make it last longer.
Dr. Bronners also sells their soap in bottles if you don’t like bar soap. If you choose to pick up the liquid be sure to dilute it rather than putting the soap straight on your body.
Why we love Dr. Bronners:
- 100% post consumer recycled plastic packaging
- use organic and fair trade ingredients
- Use of solar panels at production factories
- many other amazing initiatives that you can check out here!
3. Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil
This is another very popular sustainable body product that deserves all of the hype! This body oil has a light citrusy scent and with consistent use will leave your skin feeling fully nourished.
Body oils are not for everyone. You have to time it out so that you don’t end up feeling oily when going to bed but once you get into the routine, it is more than worth it!
Make sure to lather up in lotion, let it dry, then add your body oil on top for the perfect sealant to your body care routine.
Why we love Osea:
- Climate neutral certified
- Ocean positive verified
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Female founded
{RECOMMENDED POST: 10 Affordable Sustainable Skincare Brands You Need to Know About}
4. Natural Products: Organic Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter
Coconut oil is such an all around great product for body and hair. If you want a simple body moisturizer that will leave your skin soft and nourished consider using this one simple ingredient in your body care routine.
This is a great option as well if you don’t like too much scent. Of course it smells like coconut but it is not stuffed with overwhelming fragrances. It just gets the job done.
It is also great to have coconut oil on hand for minor skin irritation too. It is so soothing and just a great base to your routine. I love to use it after I shave.
Organic coconut oil can be found in most grocery stores so it is really convenient to have it as a staple in your body care routine.
Some other great rich body moistorizers are cocoa butter and shea butter. All three of these oils/butter are amazing because they are simply one ingredient.
Another benefit to cocoa butter and shea butter is that you can often times find them in a bar (rather than a plastic bottle!) so that helps to cut down on waste as well. Just be sure to keep them in a cool spot because they WILL melt.
5. LUVSCRUB African Net Sponge to Exfoliate
If you want your skin to be fully exfoliated then you need to get your hands on an African net sponge.
Truly, it gets all the grime and dead skin off of your body and leaves you with soft nourished skin. It is the perfect prep for your lotions and body oils after you cleanse.
6. Alaffia Lavender Every Day Shea Body Lotion
Everyone needs a simple lotion in their routine!
This lotion is great to put on right before bed as the aromatherapy element from the lavender scent will help to rest your body for a peaceful night of sleep. Luckily the scent is not too overpowering though!
You get so much product from this bottle and it lasts for a really long time. If you are used to a classic lotiony feel rather than a body oil then this is a great option for you!
Why we love Alaffia:
- Cruelty free
- For life certified (Fair trade practices
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certified
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified
- Partner with Terracycle
{RECCOMENED POST: 7 Incredible Zero Waste Lotion Options Guaranteed to Keep Your Skin Nourished and Glowing}
7. Hey Human Deodorant
I have been using this deodorant for years and it has never failed me! Truly I think this is the best natural deodorant that actually works.
Forget DIYing your zero waste deodorant and just pick up one of these that comes in paper packaging. Truly the convenience is so worth it.
If you have tried this deodorant and it wasn’t your favorite, we have some other amazing sustainable deodorants listed below!
Why we love Hey Human:
- Made from recyclable aluminum or paper
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Bottles are 99% plastic free
- Products made in USA
{RECOMMENDED POST: The Best Plastic Free Deodorant That Actually Works}
8. All Good Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
This is the perfect sunscreen for long days outside! Since it is a mineral sunscreen it’s pretty heavy duty. It stays put even when sweating.
I have noticed that this sunscreen helps soooo much with minimizing any hyperpigmentation I get from the sun so it keeps an even skin tone for sure.
Depending on your skin tone it may leave a more intense white cast. That being said, I always feel very protected when wearing this sunscreen which is the whole point!
Why we love All Good:
- Certified B corporation
- 1% for the planet certified
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Climate neutral certified
- Reef friendly
- Women owned
9. Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser
This face wash 100% deserves it’s cult following! It is definitely popular for a reason.
I love that it is gentle but gets your face truly clean without the squeaky feeling. I truly think this face wash works well for all skin types from sensitive to dry to oily.
The best part is that a little goes a long way.
Aside from cleansing your face, this cleanser is perfect for your upper body area as well. If you suffer from acne I think you will be pleased with how effective this cleanser is at getting this delicate area cleansed and prepped for more intense skincare.
Why we love Youth to the People:
- vegan and cruelty free products
- glass packaging to minimize plastic usage
- post consumer recyclable boxes as packaging
{RECOMMENDED POST: 5 Effective Zero Waste Face Wash Products That Are Kind to the Earth and Your Skin}
10. Package Free Shop Pumice Stone For Feet Care Routine
The feet get so overlooked many times in our beauty routine. Truly a weekly pumice stone session will guarantee that your feet are soft and exfoliated to be prepped for your lotion!
Pumice can be found outside of course (make sure to clean it thoroughly!) but this is a great option too if you are looking to purchase one.
Eco Friendly Body Care Routine
Maybe you have some body care products you already love or found some new ones you want to incorporate from this list.
Now you’re probably wondering in what order should you use these products. You will fall into your own rhythm with what works best for you but here is a starting place for your body care routine.
- Dry brush your body to remove excess skin and dirt
- Sugar scrub or chemical exfoliant (Don’t use them both in the same shower session. Choose one or the other)
- Use a basic body wash to scrub from head to toe.
- Apply lotion. Don’t forget your feet!
- Wait for your lotion to dry then apply body oil or body butter
- Enjoy your glowing skin!
If you are showering in the morning you can skip the body lotion/butter/oil and go straight to applying sunscreen on your body! Don’t forget your feet and hands as those areas get sun exposure too.
What are some other sustainable skincare brands to check out that also carry body care products?
To be honest, even though I LOVE the products on this list, you just simply do not need everything on this list to take good care of your skin.
Everyone’s skincare needs are different, we all have different budgets and you may have other values. Maybe a completely zero waste skincare routine is important to you so not every product on this list will work for you. That is totally ok and I respect your commitment to the planet!
I wanted to offer a few other great eco friendly skincare brands (for the body!) that you can try as well:
Why is it important to focus on a sustainable skincare routine?
- Personal care products can produce tons of plastic waste. We really don’t need to send more junk to the landfills
- Organic products ensure that workers are not exposed to harmful chemicals. Organic farming also ensures that the chemical runoff from farms doesn’t effect surrounding communities and nature.
- Small batches ensure that skincare brands don’t end up with overstock which turns into waste.
- A simple skincare routine means not over consuming skincare products. It takes a lot of resources to produce skincare and there is no need to buy products you will never really use.
What are some of your favorite sustainable body care products? Let us know in the comments below! It is always fun hearing about other people’s beauty routines, especially if they are eco-friendly.
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about sustainable body care products.
Other posts you may like:
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June 7, 2023 at 6:25 pm[…] Ultimate List of Sustainable Body Care Products We Guarantee You Will Love […]