Cleanest Lotion Brands without Harmful Chemicals
10 min read
A roundup of the best natural and non toxic body lotions made with skin softening, nourishing natural ingredients instead of toxic chemicals and artificial fragrances. Includes clean lotions for all skin types and budgets.
Body lotion is one of those products we often use without thinking – we slather it on after the shower and then go on about our day.
But could something as simple as body lotion be bad for our health?
At Mindful Momma, we do the research for you, so you can find a safe and effective body lotion that will work for YOU – no matter what your needs. We’ve got options for people with extra dry skin or sensitive skin, luxury lotions and affordable natural lotions, and even refillable and plastic-free body lotions if you prefer a more sustainable solution.
At Mindful Momma we only endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and honestly love. We may receive commissions from affiliate links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure
Why Switch to Non Toxic Body Lotion?
When it comes to choosing a body lotion, the easiest thing to do is grab the cheapest product you can find at the drugstore, or to keep buying that same old lotion you grew up using.
Body lotion can seem like a no-brainer purchase – but it should be more than that. Here’s why you should make the swap to a natural, non-toxic body lotion:
1.) Natural Body Lotions Use Better Ingredients
A high quality non-toxic body lotion will be made with beneficial ingredients like plant oils, natural butters and botanical extracts that absorb into your skin, helping hydrate and nourish for the long term. Some of the ingredients you might find in a high quality body lotion include:
- Plant oils: avocado oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, hemp oil, sea buckthorn oil, sesame oil, Vitamin E oil
- Seed butters: shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil
- Moisture attracting ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, Undaria seaweed, squalene, ceramides
- Herbal extracts: moringa seed extract, arnica flower extract, chamomile extract, chamomile extract, rose hydrosol, green tea extract, CBD, coffee berry extract
- Essential oils
2.) Non Toxic Body Lotion Feels Better on Your Skin
I’ve been using natural and organic body lotions for years, but every once in a while, I’ll use one (at a hotel or someone’s house) that reminds me why I made the switch. So many body lotions have a waxy feel to them and you can tell they are just coating your skin.
A great body lotion will feel smooth and silky going on, not waxy or sticky like those other lotions. And forget those heavy, artificial fragrances – a natural body lotion will be either fragrance-free or scented with natural essential oils – which is a much nicer experience in my opinion.
Ingredients to Avoid in Body Lotions
Most body lotions are a mix of cheap chemical ingredients, some of which are linked to negative health effects like hormone disruption, allergic responses and even cancer. The filler ingredients are petroleum based instead of plant based, making them worse for the planet too.
As an example, check out the ingredient list for Vaseline Aloe Soothe Body Lotion:
As you can see it contains paraben preservatives (propylparaben and methylparaben), PEG compounds, artificial fragrance, mineral oil and petrolatum. It even has a California Proposition 65 warning label that it could cause cancer or birth defects. Yikes!
For something that is used so frequently and over a large part of your body, you want your body lotion to be made from clean, natural ingredients, not toxic chemicals.
Read up about the top ingredients to avoid in personal care and take note of ingredients when you purchase body lotion. If you are unsure about a body lotion, you can consult the Skin Deep database for information and ideas. And read up on how to find the safest personal care products before you shop.
A Note About Artificial Fragrances
Want to know why artificial fragrances stink? Because “fragrance” is an ingredient loophole that allows thousands of chemicals to be used without being listed on the ingredient label. Some of those synthetic fragrance ingredients could be phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors and other ingredients may cause allergic reactions. Bottom line is, when you see the term “fragrance” or “parfum” on an ingredient label, you have no idea what is in there.
A Note About Preservatives:
Any product made with water (or aloe vera), like a body lotion, must have some type of preservative in order to give it a shelf life of more than a month or so. That’s because products containing water will grow mold, yeast or bacteria over time. So unfortunately, a preservative-free body lotion is not a thing.
Instead, the best clean body lotion brands use a small amount of a safer preservative that will still be effective to prevent microbial growth in products. If you want to avoid preservatives altogether, try a body oil or skin balm that does not contain any water.
While you’re at it – swap out your shampoo, deodorant, facial cleanser, face moisturizer and makeup!
Best Non Toxic Body Lotion For Your Needs
We are lucky to have lots of options for natural, organic and non-toxic body lotions these days! I’ve tried and loved many brands over the years and I’ve done the testing and research so you don’t have to.
This list includes lotions with clean and organic ingredients, as well as lotions for different skin types, and a variety of budgets. Scroll through the list to find the non toxic chemical free body lotion that works best for you!
Best EWG-Verified™ Lotion: Attitude Natural Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Attitude offers a range of hypoallergenic lotions designed to hydrate and protect skin.
- This is a lighter natural body lotion – a thicker natural body cream and a hand cream are also available.
- Lotion formula includes shea butter, avocado oil, mango butter, moringa seed extract and more.
- Both fragrance free and sensitive skin versions available
- All products are vegan
- Favorite Scent: Orange Leaves
- EWG rating: EWG Verified™
- Price: $15.95 for 16-oz
- Pros: One of my go-to lotions for the family. It’s a great all-purpose body lotion that is very affordable and comes in a long lasting 16-oz bottle.
- Cons: Many ATTITUDE products are refillable, but not this one.
Get 15% off with code MINDFULMOMMA15 at checkout.
Best Lightweight Body Lotion: Osea Undaria Collagen Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- An ultra-hydrating, lightweight body lotion that is scientifically proven to visibly firm skin in just 4 hours.
- Formula includes vegan collagen, Undaria seaweed 🌊 and hyaluronic acid, to deliver lasting hydration for nourished skin.
- Packaged in a glass bottle
- Scent: Both a lightly scented and a fragrance free formula are available
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $48 for 5-oz
- Pros: This luxurious lotion packaged in glass is perfect for anyone who wants the best. The scented version has a lovely light, fresh scent and is my current favorite body lotion!
- Cons: More expensive and comes in a smaller bottle.
Read my full OSEA reviews here!
Take 10% off with code MINDFULMOMMA at checkout.
Best Lotion for Skin Microbiome: MindBodyGreen Post-Biotic Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Ultra-hydrating lotion made with postbiotics to protect skin from free radicals and environmental stressors.
- Postbiotics from Lactobacillus help nurture the microbiome, soothe inflammation and support the skin barrier.
- Ingredients include aloe vera (a natural humectant), coconut oil, shea butter, squalene and more.
- Keeps my skin soft and hydrated, without feeling greasy.
- Scent: Fragrance free formula
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $30 for 8-oz
- Pros: A very rich lotion that comes in a convenient tube
- Cons: Tube can be a bit hard to squeeze
Get 15% off with code MM15 at checkout.
Best Body Butter: Osea Undaria Algae Body Butter
- Brand Characteristics:
- A next-level body butter that infuses high-performance ingredients to address signs of aging
- Made with nutrient-rich Undaria seaweed, whipped shea butter and ceramides
- Clinically proven to hydrate for 72 hours
- Scent: All natural combination of grapefruit, lime and cypress and the sweet notes of mango mandarin.
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $56 for 6.7-oz
- Pros: I’m obsessed with this incredibly rich moisturizer – it leaves my skin SO soft and smells amazing! Makes a great gift 🎁
- Cons: A bit expensive (but worth it!)
Take 10% off with code MINDFULMOMMA at checkout.
Best Refillable Lotion: Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- A lightweight, fast-absorbing body lotion designed to relieve dry, thirsty skin
- Nourishing blend of organic safflower seed oil and organic coconut oil
- Aluminum bottle is refillable
- Scent: Light bright grapefruit scent
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $29 for 8-oz
- Pros: I love the texture of this lotion and the citrusy scent – and the fact that it is refillable.
- Cons: I wish the refill packages were larger.
Note: Beautycounter is currently only available at Ulta.com and will be back online in Fall of 2024.
New customers can get 20% off when you sign up for their emails.
Best CBD Body Lotion: Vertly Relief Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- A soothing body lotion that targets aches + pains while keeping your skin deeply moisturized.
- Made with anti-inflammatory arnica flower, soothing aloe vera, cooling peppermint hydrosol, 500 mg full spectrum CBD, relaxing lavender oil and magnesium.
- Scent: light herbal scent
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $48 for 3-oz
- Pros: Perfect for achy muscles. I love how rich this lotion is without being greasy.
- Cons: More expensive per ounce and not everyone will love the cooling feeling of this lotion.
Best Body Lotion for Dry Skin: Prima Skin Therapy
- Brand Characteristics:
- A luxurious body butter infused with CBD, organic oils and butters, and an aromatic blend of essential oils.
- CBD helps calm and soothe skin while supporting the skin barrier and protecting from environmental stressors.
- Packaged in a glass jar
- Scent: light herbal essential oil based scent
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $32 for 3-oz
- Pros: Incredibly rich formula that smells amazing! A little goes a long way.
- Cons: On the expensive side
Get 15% off with code MINDFULMOMMA
Best Organic Body Lotion: Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand & Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Made with jojoba oil, coconut oil and U.S. grown hemp and avocado oils
- USDA certified organic
- Certified vegan
- Many fair trade ingredients used
- Favorite Scent: Peppermint
- EWG rating: 1 – 2
- Price: $12 for 8-oz
- Pros: Perfect for anyone who wants a certified organic lotion with fair trade ingredients. Quite affordable
- Cons: A bit on the thin side.
Best Natural Body Cream: 100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream
- Brand Characteristics:
- Luxurious formula designed to put moisture back into skin
- Ingredients include aloe vera, rose hydrosol, nourishing oils, tocopheryl acetate (Vit E), green tea and many botanical oils and fruit extracts.
- Thicker, richer consistency than some lotions – almost feels like a body butter
- Favorite Scent: Pink Grapefruit
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $26 for 8-oz
- Pros: I love this thick formula of this body cream.
- Cons: Wish it came in more scents!
Use code MINDFUL15 for 15% off.
Best Zero Waste Lotion Stick: Attitude Leaves Bar Body Butter Stick
- Brand Characteristics:
- Rich body butter that melts upon contact with skin
- Packaged in a biodegradable cardboard tube
- Favorite Scent: Sandalwood
- EWG rating: EWG Verified™
- Price: $20 for 2.87-oz
- Pros: Love that it is packaged without plastic!
- Cons: Can get a bit too soft in the heat
Best Soothing Lotion: Acure Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Formula features colloidal oatmeal as well as aloe vera, olive oil, sea buckthorn oil and cocoa butter
- 100% vegan
- Unscented version available
- Favorite Scent: Brightening Glow (sweet orange)
- EWG rating: 2
- Price: $14 for 8-oz
- Pros: Affordable and easy to find
- Cons: I wish it came in a larger tube or bottle
Best Low Waste Lotion Package: Seed Phytonutrients Body Moisturizer
- Brand Characteristics:
- A lightweight formula made with nutrient-rich seed oils, coconut oil and shea butter
- Recyclable aluminum bottles are a welcome break from plastic
- Favorite Scent: lotion has a subtle teakwood scent
- EWG rating: N/A
- Price: $21 for 8.5-oz
- Pros: The aluminum bottle means plastic is at a minimum (the pump is plastic)
- Cons: I wish it was refillable.
Best Value Lotion: Andalou Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Rosehip and argan oils, combined with plant stem cells, cocoa butter and shea butter for nourished and soft skin
- 32-oz value size available
- 100% non-GMO verified
- Favorite Scent: 1000 Roses (this is one of my go-to lotions for summer!)
- EWG rating: 2 – 3
- Price: $11 for 8-oz or 18.99 for 32-oz
- Pros: The 32-oz bottle is super affordable and will last a long time.
- Cons: Formula is more basic but it gets the job done!
Best Fair Trade Lotion: Alaffia Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Everyday Coconut and Everyday Shea body lotions are made with ethically sourced, virgin coconut oil, shea butter, coffee berry extract and other ingredients
- Fair Trade certified
- 32-oz size available
- Unscented available
- Favorite Scent: Coconut Lime
- EWG rating: 3
- Price: $16 for 32-oz
- Pros: Super affordable and large bottle
- Cons: The rich scent from coconut and shea butter is not for everyone.
Best Lavender Lotion: EO Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Soothing lotion made with moisturizing organic jojoba and sesame oils, plus mango seed butter, white tea and other botanical extracts.
- Hand lotions also available
- Favorite Scent: Lavender (Grapefruit Mint also available)
- EWG rating: 2 – 3
- Price: $12 for 8-oz or $83 for 128-oz
- Pros: Gallon refill bottles are available (you can sometimes find these at a natural food stores)
- Cons: Only available in two scents
Best Velvety Lotion: Weleda Body Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Rich, velvety lotion made with natural oils and butters, and scented with essential oils
- Weleda is a well established natural brand from Europe
- Favorite Scent: Sea Buckthorn
- EWG rating: 3
- Price: $13 for 6.8-oz
- Pros: Lovely soft and velvety feel to this lotion
- Cons: Lotion is just a bit sticky until absorbed
Best Affordable, Family Sized Body Lotion: Everyone Nourishing Lotion
- Brand Characteristics:
- Multi-tasking 2-in-1 lotion works for body and hands
- Made with a blend of natural oils and Vitamin E, herbal extracts like chamomile and calendula and pure essential oils.
- Large 32-oz bottles available
- Unscented available
- Favorite Scent: Citrus + Mint
- EWG rating: EWG Verified
- Price: $15 for 32-oz
- Pros: The most affordable natural body lotion, great for families.
- Cons: Formula is basic and not as lux as some brands.
More Favorites from Mindful Momma
Do you have a favorite non-toxic body lotion? Let us know in the comments!
Like this product guide? Check out all my non-toxic product guides here!
