In the past, skincare products were commonly tested on animals to see how skin and hair reacted. This has become a fairly taboo practice, but not all companies care. If you put the well-being of animals high on your list when looking at body washes, we compiled a list to help you choose the best cruelty free body wash on the market.
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Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Body Wash (Our Top Pick)
Mrs. Meyers is dedicated to keeping all of its products vegan and cruelty free. Every ingredient comes from plants in one form or another. Their products are never tested on animals and their packaging is recyclable. They boast no artificial colors, parabens, or phthalates. Mostly known for household cleaners, who’d of known they make such a great body wash too.
Not considered a men’s product necessarily, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the fresh scent. All-natural ingredients like aloe leaf juice and flaxseed oil hydrate skin so you feel fresh after each shower. Corn-derived glycerin leaves skin protected by sealing in moisture.
On top of hydration and protection, you get a great lather to help lift sweat and grime from your skin.
Pros:
- 100% plant-based ingredients, meaning this stuff is vegan.
- No artificial colors, so what you see is what you get.
- Being all-natural means Mrs. Meyer’s body wash is safe for greywater systems.
- Certified cruelty free by the Leaping Bunny Program
Cons:
- Not a very masculine scent
Brickell Men’s Body Wash
Brickell is well known for the creation of top quality products. Certified organic ingredients derived from plants make this product vegan. A bit on the pricier side, but you’re paying for Brickell quality. Just an example, the first ingredient isn’t water, it’s aloe leaf juice. This provides a thick, luxurious texture that’s sure to leave your skin soft for hours after showering.
This body wash contains tea tree oil, a fine textured oil that gets deep into pores making this our best cruelty free body wash for acne. Both jojoba and glycerin work to hydrate and moisturize your skin once all the grime has been lifted. Other ingredients worth mentioning include pro-vitamin B5, Lavender and Vitamin E.
Brickell’s body wash also includes mint. The scent and the tingle both come naturally. If you haven’t used a body wash that includes mint, I recommend you give it a try.
Pros:
- Primary ingredient is aloe leaf juice, not water.
- Certified organic ingredients means you can sleep easy at night knowing your body wash was produced with care.
- Moderately large bottle will last about 90 days if used once a day.
- Mint!
Cons:
- The price, but Brickell justifies it with better ingredients
Jack Black All-Over Wash
Jack Black formulates their body wash to be used all over, your body, face and hair. Set your worries aside, all of Jack Black’s ingredients are ethically sourced and dermatologist tested.
All-natural, plant derived ingredients make this product vegan. Jojoba protein and shea butter do a great job leaving skin hydrated. Described as “fresh”, the scent isn’t very masculine but if you’re looking for something more neutral, this is your guy.
The massive pump bottle makes using the body wash from a shower shelf easy. Don’t be turned off by the price of this item. You’re getting a huge 32oz bottle, so price / fl oz puts this in the middle of the pack price wise. Think of it this way, you won’t need to buy more for several months at least.
Pros:
- Great on sensitive skin. The balanced pH will keep your skin from getting irritated.
- Jojoba and shea butter work well to hydrate skin, leaving you rejuvenated.
- Massive 32oz bottle, so you’re stocked for months off just one bottle.
Cons:
- Neutral scent. Only a con if you’re looking for something more masculine.
The Seaweed Bath Co. Body Wash
The Seaweed Bath Co. goes above and beyond in regards to sustainability. Their bottles are made from 100% recycled materials and their products are made with hand-harvested seaweed from Maine. If your priority is sustainability and organic ingredients, look no further.
You’ll never find any artificial colors, dyes, or fragrances in a product from The Seaweed Bath Co. They get their scents from essential oils. All-natural ingredients derived from plants make this product vegan. Many products claim cruelty free, but The Seaweed Bath Co. backs up their claim with the Leaping Bunny Certification.
This body wash contains neem oil, spirulina, Hawaiian kukui oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera which together protect and moisturize, so this body wash is great against dry skin.
Pros:
- Certified cruelty free by the Leaping Bunny Program
- Nice to see the product naturally scented, not using overpowering perfumes
- All packaging is made from 100% recycled materials.
Cons:
- Not a particularly masculine scent, but citrus and vanilla are nice regardless
Malin + Goeth Body Wash
Malin + Goeth started in New York City in 2004 by a couple of guys tired of dealing with sensitive skin. Each of their products is developed around a specific ingredient known to deal with issues plaguing people with sensitive skin. To remain cruelty free, each product is tested on co-founder Matthew Malin. Though not all of their products are vegan, this particular body wash is.
Eucalyptus has a long history of medicinal use because it’s known to prevent infection. It’s included in this body wash because sensitive skin is often affected by eczema, rosacea, and other irritations. These problems can lead to skin damage that may become infected.
Malin + Goeth’s priority on sensitive skin and the ingredients they use in their body washes make this my pick for best cruelty free body wash for sensitive skin.
Pros:
- Eucalyptus protects irritated skin from infection, while providing a mint-like scent and experience
- Smaller company with the sole purpose of eliminating sensitive skin. Admirable.
- The scent comes naturally from the included eucalyptus, no artificial aromas here.
Cons:
- Definitely the most expensive body wash on this list. But if you have sensitive skin, anything that provides relief is worth the price.
How Is Body Wash Vegan?
In order for any product to be considered vegan, no animal can be involved in its production at all. Naturally all vegan products need to be cruelty free as well. However just because a company says their product is cruelty free doesn’t mean they adhere fully to official cruelty free standards.
If you want to be sure your body wash is cruelty free, look for either the Leaping Bunny or PETA logo. Usually these are found on the side or back of the label. Products with these logos have been through the certification process and given the cruelty free stamp of approval.
So in order to make sure your product is actually vegan, make sure the ingredients are derived from plants and there is a PETA or Leaping Bunny logo somewhere on the bottle.
Jeromy Kawecki
Jeromy Kawecki has been using men’s grooming products since he sprouted his first…um, chest hair. It was around that time he was introduced to AXE body spray, and the rest is history. Now he shares his expert knowledge with whoever will listen, and has a good time doing so.
