12 of the Best Natural Body Lotions To Nourish & Soften Skin Without Chemicals

A roundup of the best natural body lotion brands made with skin softening, nourishing natural ingredients instead of toxic chemicals and artificial fragrances. Includes body lotions for all skin types and budgets. 

3 Reasons to Switch to a Natural 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 body lotion:

1.) Avoid toxic ingredients

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 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 natural 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. 

2.) Skip the stinky 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. 

3.) Natural body lotions are nicer to use

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 high quality natural body lotion will have beneficial ingredients like plant oils, natural butters and botanical extracts that absorb into your skin, helping hydrate and nourish for the long term. 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.

While you’re at it – swap out your shampoo, deodorant, facial cleanser, face moisturizer and makeup!

Best Natural Body Lotion Brands

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure

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 research so you don’t have to.

This list includes lotions with organic ingredients, as well as lotions for different skin types, and a variety of budgets. Scroll through the list to find the natural or organic body lotion that works best for you!

Best feature: EWG-Verified

ATTITUDE

• Attitude offers a range of hypoallergenic lotions designed to hydrate and protect skin 
• Available in a lighter natural body lotion, a thicker natural body cream and a hand cream
• 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

Buy ATTITUDE (Get $10 off your first order with code WELCOME10)

Best feature: postbiotics to protect skin

mindbodygreen

• 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.
• Fragrance free formula
• My current favorite body lotion because it keeps my skin soft and hydrated, without feeling greasy.
• EWG rating: N/A 

Buy mindbodygreen (Get 15% off with code MM15 at checkout.)

Everyone

• 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

Buy Everyone

Best feature: Luxurious feel

Beautycounter

• Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer uses squalane to draw moisture into the skin
• Ingredients include shea butter, organic sunflower seed oil, aloe vera and more.
• Clinically-proven to provide up to 24-hours of hydration
• I love that it goes on silky smooth but without a trace of stickiness.
• Favorite Scent: Product is fragrance-free but it has a light, natural almond scent to it.
• EWG rating: 1

Buy Beautycounter (new customers can get 20% off when you sign up for their emails)

Best feature: Certified organic

Dr. Bronner’s

• 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

Buy Dr. Bronner’s

Best feature: Soothing colloidal oatmeal

Acure

• Formula features colloidal oatmeal as well as aloe vera, olive oil, seabuckthorn oil and cocoa butter
• 100% vegan
• Unscented version available 
• Favorite Scent: Brightening Glow (sweet orange)
• EWG rating: 2

Buy Acure

Best feature: Recyclable aluminum bottles.

Seed Phytonutrients

• 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

Buy Seed Phytonutrients

Best feature: Rich body cream formula

100% Pure

• 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: 2

Buy 100% Pure (use code MINDFUL20 for 20% off)

Best feature: Lightweight lotion

Andalou

• 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 my go-to lotion for summer!)
• EWG rating: 2 – 3

Buy Andalou

Best feature: Lavender lovers dream

EO

• 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
• EWG rating: 2 – 3

Buy EO

Best feature: Fair Trade Certified

Alaffia

• 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

Buy Alaffia

Best feature: Velvety formula

Weleda

• Rich, velvety lotion made with natural oils and butters, and scented with essential oils
• Favorite Scent: Sea Buckthorn
• EWG rating: 3

Buy Weleda

Do you have a favorite natural body lotion? Let us know in the comments!

Like this product guide? Check out all my non-toxic product guides here!