The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Body Lotion: Our Top 3 Picks
Are you the type of person who tries every new body lotion that comes on the market? Or, do you stick with a couple of favorites that you have been using for several years? Whether you are trying a number of products, or using those that are tried and true, how much do you really know about the skin care products that you are using?
The more you know about the products you are using, the better able you will be to choose the best products for your particular skin type. Keep reading to learn more about what we feel are the best vegan body lotions on the market and detailed reviews of each of them.
Quick Review Chart
Product | Specs | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  Hempz | Size 17 fl. oz. Scent Original | ||
  Beauty without Cruelty | Size 16 fl. oz. Scent Fragrance Free | ||
  Nature's Gate | Size 18 fl. oz. (2 pack) Scent Tea Tree |
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Going All Natural
These days, many people are shying away from traditional skin care products, because of their ingredients, and how they are made, and it is not just vegans who are seeing the many benefits of vegan skin care products, such as body lotion and deodorant.
These products are made with all-natural ingredients, and they are made in cruelty-free facilities. There are no animal products or by-products in these skin care items, and they are not tested on animals.
Why Use Vegan Skin Care Products?
Obviously, the main reason why we use body lotion is to have soft, smooth skin, and also to protect our skin from the environment. Most lotions contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that aid in keeping our skin healthy, and some lotions even have bronzers so you can have the look of having been in the sun without all of those damaging UV rays.
Did you know that lotions and moisturizers are not the same thing? Yes, there are moisturizing body lotions, but these are lotions that have moisturizing ingredients added.
The problem with a lot of commercial products is that they are often made with chemicals. These products may be less expensive, but the savings aren’t always worth it. Many people have allergic reactions to a lot of these ingredients, and end up with rashes and dry skin. That is one of the reasons why many are turning to vegan body lotions and other vegan skin care products; you don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy using vegan products.
If you are prone to allergic reactions on your skin, it is important to know that the products you use on your skin are made from 100% natural ingredients. This is what you get when you use vegan skin care products. In fact, this is becoming so popular that companies that use synthetic ingredients are starting to take notice, and are coming up with more natural formulations.
What to Look for in Organic Body Lotion
There are many types of organic skin care products, and not all of these products are completely vegan. This means that they may contain animal by-products, such as animal fats. If you want a body lotion or other products that contain no animal by-products, you need to be careful when reading the ingredients list. Also, look for lotions that are loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E.
Other healthy, important ingredients that can hydrate your skin and rejuvenate damaged skin cells to look for include -
- Shea Butter
- Aloe Vera
- Coconut Oil
- Essential Oils
There may be others as well, but these four are the most common.
Benefits of Using Vegan Body Lotions
There are several benefits to using vegan body lotions and other skin care products. For starters, they are Earth friendly. Synthetic products are loaded with chemicals that seep into our environment through the manufacturing process. They also get into our water when you rinse them down the drain after a shower or bath. Because vegan products use organic ingredients, they leave no carbon footprint.
Other benefits include -
Less Skin Irritation
Because there are no harsh chemicals in vegan skin care products, there is less chance that you will experience any skin irritation. A lot of the allergic reactions people have to their skin care products are due to sensitivities to chemicals.
Less Sinus Irritation
Synthetic products are often overly scented, which is a problem for anyone who has allergies to scented products. The scents in vegan body lotions come from natural ingredients, and don’t tend to cause as many allergic reactions.
Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer
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Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer is enriched with pure, natural hemp seed oil (but it is free of THC), which has many properties that help to keep the skin soft and smooth. It is completely paraben free, and also contains no gluten. It is also completely vegan, and contains ingredients such as shea butter, ginseng, and vitamins A, C, and E. Regular use will help to make your skin look and feel healthier, as this product will give your skin the nourishment and hydration it needs.
Benefits
This product is a blend of pure, organic hemp seed oil and other natural extracts that help to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. The hemp seed oil is an important ingredient as it is one of the best sources in the world of many of the things that our skin needs, including essential fatty and key amino acids, both of which contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and natural proteins.
Other benefits of using this body lotion include -
Natural Ingredients
In addition to the above-mentioned ingredients, this product contains water, propylene glycol, isopropyl palmitate, stearic acid, aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, cetyl alcohol, PEG-100 stearate, glyceryl stearate, triethanolamine, cucumber, fruit extract, panax ginseng root extract, glycerin, symphytum officinale leaf extract, althea officinalis root extract, chamomile flower extract, and other natural ingredients.
Easy to Use
To use this product, all you have to do is rub a generous amount wherever it is needed. You can use it all over your body, and you can use it more than once daily if you feel the need for extra moisturizing. If you get this product in your eyes, it can sting, so rinse immediately with cool, clear water.
Feels Great
This moisturizer has a very creamy feel. It goes on smoothly, and absorbs quickly into the skin. There is no oily or sticky residue, so your skin feels soft and smooth. The longer you use it, the healthier your skin is going to be, and it will look great and feel soft and smooth. This is really great to use during the winter months when your skin can get particularly dry.
Smells Great
Because it is not loaded with chemicals and other synthetic ingredients, and is made with natural ingredients such as flowers, the scent is mild and pleasant. It is not an over-powering scent, and it is not so feminine that men won’t enjoy using this product as well as the ladies.
Improve Skin Health
The natural ingredients in this product will dramatically improve the condition of your skin after just a few weeks of use. It gives your skin just the right amount of hydration and nourishment, without leaving it feeling greasy. You will enjoy softer, smoother skin, and you may even be complimented on how young you look.
Pros
- Skin Protection - This moisturizer helps to protect your skin from natural oxidants, as well as those from the environment. It is loaded with nutrients that are great for the skin, and should be worn when you are out in the sun, along with a UV blocker.
- Long Lasting - After applying this product, you don’t have to worry about it for 12 hours. It will provide hydration and nourishment throughout the day, and then all night long after the evening application.
- Soothing - Many of the ingredients in this product help to soothe the skin. These ingredients include shea butter and ginseng, the latter of which can help to provide a cooling sensation that feels great.
Cons
- Scent - If you are very picky about the scent, you should know before you buy that a few customers are not happy with this product's fragrance. They say it smells like bubble gum.
Beauty Without Cruelty Fragrance Free Hand & Body Lotion
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Beauty Without Cruelty Fragrance-Free Hand & Body Lotion is completely vegan, and is touted to be the “perfect, all-over body treatment.” It contains organic ingredients that hydrate and nourish the skin, and the pro-vitamins, humectants, emollients, shea butter, kukui nut, and jojoba oils what will help to replenish and moisturize your skin. One of the best things about this product is that it is made in a facility that does no animal testing, and it contains no animal ingredients (like all products from Beauty without Cruelty).
Benefits
This hand and body treatment is 100% vegetarian/vegan. It is pH balanced for all types of skin, and provides the nourishment your skin needs to be soft, smooth, and healthy. It is the ideal total-body treatment that can help to restore the natural suppleness of the skin, and repair damage caused by the sun and other environmental factors. It is made with a botanical formula, featuring calendula and arnica.
Other benefits include -
No Scent
Even though the ingredients in vegan skin care products are natural, it doesn’t mean that some people can’t be allergic to them, especially the scents. One of the great things about this lotion is that it is completely scent free. This means that even those who have severe scent allergies can enjoy its many benefits.
Natural Ingredients
Every ingredient in this product is all natural making it one of the best organic body lotion choices. Some of the skin-soothing ingredients include vegetable glycerin, rose hip oil, jojoba oil, arnica extract, olive oil, shea butter, chamomile extract, calendula extract, aloe vera leaf juice, sunflower oil, purified water, lavender, green tea extract, tamanu oil, and more. The organic content is 41 percent, and the organic ingredients are certified by BCS, CCOF, and QAI.
Easy to Use
Any time your skin needs hydration, simply massage this lotion all over your body. It is best to use this product following a shower or bath. Use this product often. You can even put in your own essential oils for a customized aromatherapy experience any time. This is also a great product for hand and body massages.
Cruelty Free
We love the fact that no animals are harmed in the making of this product. It is made in a cruelty-free environment, and is never tested on animals. It also contains absolutely no animal ingredients or animal by-products, so you can feel good about using this lotion. Because it is natural, it is also better for the environment.
Great for Acne
Some users report that this product helped them to get rid of their acne; they advise using it before going to bed at night. Upon waking, you should notice a big difference in the appearance of acne blemishes. It may be considered a body lotion, but it is also great for your face.
Pros
- Great for Dry Skin - This is a product for all skin types, but it is particularly good for dry skin. It helps to moisturize and rejuvenate dry and damaged skin cells, making your skin appear and feel soft, smooth, and healthy.
- Ideal for Allergy Sufferers - Most people can use this product without any adverse reactions. It is even a great product for anyone who suffers from skin irritation, environmental and scent allergies.
- Value - This product, when compared to similar vegan products, is quite affordable. Plus, when you look at all of the great things it can do for your skin, you will see that it offers exceptional value.
Cons
- Skin Absorption - Some users report that this product does not absorb well into the skin, and leaves the skin feeling sticky. Since you can also add your own ingredients, adding a bit of aloe vera should help eliminate this problem.
Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Body Lotion
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Nature’s Gate Tea Tree Calming Body Lotion is natural, non-GMO, and free of parabens, gluten, and soy. Unlike other natural products, this one does not contain mineral oil, and it is also free of petrolatum and butylene glycol. The tea tree oil, blue cypress oil, and marshmallow, when blended together, work to soften your skin and leave it feeling smooth and looking healthy.
Benefits
We love that this is a daily moisturizer that can be used all over the body. It is loaded with botanicals that naturally soothe the skin, helping to eliminate dry, irritated skin. A lot of the skin nourishment in this product comes from shea butter, which is loaded with vitamin A. Specified for daily use, this product can be used as you need it to soothe dry or irritated skin.
Other benefits include -
Vitamin Enriched
This product is loaded with vitamins and minerals that naturally enhance the skin and help to keep it nourished and hydrated. These ingredients include vitamins A, C, and K. The ingredients help to relax tired skin, and offer a variety of other benefits, including antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic.
Great for All Skin Types
Whether you have normal, oily, or dry skin, your skin is going to benefit from this lotion. It contains ingredients that are good for all skin types, and that will help to keep skin well-hydrated at all times. Many users say that this is their favorite skin product to use during the winter months.
Moisturizing
Not only does this product contain ingredients that help to reduce skin irritation, it also contains sodium hyaluronate. This ingredient helps to hold the moisture in the skin, and keep the skin from losing moisture. Your skin will feel soft and smooth all day after using this lotion.
Natural Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients we have already mentioned, this lotion contains jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, xanthan gum, sweet almond oil, safflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, grape seed extract, aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter, willow bark extract, and hops extract.
Cruelty Free
This product contains no animal products or by-products. It is never tested on animals, and is free of parabens and colorants. If you want to use products that are made in cruelty-free facilities, this is definitely a great option.
Pros
- Easy to Use - The best time to use this product is right after you get out of the bath or shower, while your skin is still moist. After toweling off, apply liberally, and massage thoroughly into the skin until dry.
- Absorbs Quickly - It doesn’t take long for this product to absorb into your skin and begin working to restore moisture without leaving your skin feeling greasy. You will enjoy soft, smooth skin all day long after using this totally organic moisturizer.
- Mild Scent - The main scent you will notice in this lotion is from the tea tree oil, but it isn’t overpowering in any way. It is a mild scent that is enjoyed by both men and women.
Cons
- Contains Alcohol - This is not the best product for anyone who has eczema, as it does contain alcohol. This can also cause some people to experience dry skin rather than enjoying the moisturizing benefits.
Conclusion
If you are tired of using skin care products that are loaded with chemicals that can do a lot more harm than good over time, you need to look at the many benefits offered by vegan skin care products, including body lotions. Most of these products are extremely gentle, and can even be used on your face. We feel these are three of the best vegan body lotion products currently available, and any of them are great choices for anyone who wants to have healthy skin, and who is environmentally conscious.
