Choosing the right skincare products can be overwhelming. There are so many options these days, especially now that more people are opting for an organic lifestyle. Where do you start, how do you know what to choose, and what do all these ingredients mean?
Thankfully, natural skincare is a bit more simple to navigate than commercial skincare. So don’t be afraid. We’re here to help you understand what natural body wash you need and why you need it. There are so many beauty benefits to using natural products on your skin, not to mention the bonus of knowing you’re investing in and using something that isn’t harmful to animals or the environment. After all, we want to be guilt-free and glowing, don’t we?
Skin Types
When choosing a natural body wash, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, what is your skin type? The right choice will be different for people with dry, oily, sensitive, and combination skin. A dermatologist or aesthetician (or even the internet – hello, YouTube) can help you determine this.
Next, preference is always a key factor. Do you like a thicker texture, something that foams, or a product that will make you smell like a tropical island? Figuring out your skin type, as well as your personal preference when it comes to your body, will help you on your way to finding the perfect natural body wash for you.
It’s essential to take your time learning what your skin needs and how you’re going to give it just that. When choosing your body wash, read the labels! The name of the product will generally tell you the ingredients it’s made up of and what type of skin it’s for, but the ingredients label offers a lot more information.
What’s great about natural skincare is that you won’t often find a gigantic list of ingredients you could never pronounce (or even be able to tell someone what they are!) Most of the time, it will be easy to gauge what’s in the bottle or jar, and that will always help you feel more at ease about what you’re putting on your skin.
Once you know your skin type, it’s time to choose a product that will help carry it to its full, healthy potential. As a general rule, dry skin needs oil, oily skin needs a good balance of exfoliation and moisture, sensitive skin needs gentle, fragrance-free products, and combination skin typically needs a bit of everything.
Incorporating a natural body wash into your skincare regime will benefit any skin type that you may have, because the ingredients will be free of parabens and other toxic chemicals that can make certain skin conditions worse. Nature is a wonderful source of rich ingredients that can clean and nourish the skin without causing damage.
Natural Ingredients For Your Skin Type
There are different things to look out for depending on your skin type and preference. You’re going to want something rich in oil for dry skin since dry skin lacks moisture – whether due to environmental factors, harsh soaps, frequent use of swimming pools with chlorine, diet, or other underlying causes. We recommend something made with coconut oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, and argan oil. Rose oil and rosewater are also packed with a range of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that are great for dry skin, acne, and rosacea. Anything that includes Vitamin E, honey, and aloe vera is also a good choice, as they all contain healing properties for dry skin.
If you have oily skin, you might think you need to dry it out as much as possible. But this is not the case. Oily skin needs a good balance of moisture and exfoliation to combat the skin’s production of excess sebum and clogged pores. Look out for antiseptic and antibacterial ingredients such as lavender hydrosol and tea tree oil, which help combat bacteria’s harmful growth on oily-prone skin. Kaolin clay can also be used alongside a body wash once or twice a week as a natural exfoliant that isn’t going to strip your skin of moisture. Jojoba oil is also phenomenal to use on oily skin for its antibacterial and moisturizing properties, as well as its natural ability to control sebum production. Drying out oily skin too much will make the skin think it needs to produce more oil, which will worsen the cycle. So please don’t shy away from moisturizing ingredients, as they are actually vital for regulating oily-prone skin.
Combination skin is just that – a combination of different skin types. You might have oily skin on your face but dry skin on your back, or sensitive skin on your face but dry skin on your body. If this is the case, you want to choose a product that can help balance your skin overall without having to buy a whole range of specific things for specific areas. Natural oils that are good for balancing combination skin are jojoba oil, hazelnut oil, sesame oil, geranium oil, lavender oil, and rosemary oil. Rosewater, witch hazel, and lavender hydrosol are also beneficial for combination skin. To effectively moisturize combination skin, look out for aloe vera and cucumber in your body washes. Oatmeal and honey are also a powerhouse duo in their anti-inflammatory properties, ability to control sebum production, and capacity to hydrate and lock in moisture. Remember, combination skin thrives on balance.
Finally, if you’ve got sensitive skin, your choices for skincare are generally going to be more limited. Too many active ingredients or too strong a scent can irritate the skin and make certain conditions worse. When choosing your natural body wash, the most important thing is to keep it simple. Find something that will bring moisture and hydration to your skin, but with gentle ingredients, preferably fragrance-free. Things to look out for will be aloe vera, oatmeal and honey (reminder: excellent anti-inflammatory properties), shea butter, and cucumber seed oil. Rosewater also has antioxidant and moisturizing benefits, which do wonders to soothe irritated skin – plus, you’ll get the benefit of smelling like a rose garden without your skin suffering for it. Chamomile is also not just beneficial for a relaxing night of rest – it can relax skin irritation as well and detoxify environmental pollutants that exacerbate skin sensitivity. Stay away from strong ingredients and fragrances, and opt for simple and soothing products.
Personal Preference
Personal preference also comes into play here. We all like different textures, scents, and aesthetics. Knowing your skin type and what you want can go hand-in-hand. You don’t always have to forego your own preferences. If you’re looking for something that smells incredible, there are so many natural scents on offer. Look for a natural body wash that includes coconut, rosewater or rose oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, lavender oil, or almond milk and honey. The options for fruity and floral are almost endless. Citrusy scents are quite popular amongst natural body wash, and for good reason – they smell amazing! Berries in body wash will benefit your skin with not only their scent but also their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. On the more floral side, vanilla is also packed with antioxidants and anti-aging power, along with its ability to make you smell like a fresh dessert. Daisy extraction is antiseptic and will help balance pigmentation, leaving your skin looking bright and smelling like summer.
Personal preference such as consistency and foaming
ability can be an important factor when choosing a body wash.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.
Another thing to think about is texture. Unlike shower gel, body wash is generally thin and more liquid in its consistency, which makes it great for those of us who don’t like the feel of being coated in a thick product. If you’re someone who likes seeing your soap foam up as you lather it on your skin, look for ingredients like castile soap and natural oils (olive, coconut, avocado) when choosing your natural body wash. All of us should be exfoliating at least once a week, but it’s especially important for dry and oily skin. Exfoliation removes the excess dirt and dead skin cells that can cause flaky skin and clog pores. If you want an exfoliating body wash, check for ingredients like ground sugar, sea salt, ground coffee, oats, and ground almonds. You can also use a gentle bamboo exfoliating sponge or brush with your regular natural body wash.
Other Things to Keep In Mind
Most natural skincare is already cruelty-free, but there’s never any harm in double-checking. Products will usually have a sticker or label that states they don’t test on animals, using words like cruelty-free, vegan, not tested on animals, etc. Most brands have statements about this on their website, so you can also do some research online for extra brand integrity. Remember, you will be putting this on your skin, so you want to know what’s in it and how it’s made! After all, the skin is the largest organ and the one that is going to be seen every day (even if you’re the only one seeing it). Taking care of it means being mindful about what goes onto it, just as taking care of your body involves being mindful about what goes into it.
It’s also a good idea to think about how much you’re willing to spend. Expensive skincare isn’t always better, contrary to how celebrity skincare culture has brainwashed us. A product can be both cost-effective and effective on your skin. Once you know the type of natural body wash you want and need, it’s a good idea to compare prices either online or at the store. Look at body washes with similar ingredients or claims and figure out the average price and what will work for you. You don’t need a host of different products for different areas. One body wash and one face cleanser are enough. Some specialized natural skincare will have you paying for the packaging more than the product – this is when you’ll find a fancy and beautiful frosted glass jar that contains enough body wash to last you a week. Consider the price-to-product ratio: if it’s expensive, is it going to last you a long time? That will help you decide if you’re willing to invest more for a longer-lasting product.
Lastly, it’s very important to know that some products claim to be natural but actually aren’t – which is why it’s always essential to read the label! You’ll mostly find these false types at drugstores or commercial grocery stores, as they’re easy to mass-produce. Boutique skincare stores and wellness centers are where you’re likely to find 100% organic skincare. But again, read the label! If a body wash is completely natural, it should be free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic fragrances. Any of those ingredients are a red flag in skincare or body care products, as they contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the skin.
We can share our knowledge and tips with you, but if you’re not making sure the products you buy are the real deal, it makes our words null and void. It essentially comes down to knowledge and application: know what you’re looking for and how to look for it. It’s really as simple as that!
Now You’re (Naturally) Set to Wash!
It makes all the difference to know what you need and what you want before making your decision. Choosing a natural body wash over a commercial or synthetic one will benefit you, the animal kingdom, and our planet. Knowing which body wash is the right one for you depends on your skin type and your individual preference. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be right or effective. Simplicity and sustainability should be your top priority when it comes to natural skincare. Make the choice that is going to benefit your skin and make you feel good. And say it with us one last time – always read the labels!
2 Responses
Thank you so much. It’s been such an interesting read and very helpful.
Dear Tracey, thank you for your comment. I am so happy you enjoyed the article. Keep your eyes on our website as we’ll be posting more soon!