12 Best Natural Soaps for an Eco-Friendly Household

By now, you know that harsh chemicals and irritants can be lurking in some of your favorite products. Our advice? Show your skin and the planet some love, and swap your regular soap for these natural alternatives. Here are 12 liquid soaps, bar soaps, shampoo bars, shaving bars and more just to get you started.

What to Look for in Natural Soap

INGREDIENTS: Natural soaps are made with plant- and Earth-derived ingredients. (Think coconut oil, shea butter, glycerin, sea salt, volcanic sand, etc.) They don't contain preservatives, foaming agents, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. If you can understand the ingredient list, that's usually a sign that you've found the right product.

LIQUIDS VS. BARS: Switching to natural soap already eliminates some irritants in your home, but if you have extra-sensitive skin, then opt for bars. They tend to last longer and use fewer ingredients.

PACKAGING: The goal is to be kinder to your skin and the planet, right? Skip the plastic pumps and choose recyclable containers or zero-waste wrappers whenever possible. We're big fans of glass bottles, cardboard boxes and even reusable canvas pouches.

Best Natural Soap Overall

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Baylis & Harding's Natural Hand Wash is a total steal for $6. (Understandably, it's also our top pick for Best Budget-Friendly Natural Soap.) The liquid formula is made with plant-based ingredients and boasts a complex, woodsy-citrus scent that rivals luxury brands. Best of all? The natural soap comes in a 100% post-consumer recycled bottle.

Best Natural Liquid Soap

Truth be told, we're kind of obsessed with Cleancult's Liquid Hand Soap. The plant-based formula contains just a few key ingredients (like coconut oil, aloe juice, glycerin, etc.), and leaves out phthalates, parabens and other common irritants. But here's what really sets Cleancult apart from the rest: You can buy their liquid soap refills in paper cartons, which helps keep plastic out of landfills.

Best Natural Bar Soap

We love a super simple bar soap, and Mistral's Classic is one of the best around. Each bar is made with just a handful of ingredients (shea butter, olive oil, palm kernel acid, etc.) and comes in delicate paper packaging. You can choose from three different scents, and delight everyone who visits your household.

Best Natural Exfoliating Soap

Sometimes, you need a full-body scrub. And when that time comes, what you really need is Glossier's Body Hero Exfoliating Bar. This aesthetically pleasing soap uses biodegradable bamboo powder and aloe leaf juice to gently exfoliate your skin and lock in moisture. It's also designed with a thoughtful groove, so you can rinse with your favorite body wash.

Best Natural Moisturizing Soap

Prepare to feel pampered every time you practice good hygiene. Puracy's Natural Hand Soap uses premium ingredients (like Vitamin E, sea salt and aloe vera) to hydrate your skin, and it has a thick, honey-like consistency for additional softness. The liquid soap can be purchased individually, in sets of four or as a refill, and the bottles are completely recyclable.

Best Natural Soap for Acne

If you have acne-prone skin, then you need to try Drunk Elephant's Baby Pekee Bar and Juju Bar Duo. Both bars are made from heilmoor clay and virgin marula oil, but the Baby Pekee Bar cleanses and clarifies while the Juju exfoliates. They're suitable for all skin types and will help wash away pore-clogging debris and impurities.

Best Natural Soap for Aromatherapy

Some people need an extra boost in the morning. If you can relate, then do yourself a favor and snag the Outback Mate Bar Soap from Lush. This natural "sudser" features hints of peppermint, eucalyptus and lemongrass to soothe your skin and gradually wake you up in the shower. The soap is also sold and shipped without packaging for a zero-waste product.

Best Natural Soap for Shampooing

It's no secret that we love Ethique's eco-friendly products around here. If you're ready to switch to zero-waste shampoo, then start with their Solid "Mintasy" Shampoo Bar. The natural soap is formulated for normal to dry hair and uses plant-based ingredients to cleanse without adding plastic to your shower. And yep! The bar arrives in a compostable box.

Best Natural Soap for Shaving

If you're tired of sulfates, plastic caps and product that goes way too fast, then swap your shaving cream for EcoRoots' Organic Shaving Soap. The bar is made entirely from plant-based ingredients and enriched with cocoa butter to help soften your skin. (Translation? No post-shave sting.) The natural soap also comes in a recyclable box, so it's truly a zero-waste product.

Best Natural Soap for Kids

Little hands touch everything. So we found a natural soap that can actually keep up — Attitude's Natural Foaming Hand Soap for Kids. Their gentle, plant-based formula contains only the good stuff (water, glycerin, blueberry leaf extract, etc.), and it's even hypoallergenic. Best of all? You can choose from four refreshing scents, and buy the bottles individually or in sets of six.

Best Natural Soap for Pets

Your pup deserves quality ingredients, too. Skip the chemical-heavy shampoos in favor of WashBar's Manuka Soap for Dogs. The natural bar is great for pets with sensitive skin and comes specially formulated with manuka oil, neem oil, lemon myrtle and more to treat itchiness. And here is the cherry on top: If you order during Earth Day weekend (April 22-24), WashBar will plant a tree for every soap sold.

Best Zero-Waste Natural Soap

Thanks to Kalastyle's Swedish Dream Soap and its complementary soap saver, you can finally use the entire bar. The soap is crafted from marine-sourced salts and coconut oil, so it will lightly exfoliate and hydrate your skin. Meanwhile, the cotton pouch collects all of the little bits, helps the soap last longer and keeps plastic containers out of your shower.