Keeping your skin moisturized with lotion throughout the day is a must, especially in the cold winter months. Adequate hydration and nourishment with vegan lotion will prevent your skin from flaking, chapping, and breaking.
It’s not always obvious, but there are actually plenty of nonvegan ingredients in body lotion. Some common ones are beeswax, honey, and lanolin.
Even natural and organic lotions aren’t always vegan since many of them have beeswax.
That’s why we’ve rounded up and tried some of the best brands with vegan body lotions, so you don’t have to. We selected these brands for their brand values and practices, just as we chose them for their high-quality products.
Note: This list includes thicker products than your usual lightweight body lotion, such as body butters and bars.
Generally, body lotions have a more watery consistency compared to butters and are best for daily use. However, you might need a higher moisturizing factor, so we included a couple of thicker formulas here.
Booda Butter - U.S.
You might be familiar with Booda Butter from their cream deodorant in a tub. But they also feature other skincare items sug as vegan lotions!
Booda Butter was founded in 2010 and remains a family-run business today. The founders believe in the power of organic and natural ingredients in nourishing our skin.
About The Lotion
Booda currently only has one vegan lotion in its collection. But it’s an all-around moisturizer that you can use in various ways (more than 50, if we go by the company’s promise!).
Their Tub of Love is a gentle blend of natural and organic components. It does not contain any animal products or by-products, nor is it tested on animals.
It is a creamy consistency once you’ve warmed it up in the palm of your hands, and it glides smoothly on the skin. It is best used after a warm shower as the product absorbs better on warm, open pores.
It is certified organic and hypoallergenic without any soy or gluten. While it isn’t exactly an unscented body lotion since the components have strong smells, it is additional fragrance-free.
In addition, while you can use it as a body lotion, we recommend concentrating it on areas where you have consistently dry skin. The product applies to all areas of the body, but you’ll quickly run out if you use it as a whole-body lotion daily.
Because this product does not contain wax, the formula will melt and harden according to temperature variations. Therefore, make sure to store it at room temperature.
This all-around moisturizer is also available in a smaller size.
Ingredients
This lotion only has five ingredients! But, of course, with such a shortlist, you’re sure that it doesn’t contain any of the bad chemicals you may be specifically avoiding.
It contains:
- Fair Trade Shea Butter
- Fair Trade Cocoa Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Jojoba Oil
All of these components are certified organic and unrefined.
These ingredients are well known to nourish the skin and moisturize it. In addition, the cocoa and shea butter in the formula provide the thick, creamy consistency that your skin will surely thank you for.
It isn’t the most lightweight vegan formulation, which is also why we’d recommend concentrating it on areas of the body with chapped skin. But, it will work great in colder months, where your skin is most likely a bit drier than usual.
The coconut and olive oil in the product may take some time to absorb and feel heavier for a time.
Brand Values
Booda Butter always makes pure products for happy people and a peaceful planet. They firmly believe that we should only put on good products for us and our bodies—especially since the skin absorbs much of what we put on it.
As part of ensuring their supply chain remains ethical, they use ingredients that are sourced organically or Fair Trade. In addition, they make the products in small batches and always operate in good working environments.
Their ingredient and sourcing choices are both testaments to their environmental commitment. Sourcing ethically and sustainably from groups they trust allows them to have less of an environmental impact.
They also use earth-conscious supplies, and their packaging is recyclable. Moreover, they continuously improve their eco-friendliness as more options become available.
Kate McLeod - U.S.
Kate McLeod creates body stones made from naturally-derived ingredients that are made safe for you and your skin.
They are safe and effective products that are completely plant-based and sustainably sourced without any synthetics, added preservatives, or toxins.
About The Lotion
Okay, so this isn’t really the conventional lotion. It isn’t even a conventional lotion bar. But because the purpose is to moisturize your skin and keep it nourished, we chose to include it in this list.
Their stone bars are moisturizers like lotions but with a stronger moisturizing factor for all intents and purposes. It is perfect for those with dry skin.
You can buy a handful of body stone formulations from the store—each of them with different added essential oils (some without) but with the same core ingredients. But we personally love the Sleep Stone.
It’s a calming moisturizer meant to soothe and relax. It’s perfect at night or any other moment you feel the need to wind down and relax.
It comes in a mini version as well! Great for on the go and whenever you travel. Without the water content in most vegan body lotions, you’ll be able to bring it anywhere you like.
It comes packaged in a muslin travel bag or a reusable bamboo canister. The bamboo container is perfect for insulating the product and keeping it at an optimum condition.
Ingredients
The core ingredients in all body stones are the same.
- Cocoa Butter
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Fractionated Coconut Oil
The butter in the formula is an excellent moisturizer and substitutes as a natural preservative. In addition, the stone will quickly and smoothly glide onto your skin because of the oils in the bar.
Additional essential oils used in this body stone are:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
Both are intended to soothe and relax.
If you aren’t a fan of essential oils, there’s also a fragrance-free (but not unscented) body lotion bar in their store called Naked Stone.
Brand Values
At their very core, the Kate Mcleod brand offers simple, natural, and good products for the skin. In addition, they are completely vegan and cruelty-free.
Their products are registered MADE SAFE, which means they’re only made with ingredients safe for the human body. You can read more about it here.
And since it’s package-free, using these body stones is much better for the environment than your usual bottle of lotion. Read more about zero waste skin care here.
If you are shopping for a new lotion and willing to try out something new, consider this company.
Alchimie Forever - Switzerland
With a mission of “self-care through skincare,” Alchimie Forever creates quality skincare products with clean formulation and clinical results.
Their products are developed with scientific integrity and a commitment to effectiveness. Developed by Switzerland’s top dermatologist, these products are clean, highly effective, and good for your skin.
About The Lotion
Alchimie’s Soothing Body Lotion has nourishing, soothing, and calming properties. It’s loaded with emollients and botanicals that will soothe and hydrate your skin.
It is formulated to be calming and comforting, with antioxidants that have anti-aging properties.
It does not leave any residue at all and absorbs pretty quickly. In addition, the body lotion evokes a clean yet mildly herbal scent perfect for feeling refreshed while also being moisturized.
The lotion is packaged in a plastic bottle. However, the company is working on transitioning to sugarcane plastic for a lesser environmental impact.
This body lotion is packed with benefits and is concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Ingredients
This lotion does not contain any harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates. It also does not contain any mineral oils, dyes, and GMOs.
Of course, it is fully vegan and cruelty-free.
Here are some noteworthy components:
- Lavender Extract
- Green Tea Leaf Extract
- Rosemary Leaf Extract
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Alchimie products are made with clean ingredients. However, they have a different take on what it means to be “clean.” They don’t treat it as synonymous with organic or natural ingredients.
Instead, they believe in the powerful mixture of lab-generated and botanical elements. So while they do use the term “clean beauty” to describe their products, it might not equate to what you’re used to.
The fragrance in this body lotion does not contain any phthalates or essential oils. The brand believes that essential oils aren’t adequate alternatives since they can irritate sensitive skin.
You can read more about their clean formula here.
Brand Values
The core of this company is science. They are devoted to making sure their products work and that their customers are happy with the results.
It is often the case that vegan body lotions and other vegan products are touted for being less effective than their non-vegan counterparts. But with the scientific bases of Alchimie, it’s difficult to make that argument.
You can view the clinical results of their products here.
They strive to make their formulations as clean as possible. And while, as we said, this isn’t your conventional definition of clean beauty, they work with third parties to certify that their products meet certain standards.
Hempz - U.S.
Hempz is a vegan beauty and body care company based in the United States. They use hemp seed oil in most of their products and focus on using nontoxic and natural ingredients.
They first started with their lotions, and they’ve now expanded to include a wide selection of products for the face, body, and hair.
About The Lotion
Hempz has a pretty wide range of vegan body lotions. They’ve got options for sensitive skin, as well as vegan lotions with SPF.
We highly recommend their Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Body Creme. It provides extensive moisture and hydration. Thus, protecting your skin all day from dryness.
This vegan body lotion is enriched with hemp seed oil to keep your skin soft and supple throughout the day. The 100% hemp seed oil provides Vitamin E, fatty acids, and soothing amino acids.
The scent is quite fruity, reminiscent of grapefruit and sparkling peach. If you love scents with a fruity, fresh scent, this is definitely one to try out.
It also comes in smaller travel sizes and can double as a hand cream.
If you have skin sensitivity, you should also try Sensitive Skin Herbal Body Moisturizer. It is a fragrance-free (but not unscented) body lotion with Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, and Oats for optimum nourishment.
Ingredients
This body lotion is loaded with rich components that’ll keep your skin moisturized and firm. All ingredients are cruelty-free and vegan. Here are some of the ingredients we want to take note of:
- Shea Butter
- Sweet Almond Seed Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Apple Fruit Extract
- Jojoba Seed Oil
- Hemp Seed Oil
Shea butter is rich in vitamin E and is a natural emollient. That means it can help your skin hold moisture longer. In addition, the fatty acids in the hemp seed help will help shield against damage.
Brand Values
Making products with hemp seed oil for over 20 years, Hempz is dedicated to using natural and non-toxic ingredients.
Plus, hemp is a sustainable plant that has plenty of benefits. It can reduce deforestation, re-establish soil fertility, and reduces carbon emission impacts.
All Hempz products are made and shipped from the U.S.
The company also helps out in the community. Their programs include helping out with food banks, donating to LGBTQ+ communities and other non-profits such as the Equal Justice Initiative.
With every purchase from their store, you can help out these communities as well.
Mogi Mousse - U.S.
Made with love and light, Mogi Mousse is all-natural, organic, plant-based, and hypoallergenic. They are also fully vegan and cruelty-free.
Based out of New York City, they specialize in making gender-neutral skin care with limited ingredients but packed with vitamins and nutrients. They may even assist with skin conditions like eczema.
About The Lotion
This one is a bit thicker and heavier than body lotion but is a great moisturizer. The Mogi Mousse Body Butter is a vegan, plant-based moisturizer that’s perfect for the entire body. So whether it’s your chapped hands or dry soles, this product has you covered.
It is high in fatty acids and can protect you from environmental and free radical damage. It can also help through the healing process of some skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and burns.
However, the body lotion itself is not a stand-in for treatment. It’s helpful with the healing process but is not intended to be a medical solution. For example, with conditions like eczema, moisturizing can help a lot to reduce itching but will not solve the main issue.
This body butter assists in keeping the skin hydrated, soft, soothed, conditioned, and rejuvenated. It also has a light scent from essential oils to soothe and relax.
It comes in an 8 oz. recyclable jar and is a great zero waste alternative for your usual lotion.
Ingredients
All ingredients in this product are vegan, organic, natural, and have never been tested on animals. It does not contain any parabens, phthalates, synthetics, GMOs, or dyes.
Here is the full ingredient list:
- Shea Butter,
- Coconut Oil,
- Lavender Oil,
- Lemongrass Oil
Simple and short, yet highly moisturizing and effective.
Just like many of Mogi’s products, there’s a simplified list of ingredients. All the usual fillers and preservatives are absent, so the product’s shelf life is considerably shorter. Use up within 3 months of opening to ensure the best results.
These ingredients are carefully selected and organically sourced all over the world.
Brand Values
As a completely natural company, Mogi focuses on using plant-based ingredients and good for the skin and body. As a result, you won’t find any harsh chemicals in any of their products.
Fully vegan and organic, these formulations are simple and straight to the point. The limited ingredients make their vegan products perfect for those with skin sensitivity. They also don’t alter their ingredients to retain all nutrients and properties.
They’re also made in small batches in NYC, so you have an assurance that it’s the finest quality they could give.
Lotion vs. Butter vs Moisturizer
The products we suggested above were a mix of butters, lotions, and moisturizers. And while these terms are not always used interchangeably, they have a lot in common.
In personal care, most moisturizers are used in the context of facial skin care. But generally, a moisturizer is anything that can moisturize. This means that lotions and butters can be moisturizers as well.
So it’s not really a case of lotion and moisturizer being mutually exclusive. Lotions can be moisturizers when formulated specifically for that purpose, which is often the case.
As we’ve said, body lotion often has a high water content to make them easier to apply without leaving an oily residue. They’re best for mild moisturization and day-to-day use since they don’t stick to the skin.
On the other hand, body butters are rich and better for very sensitive or dry skin. They also act as moisturizers.
So, while the three may not be the same, their main job is still to lock in moisture. The best choice for you depends on what your skin type is.
Final Thoughts
We hope you found our body lotion suggestions useful! And with all the overwhelming options out there, we understand that it can be challenging to sift through all of them.
Still, bear in mind that these products are our personal selections. They won’t always be the best for you since we all have varying skin types. Despite that, one of these might even end up being your holy grail lotion!
If you have any questions, let us know! And make sure to check out some of our other articles here.
