Best Sustainable Body Washes: Consumer Reports Analysis

Date: December 2, 2025
Author: Sydney Cook
Source: Consumer Reports

Overview

Consumer Reports (CR) partnered with Made Safe and Made Wise, organizations dedicated to educating consumers and companies on ingredient safety and sustainability, to analyze the ingredient lists of over 100 body washes. Their mission was to highlight sustainable products with fewer health and environmental concerns.

Key Findings

• Many popular brand body washes contain ingredients associated with health and environmental risks.
• Despite this, CR identified top-performing products that use safer, eco-friendly ingredients.
• A significant number of products still pose potential risks, indicating an urgent need for transparency and reformulation in the personal care industry.

Understanding Ingredient Risks

Consumer Reports detailed specific concerns surrounding ingredients that can:

• Harm human health (e.g., disrupt hormones, cause skin irritation)
• Contribute to environmental damage (e.g., aquatic toxicity, non-biodegradability)

CR provides an interactive guide on these ingredient risks available on their platform.

Tips for Choosing Sustainable Body Washes

• Look for products certified by trusted programs such as Made Safe and Made Wise.
• Avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh preservatives.
• Choose body washes with biodegradable ingredients to minimize environmental impact.
• Pay attention to transparent labeling about ingredient sourcing and safety assessments.

Consumer Reports’ Top Sustainable Body Washes

Among the 100+ products tested, CR singled out 27 Top Choices and 27 Good Choices for sustainability and safety. These products demonstrate high standards for ingredient safety, transparency, and environmental responsibility.

Example Top Choice

• 100% Pure Blood Orange Shower Gel
  • Contains no known harmful risks related to ingredients.
  • Available on 100% Pure’s official site and Amazon.

(Note: This is an example; the full list is on Consumer Reports’ website.)

Why What Goes Down the Drain Matters

• Body wash ingredients eventually enter waterways, impacting aquatic ecosystems.
• Choosing safer products helps reduce pollution and protect biodiversity.

Industry Response

Body wash companies have begun responding to consumer demand by improving formulations and increasing transparency. However, Consumer Reports emphasizes the need for widespread adoption of sustainable practices to ensure long-term health and environmental benefits.

Conclusion

Consumers seeking the best sustainable body washes can rely on Consumer Reports’ collaboration with Made Safe and Made Wise for trusted guidance. By prioritizing safer ingredients and sustainability certifications, buyers can make informed choices that promote personal and planetary health.

For more details and the full list of top sustainable body washes, visit Consumer Reports.

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