Ecological rating of hand soaps, body washes & shampoos

Published in October 2020.

What is this article about?
Find out the eco-friendliness of dozens of brands of hand soaps, body washes, shampoos and conditioners. The rating includes sustainable palm oil policy, the presence of aquatoxic chemicals, the use of recycled packaging, and the company's overall environmental ethos.

This page is an annex to the article: Choosing healthy and eco-friendly personal care and home care products, where you will find our methodology to rate the eco-friendliness of home and personal care manufacturers, as well as a list of toxic chemicals often found in cleaning products.

Contents
1. How are products rated? 2. Hand soap brands 3. Body wash brands 4. Shampoo brands 5. Toothpaste brands

How are products rated?

Brand Ethos includes the company's ecological values and its commitment to sustainability beyond other factors rated in other columns. Ecological brands that are carbon neutral (or even better carbon positive), have a reforestation programme, an efficient waste reduction system, or donate part of their profits to environmental charities (e.g. 1% for the Planet) obtained an A grade.

The company's palm oil policy is one of the most important factors in the global environmental impact. Vast palm plantations in Southeast Asia have caused untold ecological devastation, destroying the tropical rainforest and its biodiversity. According to ASAP 235 animal species are on the brink of extinction in Southeast Asia, including the Javan and Sumatran rhinos, the Sumatran tiger, and 80% of primates in the region, such as the Bornean Orangutan. This is why it can make a real difference to use products that do not contain palm oil derivatives (ideally) or at least choose sustainable palm oil. Companies can source their palm oil responsibly in part thanks to the criteria established by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Companies that use unsustainable palm oil did not get a A rating even if all other categories were outstanding.

Aquatoxic substances were rated from A (safe) to G (most toxic). Only chemicals rated D and above are listed, as those from A to C are considered reasonably safe. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is abbreviated as SLES.

The health hazard column consists mostly of allergens and skin irritants, although some of the most noxious chemicals have also been linked to general body toxicity, endocrine disruption and cancer. In addition to being an allergn, Butylphenyl Methylpropional (aka Lilial) is toxic, an endocrine disruptor with suspected of damaging fertility, and accumulates in the body over time. Bronopol and DMDM Hydantoin are both formaldehyde releasers with potential carcinogenic effects. They can cause respiratory irritation, asthma and allergic skin reaction.

Isothiazolinones are the most common allergens. They are also biocides and therefore toxic to the environment. The most aquatoxic are Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) and Octylisothiazolinone (OIT). They are listed only in that category to avoid listing it it in both columns. Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) are less toxic to water life but more allergenic and are consequently listed under health hazard. All four are listed by their acronyms. Alpha-isomethyl ionone is another allergn that is also toxic both to the enviornment and to human health, although less in known about it.

Ecological ratings of hand soaps

Best value A-rated hand soap
Frosch 500 ml bag Bio-D (5L bottle) Sodasan (5L recharge)

Product	Brand Ethos	Recycled bottle	Palm oil	Aquatoxic substances	Health hazard	RATING
Dr Bronner's Organic Sugar Soap	A+	mostly	organic	-	-	A+
Neal's Yard Remedies Hand Wash	A+	mostly	0%	-	-	A+
Odylique Hand & Body Wash (Essential Care)	A+	100%	0%	-	-	A+
SANTE Liquid Soap	A+	100%	minimal and RSPO	-	-	A+
Sodasan Liquid Soap	A+	100%	RSPO	-	-	A+
Green People Hand Wash	A+	no, but carbon neutral	organic	-	-	A
Bio-D Sanitising Hand Wash	B	100%	RSPO	Cocamide DEA, Sodium Laureth Sulphate	-	A-
Ecover Hand Soap (S.C. Johnson & Son)	A	100%	RSPO	Sodium lauryl sulfate	-	A-
Frosch (Rainett) Creme Soap	A	100%	0%	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	A-
Savon Le Naturel Extra Pur de Marseille (L'Oréal)	B	no	0%	-		A-
Attitude Liquid Hand Soap	A	no, but carbon neutral	not RSPO	-	-	B+
Avril Liquid Hand Soap	B	no	RSPO	-	-	B+
Bentley Organics Handwash	B	no	no, but sustainable	-	-	B+
Coslys Marseille Liquid Soap	B	100%	RSPO	-	Benzyl alcohol	B+
Coslys Hand Wash	B	100%	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B+
Dr Organic Hand Wash	A	no	0%	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	B+
Love Beauty and Planet Liquid Hand Wash (Unilever)	A-	100%	sustainable	Cocamide DEA	Benzyl Salicylate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate	B+
Sonett Hand Soap	B	no	organic	-	-	B+
L'Arbre Vert Hand Washing Cream	A	no	RSPO	SLES	-	B
Natessance (Léa Nature)	A+	no	minimal and sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B
Faith in Nature Hand Wash	B	100%	not RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	-	B-
Urtekram Hand Wash	B	no	not RSPO	-	-	B-
Ecoleaf Liquid Hand Soap Suma	B	100%	RSPO	BIT, SLES	-	C+
Method Hand Wash (all types) S.C. Johnson & Son	A	100%	not RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	CMIT, MIT	C
Palmolive Aquarium (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, SLES	-	D+
Carex Hand Wash (PZ Cussons)	B	30%	not RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLES	Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate	D
Dove Cream Hand Wash (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Lilial	D
Pears Liquid Hand Wash (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzophenone-4, Benzyl Salicylate	D
Baylis & Harding Liquid Hand Wash (most types) (Reckitt Benckiser)	C	no	not RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	D-
Fa Liquid Hand Soap (Henkel)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzophenone-4, Benzyl Alcohol	D-
Le Chat Liquid Hand Wash (Henkel)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLES	Benzyl Alcohol	D-
Palmolive Milk & Almond (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Lilial	D-
Palmolive Milk & Honey (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLES	Benzyl Salicylate	D-
Palmolive Hygiene Plus (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, SLES	Benzyl Salicylate, Lilial	D-
Palmolive Hygiene Plus Family (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl Salicylate, Lilial, Cocamide MEA	D-
Baylis & Harding Liquid Hand Wash (English Lavender) (Reckitt Benckiser)	C	no	not RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLES	-	E+
Dettol Liquid Hand Wash (Reckitt Benckiser)	C	no	some RSPO	Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, SLES	Cocamide MEA, CMIT, MIT	E+
Modere Hand Wash	D-	no	not RSPO	Benzyl Benzoate	Benzyl Benzoate	E

Ecological ratings of body washes

Product	Brand Ethos	Recycled bottle	Palm oil	Aquatoxic substances	Health hazard	RATING
Caudalie Shower Gel (all types)	A+	100%	RSPO	-	-	A+
Conscious Skincare (most types)	A	100%	0%	-	-	A+
Dr Bronner's Organic Sugar Soap	A+	mostly	organic	-	-	A+
Neal's Yard Remedies Shower Gel (most types)	A+	mostly	0%	-	-	A+
Odylique Body Wash (all types) (Essential Care)	A+	100%	0%	-	-	A+
SANTE Shower Gel (all types)	A+	100%	minimal and RSPO	-	-	A+
Alter/native Body Wash (all types) Suma	B	100%	RSPO	-	-	A
Conscious Skincare Body Wash for Men	A	100%	0%	-	Phenoxyethanol	A
Green People (Daily Aloe, Scent-free)	A+	no, but carbon neutral	organic	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	A
Neal's Yard Remedies Shower Gel (Bee Lovely, Geranium & Orange, Rose & Geranium, Rosemary & Elderflower)	A+	mostly	0%	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	A
Coslys Shower Gel Sensitive Skin	B	100%	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	-	A-
Green People (For Men, Moisturising, Quinoa & Calendula)	A+	no, but carbon neutral	organic	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl alcohol	A-
Love Beauty and Planet (all types) (Unilever)	A-	100%	sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	A-
Weleda Body Wash (all types)	A+	no	RSPO	-	-	A-
Attitude Shower Gel (all types)	A	no, but carbon neutral	not RSPO	-	-	B+
Bentley Organics Bodywash	B	no	no, but sustainable	-	-	B+
Dr Organic Cocoa Butter Body Wash	A	no	RSPO	-	Benzyl alcohol	B+
Faith in Nature Body Wash (most types)	B	100%	not RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	-	B+
Garnier Ultra Doux (Oat & Almond) (L'Oréal)	B	30%	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	B+
Natessance Shower Gel & Shower Cream (Léa Nature)	A+	no	minimal and sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl Salicylate	B+
Bentley Organics Shower Gel	B	no	no, but sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	B
Coslys Shower Gel (most types)	B	100%	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B
L'Arbre Vert Shower Cream (all types)	A	no	RSPO	SLES	-	B
Avril Shower Gel (all types)	B	no	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B-
Dr Organic Body Wash (most types)	A	no	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B-
Garnier Ultra Doux (most types) (L'Oréal)	B	30%	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl alcohol, (Benzyl Salicylate)	B-
Urtekram Shower Gel	B	no	not RSPO	-	-	B-
Tahiti Monoi Oil Shower Gel (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, SLES	-	C+
Cattier-Paris Shower Gel	B+	no	organic	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	Benzyl Alcohol	C+
Method Body Wash (all types) S.C. Johnson & Son	A	100%	not RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	Phenoxyethanol	C+
Nivea Fresh Blends (Unilever)	C	100%	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLS, Trideceth-9	Phenoxyethanol	C+
Sanex Atopiderm (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	C+
Sanex Zero % (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	C+
Sanex Dermo Sensitive (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	C+
Faith in Nature (Coconut)	B	100%	not RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine, Laureth-4	Benzyl alcohol	C
Nivea Fresh Pure (Unilever)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLS	-	C
Tahiti Vanilla Shower Gel (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, SLES	-	C
Ushuaïa Shower Gel (L'Oréal)	B	no	not RSPO	Coco-betaine, SLES	-	C
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash (Johnson & Johnson)	C	no	some RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	D
Cadum Shower Gel (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Lilial	D
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl alcohol	D
Fa Pure Paradise (Henkel)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLS/td>	Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate	D
Modere Shower gel	D-	no	not RSPO	-	Phenoxyethanol	D
Dove Sensitive Skin Sulfate-Free Body Wash (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	DMDM Hydantoin, MIT	D-
Le Petit Marseillais (most types) S.C. Johnson & Son	C	no	some RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine, SLES	-	D
Neutrogena Rain Shower Gel Ocean Mist (Johnson & Johnson)	C	no	some RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	D-
Nivea Crème Care (Unilever)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLS	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl alcohol	D-
Olay Body Wash (Procter & Gamble)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Petrolatum, CMIT, MIT	D-
Old Spice Body Wash (Procter & Gamble)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	CMIT, MIT	D-
Tahiti Coconut Shower Gel (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, SLES	Benzyl salicylate, Lilial	D-
Tahiti Orchid Shower Gel (Colgate-Palmolive)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, SLES	Benzyl salicylate, Lilial	D-

Ecological ratings of shampoos

Product	Brand Ethos	Recycled bottle	Palm oil	Aquatoxic substances	Health hazard	RATING
Dr Bronner's Organic Hair Crème	A+	mostly	0%	-	-	A+
Neal's Yard Remedies Shampoo (Invigorating Seaweed, Nourishing Lavender)	A+	mostly	0%	-	-	A+
Odylique Herb Shampoo (Essential Care)	A+	100%	0%	-	-	A+
SANTE (all types)	A+	100%	minimal and RSPO	-	-	A+
Conscious Skincare (all types)	A	100%	0%	-	Phenoxyethanol	A
Coslys Hypoallergenic Shampoo	B	100%	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	-	A-
Neal's Yard Remedies Shampoo (Nurturing Rose, Orange Flower, Rejuvenating Geranium)	A+	mostly	0%	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	A
Alter/native Suma	B	100%	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	-	A-
Love Beauty and Planet (all types) (Unilever)	A-	100%	sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	A-
Timotei Pure (Unilever)	B	100%	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLS	-	A-
Weleda (all types)	A+	no	RSPO	-	-	A-
Attitude (all types)	A	no, but carbon neutral	not RSPO	-	-	B+
Bentley Organics (all types)	B	no	no, but sustainable	-	-	B+
Cattier-Paris (colour; fine hair volume)	B+	no	organic	-	-	B+
Dr Organic Tea Tree Shampoo	A	no	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	-	B+
Dr Organic Cocoa Butter Shampoo	A	no	RSPO	-	Benzyl alcohol	B+
Caudalie Gentle Conditioning Shampoo	A+	100%	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone	Lilial	B
Biolage ColorLast Purple Shampoo	A	95%	sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl Alcohol	B
Green People (all types)	A+	no, but carbon neutral	organic	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B
L'Arbre Vert (all types)	A	no	RSPO	SLES	-	B
Natessance (Léa Nature)	A+	no	minimal and sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl Salicylate	B
Avril (all types)	B	no	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B-
Biolage FiberStrong Shampoo	A	95%	sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, CMIT, MIT	B-
Biolage HydraSource Shampoo	A	95%	sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl Alcohol, Lilial	B-
Biolage KeratinDose Shampoo	A	95%	sustainable	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl Alcohol, Lilial	B-
Cattier-Paris (daily use; dry hair; oily scalp)	B+	no	organic	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	-	B-
Coslys (most types)	B	100%	RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B-
DOP 2-in-1 Shea Butter Shampoo (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	B-
Dr Organic Aloe Vera Shampoo	A	no	RSPO	-	Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate	B-
Faith in Nature (all types)	B	100%	not RSPO	Cocoamidopropyl betaine	Benzyl alcohol	B-
Garnier Ultimate Blends (Almond Milk) (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	-	B-
Head & Shoulders (Derma & Pure formula - EU) (Procter & Gamble)	C	25%	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, SLES	-	B-
Urtekram (all types)	B	no	not RSPO	-	-	B-
Alberto Balsam Tea Tree (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzophenone-4	C+
Dr Organic Calendula Shampoo	A	no	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Benzyl alcohol	C+
Dr Organic Manuka Honey	A	no	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate	C+
Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo	A	no	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate	C+
Garnier Fructis (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl Alcohol	C
Garnier Ultimate Blends (Honey; Oat Milk; Coconut Milk; Coconut Oil) (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate	C
Alberto Balsam Coconut & Lychee (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl alcohol	C
Garnier Ultimate Blends (Argan Oil) (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl Salicylate, Lilial	C
DOP Green Apple Shampoo (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Lilial	C-
DOP Vegetal Milk Shampoo (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Alpha-isomethyl ionone	C-
L'Oréal Elvive Total Repair (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Dimethicone, SLES	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate	C-
L'Oréal Elvive Colour Protect (L'Oréal)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, SLES	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzophenone-4, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Lilial	C-
Alberto Balsam Raspberry (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Lilial	C-
Biocura (Royal Sanders)	C	no	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLES	Benzyl Salicylate	D
Mildeen (McBride)	C	no	RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Bronopol, Methylchlorothiazolinone, MIT	D
TRESemmé Shampoo (most types) (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Cocamide MEA, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchlorothiazolinone, MIT	D
Dessange Nutri-Extreme Shampoo	B	no	not RSPO	SLES	Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Lilial	D-
Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLES	Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Lilial	D-
Dove Daily Care Shampoo (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, SLES	Benzyl alcohol, Lilial, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchlorothiazolinone, MIT	D-
Herbal Essences Bio. Renew (Procter & Gamble)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Benzyl Alcohol, CMIT, MIT	D-
Herbal Essences (Procter & Gamble)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Cocamide MEA, CMIT, MIT	D-
Head & Shoulders (US formula) (Procter & Gamble)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES, Zinc Carbonate	Cocamide MEA, CMIT, MIT	E+
Modere Shampoo	D-	no	not RSPO	Cocamidopropyl betaine	Phenoxyethanol	E+
Pantene Shampoo (most types) (Procter & Gamble)	C	no	partly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, SLES	Cocamide MEA, CMIT, MIT	E+
Alberto Balsam Mango (Unilever)	B	no	mostly RSPO	Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, SLES, Trideceth-9	Benzyl alcohol, Lilial, DMDM Hydantoin, CMIT, MIT	E

Ecological ratings of toothpaste brands

A+ : Most sustainable and eco-friendly brands

• Coslys
• Dr Bronner
• Green People
• Kingfisher (by Austin Austin)
• SANTE
• Weleda

A & A- : Generally very eco-friendly brands

• AloeDent (by Optima)
• Avril
• Dr Organic
• Splat (Biomed)

B : Reasonably eco-friendly brands

• Cattier
• Colgate
• Sensodyne
• Signal
• Urtekram

C : Below average brands

• Oral-B

D : Avoid if possible

E : Avoid

F : Avoid absolutely

In the same report