Best Ethical Beauty Products of 2019 - Top Bath + Body Picks *

It's that time again - I'm back and ready to bring you my top picks for best ethical beauty products of 2019 once more!  This time it is time for my favourite bath and body picks, so settle in and get ready for some true stars to shine.


Like I said in my previous roundups of the top green goodies of 2019,  I've decided that every week in January I will share with you my choices for best in show - all my favourites from what I have thoroughly tried and tested over the course of 2019.  I started with makeup, moved on to home and hygiene, and now it is time to round up all the bath and body treats I couldn't stop reaching for last year!

Like I've said before, this list don't include any BSL entries I tested (but those will definitely getting some spotlight after awards have been announced!), nor do they include any products I began using in the final part of the year as I just didn't have enough time with them to fully assess their effectiveness.  For now, I'll be focusing on the formulas I have tried, tested, and trust 100%.

So without futher ado, it's time for my selections for best ethical...

Bath + Body Products


I have done a handful of reviews on bath goodies and body, hair, or feet/hand treatments over the course of 2019, and have tested even more than I've written about so I'm excited to share the best of the best with all of you today.  From exfoliants and scrubs to oils, balms and gels, I am forever discovering new products that pamper my whole body, and today is all about those fab formulas.

I tend to favour really rich and nourishing ingredients rather than anything lightweight (which is the total opposite to my approach for facial products which you'll see in my upcoming Top Facial Skincare Picks!), and love anything with an exotic or complex scent.  I also try to opt for vegan products, though you'll find a few items that contain a non vegan friendly ingredient like beeswax or honey (I've marked the two so you know!).

For haircare, I continue to avoid coconut oil like the plague as it makes my hair feel like straw and can lead to cystic acne on my scalp, but when it comes to skincare for most of the rest of my body I don't really have any sensitivities which is SO refreshing since I have to be so careful when choosing things for my face and head.  I love to try out new blends and experiment a little more with body treatments, as this is where I can really let loose and not sweat the small stuff.

That being said, I most definitely can be a little fussy still, and my selections for best ethical bath and body products are the ones that stand out for looking, feeling, and smelling incredibly luxurious (even if their price tag is a solid budget buy!).  So let's jump in!


Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review


Transparency Key:
* This post contains affiliate links

No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad.  You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.

Products marked with * are not vegan friendly due to beeswax



Best Natural Bath Products 2019


Bath Oil: Juno Skincare Esprit Bath & Body Oil / MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion
I first came across Juno a few years ago, and was totally wowed by their delicate aromas and nourishing formulations.  And the Esprit oil continued to impress me, with a gorgeous light feel and sumptuous scent that fills the bathroom as the steam lifts it up and around.  With rose, geranium, frankincense, sweet orange, jasmine, linden blossom, and ylang ylang, this has a calming fragrance that is totally blissful, and I love how it moisturizes the skin.  MOA's bath potion lies at the other end of the spectrum, with clarifying notes and a cooling sensation it leaves wherever it touches.  I have been a solid fan of this creation for many years now, and it continues to be a top pick for bath oils!  This relieves aches and pains, eases tension, clears the sinuses, soothes headaches, and invigorates the senses thanks to the blend of peppermint, fir needle, and sweet birch - it's magical.


Bath Salt: Nini Organics Blue Lagoon / Forage Botanicals Waning Moon
There are so many salts I adore, but 2019's favourites have to be Nini Organics Blue Lagoon Bath Soak and Forage Botanicals Waning Moon Bath Salts.  Both bring so many benefits for mind and body, and I can really feel a difference after a dip in the tub.  Nini's salts have a gorgeous green tinge to them that brings to mind a stormy sea - it's so special.  And the smell is where it really starts to come alive, as it helps clear the sinuses, reset the mind, ease tensions, and awaken your senses.  Plus it soothes skin!  And Forage Botanicals is just as wonderful, with ultra-fine epsom salts blended with geranium, cedarwood, clary sage, and bergamot.  These help ease period pain which is a serious perk in itself, but these also work to bring on a better night's sleep so you can wake up feeling ready to take on the day ahead.  Extra bonus?  Waning Moon is plastic free!

Bubble Bath: Kathleen Bubble Bath & Shower Gel
You may recognize Kathleen as having won my top spot for bubble bath last year, and I've got to say it still is firmly planted as one of the best clean bubble bath creations for me!  You drizzle the gel under running water and are instantly met with a beautiful fragrant aroma (Tranquil Fields is my all-time favourite from the trio) along with a generous amount of foam.  It's a great way to end the day, especially when I run the jets on the tub as then the bubbles become even frothier and end up looking just like ones from the movies.

A special shoutout to Green People as well, as their Neutral Scent Free Shower Gel is the perfect option for those wanting to add some bubbles but also blend with bath salts or oils.  It's unscented, so can pair with anything, is super gentle, and creates some lovely foam when added under running water!  I also have been loving Bodhi & Birch Shower Therapy creations for bubble baths - just a few pumps and you're carried away by gorgeous scents and have a lovely foam collecting around you.


Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review - MOA, Kathleen, Nini Organics, Juno, Forage Botanicals



Best Natural Hair Treatments 2019


Oil: Antonin B Ceramides Enriched Desert Serum
I was gifted this stunner by Gayathrie quite some time ago, but only started using it late last year as I had a few other treatments to finish up before opening a new one.  But oh how I wish I had begun testing this sooner!  The Antonin B serum is a powerhouse for dry and damaged hair, and works to tame flyaways, nourish limp locks, bring renewed shine (without the greasy look!), and helps to make your hair appear and feel healthy again.  Plus, it smells lovely, with subtle notes of ylang ylang and geranium as well as a brightness brought on by lemon and lime oil.  A few drops is all you need, and I have been well impressed by this hair serum - fewer split ends and more lustrous hair have made this formula a fast favourite for 2019!

Shoutout to The Innate Life too - although I didn't manage to get another bottle in 2019, their Rose Hair Elixir is still in my mind and I cannot wait to pick up a replacement this summer!


Leave In Treatment: Anita Grant Daily Leave-in Butter (Cafe Latte)
Oh how I adore this creamy delight of a leave in treatment.  Anita Grant truly hit a home run with this one, and I love every single thing about it, from the gorgeous rich coffee and vanilla tones to the super softening qualities it brings.  This product is described as the "perfect emollient solution to detangle your worst knots," and I have to say I agree.  My hair has always been prone to tangles, partially because I hate brushing my hair and do it as little as possible, and partially due to it being a really strange mix of waves, curls, and straight.  I have never 100% understood my hair's texture or what it wants to do, but after having introduced Anita Grant's hair butter I have to say it is noticeably more manageable.

[P.s. If you're a new customer to Anita Grant, you can use my link to get £10 off your first order - how great is that??!]


Styling: Herbivore Sea Mist Texturizing Salt Spray (Coconut)
I don't often use hair styling products as I usually just let my hair go and do its own thing, but every now and again I like a good salt spray.  I have used JMO's texturizing spray, but found myself wondering why I couldn't just bottle up some sea water on my next trip to Great Yarmouth instead of paying for a full bottle.  Well, I had no such questions when it came to this little spray, and my second bottle really brought this home.  Herbivore have created an item that is a fusion between a hair perfume and hair spray -- the formula is light and doesn't leave my hair feeling dry at all thanks to the aloe and coconut, and it smells so nice compared to other salt spritzes!  It helps my hair keep its natural waves all day without leaving it crispy at all, and even gives a healthy shine without looking oily.  Definitely a winner!


Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review - Anita Grant, Antonin B, Herbivore



Best Natural Body Moisture 2019:


Butter: Lola's Apothecary Body Souffle 
Lola's Apothecary Delicate Romance Balancing Body Souffle is incredibly lightweight and airy, so much so that you would think it couldn't give much of a moisture boost -- but it does!  It leaves skin feeling soft as silk without any heavy residue, and feels like a dream.  I honestly can't get enough of this formula, and look forward to applying after my bath, shower, or just because.  That is because the smell is just so special, providing a calming treatment thanks to the soft fragrance of roses, citrus, and soothing vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli.  The Sweet Lullaby blend is also stunning, with rich vanilla, ylang ylang, sweet lavender - it's a hug in a bottle!  Both this and its sister product are unmatched when it comes to texture, smell, and feel, and I have a feeling they will be at top spot for many years to come.


Ever since I first tried one of Inner Senses' body oils (Active) I have been hooked.  All eight of their body oils (well, ten if you include their multi-purpose formulas!) is utterly delightful and each provides targeted properties that work to address both your beauty AND your wellbeing.  The best thing about them??  You can choose how to use them based on your needs.  Whether it is a massage, a full body moisture treatment, a deep inhale to center your mind, or a splash in the bath, you will find that Inner Senses' oils sort everything.  You can find a breakdown of each oil here, but if you want to know my current favourites, I'd say they would be Golden Sunset and Tranquil at the moment.  The Ylang Ylang & Lavender Body Oil from Ezape Naturals, on the other hand, is bedtime bliss in a bottle, truly.  Super luscious, non-greasy, and incredibly nourishing, this 100% natural and 69% organic formula is also packed full of dreamy botanicals like lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang.  This creates an aroma that is deeply calming, slightly herbal, with a hint of sweetness lurking beneath the floral notes.  It's so lovely, and ideal for evening use.  I like to just breathe the oils in deeply, closing my eyes and letting the tension leave my body as I begin to relax.

And a special shout out to Skin Owl for their stunning Body+ Amethyst Crystal oil - this is so so beautiful during sunnier days, as it adds a lilac luminescence to skin.  If you want a gorgeous highlight AND a moisture boost, you can't go wrong with this!  I *need* to try the others soon to see how they compare.

[Want to get a free trial size Inner Senses product with any full size order?  Just use my Brand Ambassador code, BRYANNA -- no minimum spend required!]


Lotion: BAO Reviving Hand & Body Cream
I am not overly fond of lotions generally, as I usually find them too thin and 'wet' and just am not super keen on the texture.  However, there is one brand that consistently pleases me with their richer take on a body lotion - BAO.  The Reviving blend is lightly fruity, with lemongrass leaf oil, orange blossom floral water, mandarin orange peel oil, calendula flower, aloe vera leaf juice, and shea butter.  This creation calms your skin and uplifts your mind thanks to the stellar plant based ingredients.  I love its light zesty aroma, and appreciate how gentle it is.  In fact, BAO's cream is so kind on the skin that even those with eczema and psoriasis can get on with it!


I love a balm that is silky smooth and sinks into skin completely, and that is just what Farryn Amber's creation delivers.  This is a product that quickly transforms into a satiny treatment that leaves you noticeably nourished (and with no slick residue!).  The aroma is super intriguing and warming, with cinnomon leaf, black pepper, sweet orange, cedarwood bark, and vanilla bean extract providing a sense of mulled spices, cozy fireside nights, the night before Christmas, long awaited warm hugs, and evenings spent curled up with a good book.  And of course it leaves your body feeling super soft too!  I love applying this after I shave, as it gives added smoothness and leaves me feeling so pampered.


Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review - Farryn Amber, Inner Senses, Ezape Naturals, Lola's Apothecary, BAO



Best Natural Body Scrubs 2019:


Coffee Scrub: Veorganics Coffee & Chocolate Body Scrub *
Second year running, I have to give the top spot for coffee scrub to Veorganics!  Not only does it smell *incredible* but it is actually a really innovative formula for an exfoliant.  It is not your average coffee scrub, that is for sure.  A fusion of cacao extract and butter, coffee seed extract and powder, and shea, the texture is like a thick paste that is rich, nourishing, and scrubby without being harsh.  My skin always feels so smooth afterwards, and has a lovely glow to it.  Plus, with regular use VeOrganics scrub is meant to stimulate blood flow and help reduce the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks and varicose veins.  I need to use it for longer to see if this actually plays out, but for now I am really pleased with how it buffs away dead cells and leaves my body rejuvenated.  This does contain my nemesis phenoxyethonal, but it did not irritate my skin at all so I forgive it for now.  I just can't resist the scent!


Salt Scrub: Skin Alchemists The Gorgeous Soldier /  Magical Tree Body Scrub
Skin Alchemists' formula looks entirely smooth in the jar, unlike any salt-based exfoliant I have used before, and is so compact until you begin to massage it into skin.  The high coconut and cacao seed butter content gives it a luxurious velvety quality, and once you scoop some out and start to use it, the scrub gives a gentle but effective buffing.  Plus, it smells INCREDIBLE - like rich chocolate.  This luxury scrub is so nourishing and I often found myself not needing a balm or oil afterwards, making this a wonderful all-in-one treatment!  And for those who prefer a less buttery scrub, you are bound to fall for Magical Tree's delectable body scrubs.  These have a coarser grain while still being gentle on the skin, and come in three amazing blends - my fav has to be Flower Power!  I find this leaves your body looking and feeling radiant, smooth, and totally rejuvenated, and the scrub dissolves nicely as you massage it in so there is no mess or residue left behind!


Sugar Scrub: Bloomtown Sugar Scrub
Again, I have to give this spot to Bloomtown for their totally mouth-watering sugar scrubs - these are great all-in-one product, as they can cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize the skin in the same session.  I love how affordable the range is, and how they donate 10% of profits to environmental and social causes -- this is a product you can spend your money on and leave with both your skin and your conscience feeling great.  There are six varieties available, ranging from unscented to citrus fruits and woody aromas.  The one we both love the most continues to be The Hedgerow, a blend of blackberry and honeysuckle that filled the room with juicy, sweet fragrance that brings summer to mind.


Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review - Veorganics, Magical Tree, Skin Alchemists



Best Natural Hands + Feet Products 2019:


Hand Treatment: Kiss the Moon Love Night Cream for Hands
A good hand cream can help restore the skin and keep our hands looking smooth, healthy, and ageless, but did you know you could also use this type of product to induce sleep and a sense of ease?  Well, Kiss the Moon developed another award winning product to fuse the benefits of skincare and sleep once again with their Love Night Cream for Hands.  This luxurious formula has a whipped texture and contains nourishing shea, hydrating rose water, and repairing rosehip seed along with relaxing frankincense, rose absolute, and ylang ylang.  The cream is rich without being heavy, and leaves your skin feeling super soft.  This is the perfect pre-bed treat, and has become of my nightly ritual that leads me to sweet dreams.


Hand Scrub: Mallow + White Coffee Scrub + Mint Soap
Super scrub!  The coffee grounds in this provide a fantastic exfoliation for the hands, and leave them feeling super soft and smooth every time you wash them.  You get all the perks of using coffee grounds without the mess that usually gets left behind or any of the potential pipe problems, and it smells so so good - uplifting, awakening, and familiar.  I love that you can wipe away dirt, germs, and grime while also giving your hands a gentle exfoliating treatment - talk about multi-tasking!  It sloughs away dead skin, and works in so many different ways meaning you can use this in the shower or at the sink.  Plus it's plastic free - can't get better than this!

Foot Cream: Kiss the Moon Dream Night Cream for Feet
Gentle and super soothing, this blend contains calming lavender, relaxing chamomile, brightening bergamot, and tension easing cedarwood.  The DREAM Night Cream for Feet is ideal for those with more sensitive skin, or for those wanting to slip peacefully into a restful night's sleep at the end of a long day.  Very thick, and with a little tack to it when first applying, this is perfect for feet which need a heavier duty treatment.  Yet  the cream remains surprisingly light in feel once it has absorbed.  In fact, as you massage it in, it's like you can almost feel the chamomile water dispersing from the product to deliver a hydration boost alongside the moisture -- I've never experienced anything quite like it before!


Foot Scrub: Clockface Beauty Leg & Foot Scrub
Unlike any other scrub I've really come across, this has a very thick balm-like consistency that has a tendency to cling to the skin.  For legs, it's not really my ideal formula, but for feet... I love it, especially when I need some true TLC for the skin!  This gently buffs dead cells, renewing the top layer and leaving it softer.  The slickness of the ingredients (a mix of mango and avocado butter, grapeseed, sweet almond, and calendula oil) really help this glide across the skin and make for a truly gentle treatment.  Plus, I find it gives a needed moisture boost which is a bonus!  I also adore the smell - neroli and ylang ylang are so beautiful together!


Foot Soak: Botanicals Therapeautic Foot Soak
While a salt foot bath is great to use on sore or tired muscles, it is also a great way to draw out toxins, eliminate odor, help heal ingrown nails, fight fungus, and soothe dry or rough skin.  My favourite soak from 2019 is once again from Botanicals' range.  Along with being a great price, the Therapeutic Foot Soak blend combines the powers of mineral rich Himalayan and Dead Sea salts with peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree so your skin is left soft and revitalized in no time at all.  I find the foot soak really helps after long walks or if I want to prep my feet for sandal weather -- and I can rest easy knowing the formula uses organic essential oils!


Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review - Kiss the Moon, Botanicals, Mallow + White, Clockface Beauty



Best Natural Perfume 2019:


Oil: Twinkle Apothecary
Oh how happy I was to discover the delight that is Twinkle Apothecary.  This US based brand handcrafts unique aromas using essential oils, and each one I have tried so far has been so memorable.  While the full size sprays are pricey, I find the roll ons reasonable for the quality.  They are fairly thick, but I find this captures the fragrance better and makes it longer lasting.  And I love that they don't just have your standard floral bases - they have such variety, ranging from smooth creamy creations to bright zesty moments - and everything in between too!  I'm actually tempted to get the subscription this summer and do a few reviews for you lovelies - what do you think??

And a special shout out to Christy Organics whose Trance perfume had me mesmorized for each and every drop.  I *need* to find a full size of this somewhere, as I am so sad I finished my sample.  It has sumptuous warm vanilla notes combined with seductive jasmine and ylang ylang, with a hint of sweetness.  A stand out product for sure!


Spray: Flaya / Walden
Flaya was my stand out perfume brand of 2019, as they craft sweet and fruity aromas that really stand out from other natural options.  Handmade in Scotland, this small family run business carefully blends precious oils and natural aromatic compounds to create stunning eau de parfum that is suitable for all occasions and is also safe for skin and the planet!  And I have to admit, I LOVE all of them.  Walden is another brand I have been obsessed with in 2019 - I'd loved their rolls ons previously, but last year I ended up picking up not one, but FIVE of the spray bottles.  These are made using natural absolutes, resins and essential oils, and range from spicy to floral in scent.  The lasting power does vary, but I find if I spray on my clothes or scarf it is noticeable throughout the day.  And each one is truly moreish.

Shout out to Balm Balm whose single note perfumes are unrivaled when it comes to simple beauty.  I adore their Ylang Ylang one, and the Spearmint bottle used to be my go to.


Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review - Twinkle Apothecary, Flaya, Walden



Best Natural Multi-Taskers 2019:


Graydon All Over Soap
Last year I found a grounding formula that brings some bubbly action - Graydon Skincare's All Over Soap.  Technically this is a 3-in-1 formula that works as a shampoo, body wash, and cleanser, but I find it also delivers as a bubble bath!  It cleanses hair without drying it out, works great as a way to wash away daily grime, and is surprisingly gentle on the face (though for this application I tend to be drawn to dedicated cleansers still).  Plus, it smells so unique: a blend of citrus, spice, and mint with notes of warming ginger lingering across the fragrance.

Villiers Floral Facial Steam
I first came across this product a few years ago, but last year is when I truly began to appreciate the all-in-one action it offers.  Villiers' Floral Facial Steam helps cleanse the pores, provides an aromatherapy treatment, and helps tone the skin, but it also works great as a hair tonic, a bath tea, and more!  This has so many useful applications, I can't help but feel pampered with this pot of fourteen botanicals, herbs, and fruit peels!

MOA The Green Balm *
Unlike most beauty balms, The Green Balm isn't advertised just as a cleansing alternative or a 'cream' for eczema and dry skin.  According to MOA, the balm can be used in nearly twenty different ways, including healing cuts and scrapes, fixing chapped lips, sorting out cold sores, soothing sore throats, fading scars or stretch marks, and calming burns.  There isn't much smell to the product, but to honest, I think I prefer multi-use items like this to be fragrance free or have very faint scents.  And when it comes to effectiveness, I have to say this is my pick for removing eye makeup, nicks and scrapes, and wind protection - it is seriously a force to be reckoned with!





Best Ethical Bath and Body Products 2019 Review - Graydon, Villiers, MOA



And that's all of my choices for best ethical bath and body treatments in 2019!  These are all the cruelty free, natural, organic, and vegan beauty products I think deserve recognition as the best for the bath and body category, and are the ones I keep coming back to or have permanently on my repurchase list because they are just that good.  Fab fragrances, gentle formulas, high quality, wonderful ingredients, and from brands I trust and respect.  



It was near impossible to pick just one or two products as the 'best' as I did try out so many amazing goodies, but I did my best to limit it down!  I'm really curious to see how my list updates for 2020, and I will definitely be looking back on this post next year to see what green goodies stay ranked at the top and what slides out from my 'favourite' list.



Do you have any products you think should have made my list?  I would love to know, as there is a chance I didn't even try them!  Or maybe I did, and they are some of my runners up for best products -- because trust me, this list doesn't even come close to representing *all* the amazing beauty treats I tested last year.  I would really enjoy hearing what your top bath and body products of 2019 were, and who knows, maybe they will make my next Top Ethical Bath + Body Picks roundup!

And keep an eye out for the next installment of my Best Ethical Beauty Products of 2019 mini-series -- I still have facial skincare to round up next week!  Yikes, that is going to be a tough one to sort, and I can assure you that you'll not want to miss out! xx

3 comments

  1. So much inspiration here! Love the sound of Kiss the Moon Love Night Cream. A nice dab of hand cream before bed is so comforting, all the better if it supports sleep. I will have to get some!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it's so good and has been a favourite of mine for a few years now :) well worth trying! xx

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