Bodycare is trending, so if you don’t already have a below-the-chin routine...take our Clean Beauty Awards as an invitation to start building one now. The list of 15 winners are made with clean ingredients and sustainability in mind, so you can rest assured that everything from your body wash to your night-out fragrance is made with your best interests and our planet in mind. Keep reading for a full review of each winner, straight from our expert panel of dermatologists, cosmetic chemists, and content creators.
The shower and bath staples
Cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline likes this body wash’s “simple formula featuring mild surfactants that cleanse while maintaining the skin’s balance.” But what really sets this cleanser apart, she says, is its captivating fragrance. “The blend of gentle ingredients and aromatic notes—orange blossom, chamomile, and sandalwood—leaves the skin feeling refreshed, soft, and subtly scented after each use,” says Koestline. Bonus points for sustainability: “It comes in a refillable bottle, and the refill pouch is huge!” says beauty journalist and content creator Kristina Rodulfo.
Perk up your shower with this 2-in-1 body bar. “It’s powered by organic ground coffee to exfoliate the skin and remove odors while moisturizing with organic olive oil and shea butter,” says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD. Rodulfo loves the “invigorating spearmint and coffee scent” and that you use it you “walk out the shower with buttery-smooth skin.”
This set includes two exfoliating mitts for easy body buffing inspired by ancient Mediterranean bathhouse practices. “The Nerra Exfoliating Body Glove set elevates shower rituals with a double-sided design that allows you to go as gentle or deep as you like,” says Rodulfo, adding that “my skin feels soft to the touch after I use this—especially when combined with the Nerra body oil.”
“This luxurious bath salt—a mix of magnesium chloride, epsom salts, and adaptogens—helps relieve stress, promote relaxation, and boost serotonin levels....perfect for unwinding after a long day,” says Dr. Rabach says. Beauty expert Carly Cardellino agrees. “The tagline for this bath soak is ‘You can’t buy happiness, but you can bathe it in...,’ and I would have to agree. Twenty minutes in this bath soak and my muscles were relaxed after a workout, it smells incredibly spa-like, and just helped me de-stress and go to sleep easier,” she says.
The creams, serums, and oils your skin will love
A rejuvenating serum for the (often neglected) skin below the neck? Yes, please! Koestline loves the potent plant-based ingredients in the formula (like rahua oil, rich in lipids and fatty acids). “Hydration and elasticity are key to healthy-looking skin,” says Kristina Rodulfo, who is also a fan and appreciates that the serum addresses both skin hydration and elasticity to keep your body feeling supple and smooth.
This non-aerosol spray combines mineral protection with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and soothing botanicals for a premium beach bag SPF. “I’ve been in this industry for nearly two decades and I have never felt or rubbed in a sunscreen like this. It goes on like water—it’s actually clear and non-greasy—and most importantly it works to protect your skin,” says Cardellino.
“The unique blend of marine actives, like plankton and algae, help to improve skin texture, while antioxidants like moringa and kelp seed oil make skin nice and smooth,” Dr. Hartman says of this sustainable, clean formula. Judges also like its silky, non-greasy finish and spa vibes. “It helps seal in moisture without leaving a greasy residue. It absorbs nicely into skin—I like using it with wooden sculpting tools to help with lymphatic drainage,” Rodulfo says.
Cardellino loves this dense, luscious body cream with a cozy vanilla scent for slathering on damp skin post-shower. The combo of South African resurrection plant and hyaluronic acid lock in moisture while peptides replenish and repair your skin barrier.
This luxurious, solid lotion bar transforms into a rich, hydrating moisturizer that melts into the skin upon application. “Crafted with organic sweet almond oil and cocoa butter, it deeply nourishes and repairs dry, rough skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and deeply moisturized,” says Dr. Rabach. Cardellino adds, “Not only does this lotion bar smell good enough to eat, it sufficiently moisturizes skin that needs nourishing.”
Chapped, rough skin gets the VIP treatment with this well-priced and responsibly sourced shea butter blend. (The brand has supported women-led shea communities for over 10 years.) “The scent and feel of this lotion is so yummy and the formula is very hydrating but not greasy,” Cardellino raves.
The new scent essentials
“This natural deodorant keeps you fresh and odor-free all day long. The combo of shea butter, coconut oil, and baking soda help nourish skin, neutralize odor, and absorb moisture—all without leaving behind any white marks or sticky residue,” Dr. Rabach says, Note the plastic-free, aluminum packaging. “I was really skeptical when this deodorant came in a squeeze tube, but it works SO well and I love the scents it comes in,” Cardellino says.
Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love Eau de Parfum
“It’s a gourmand fragrance, but not too sweet and just the right touch of sexiness,” Rodulfo says of this daytime fragrance that impressed our judges with its blend of juicy peach and plum blossom grounded by sugar cane and vanilla. “I’m not someone who often wears fragrance during the daytime, but Apple Love was so fresh and easy to wear,” says beauty scientist Christina Ross. “And my favorite part is the sustainability highlights—this fragrance has seven upcycled ingredients and one ingredient made with 100 percent renewable carbon,” Ross adds.
Fragrance is so personal, but if you’re a sucker for vanilla (and who isn’t?), this sexy scent is a no-brainer. “I mean, anytime you’re mixing vanilla with sandalwood and tonka bean, it’s a win for me,” Cardellino says. “It’s the perfect date-night scent with a powdery but woody and sophisticated finish thanks to notes of vanilla, cedarwood, and tonka bean,” says Rodulfo. “I also love the chic, gold-trimmed bottle with a minimalist design—it looks gorgeous on a vanity,” she adds.
“Phlur Vanilla Skin turned me into a body mist person. Although I typically skip body mists in favor of perfume, this spray beautifully complements other fragrances, adding a creamy layer of warmth and sensuality,” Rodulfo says. And since the formula is lightweight and less concentrated than an eau de parfum, you can spray it almost everywhere, and liberally. ”I will BATHE in this stuff,” Cardellino explains.
Spark the wick and enjoy the sexy vibes. After the candle melts and cools, you can use the bergamot, vanilla, and amber-scented vegetable wax for a massage moment. “Ooooooooo, this candle has so much depth and smells divine and the fact that you can use it as a massage candle is a real plus,” Cardellino says.
Stylist: Kaia Carioli. Hair: Chika Nishiyama. Makeup: Sophie Hartnett using MAC Cosmetics. Manicure: Mamie Onishi at See Management. Models: Tashi at Heroes Model Management; Gracen Wilkins at Supreme Management.
On Gracen: Hermès briefs; Keane earrings; Sophie Buhai pendant; LA Apparel gloves; Patricia Von Musulin rings.
