When I originally set out to write a post on biodegradable soap, I didn’t intend on palm oil being the subject. Honestly, I just love a good, effective natural skincare product all wrapped in some pretty, sustainable packaging. That’s it. It’s a light, afternoon kind of blog read, and palm oil is, well, not. Unfortunately, just like when I first started boycotting pantry ingredients and other foods containing palm oil, the more soap brands I came across, the more palm oil I found. This time under the name sodium palmate, which acts as an emulsifier. So, while there are lots and lots of other small soap companies you could support, I wanted to make sure this list featured not only natural, and women owned soap brands, but palm oil free bar soap exclusively.
(If you’re not familiar with the devastating effects the palm oil industry is having on our environment and the people and organisms within it, we’ve posted the basics here, how to quit it here, an AP investigation here.This very dated article is also a good start if you’re new to the issue and its effects on threatened and endangered animals.)
I know that a lot of other common body care ingredients can have detrimental effects on our planet, but I think avoiding palm oil is really the best place you could start, especially if you’re new to natural beauty. And it just so happened that the biodegradable soap brands I’ve listed below are all women-owned, making soaps in small batches that are free of lots of other questionable ingredients you’ll find in more conventional products. And the packaging on these beauties? Yup, 10000% eco club approved:
TERRA-TORY is an NY based all-natural soap company touting 100% Natural 0% Bullsh*t Skincare. This is a very rare company that is both palm and coconut oil free… Learn more on their website.
Vegan + eco friendly soap from Smithmade Essentials are fun & fragrant artisan soaps handmade in small batches in New Haven, CT. On their site you can find the full details about each ingredient used.
No Tox Life has their own line of body cleansing bars wrapped in recycled paper for shipping. Be sure to grab their famous dish wash block and deodorant while you’re there!
BHAVANANYC makes all-natural, vegan sea salt soap bars using luxe natural ingredients like activated charcoal and Rose Kaolin Clay.
Bell Mountain Naturals are makers of natural small batch soaps that are super cute, and always palm free. You might be familiar with their gem design!
UK vegan soap-on-a-rope brand KLEEN cures their all-natural soaps for a minimum of 6 weeks and uses only skin-friendly, eco-friendly ingredients that are free of palm oil, parabens, and toxins. Not to mention, their packaging and branding is totally gift-worthy.
Another handmade soap brand, Unearth Malee specializes in palm oil free Thai-inspired soaps, lotions, lip balms, and even solid dish soap! To further raise awareness of the devastating effects of palm oil, the brand donates a portion of sales to help save the endangered orangutan. Learn more in founder Marie’s Etsy shop!
Naked & Thriving is a sister and brother founded skincare brand that offers products free of over 2500 potentially harmful ingredients, environmentally-friendly (free of palm oil of course), and with many organic ingredients for a truly natural clean. They have a full line of skincare, from cleansing bars to oils to
Founded in 2019, Rustic Glory Soap Co offers both scented and unscented palm oil free soap bars infused with nourishing essential oils and botanicals. And they are just the prettiest bars to place on your bathroom counters!
Latina woman owned soap brand Nopalera harnesses the power of Native Mexican Prickly pear cactus along with healing plant oils for nourishing soaps, moisturizers and creams.
The brands above also feature sustainable packaging, making truly biodegradable soap for us all to enjoy… sans palm oil.
On the hunt for more zero waste body and skincare products? Check out these brands!
We are always looking for beautiful, natural, quality skincare and body brands to add to our lists. If you know of another palm oil free bar soap brand, let us know below!
Natalie says
Thanks for the shoutout Angela! I found the human rights issues as disturbing (if not more) as the environmental issues. Here’s an article on The New Yorker on that: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-violent-costs-of-the-global-palm-oil-boom
No easy solution.
Angela says
Hi Natalie!
Thanks so much for linking to this article. It’s so complicated. I appreciate your input and hope others will find this article as eye opening as we do.
Rebecca says
Island Blu Studio is one of my favorite palm oil free soap brands! They came out with palm oil free bar soap just a few months ago and I have loved the scents, colors, and most importantly the reasons behind making the switch as a company! And bonus, they’re a mother – daughter team! WOOHOO for women owned businesses! http://www.islandblustudio.com
Angela Hamilton says
Oh yayyy! That’s great to hear. Thanks for the recc, Rebecca!