Last Updated on March 4, 2026
Not every lotion is created equal. If you read the ingredients list on conventional lotion, there will likely be many ingredients you can’t even pronounce.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean danger, it should make you question what’s in your skincare products.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links; for more information please see my disclosure policy.
Skin is the largest organ. It’s our body’s first line of defense against pathogens and environmental hazards, so what we put on it matters.
That’s why I’ve curated a list of non toxic lotions your skin (and the planet) will love.
what ingredients should I avoid in lotions?
You should avoid ingredients like parabens, phthalates, fragrance, and mineral oil in lotions.
Here’s a break down of why:
- Parabens: Used to preserve lotions but can disrupt hormones and have been linked to breast cancer.
- Phthalates: Used to make fragrances last longer in lotions but can disrupt the endocrine system and have been linked to reproductive problems.
- Fragrance: Tends to be artificial and the word ‘fragrance’ can entail a cocktail of hundreds of chemicals linked to triggering allergies.
- Mineral oil: Used to create a protective barrier to lock in moisture but is petroleum based and may clog pores.
Instead, look for natural, organic ingredients that you can pronounce or research with ease. Ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter are just a few great places to start.
EWG’s Skin Deep database lets you search brands, products and ingredients, scoring them by hazard (10 being the worst).
how can I tell if a lotion is truly non-toxic?
To tell if a lotion is truly non-toxic, you’ll have to read the ingredients label. It’s also important to understand just because it has natural ingredients, doesn’t mean you can’t have an allergic reaction.
For example, many people love coconut oil, a natural ingredient, but some people are allergic to it and cannot use any product that contains it.
You also want to look for brands that utilize organic, plant-based ingredients and have certifications. For example, being EWG Verified or MADE SAFE means it was third party tested, which ensures better quality ingredients were used.
But beyond ingredients, it’s equally important to look at packaging. Avoiding single-use plastic as much as possible is ideal.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) have been found in many plastic products. Microplastics have also been found in our blood, feces, and even placentas. Always prioritize lotions with low waste or refillable packaging when possible.
what is the most non-toxic body lotion?
The most non-toxic body lotions are listed below. None of the brands listed here use fragrance, parabens, or other harsh chemicals. And many offer plastic-free and/or refillable packaging.
I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some of my favorite features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information.
1. osea
- Lightweight body lotion
- Made using sustainably harvested undaria seeweed
- Visibly firms skin in just 4 hours
- Comes in a glass bottle
- Fragrance-free option available
- Alcohol-free, gluten-free, paraben-free
- Vegan + cruelty-free
2. attitude
- Liquid body lotion
- Made using +98% naturally sourced ingredients
- 4 distinct scents + unscented available
- Options for sensitive skin + pregnancy
- Vegan + cruelty-free
3. ecoroots
- Solid lotion bar
- Comes in a metal tin
- Natural, coconut or lavender scent
- Refillable
- Parabens, silicones + phthalates-free
- Vegan + cruelty-free
4. public goods
- Liquid lotion
- Refillable
- Scented with eucalyptus, mint, citrus + soft woods
- Free from parabens, phthalates, + synthetic fragrance
- Made in Canada
5. plaine products
- Liquid lotion
- Made with an aloe vera base
- Rosemary mint vanilla, citrus lavender or unscented options
- Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicone, + synthetic fragrances
- Refillable
- Comes in an aluminum can
- Vegan + cruelty-free
6. the good fill
- Liquid lotion
- Shea butter lotion (thicker) + sweet pea lotion (lighter) options
- Made with certified organic ingredients
- Refillable + refill pouches can be returned
- Vegan + cruelty-free
7. meow meow tweet
- Liquid lotion
- Made with certified organic ingredients
- Aloe-rose based, formulated for sensitive skin
- Comes in an aluminum bottle
- Reuse or return pump to them for recycling
- Vegan + cruelty-free
8. upcircle
- Liquid lotion
- Made using 99% natural ingredients
- Comes in a glass bottle
- Doubles as hand lotion
- Vegan + cruelty-free
So, what do you think of these non toxic lotion options? Let me know in the comments!
The post 8 Best Non Toxic Lotion Options For Smooth Skin appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
There’s something undeniably special about wearing uniquely handcrafted, fair trade jewelry that you can know was made slowly and thoughtfully with care. Equally special is wearing an elevated set of jewelry crafted with recycled materials and sustainable processes.
Whether you’re looking for an investment piece or more affordable pieces, there are options for any budget on this list. The aesthetics of these fair trade and sustainable jewelry brands also vary, so you’ll also be able to discover an ethical brand that matches your unique style.
What is Fair Trade Jewelry?
Fair trade can both be a general term used to describe a brand’s sourcing practices — like direct relationships with artisan cooperatives, wages above local standard rates, and safe working conditions — or a third-party “Fair Trade” verification through an organization like Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade USA, or World Fair Trade Organization. When a brand doesn’t have a certification, we verify a brand’s practices by their own published information.
In the cases where brands do go the extra mile and get a third-party verification for their fair trade practices, we’ve noted it directly in their entries.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for responsibility we love, and that we think you’ll love too!
2. Ana Luisa
Best for: affordable everyday jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown Diamonds, Small-Batch Production, Direct-to-Consumer
Ana Luisa creates stunning, elegant jewelry from responsibly-sourced materials including 100% recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds. The sustainable jewelry brand also produces in small batches to minimize waste.
By using a direct-to-consumer model, Ana Luisa is able to provide luxury, high-quality jewelry at accessible prices.
3. Monica Vinader
Best for: recycled demi-fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Woman-Founded, Recycled Silver & Gold Vermeil, Traceable Gemstones, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Supply Chain Transparency
Price Range: $85 (studs) – $2,495 (diamond ring)
British jewelry brand Monica Vinader was one of the first brands to meet the gap between fashion jewelry and fine jewelry with their “demi fine” jewelry. The women-founded brand has necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings crafted from 100% recycled sterling silver and gold vermeil, fully traceable gemstones, and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds. Monica Vinader also launched Product Passports, taking an active effort towards full supply chain transparency.
4. WorldFinds
Best for: unique statement jewelry with a story
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Upcycled Materials, Artisan-Made
WorldFinds provides sustainable employment and just wages for hundreds of women artisans in India and Bali. These artisans handcraft both sleek metal fair trade jewelry and unique recycled Kantha pieces. WorldFinds is Verified by the Fair Trade Federation, which assesses members against fair trade principles including fair wages, safe conditions, and transparent supply chains.
Plus WorldFinds’ signature Kantha jewelry is made from upcycling materials: wood scraps from a furniture factory and locally sourced Kantha fabric remnants.
5. Astor + Orion
Best for: drop earrings and charm necklaces with symbolism
Conscious Qualities: Certified Ethical Factory, Recycled Materials, Designed for Recyclability, Repair Program
Ethical jewelry brand Astor + Orion sources their jewelry from a factory with multiple certifications ensuring worker safety, fair production practices, and responsible environmental management. Astor + Orion’s stunning jewelry is made from recycled materials and designed in a way to make it easily recyclable! Their pieces also come with a quality assurance — the brand will repair any piece within 6 months of purchase.
6. Laura Elizabeth
Best for: non-toxic jewelry in organic shapes
Conscious Qualities: Locally Sourced Recycled Metals, Woman-Owned, Fair Wages, Safe Working Conditions
Price Range: $45 – $330
Crafted from recycled metals sourced locally in LA, Laura Elizabeth creates stand-out sustainable jewelry. All of the brand’s jewelry is sourced ethically from a small, woman-owned studio in Los Angeles that ensures reasonable working hours (35 hr/week), fair wages, and safe working conditions (such as proper ventilation). Check out more on Laura Elizabeth in this post!
The jewelry is also non-toxic, free of cadmium or lead.
7. Ten Thousand Villages
Best for: giftable fair trade jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Production, Artisan-Made
Price Range: $6 – $175
Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the fair trade pioneers and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), the global network that verifies fair trade practices across its member organizations.
They’ve developed relationships with artisans around the world, providing valuable economic opportunities for thousands of makers in 30 countries around the world. Their marketplace has handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, along with a variety of other fair trade goods.
8. Edge of Ember
Best for: gemstone jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold & Silver, Artisan-Made, Ethical Production
Price Range: $49 (ear cuff) – $2,730 (diamond tennis bracelet)
Edge of Ember’s timeless jewelry is responsibly crafted by makers working in artisan groups and small-scale factories. Their delicate necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other pieces are crafted by skilled artisans in India, Hong Kong, Germany, and Thailand. The brand carries out independent social audits to ensure ethical working conditions and environmental responsibility.
Edge of Ember has a wide selection of recycled gold and silver rings, bracelets, and necklaces adorned with stunning gemstones, including many birthstone jewelry options perfect for gifting.
9. Aurate
Best for: ethical diamond fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: 100% Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Vintage Collection
Price Range: $18 (stainless steel chain) – $19,000 (diamond tennis necklace)
Responsibly-sourced quality jewelry — that’s Aurate’s promise. The jewelry brand’s sleek, timeless pieces are thoughtfully made by seventh-generation craftspeople using 100% recycled gold and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds.
Aurate also has a curated collection of vintage fine jewelry from cocktail watches to signet rings up to 50% off.
10. SOKO
Best for: modern, minimalist artisan-made jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Above-Market Artisan Wages, Black-Owned
Price Range: $78 – $298
SOKO is an innovative Black-owned ethical jewelry brand using mobile tools to bridge the barriers for artisan entrepreneurs in Kenya. In partnership with SOKO, independent artisans can operate a “virtual factory”, earning 5x more than an average artisan workshop in their local areas.
The jewelry is made with 24K gold or silver-plated brass — an affordable metal that also happens to consist of 90% recycled content on average. Other materials include reclaimed horn and bone, locally-sourced teak wood offcuts, and ceramic beads made by a fair trade women’s collective in Kenya.
10. Raven + Lily
Best for: affordable artisan jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Artisan-Made, Women-Led
Price Range: $40 – $240
Raven + Lily is an ethical fashion and jewelry brand verified Fair Trade by the Fair Trade Federation. The women-led brand partners with artisan women around the world who use natural materials to craft both classic, elegant pieces and statement jewelry.
11. NAKIIT
Best for: one-of-a-kind, solo-handcrafted pieces
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order, Recycled Silver & Gold, Zero-Waste Scrap Recycling
Price Range: $21 – $485
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