The Best Organic Body Lotions, Butters, and Serums of 2022

Shea butter is made from the nuts of the shea tree and it is a fantastic organic body lotion ingredient in its raw form. Shea butter has a proven track record of treating wrinkles, blemishes, stretch marks, and sagging skin. Some studies have shown that it is also effective at boosting our skin’s collagen production—making it a great anti-aging body treatment. Shea butter is packed with oleic and stearic acids (which help to lock in moisture), vitamin A, and has natural SPF 6 protection which can provide light protection from sun exposure. Effective for all skin types.

If you’re looking for a body lotion that will fix hyperpigmentation and tighten skin, then look for an organic lotion that is packed with rosehip seed oil. Rosehip seed oil is one of the richest plant sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C has been proven to effectively stimulate collagen production, penetrate deeply to reduce redness, and increase cell turnover. The essential fatty acids within rosehip seed oil penetrate deeply into the skin where they work to neutralize free radicals, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and increase the skin’s permeability. The unique combination of fatty acids and vitamins come together to make organic rosehip seed oil a surprisingly great natural remedy for sun damaged skin and aging skin.

Cocoa butter is a rich oil that is extracted from the cocoa bean (the same beans that chocolate is made from). It’s a powerful emollient (softens and smooths skin), rich in antioxidants (like polyphenols, which have been shown to diminish the visible signs of aging), packed with essential fatty acids, and is non-irritating. It is the ideal organic body lotion ingredient for those with extremely dry, cracked, and flaky skin and those with dermatitis.  Also, cocoa butter and shea butter work very well together. That’s why you’ll frequently find them together in any truly great all-natural body lotion.

Olive oil is one of the most potent and nurturing organic lotion ingredients around. Olive oil has been praised by history’s most iconic beauties as their secret weapon to ageless skin (think Sophia Loren and Cleopatra). Cold-pressed and organic olive oil contains effective anti-aging compounds like squalene (a fat found in our own cells), vitamin E, and a rare antioxidant called hydroxytyrosol which has been proven to effective against free radical damage and acne-causing bacteria. Great for all skin types.

Aloe vera is a clear gel that comes from the center of the aloe leaf. Aloe vera-based body lotions tend to be smoother, lighter, and less greasy than cocoa/shea-based organic lotions. These lotions are ideal for sensitive, acne-prone, and oily skin types. Aloe vera has been used since ancient times as a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Pure aloe vera is considered a highly bioactive plant which has over 75 active compounds like vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Aloe is amazing for treating sunburns, dry skin, acne + acne scars, and even treats wrinkles by plumping up the skin with moisture. Pure aloe is hypoallergenic and won’t clog pores. Of course, just because an organic body lotion contains aloe vera doesn’t mean that the whole formula is right for your skin (so, do your homework!).

Avocado oil is made by expressing the oil from dried avocado fruit. Organic avocado oil is very rich and capable of penetrating into the deepest layers of the skin. Once there, avocado oil’s unique blend of phytosterols, omega fatty acids, and vitamin E get to work to stimulate cell growth, diminishing pore size, and boost your skin’s production of collagen. Avocado oil can be greasy and slightly comedogenic (may clog pores for some), so it’s best used by those with very dry and mature skin. In fact, for dry skin types, organic avocado oil can be a fantastic winter climate body moisturizer all on its own.

Coconut oil is a classic organic lotion ingredient. It’s bursting with skin-nurturing compounds like essential fatty acids (caprylic acid being the most noteworthy) and vitamins. These compounds give coconut oil the ability to fight premature aging, kill acne-causing bacteria, promote cellular repair, and prevent moisture loss. Coconut oil is a powerful emollient that can soften the most dry/flaky skin conditions. While coconut oil is truly an amazing natural lotion ingredient, it can also be highly comedogenic for some skin types. Try a patch test of pure, unrefined, organic coconut oil on your body for a few days before committing to a particular coconut oil-based lotion.

Did you know that jojoba oil is not actually an oil? Jojoba “oil” is really a liquid polyunsaturated wax which shares a similar chemical consistency to our skin’s own sebum. Pure organic jojoba oil is hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types. Jojoba seamlessly blends with sebum and forms a thin layer of protection from moisture loss and environmental pollutants. Jojoba oil is best suited for oily skin types because of its ability to balance excess oils by dissolving them. In addition to providing intense moisture, organic jojoba oil also fights acne causing bacteria because it is rich in iodine (antibacterial), unclogs pores, and fades existing acne scars. Jojoba is a fairly common skin care staple that can be found in the best organic body lotions.