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As the desire for sustainability grows, consumers have begun to shift away from conventional products engineered with harmful chemicals in favor of clean, earth and skin-friendly items. Among those are soaps, which have historically been made with some unsafe ingredients to the detriment of people and the environment. During this watershed moment, biodegradable soaps have increased in popularity as the perfect solution for lovers and advocates of the outdoors who also enjoy a good lather every now and again—even in the backcountry.
In this research-driven guide I'll break down all you need to know about biodegradable soap, and which to buy (scroll down a ways to get right to our top picks for the best biodegradable soaps and wipes).
What Is Biodegradable Soap?
Unlike conventional soap, biodegradable soaps don’t contain surfactants, short for “surface-active agent”, which bind oil and water together in body products. While they aren’t inherently bad for us (unlike parabens or phthalates—harmful chemical compounds found in soaps used as preservatives that can negatively affect) the hormones in humans and animals, surfactants have been shown to harm aquatic animals and even pose a threat to their watery ecosystem if exposed to enough of those surfactants overtime.
To paraphrase the EPA guide to choosing eco-friendly home cleaning products which have similar ingredients to soaps, the surfactants can break down into “toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative chemicals” that can eventually begin to degrade aquatic life.
So, when it comes to using a biodegradable soap or body wash both indoors or outside, you can feel good knowing that it’s a product designed to do as little harm to you and the environment as possible. "Using biodegradable soap helps ensure that we’re not polluting groundwater with the products that we use in our homes, or on the go," Laura Marston, owner of a low waste home and refill store GoGo Refill in South Portland, Maine tells Field Mag. "Replacing chemical and sometimes even petroleum-based surfactants with plant-based formulas makes safer products for planet and people alike."
What to Look for When Choosing a Biodegradable Soap
Surfactants aren’t the only chemicals capable of causing damage. Before buying, scan the ingredient list of each soap or body wash and be sure to avoid the following toxic ingredients:
SLS and SLES - Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) that are surfactants used as detergents in soaps and body wash to cleanse skin and create a foamy consistency
Parabens and Phthalates - Ingredients used as a preservative, but found to be an endocrine disruptor
Fragrance - An umbrella term for a plethora of unlisted toxic chemicals designed to create a synthetic scent. Opt for fragrance-free soaps or fragrances made with essential oils for a safe alternative
Natural ingredients - Ok, let us be clear, we aren’t saying natural ingredients are harmful, but we are calling out the many companies that use this catch-all term as a way to market a not-so sustainable product as sustainable. Often called “greenwashing”, once you get good at deciphering ingredient lists, you’ll easily spot these unfounded claims a mile away. Other culprits include “eco-friendly” or “all-natural”, which might signal greenwashing if the product label doesn’t back it up.
If you don’t feel confident decoding a product’s list of ingredients or want to learn more, use trustworthy sources like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the EPA’s Safer Choice have a comprehensive database of what to look for and what to avoid.
Field Mag's Top Picks:
- Best Biodegradable Soap Overall: Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap
- Best for Travel: Allez Biodegradable Cleansing Cloths
- Most Sustainable: Juniper Ridge Body Wash
- Best for Camping: Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash
- Most Aesthetic: Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash
- Best Woman-Owned Brand: Yukon Valley Soaps
- Most Moisturizing: Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Wash
- Best Exfoliation: Ursa Major Morning Mojo Bar Soap
- Best Plastic-Free Foaming Soap: Blueland Hand Soap
- Best Scent: Wary Meyers Liquid Soap
The 9 Best Biodegradable Soaps for Camping, Use at Home and on the Road
Best Biodegradable Soap Overall: Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
Pros: Versatile and budget-friendly
Cons: Highly-concentrated
Best use: Multi-purpose
Price: Starts at $10
This multi-purpose, plant-based soap has been an eco-friendly staple since the 1960s thanks to a concentrated formula that uses a small amount to clean everything from the dishes to the dog. Made with certified fair trade and organic ingredients like olive oil and coconut oil for a moisturizing effect, Dr. Bronner’s sells an unscented option (great for doing dishes at camp, little ones, and those with sensitive skin), as well as scents such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus that don’t use any synthetic fragrances. As a longtime user of Dr. Bronner’s, I swear by this as a home staple and versatile eco-friendly soap for travel. Stock up with a large 32 ounce bottle, dilute it using their guide, and use it for just about everything indoors (body and hair, too!). And, take a small four ounce bottle while traveling and camping. It's so easy to pack in, clean up, and carry out without harming our waterways.
Most Sustainable: Juniper Ridge Body Wash
Pros: Sustainably made with natural ingredients
Cons: Somewhat small size
Best use: Everyday and camping body wash
Price: $15
Crafted from a shockingly short list of plant-based ingredients, I loved the purity of Juniper Ridge’s concentrated liquid and bar soaps, which are created from sustainably harvested botanicals to create nature-inspired scents. Through a process of steam-distillation, the essential oils keep their quality and natural fragrance in tact without having to use harmful synthetic chemicals. You can literally smell and feel the difference. Their eight ounce bottle is an ideal size to bring along for camping or travel, but for regular use at home, consider a gallon-size container of your favorite scent for easy, low-waste refills.
Best for Camping: Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash
Pros: Multi-purpose and affordable
Cons: Very highly concentrated
Best use: Camping or backpacking
Price: $7
Designed for backcountry adventures and car camping getaways alike, Sea to Summit’s multi-purpose, biodegradable Wilderness Wash is a tried and true method for getting squeaky clean outside. As a longtime user of this product, I can attest to its versatility and usefulness, but don’t underestimate it's potency! You only need a capful of the low-foaming, high-concentrated formula to fill a sink for dishes or suds up during a shower—a little really does goes a long way. Durable and travel-friendly, simply toss it into your pack and go. It's also available with a citronella scent to scare off bugs, and check out their compostable Wilderness Wipes for a quick and easy refresh on the trail.
Best for Travel: Allez Biodegradable Cleansing Cloths
Pros: Convenient and lightweight
Cons: Expensive
Best use: Backpacking and travel
Price: $22
When you don’t have time for a shower, Allez Outdoor’s biodegradable cleansing cloths are a packable and environmentally-friendly way to quickly clean yourself up from head to toe. Each cloth uses natural, non-toxic ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin C and E to gently remove dirt, sunscreen, chalk, that also soothes skin and a natural scent that isn’t overpowering. While testing these cloths on an overnight ski and camping trip, I was pleasantly surprised at the size, and the refreshing yet moisturizing clean feeling that didn’t leave a sticky residue on skin. When you’re done, it’s easy to stuff them back into the packaging and responsibly get rid of them later on. Despite the price, one wipe is pretty effective, so I'm looking forward to having plenty leftover for future backpacking trips or travels when a shower is hard to find.
Most Aesthetic: Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash
Pros: Fun retro-inspired design
Cons: Expensive
Best use: Everyday body wash
Price: $36
Filled with skin superheroes like certified organic coconut oil, aloe vera, and shea butter, Bathing Culture’s biodegradable body wash hydrates and cleanses without a trace of harmful chemicals. Available in two earthy, botanical scents created from essential oil blends inspired by the Northern Californian flora, you only need two pumps to lather yourself up from head to toe, which makes investing in their 22 ounce refillable, recycled glass bottle well worth it. Speaking from experience, it will take you a while to run out of this soap, but when you do, Bathing Culture sells a one gallon refill to save packaging and carbon waste from shipping.
Best Woman-Owned Brand: Yukon Soaps
Pros: Low waste and affordable
Cons: Shipping cost can be high
Best use: Everyday body wash
Price: $9
Handcrafted in Yukon, Canada, founder Joella Hogan and her team create high-quality bar soaps from local ingredients that are sourced with the land, animals, and people in mind. The bars use a blend of olive oil, coconut oil, and beeswax to moisturize and cleanse skin, and pure essential oils for an amazing all-natural scent that you can practically smell upon opening. Included within each delivery is a brief list of some of the soap ingredients in Northern Tutchone, the indigenous language spoken in central Yukon, along with a QR code you can scan to find a playlist curated especially for bath time. The Yukon Valley Soaps deliver a full experience that goes above and beyond simply cleaning the skin, but immersing yourself in the beautiful, rich culture of the Yukon and its people.
Most Moisturizing: Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Wash
Pros: Beautiful design, recyclable aluminum container
Cons: Expensive
Best use: Everyday body wash
Price: $32
Wonder Valley’s aromatic body wash could also easily earn the superlative of best smell thanks to its woodsy fragrance of hinoki (which has been scientifically proven to have a calming effect on the body and mind, who knew?!) and cedar oils. However, its prized ingredient is extra virgin olive oil that’s harvested and pressed in California for the best and most pure quality possible. There’s no denying that this soap deeply hydrates as intended, which is good news for those with dry skin, and a soothing way to replenish body and mind after spending some time out in the elements. Made without surfactants, preservatives, and other harmful chemicals, Wonder Valley mindfully packages its biodegradable soap in aluminum bottles that can be recycled after use. Also, available in bar form, the Hinoki Bar uses beautifully-designed paper packaging for the lightest footprint possible.
Best Exfoliation: Ursa Major Morning Mojo Bar Soap
Pros: Invigorating scent and gentle exfoliation
Cons: Bar soap only
Best use: Everyday body wash
Price: $14
The Vermont-based body and wellness company, Ursa Major, crafts natural soaps made with their signature “forest-infused formulas” that are as gentle on the skin as they are on the ecosystem. Their Morning Mojo Bar Soap is free of SLS, SLES, preservatives, parabens, and synthetic fragrance—plus, it’s wrapped in paper, so there’s no plastic involved. I found the exfoliating soap bar’s peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary blend to be an energizing pick-me-up during a morning shower (and a worry-free outdoor shower!), just as much as it left my skin feeling super clean and refreshed after camping, post surf, or a day spent in the garden.
Best Foaming Soap: Blueland Hand Soap
Pros: Large glass bottle, good price
Cons: Only one size available
Best use: Hand soap
Price: $22
Blueland developed a simple yet innovative solution that curbs the excessive amount of plastic needed for liquid soap with a reusable glass bottle and non-toxic soap tablet. And it really is that easy: just fill the bottle with warm water, drop a tablet, let it dissolve, and pump. Each tablet is made from a biodegradable plant-based formula that’s certified EPA Safer Choice to be free from preservatives, with scents such as lavender eucalyptus and pacific mist that don't contain harmful synthetic fragrance. I really liked the simplicity of it, the super nice quality reusable glass bottle, and 100% plastic-free packaging. It's a great, low-waste option for those who want an eco-friendly foamy hand soap.
Best Scent: Wary Meyers Liquid and Bar Soap
Pros: Aesthetically-pleasing and smells great
Cons: Liquid soap only available in one size
Best use: Hand and body wash
Price: $16 - $32
Not to be confused with your run of the mill Mrs. Meyer's, these delightfully scented liquid soaps are crafted by hand in small batches on the Maine coast using a biodegradable formula that's free from preservatives and surfactants. Organic ingredients like aloe vera are used to soften and soothe skin, with each of their soap blends and bars packing a creative punch that ties back to the wild nature of Maine’s mountains, forests, and shoreline. I loved the warm, coconut scent of Beach Vibes that wasn't too overpowering, and the lasting feeling of super soft skin—no really, it was noticeable—and the funky design that spruced up my bathroom counter.
How to Safely Use Biodegradable Soap Outdoors
Versatile and low-impact, biodegradable soaps are great for backpacking or camping because they can be used for dishwashing, laundry detergent, body wash for a camping shower, or hand soap. However, according to Leave No Trace's Seven Principles—the undisputed expert on responsible outdoor recreation—campers should never use soap or dispose of waste water in a water source. Instead, Principle Three recommends “to wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes” or “use a clean pot or other container to collect water, and take it to a wash site at least 200 feet away from water sources.” Biodegradable wipes have also become a hit with campers as a lightweight and easy way to get clean from nose to toes. If you bring them along, just make sure to carry out used wipes along with the rest of your trash to truly leave no trace.
Published 03-14-2023
Updated 05-01-2024
