9 Best Cruelty-Free Body Lotions for Every Skin Type
Cruelty Free LivingSol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Hands that towel off a wet dog, scrub water bowls and hold a leash through a cold morning walk need more moisture than most. A cruelty-free body lotion gives skin that comfort without a single animal being tested on to make it, which feels right for anyone who comes home to a wagging tail. The good news is that kindness costs nothing in texture or results.
The 9 picks below run from easy drugstore bottles to rich butters for very dry skin and fragrance-free formulas for sensitive skin and sensitive noses. Each card says plainly who certifies it, since that varies more than most labels suggest. For favorite products that come with a kinder twin, these cruelty-free alternatives to cult beauty buys are worth a look too.
What Makes a Body Lotion Cruelty-Free?
A body lotion is cruelty-free when neither the finished product nor any of its ingredients are tested on animals, by the brand or its suppliers, anywhere in the world. The strongest proof is the Leaping Bunny logo or a listing in PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program. Some brands meet that standard without paying for certification, so a missing logo means checking the brand's own policy. More everyday swaps live in the Cruelty Free Living section.
Leaping Bunny, PETA and Brand-Only Claims
Leaping Bunny is the stricter program, because companies open their supply chains to independent audits and recommit every year. PETA works from a signed assurance. A drawn bunny with no certifier named is only a brand's word. The same logos turn up under the sink, as these cruelty-free cleaning products for dog homes show.
Cruelty-Free Brands With Parent Companies That Test
Several brands on this list hold their own certification while belonging to a larger company that is not cruelty-free, including Native, Method, Drunk Elephant, Dermalogica and Sol de Janeiro. The products themselves are not tested on animals. Shoppers who would rather keep their money with fully independent makers can lean toward Nécessaire, eos, Tree Hut and Alaffia.
The same checks apply to everything else on the bathroom shelf, and these cruelty-free makeup and beauty essentials note who certifies each pick in the same way.
Everyday Body Lotions at Drugstore Prices
These four live happily by the sink or the back door. For the smoothest result, slough off dry skin once or twice a week first, and these cruelty-free body scrubs pair beautifully with any of them.
1
Native Plant-Based Moisturizer Body Lotion
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
Native keeps things simple: coconut oil and shea butter do the moisturizing, the formula is plant-based and free of parabens, and it sinks in without a sticky film. Native states that it does not test on animals and that its suppliers do not either, though the brand carries no Leaping Bunny or PETA logo. It belongs to Procter & Gamble, which is not cruelty-free.
2
eos Shea Better Body Lotion, Vanilla Cashmere
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
Shea butter and shea oil give this lotion a cushiony feel and up to 24 hours of moisture, and the Vanilla Cashmere scent is warm and cozy without being heavy. It soaks in fast, which matters when there is a leash to grab. eos is certified by both Leaping Bunny and PETA, so this is one of the easiest picks here to trust.
3
Method Simply Nourish Body Lotion
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
Method's body lotion brings the same good looks as its famous hand soaps, with a soft coconut, rice milk and shea butter scent and moisture that lasts through the day. It absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue on door handles. Method is Leaping Bunny certified, and its parent company, SC Johnson, is not on PETA's cruelty-free list.
4
Alaffia Everyday Coconut Body Lotion
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
The family-size bottle makes this the best value on the list, and it is made with virgin coconut oil sourced through fair trade. The lotion suits normal to dry skin and is gentle enough to share around the household. Alaffia labels its products cruelty-free and is independently owned.
Rich Body Butters and Creams for Very Dry Skin
When winter walks leave elbows, knees and knuckles rough, a richer texture does more than a light lotion. All three work best on slightly damp skin after a shower.
5
Tree Hut Vanilla Whipped Shea Body Butter
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
Light, airy and smelling like dessert, this whipped body butter uses shea butter to soften rough patches without an oily finish. It is the gentlest price on the list for a proper body butter. Tree Hut and its parent company, Naterra, do not test on animals, although the brand holds no third-party certification and not every Tree Hut product is vegan.
6
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
The famous yellow jar earns its following. Cupuacu butter, coconut oil and acai make a rich cream that absorbs surprisingly fast, and the pistachio and salted caramel scent lingers for hours. Sol de Janeiro is PETA certified and belongs to L'Occitane, which is not cruelty-free. The scent is strong, so dogs with sensitive noses may prefer it worn on the legs rather than the hands.
7
Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
This one brings a professional facial feel to the whole body. Lactic acid gently smooths rough, bumpy patches while the cream hydrates, so skin feels renewed rather than just coated. Dermalogica is PETA certified, but it no longer holds Leaping Bunny certification, and its parent company, Unilever, is not cruelty-free.
Fragrance-Free and Barrier-Repair Lotions for Sensitive Skin
Dogs read the world through their noses, and a strongly scented lotion is a lot of information for a pup who sleeps on the pillow next door. These two skip added fragrance and focus on calm, comfortable skin.
8
Nécessaire The Body Lotion
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
Think of it as skincare for the body: five peptides, 2.5% niacinamide, vitamins C and E and omega fatty acids, in a non-comedogenic formula that claims 48 hours of moisture. Reviewers love how quickly it absorbs and how soft skin feels afterward, though some with very dry skin want something richer. The fragrance-free version is the one to choose for sensitive skin. Nécessaire is Leaping Bunny certified.
9
Drunk Elephant Sili Whipped Body Lotion
Price last checked October 2026 · may vary
A soft, whipped texture with chia seed oil, centella asiatica and ashwagandha root to soothe and comfort skin, made without essential oils or added fragrance. It suits skin that reacts to almost everything. Drunk Elephant is certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA, while its parent company, Shiseido, is not cruelty-free.
Is Body Lotion Safe Around Dogs?
Many dogs love to lick lotion off hands and legs, and cruelty-free does not mean safe to eat. The ASPCA notes that a small amount of non-medicated lotion usually causes only mild stomach upset, while larger amounts can cause more. If a dog vomits after eating lotion, some can be breathed into the lungs, which can lead to a serious pneumonia.
Let Lotion Absorb Before Cuddles
Give lotion a few minutes to sink in before offering hands for licking, and apply richer creams at bedtime once the dog has settled. Dogs with flaky coats or itchy patches need their own care, and these home remedies for dog itchy skin are a gentle place to start.
Keep Tubes and Jars Out of Reach
A squeezable tube or a jar that smells of vanilla is a toy waiting to happen. Close lids firmly and keep body care on a shelf or behind a cabinet door, the same way this guide to puppy-proofing a home handles medications and cleaners.
Skip Medicated Creams Near Pets
Lotions with sunscreen, pain relief or prescription ingredients are a different matter from everyday moisturizer. If a dog chews into one, or eats a large amount of any lotion, keep the packaging and call the vet.
Choosing a Kinder Body Lotion
Start with the bottle that runs out first, check the certification before buying the next one, and let the rest follow as they empty. The same thinking works on the dog's side of the house, where these eco-friendly pet products make easy swaps.
For a full rundown of household items that need care around pets, the ASPCA keeps a guide to poisonous household products, including moisturizing lotions.
Related Reading
Share a thought, ask a question, or tell us about your own dog. We read every comment.
I know it’s not on the list but one of my favourites has always been Yu-Be Body Lotion from Japan. It’s a natural Glycerin lotion that’s not tested on animals and doesn’t contain any animal sourced ingredients.
Hi, sttumbled upon this blog and really like what you have mentioned but are you sure Keihl’s doesn’t test on animals? L’oreal owns the brand and no one is sure that the labs at L’oreal don’t test Keihl’s products on animals. Products that increase the killings of orangutans for palm oil plantations in places like Indonesia is still cruelty to animals amongst many other places.
Hi there,
I love that you are pushing cruelty free products, but like Sabrina points out, Palmers Cocoa Butter use palm oil … an industry destroying thousands of acres of rainforest and killing thousands of Orangutans. Which makes it far from cruelty free sadly.
I’m really sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Palmers Cocoa Butter uses palm oil which is killing the population of orangutans. I was gutted when I found this out as it was my staple body lotion. Also, while Body Shop doesn’t directly test on animals it’s a part of l’oreal which does test on animals. Body Shop is also sold in China where animal testing is necessary before it can be sold to the public. Any cosmetic sold in China goes through the same legislation.
Kiehls does test on animals, look on the Peta site, it’s on the companies that do test list!
Hi Anne,
As per the update in the post (2013), we have amended the changes in Kiehls policy. We look forward to them reverting to their cruelty free policy.
Pure Fiji is the best lotion ever!!! It is a bit pricey,but so worth it and Cruelty free of course!
Pure Fiji is amazing!
I also like to use vegan products. Recently i bought a vegan body lotion from http://www.vegantreeowl.com.au/collections/body-lotion just @ 8.80$ us. I am satisfied.
I looked at Kieh’s website and their wording was disturbing – …”We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law. ”
‘Except when required by law’ is often used by companies to evasively indicate that they do indeed perform animal testing.
Here’s the link: http://www.kiehls.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-kiehls_us-Site/default/CustomerService-ContactUs
According to PETAs website, Kiehl’s is NOT cruelty free?
Hi Booberry,
I think that’s because PETA doesn’t list any brands that have parent companies that test on animals – which in this case is L’Oreal. The case was similar when The Body Shop was bought out by L’Oreal.
So while the brands themselves remain cruelty free and staunchly against animal testing, some believe their parent companies cancel this out. Personally, I think the more cruelty free products are supported, these parent companies will see the profit in them – which sadly is often the only way to bring about change.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Totally agree with this – there´s no way i want animals to be mistreated. In our petshop in Madrid we try to stock animal-friendly animal products, but it isn´t always obvious whether they are tested on animals or not. Maybe you can add this type of product to your blog too? So far the only brand of dog shampoo I have found that actually states that it is not tested on animals is Menforsan (Bilper). I will keep searching for more!
Great idea Patamaki! There are some beautiful options out there on the markets, so I’ll definitely do a post on them in the future. 🙂
I LOVE this, Serena! I hope you’ll make this a regular feature on your blog. Always love using and finding new cruelty-free products!
Thanks Tonya! I’m so glad to see people are liking this new column. I can’t wait to share all my favourites with you all in a regular feature. xx
I would love to see anything that is cruelty free – maybe something about brands you can find at the grocery of drugstore?
Brilliant idea Mary Kate! It used to be so hard to find cruelty free products at the supermarket or drugstore, but it’s getting so much better. I’ll definitely do a post on my favs 🙂
PS. I’m not sure if it’s just an Australian product or not, but the Palmers lotion above comes from the grocery store – makes it so easy!
Thank you for touching on this, Serena. As a 7-year vegan, this is extremely important to me. I’m actually going to write a blog post on veganism for my 13 Project (I’m almost done with my list)! 🙂
An absolute pleasure Sarah. I am inspired by people like yourself every day. Cruelty free living is such an important part of my life, and it’s something all of us can do – especially when it comes to beauty products. I look forward to sharing even more fab finds in this column! xx
PS. Looking forward to seeing your 13 project list! 🙂
I am a veterinarian from Portugal and I just found out about your blog via Dog Milk …I am so in love!! Aolso, I am joining you on The 13 Project, such a good idea!
Thank you SO much! Lovely comments like yours keep this blog going. Look forward to you adding your link for the 13 project 🙂
I use two of these! Awesome!
Yay! Nice work Taylor 🙂