Primarily used for cooking in tropical developing countries, the oil palm tree produces a high-quality type of oil. In addition to being used in food products and detergents, this oil also has a small role as biofuel and can be found in cosmetics such as lipstick or soap. It can also be found in makeup, skincare, and hair care products. Today, palm oil is used in many different types of products, and its usage is becoming popular in all sectors.
Despite the negative environmental impacts, palm oil is a very productive crop. It offers higher yields at a lower cost of production than other vegetable oils. Consequently, global production and demand for palm oil are increasing rapidly. At the same time, an increasing number of people are searching for palm oil-free soap brands as they become more aware of the harmful effects that palm oil has on our planet.
Why is palm oil not sustainable?
Palm oil and its derivatives are a major source of deforestation and carbon emissions. Palm oil production is an unsustainable practice with significant consequences for our environment, animals, and people. The demand for palm oil as one of the most widely used vegetable oils has led to the massive destruction of rainforests and peatlands in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America.
This destruction is causing biodiversity loss and decreasing soil fertility, resulting in a decrease in global carbon capture capacity. The destruction of rainforests also leads to the displacement of local communities and indigenous peoples who rely on the forests for their livelihoods. Regretfully, this has caused an extensive loss of trees due to palm plantations globally, with about 5% of tropical deforestation related to palm oil creation. Also, when taking global deforestation stats into account, palm oil makes up 2.3%.
The production of palm kernel oil (PKO) is particularly dangerous due to its high concentrations of saturated fat which can lead to health issues when over-consumed. Furthermore, PKO production involves heavy industrial processing using caustic agents that can lead to the contamination of nearby water sources with harmful chemicals.
In addition to environmental concerns, human rights violations have been reported from plantations harvesting palm oil or its derivatives. These range from extremely low wages, lack of access to proper housing, dangerous working conditions, exposure to hazardous materials without protective equipment, gender discrimination, exploitation of child labor, lack of unions functioning on the grounds, etc.
Forced labor has been documented on some plantations as well as reports of workers’ passports being confiscated by employers leading them to be unable to leave the plantation they work at or even change employers.
The role of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is an international organization that works to promote the production and procurement of sustainable palm oil. It was founded in 2004 by a coalition of palm oil producers, traders, retailers, environmental groups, and financial institutions to develop responsible standards for sustainable palm oil. The core goal of RSPO is to ensure that any palm oil used in products or services is produced and sourced sustainably.
One way they do this is through their Principles & Criteria document which lays out their standards for producing and sourcing certified sustainable palm oil. These include no primary forests which contain significant biodiversity; fair treatment of workers according to labor laws; reduced use of pesticides; conserving the natural habitats of species at risk; responsible monitoring and management practices; and avoiding the discharge of contaminants into rivers, lakes, estuaries or coastal waters.
Companies must also provide documentation stating compliance with these criteria before becoming certified by RSPO as a sustainable palm oil supplier/producer/trader.
In addition to certifying sustainable suppliers, RSPO also works to increase consumer awareness about the importance of buying sustainable palm oil products and encourages members to meet their commitments regarding sustainability initiatives throughout the supply chain.
To further these goals, RSPO hosts global events such as its Annual Roundtable meetings and offers resources such as its guidance documents on best practices related to traceability, certification bodies, auditing systems, and other topics related to sustainability in the production process.
The impact that RSPO has had on the industry has been remarkable – 19% of all global palm oil production is now certified according to RSPO standards – but there are still some criticisms surrounding the organization’s effectiveness. In 2019 Greenpeace noted that RSPO was not auditing companies they are working with frequently enough, making it hard for them to stay accountable for their promises on sustainability initiatives and potential mismanagement within their supply chains.
How to choose the right brand?
Palm oil is often disguised under different names, so checking the list of ingredients isn’t always foolproof. If you’re unsure whether a product contains palm oil, in addition to looking for ‘palm oil’ on the label, be on the lookout for PKO, OPKO, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Palmitate, and more.
Certified organic
Companies often use the term “organic” to trick consumers into thinking their products are good for them (Greenwashing), even though they might not have any organic ingredients. To avoid being fooled, look for a certified organic label and check the product’s ingredients list.
Certified Vegan
The “vegan” label indicates that the company does not sell in countries where animal testing is required, or test their products on animals. A good indicator of whether a product is vegan or not is the presence of Leaping Bunny icons.
Locally Sourced
Did you know that the further away a product has to travel to reach you, the more carbon emissions are attributed to it? A great way to reduce your impact is by buying local products.
Eco-friendly packaging
Packaging soap in plastic is dangerous for the environment. Most people think that these can’t be recycled, but there are some companies out there who are doing their part to change that. Be on the lookout for Taking Back or Recycling programs from your favorite brands, and choose products with compostable packaging.
Fair Trade Company
Before you buy a product, it’s important to do some research on the company. Make sure they have good working conditions and that their employees are treated fairly. Additionally, check if the products are eco-friendly and won’t hurt the environment.
Best Palm Oil-Free Soaps Available on Amazon
Ethique Body Wash Bar
The natural and organic ingredients used in this soap are full of beneficial properties that make it perfect for even the most sensitive of skin types. Coconut oil helps to keep skin hydrated while olive oil helps restore softness and suppleness. Together they create a luxurious bar soap that smells great and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and clean.
The natural oils in this solid body wash bar also make it gentle enough to be used on hair as well – giving you an all-in-one solution to keeping your body clean from head to toe. It’s packed with vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant to help protect against environmental stressors like pollution and sun damage. Plus, its scent is sure to leave you feeling energized!
Though Ethique’s Lime & Ginger Solid Bodywash Bar is designed to reduce plastic waste, it can still be taken care of easily. To ensure its longevity, remove the bar from pooling water after each use so it can dry properly. Doing this will allow it to last for months at a time – far exceeding most disposable liquid soaps!
Ethique has set out on a mission to rid the world of plastic waste by offering sustainable products that are ethically sourced from natural and effective ingredients.
Features
- Lime and ginger essential oils
- Palm-oil-free bar soap with olive and coconut oil
- Suitable for all skin types
- All natural ingredients
- Ethically sourced ingredients
- Recyclable plastic-free packaging
- Paraben-free.
- Phthalate-free
- No artificial fragrances.
- Synthetic dye free
SIMPLICI Orange & Cinnamon Bar Soap
SIMPLICI Orange & Cinnamon Bar Soap is an artisan-crafted natural bar soap that is both refreshing and stimulating. Its scent combines the sweet, distinct essential oils of cinnamon and sweet orange for a delightful experience.
The soap has a smooth texture with bits of ground cinnamon bark for added exfoliation, small flecks of which are evident in the brown-colored bar. It’s made from only palm-free ingredients, including nourishing coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and naturally sourced sweet orange essential oil.
Each SIMPLICI bar weighs an average of 5 ounces and lasts significantly longer than many other soaps due to their careful formulation process. Coconut oil provides a great lather while extra virgin olive oil helps alleviate dryness on the skin by locking moisture in place.
The inclusion of sweet orange essential oil furthers this effect while providing antioxidant benefits as well as its unique scent. Each soap is hand-cut and packaged in a lined, labeled, and resealable bag; these Value Bags contain six bars of soap that are not individually wrapped or labeled.
The luxurious feel of SIMPLICI Orange & Cinnamon Bar Soap leaves skin feeling refreshed rather than dry or itchy after use thanks to its gentle but effective cleansing power. This makes it ideal for those with sensitive skin who still want to enjoy the invigorating scent of cinnamon without worrying about redness or irritation.
The rich lather the soap produces ensures that skin feels clean without being stripped of its natural oils – making it even more suitable for those with delicate complexions.
Features
- Value bag includes six soap bars, 4.5 ounces each
- Cinnamon and orange oils
- Suitable for all skin types
- textured soap with good leather
- resealable and recyclable bag
Peet Bros Shea Butter Moisturizing Soap Bar
Peet Bros Shea Butter Moisturizing Soap Bar is a luxurious and all-natural palm oil-free product that provides long-lasting hydration for your skin. This bar soap is made with organic and ethically sourced shea butter to keep your skin feeling soft and supple, while its gentle formula cleanses without stripping away natural oils or irritating sensitive skin.
The Shea Butter Moisturizing Soap Bar has a thick creamy lather that leaves skin feeling nourished without any drying effects. It also has a pleasant light scent of vanilla which leaves you feeling refreshed after use.
Features
- Ethically sourced shea butter
- All vegan ingredients
- Suitable for all skin types
- Natural vanilla scent
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Recyclable and plastic-free packaging
WholeNaturals Castile Liquid Soap
Wholesnaturals Castile Liquid Soap is an all-natural, palm oil-free, and certified organic product made from a special blend of luxury oils such as prickly pear, argan, jojoba, almond, and hemp. The Castile liquid soap is gentle enough for face and body cleansing yet powerful enough to remove dirt and other contaminants.
It produces a luxurious lather without the use of synthetic preservatives, thickeners, or foaming agents which are harsh on the skin, not biodegradable, and bad for the environment.
Castile liquid soap is more concentrated than typical bar soap, which means you get cleaning power with less waste in the packaging. Plus, all of the Wholesnaturals ingredients are sustainably sourced for maximum supply chain transparency. As part of the EWG Verified program, it’s certified to meet the highest standards for human health safety and environmental sustainability.
The high concentration of natural oils in Wholesnaturals Castile Liquid Soap makes it ideal for those suffering from dry or sensitive skin as it helps lock in moisture leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth after every wash.
For added benefit, the natural oils found in this soap are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help nourish your skin while cleansing away dirt and bacteria without any residue left behind. Its mild formula is also free of essential oils or fragrances making it perfect for those who prefer unscented products.
Features
- Certified palm oil-free
- Certified Organic plant-based ingredients
- Certified vegan
- Preservative free
- Fragrance-free
- Blend of multiple organic oils
- Suitable for hypoallergenic and acne-prone skin
- Multi-purpose cleaning soap
Valitic Kojic Acid Dark Spot Remover Soap Bars
Valitic Kojic Acid Dark Spot Remover Soap Bars are a revolutionary palm oil-free product designed to help combat dark spots, blemishes, and acne scars. This bar soap is formulated with an original Japanese Complex for Dark Spots Correction, and it is enriched with skin-benefiting vitamins C, Retinol, and Collagen. Additionally, the turmeric extract in this product can promote a more even tone and healthy glow.
This powerful combination of ingredients helps your skin stay hydrated from the inside out while minimizing sun damage and promoting a youthful look.
The Kojic Acid in the soap bars also helps reduce scarring and revive your complexion from fine lines and wrinkles by helping to restore the moisture balance. Additionally, it is formulated with exfoliating ingredients that help remove dead skin cells and nourish your skin leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and radiant.
Valitic Kojic Acid dark spot remover soaps are an ideal choice for those looking to target hyper-pigmentation or uneven skin tone caused by sun damage or aging. The combination of natural ingredients helps promote healing while providing gentle cleansing without compromising on effectiveness. It can be used daily on the face, hands, neck, bikini area, inner thighs & underarms to visibly reduce dark spots as well as fade discoloration due to age spots or other blemishes.
Features
- Targets hyperpigmentation
- Enriched with Vitamin C, Retinol, and Collagen
- Contains Organic turmeric
- SLS and Paraben free
- Includes Shea butter and olive oil
Soap Distillery Bar Soap
Soap Distillery Bar Soaps are palm-oil-free, high-quality natural soap bars made from the best ingredients to nourish and cleanse your skin. These bar soaps are enriched with a blend of olive oil, sunflower oil, and essential oils for a long-lasting moisturizing effect. A single bar has enough lather to last up to 3 weeks when stored properly in a well-draining dish – without leaving any heavy, irritating fragrance on your skin.
Features
- Mild formula
- Enriched with a blend of multiple organic oils
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Naturally fragranced
- Plastic-free packaging
The Bubble Factory Lavender Oatmeal Bar Soap
The Bubble Factory Lavender Oatmeal Bar Soap offers a delightfully indulgent cleansing experience. Made with pure lavender essential oil, this bar combines the perfect blend of calming aromatherapy with exfoliating oats to create an unforgettable bathing experience. Shea butter is added for extra softness, leaving your skin feeling smooth and moisturized after every use.
This handmade cold-process soap produces a rich lather that cleanses without drying out your skin. Gentle enough for all skin types, it’s also free from SLS, palm oil, phthalates, parabens, gluten, and cruelty – making it an ideal choice for those seeking natural alternatives to traditional soaps.
This luxurious bar soap gives you the chance to indulge without worrying about harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. The scent of lavender essential oil is light and floral with a hint of herbaceousness — perfect for de-stressing and washing away the worries of the day. And thanks to its exfoliating oats, you can scrub away dead skin cells too!
Features
- Natural floral scent
- Natural oat-based exfoliant
- Suitable for all skin types
- Rich lather and shea butter moisturizer
- All vegan ingredients
- SLS free
- Phthalate free
- Paraben free
Age of Sage Natural Soap
Age of Sage Natural Soap is a luxurious and indulgent line of soaps created to offer self-care and relaxation to those who use them. Each bar is crafted with premium ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, Shea Butter, Water, Sodium Hydroxide (Lye), Olive Pomace Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Fragrance. The soap is handmade in small batches using the cold process method to ensure the highest quality product.
The Age of Sage Natural Soap collection features four unique scents that are inspired by nature: Hydrangea, Plumeria, Jasmine Lime, and Wild Passion. All of these scents are perfect for creating a calming atmosphere while providing essential nourishment to the skin. These fragrances will linger long after cleaning your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and beautiful.
In addition to the delightful scent profile, this natural soap provides nutrient-rich ingredients that can help keep skin feeling moisturized and soft.
Coconut oil helps protect against dryness while promoting elasticity in the skin; Canola oil works to restore moisture balance; Soybean oil helps reduce inflammation and redness; Shea butter acts as an emollient to soothe dry or irritated areas; Water hydrates and helps remove dirt from pores; Sodium Hydroxide cleanses without stripping away natural oils; Olive Pomace oil helps strengthen skin’s barrier function, and sunflower oil protects from environmental damage.
Features
- Cold-pressed artisan soaps
- Lightly scented
- All organic ingredients
- Multiple oil blend
- Premium packaging suitable for gifting
Kiss My Face Olive Oil Fragrance-Free Bar Soap
Kiss My Face Olive Oil Fragrance-Free Bar Soap is a luxurious, nourishing cleanser that provides long-lasting hydration and moisture. This bar soap is made with 86% cold-pressed olive oil from Greece, making it rich in vitamins E and antioxidants.
These natural ingredients help to restore damaged skin cells and leave your skin feeling silky and soft.
Kiss My Face’s formula is also free of parabens, phthalates, and GMOs, making it kind to the environment. Its vegan and cruelty-free production methods are certified by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
Features
- Fragrance-free
- Cold-pressed olive oil
- Certified vegan
- Paraben and Phthalate-Free
- Non-GMO certified
Aegean Natural Bar Soap
Aegean Natural Bar Soap is a high-quality, luxury bar soap that will make your skin feel refreshed and nourished. Crafted with all-natural ingredients, this vegan soap is free of alcohol, sulfates, chemicals, and GMOs. The unique combination of ingredients ensures that it is suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin. Aegean Natural Bar Soap provides a deeply cleansing experience that invigorates your skin and leaves it feeling velvety smooth.
This natural bar soap was designed to fight against viruses, bacteria, and germs. It is made with 100% cold-pressed oils for an extra moisturizing effect. The four natural components provide powerful antioxidant protection while the essential oils offer an aromatherapy experience as you lather up in the shower or bath. This luxurious bar soap is a perfect choice for women and men alike who are looking to pamper their skin with a truly special product.
Aegean uses premium quality essential oils in its soaps to ensure maximum skin benefits without any synthetic fragrances that could irritate the skin. All products are handmade in small batches to ensure optimal freshness and quality control every step of the way from production to delivery. they work directly with our suppliers to make sure they use only ethically sourced ingredients from sustainable sources.
Features
- Premium essential oils
- All organic ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Non-GMO certified
- Cold pressed soap
- Natural antibacterial properties
- Suitable for all skin types