Chemicals in soap are harmful to the environment. Those can kill plants, contaminate rivers, and poison the fish. As people who love nature, we should always strive to protect the environment. By using biodegradable soap for camping, you can clean yourself without leaving any harmful trace.
Biodegradable soap is much safer for the environment because all the ingredients come from nature. Bacteria can easily break it down and it will dissolve immediately. It won’t damage plants, aquatic life, or animals. This is why we should make a transition to only use biodegradable soap whenever possible. If you care about the environment, you better replace your normal soap with the biodegradable one today!
How to Choose the Best Biodegradable Soap for Camping
Biodegradable soap comes in different shapes and forms. The most common are liquid soap, soap bar, and rinse-free soap. Some of them come in small pocketable sizes and bigger bottles for a family trip. If you’re planning to use the soap mostly on washing dishes, we recommend the best biodegradable dish soap for camping instead. Choose the product that matches your travel style and plan. And consider these 3 things when buying bio soap for camping:
Ingredients
Make sure you choose the product that’s 100% natural and chemical-free. Some biodegradable soap might still have 0.5%-1% harmful chemical substances. Especially for those with sensitive skin, you definitely should get the all-natural ingredients. Some natural ingredients on biodegradable soap include vegetable glycerin, essential oil, potash, and coconut oil.
Size
Depends on your travel plan and whom you’re traveling with, you might need soap in different sizes. If you’re traveling light or solo, pocket size soap will do. If you’re traveling with your family, you might need to bring the family pack.
Scent
Some people love fresh citrus, some love the flowery smell while others prefer unscented. Choose the scent that works best with your preferences. There are tons of options to choose from. Lavender is great for relaxing, while citrus and mint are great for a fresh kick. On the other hand, unscented ones are recommended for sensitive skin. If you’re still unsure about which scent to choose, take a look at our guides on the best essential oils for travel.
Juniper Ridge Cascade Forest
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Juniper Ridge Cascade Forest is small and simple multipurpose biodegradable soap for camping. You’ll feel like walking in the middle of the Cascade Mountains, so natural and refreshing. The woodsy scent of pine and cool breeze aroma will make you feel refreshed all day. Infused with the aroma of Pacific Northwest forests, it creates a unique and unforgettable scent. This soap is made of sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, rosemary flower extract, and other essential oils to keep your skin smooth and moist.
What We Love
Small, simple, and multi-purpose.
Pros:
- Also works as shampoo and face wash
- 10% contribution to the Western Wilderness Defense organization
- No synthetic fragrance
Cons:
- Packaged in a thin plastic bottle.
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Joshua Tree Citrus
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Joshua Tree is one of the best brands that produce biodegradable soap for camping. Not only it’s biodegradable but all the ingredients are 100% plant-based. This product is hand-crafted in Michigan and originally made in the USA with the finest and high-quality organic materials. Joshua Tree Citrus is safe to use as body wash, shampoo, or even to wash your dog. Something useful to pack in your dog’s hiking backpack!
With jojoba oil extract, this is perfect to keep both your skin and your hair healthy. On top of that, the citrus scent will keep you fresh all day!
What We Love
The amazing citrus scent lasts all day long.
Pros:
- Portable size
- Can be used for dishwashing
- Infused with Vitamin E
Cons:
- The texture is quite thick.
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Sea to Summit Body Wash
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This product is perfect to have during a camping trip in a group. No need to bring too many bottles of soap, this is enough for 3-5 people for a few days. Sea to Summit Body Wash consists of 89ml liquid soap, yet small enough to carry in a hiking backpack.
With the super-concentrated formula, it produces soapy and sudsy lather with just a little splash of water. This product is also TSA approved, and it’s phosphate and paraben-free. Not only safe for the environment but also safe on your skin. The light green tea fragrance is gentle yet also effective enough to clean yourself and leave you with a good smell.
What We Love
Big enough for many people yet small enough to be TSA carry-on compliant.
Pros:
- Leakproof bottle and cap
- Tough bottle with extra sealing
- Safe to be stored in the luggage
- Highly concentrated formula
Cons:
- The high concentrate formula may make your sensitive skin dry. But you can always counter that with our best moisturizer for travel.
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Dead Down Wind Rinse Free
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There aren’t many products as easy to use as Dead Down Rinse Free. This is the bio soap for camping you always need to carry if you’re kind of lazy. No shower needed! It’s perfect for outdoor activities where you don’t have access to water or a shower.
Dead Down Rinse Free helps to remove odors and make your body smell good again. It makes you feel refreshed after activities all day long. Not only great for camping, but it’s also great for hunting, hiking, and athletics. Helps you stay clean and fresh on the go!
What We Love
Very easy to use and no rinsing required!
Pros:
- Extra odor-fighting enzymes
- Gentle for sensitive skin
- Won’t discolor clothes
Cons:
- May cause heat rash and irritation to sensitive skin.
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Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Lavender
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Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Lavender is an all-in-one magic soap! Each is made of organic oils to make your skin healthy and your hair smooth and silky. This product uses certified fair trade ingredients, which guarantees fair price and ethical working conditions. This is probably the best vegan biodegradable soap for camping you can get. A perfect choice for vegan, vegetarian, and animal lovers in general. The lavender scent will leave you feeling calm and relaxed.
What We Love
18-in-1 uses including for your face, body, hair, laundry, pets, and dishes.
Pros:
- No synthetic preservatives
- The bottle is made of 100% recycled plastic
- 3x more concentrated than other liquid soaps
Cons:
- May leave residue when used as a shampoo.
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Joshua Tree Lavender
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Joshua Tree Lavender is a plant-based eco soap made of olive oil. The making process uses the Castile style to create a soap that is similar to those in the middle age era. Castile soap has been around for more than 500 years and this product is the modern version of it.
Joshua Tree Lavender can be used as body wash or shampoo. This is a multi-purpose essential for those with an active lifestyle. The lavender scent creates a soft relaxing aroma.
What We Love
Has plenty of suds and smells wonderful.
Pros:
- Infused with jojoba oil for extra moisturizer
- Can be used to wash your dog
- Safe for kids
Cons:
- Too little, only lasts for one or two trips.
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Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash (404)
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Sea to Summit is one of the most well-established producers of biodegradable soap for camping you can trust. This brand has been around for years and quality is its number one priority.
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash offers a super thick concentrated formula and it creates plenty of lather. With the fresh scent of citronella, it can help you feel refreshed. Citronella can also repel mosquitos, which is a big bonus!
What We Love
Makes you smell amazing and deter mosquitos at the same time.
Pros:
- Tough bottle with a small nozzle
- Leak-proof lid
- Can be used to wash fabrics
Cons:
- The high concentrated formula tends to dry out easily.
Dead Down Wind Soap Bar
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Dead Down Wind Soap Bar will remove your body odor quickly after a long day of outdoor activities. This product is designed to remove a broad spectrum of odors with its natural enzymes. And it’s also great to moisturize your body. Soap bar could be a better choice as it’s less messy than liquid soap. The soap life is also long enough for you to carry on multiple trips.
What We Love
Simple and travel-friendly with a long life span.
Pros:
- Travel case included
- Weighing only 4.5-ounce
- Tallow-free formula
Cons:
- May leave waxy feeling if you don’t rinse thoroughly.
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Puracy Coconut & Vanilla (404)
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Puracy is an award-winning plant-based personal care brand. Puracy Coconut & Vanilla is one of the best-selling items. Overall, it’s a good biodegradable soap for camping that’s also great for daily use at home.
This soap is 100% vegan and plant-based. The coconut-based ingredient is clinical-grade with balanced pH. It will cleanse, hydrate, and purify at the same time. Puracy Coconut & Vanilla is formulated for all skin types and also suitable for men and women. Washes away all the dirt and bacteria, leaving your skin soft and clean!
What We Love
Great for both daily use or outdoor activities.
Pros:
- Certified cruelty-free
- No harsh chemicals
- Rich foam
Cons:
- Coconut-based body care may cause allergies for some people.
Joshua Tree Tea Tree + Mint
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Looking for a bio soap for camping that can also treat skin problems? Joshua Tree Tea Tree + Mint is the answer! Not only it can wash away all the dirt, but it also cures skin problems.
Tea Tree has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. It’s good for treating acne and calming redness. Tea Tree extract is also useful to reduce the visibility of scars and make your skin smoother. On top of that, the mint extract contains lots of vitamin A. This will help reduce excess oil. This product is great for active people with acne-prone skin.
What We Love
Great smell and also able to cure skin problems.
Pros:
- Plenty of studs with minimal water
- Can also be used to wash dishes
- Infused with jojoba oil extracts for extra moisturizing
Cons:
- May cause dryness in hair when used as a shampoo.
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Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Peppermint
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Dr. Bronner’s has been in the market since 1984. Its vision is to create products that are socially and environmentally responsible. Not only it’s environmentally friendly, but Dr. Bronner’s brand also shares some of its profits to help make a better world. The mission is to enrich the soil, increase biodiversity, and combat climate change.
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Peppermint is unlike any other biodegradable soap for camping. It’s made of purest organic ingredients. There’s no synthetic, foaming agent, or detergents added. The ingredients are 100% vegan and pose no threat to the environment. On top of that, the peppermint scent will leave your body feeling fresh and cool all day!
What We Love
High-quality all-in-one soap at a reasonable price.
Pros:
- No preservatives
- Highly concentrated
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons:
- The lid is easy to leak by accident.
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Sea to Summit Trek & Travel
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Next up is the only pocketable bio soap for camping that you need. Carry the Sea to Summit Trek & Travel in your pocket and you’re good to go! You can use it anywhere and anytime. Each pack contains 50 leaves of pure dry soap, there’s no risk of leakage. Just add a little water and it will produce sudsy lather instantly. With light green tea fragrance, it’s both refreshing and relaxing at the same time. This is a must-have for any adventure!
What We Love
Small, pocketable, dissolve easily and leave no trace.
Pros:
- Paraben-free
- No phosphate
- TSA-carry compliant
- Compact carrying case included
Cons:
- The leaves tend to glob together in a humid environment.
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Puracy Citrus & Sea Salt (CU)
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Puracy Citrus & Sea Salt is the best-selling bio soap for camping in many years. This product is the all-time camper’s favorite for many reasons! First of all, it’s made of 100% plant-based and vegan ingredients. The fruit and vegetable extracts leave your skin smooth, soft, and silky. The citrus helps rinse and clean all the dirt. While sea salt helps to balance the pH level and moisturize.
Puracy Citrus & Sea Salt is perfect for all skin types because it contains no harsh chemicals. Citrus and sea salt is a perfect combination to make your skin feeling super fresh and clean.
What We Love
100% natural with food-grade ingredients.
Pros:
- Infused with organic vegetable glycerin
- No sulfates
- Soothing for skin
- Safe for children
Cons:
- Citrus fragrance could be an allergen to sensitive skin.
