Why I Won’t Use Bath & Body Works Lotion Anymore – A Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion Review

I was a regular Bath & Body Works lotion user for nearly 15 years, but after learning about the ingredients in their lotions, I have since changed over to a much safer option: Beautycounter’s Hydrating Body Lotion.

After my showers, I like to put lotion on my legs (I am kind of obsessed with smooth legs.), but I never considered how many chemicals and potentially-toxic ingredients I was putting on my skin every single day! This lotion was being absorbed by my pores and into my skin this entire time and these potentially harmful chemicals may have wrecked havoc on my body.

Here is a bottle of Bath & Body Works lotion I purchased a couple years ago. Take a look at those ingredients:

Some of those ingredients are possible carcinogens and toxic to organs. Here are 3 ingredients that this bottle of Bath & Body Works lotion contains, why they are used, and the possible consequences of using them.

BHA and BHT: synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage. Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA): a chelating (binding) agent added to cosmetics to improve stability. May be toxic to organs. Found in: hair color, moisturizers.

Parabens  (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others): a class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.

Plus fragrances and artificial coloring

I obtained this information from Beautycounter’s website, and they are so passionate about making sure these potentially harmful ingredients aren’t in their products along with a total of 1500 toxic ingredients. There is not a lot of regulation on cosmetics and beauty products in our country, but Beautycounter is trying to change that!

After discovering Beautycounter, I have started to reevaluate the products I use on my skin every–such as body lotion. I have now switched over to the Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion instead, and I love how easily it is absorbed into my skin. It hydrates my body just as well as the Bath & Body Works lotion, plus it has a very pleasant scent.

Nourish thirsty skin with our lightweight, fast-absorbing body lotion, with a moisturizing blend of safflower seed oil and jojoba butter. Revitalize with our energizing citrus mimosa scent while your skin stays feeling smooth and supple.

My transition to these safer products has been a slow progression–not a throw-everything-out approach. I haven’t gotten rid of every beauty product I own but instead have been replacing my beauty products with safer products as I run out of them.

Now four years later after being introduced to the line, nearly all of my makeup products and all of my skin care items are from Beautycounter, and I could not be happier about my skin. Plus, I can rest assured that I am also taking care of my largest organ–my skin.

Hi, I'm Michelle

I love running around the lakes of Minnesota, running after my two boys, and racing anything from the 5K to the marathon. I have been blogging here since 2010 when I ran my first marathon. I finally secured my sub-3 hour marathon after trying for 8 years.

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35 Comments

  1. 8.3.17
    Rebeca said:

    Thanks for all this! I never get Bath and Body works and this time I got soap and I can’t believe how strong they are! I’m gonna take them back. Such and impulsive purchase…

    • 8.4.17
      Michelle said:

      Yes, their scents are very strong!

      • 3.7.19
        Emily Watson said:

        Its important as consumers that we look at what’s going on our skin. it’s just as important as the food you put in your body. This is why I sell posh, all natural and vegan products ! If anyone wants to make the switch like I did years ago, we have soaps, lotions, hair products, and many more delicious products. Feel free to email me with questions as well!
        emmie.po.sh
        Emily, monkeybites2000@gmail.com

        • 9.22.20
          Anonymous Practitioner said:

          Posh is not “all natural”. They are actually an example of green washing, which has become a ridiculous trend and practice in the “green beauty industry”. If they would remove the synthetic fragrances and artificial FD&C dyes from their products, they would be more honest about their marketing.

        • 10.12.20
          Krystal Anderson said:

          How can I contract you for body spray

          • 10.12.20
            Michelle said:

            What type of body spray?

      • 12.9.23
        Meihui said:

        This isn’t for all lotions cause I checked and my mini jappense cherry blossom lotion didn’t contain any of these ingredients and that brand you recommend has a lot of backlash and is overpriced and not worth it.

        • 12.26.23
          Michelle said:

          I am sure each of the different scents have slightly different ingredients, and the company could have changed their ingredients as this post was written a few years ago. What backlash have you heard? I will agree that some of the products are overpriced, but I also think some are worth the price.

  2. 8.1.18
    Rachel said:

    do the body sprays have any bad chemicals in them?

    • 8.9.18
      Michelle said:

      I would guess so–although I’ve never looked into it.

    • 9.8.20
      Z28mom said:

      Anything with fragrance is bad

      • 9.9.20
        Michelle said:

        Yes, when the ingredients list ‘fragrance’ it could be a variety of different things.

    • 3.27.21
      Diamond Del’Villar said:

      Ok, so since she was in high school she has been using bath & bodywork. But just found out about all the chemicals used in them🤔 now that she is a consultant and is promoting a different product lol. That’s what I call a hater😏

      • 3.27.21
        Michelle said:

        Yeah, I do hate the ingredients Bath and Body Works uses in their products.

  3. 7.21.19
    Sonara said:

    bath and body works lotion is just plain out trash. i literally put some on, and 3 minutes later, i was gone. dried up. just use aveeno, jergens, eucerin or gold bond, lotions that actually moisturize.

    • 10.2.20
      Rosemary Ledesma said:

      Thank you sonara I was thinking about buying the BALANCE lotion but after reading your comment ugh im not

  4. 8.20.19
    susie said:

    Your information is sadly inaccurate. For instance, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a chemical that binds and holds on to (chelates) minerals and metals such as chromium, iron, lead, mercury, copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, calcium, cobalt, manganese, and magnesium. When they are bound, they can’t have any effects on the body and they are removed from the body. It’s actually even used to HELP with lead poisoning. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1032/edta

    Get your facts straight…

    • 8.29.19
      Michelle said:

      Truthfully, I don’t know what every ingredient on the label does, and while that one may not be that unsafe, I can’t imagine everything else on the label is okay/the safest things to be applying to your skin every single day.

  5. 9.1.19
    Rosa Banks said:

    Hello, I do not use Bath & Body products. Just logged on and I do not see…cannot find their list of ingredients. Anyway, I check ingredients at the EWG website. Have you used it? It rates EDTA at a 2 – low level concern. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702229/EDTA/

  6. 9.5.19
    Xricka organic said:

    Bath and body works & Victoria secret . Have some very toxic ingredients they should feel ashamed of there selfs !! people depend on there body cream to keep them smelling good and to keep there skin soft.! if everyone knew what kind of toxic chemicals there puting in there body for years!! They will stop using theses products thats for sure !!!!! Goo organic !!!!!!

    • 8.26.21
      Melissa said:

      The best thing to use on your skin and face is organic coconut oil! I only use pure organic plant based castile soap on my body (also use it for cleaning, dishes, and laundry) and organic coconut oil to moisturize. I use some organic shay butter on my feet if needed. I also make my own deodorant (coconut oil and organic baking soda) and my own toothpaste (hydrogen peroxide and organic baking soda. Go natural!!!

      • 8.27.21
        Michelle said:

        I am definitely for all-natural, but I think my skin would break out if I used coconut oil. Good to know there are other options out there!

  7. 4.20.20
    Sara said:

    So you’re looking for clicks to shill your pyramid scheme crap. Got it.

    • 4.21.20
      Michelle said:

      Nope, this is an honest post about how I feel about the safety of Beautycounter products versus the ingredients in Bath & Body Works products. When I wrote this post, I had no idea it would gain as much traffic as it did. I wrote it because I care about what I put on my skin. Plus, pyramid schemes are illegal.

  8. 6.30.20
    Nona said:

    I used the Aromatherapy and broke out in a itchy rash. It kept getting bigger and darker. I had to use cortisone.

  9. 8.6.20
    Heather said:

    To be completely honest, I do what I can to be 100% organic, even though sadly I am not 100% organic and home made on everything. However I understand people feeling the way they do but I would like to point out that this company in particular is not the only company that has these chemicals and ingredients in their products. I am making no excuse for any company but I would like to remind everyone that just about any lotion company especially ones with the “smelly goods” and the big brand names even some as mentioned above are all terrible for your skin, whether they leave you soft or not. So is shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash and just about any thing you use,eat or put on your body now days. If you want something healthy to use I suggest learning how to grow and make your own products because that is about the only way you are going to truly know what you are then eating,using and taking in.

  10. 12.5.21
    Kari said:

    Is it cruelty free?? Cause bath and body works and thats a big factor on where i get my lotion and perfumes.

    • 12.6.21
      Michelle said:

      Yes, they are. Beautycounter does not test their products on animals, nor any of the contract manufacturers they source from.

  11. 12.7.21
    Riley said:

    Hey, can you provide sources for the information you used? I’d love to see the articles and/or studies you got it from and verify for myself, product websites aren’t usually reliable due to bias since they’re trying to sell something.

    • 12.9.21
      Michelle said:

      I used information from Beautycounter’s website.

  12. 11.19.22
    connie clay said:

    bull i have used bath and body works lotions, body washes for years.. enough with your fake post .. only thing i dont like is there prices are high or eles i be totally stocked up..do you really think all the others lotions doesnt have so called chemicals in them as well ? sure they do … stop leave bath and body along. its the best seller ,,always will be

    • 11.21.22
      Michelle said:

      Oh yes, every ingredient is a ‘chemical,’ but the ingredients in Beauytcounter products are a lot safer than the ones in Bath and Body Works lotions and products. And I’m not sure how this is a ‘fake post?!’

  13. 1.11.23
    Bella said:

    Um if it’s alright can i ask if you have kids?

  14. 11.4.23

    I completely get your concerns about the chemicals in Bath & Body Works lotions. 🙅‍♀️ Beautycounter sounds like a safer option.