The Body Shop
The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick in Brighton, England, as one of the world's first ethical beauty brands. Roddick pioneered practices that would later define the industry: against animal testing, community trade sourcing, minimal packaging, and social activism as brand identity. The Body Shop was among the first beauty companies to source ingredients directly from communities in developing countries through fair trade partnerships. L'Oreal acquired The Body Shop in 2006, later selling it to Natura & Co in 2017. The brand faced financial difficulties and entered administration in the UK in 2024 before being restructured. Despite its corporate challenges, The Body Shop's legacy of ethical beauty pioneering and its product lines -- particularly the Tea Tree range for acne-prone skin and Hemp range for dry skin -- remain widely recognized.
Brand Philosophy
The Body Shop was built on the radical premise that business could be a force for positive social and environmental change. The brand's founding principles -- against animal testing, community fair trade, defend human rights, activate self-esteem, and protect the planet -- predated the modern ESG movement by decades. Products are formulated with naturally-derived ingredients sourced through community trade partnerships, and the brand has consistently used its platform for social activism.
Consumers who prioritize ethical sourcing and social activism in their beauty purchases. Good for those seeking natural-ingredient-based skincare at mid-range pricing, particularly the Tea Tree and Hemp ranges for targeted concerns.
- Pioneered ethical and cruelty-free beauty in the 1970s
- Tea Tree range for acne-prone skin
- Community Trade fair sourcing program
- Founded the modern ethical beauty movement
- Hemp Hand Protector cult body care product
- Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Tea Tree Oil)
- Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil (Tamanu Oil)
- Leptospermum Petersonii Oil (Lemon Tea Tree)
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
The Body Shop at a Glance
Strongest Categories
The Body Shop performs best in: Moisturizer (1 product, avg 75/100); Acne Treatment (1 product, avg 64/100).
Best Conditions Served
Across all products, The Body Shop scores highest for: Acne-Prone Skin (avg 79/100); Oily Skin (avg 79/100); Combination Skin (avg 79/100). If your primary concern is one of these conditions, The Body Shop products are particularly worth considering.
Certifications
Common certifications include 100% Vegan, Paraben-Free, Community Fair Trade, Gluten-Free, Silicone-Free, Not Tested on Animals.
Best The Body Shop by Skin Condition
The highest-scoring The Body Shop product for each condition we evaluate.