Coconut & Vanilla Body Wash
Clean Beauty Crowd-Pleaser
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Radically minimalist nine-ingredient formula with no unnecessary fillers or additives
- +Produces surprisingly generous, rich lather despite being completely sulfate-free
- +Warm coconut-vanilla scent that's indulgent without being overpowering
- +Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free and vegan with no animal-derived ingredients
- +Accessible price point at $10.99 for 18 oz with strong per-use value
- +Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes
- +Available in multiple sizes including a 36 oz pump bottle for better value
- −No moisturizing ingredients — can leave dry skin feeling tight after use
- −Thinner consistency than traditional shower gels may feel watered-down to some
- −Contains fragrance, which isn't suitable for very sensitive or reactive skin
- −Scent doesn't linger as long as some users expect after showering
- −Not formulated to address any specific skin concerns beyond basic cleansing
The full review.
Moiz Ali launched Native in 2015, selling natural deodorant from a San Francisco apartment. Two years later, Procter & Gamble bought the company for roughly $100 million—one of the giant’s first acquisitions in nearly a decade. The body wash line followed, and the Coconut & Vanilla scent became the brand’s defining fragrance. You will see that white-and-teal bottle in almost any Target personal care aisle.
This body wash is notable for what it lacks. It has nine ingredients. Most body washes, even ‘natural’ or ‘clean’ ones, use 20 to 30 ingredients. Native uses only three gentle surfactants, a preservative system, salt for viscosity, citric acid for pH adjustment, and fragrance. It has no conditioning agents, no moisturizers, no botanical extracts, and no vitamins. The formula performs one essential function: it cleans skin, smells nice, and rinses away.
The three surfactants—cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, and sodium cocoyl isethionate—provide sulfate-free cleansing. Each is gentle by cosmetic chemistry standards, and together they produce a surprising lather. The product foams generously. Users praise the lather quality, noting a small amount cleans the entire body. Native provides a convincing counterargument to sulfate-free body washes that produce limp, watery suds.
Scent
The scent is the standout feature. The coconut-vanilla blend is between tropical and cozy—warm without being cloying. It fills the shower without overwhelming the senses and leaves a subtle scent on skin for one to two hours. It is the body wash equivalent of a ‘beach vacation’ candle. The fragrance uses a blend of safe synthetic and natural components, free of phthalates, matching the brand’s clean positioning.
Texture
Opinions on texture vary. Native’s body wash is fluid—thinner than traditional shower gel and closer to water. Some users prefer this because it distributes easily and feels light. Others call it ‘watered down’ or want more substance. This results from the minimalist formula; without thickeners, emollients, or oils, the product has less body. This is a design choice rather than a flaw, though it feels different from thick, syrupy body washes.
Best for
The minimalist formula lacks moisturizing ingredients. There is no glycerin, no oils, and no humectants. For a rinse-off product, this matters less than for a leave-on moisturizer, as most ingredients rinse away. However, some users with dry or dehydrated skin report tightness or dryness after use, especially in winter. If you have dry skin, you must pair this with a body lotion after showering.
Works for
The clean-beauty credentials are clear. It contains no sulfates, no parabens, no phthalates, and no dyes. The brand is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free and vegan. The short ingredient list reduces potential sensitizers, though fragrance and cocamidopropyl betaine can still trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.
Packaging
At $10.99 for 18 fl oz, Native is in the accessible premium tier—more expensive than drugstore body wash but cheaper than most boutique clean-beauty brands. The 36 oz pump bottle offers better value. Because the lather is generous, most users report one bottle lasts six to eight weeks of daily use. This is a reasonable cost per shower for a product that meets your skin care standards.
Common Complaints
Procter & Gamble is the main point of contention. Some clean-beauty purists dislike a ‘natural’ brand owned by a massive consumer goods conglomerate. While a valid philosophical point, it does not change the formula—the nine ingredients on the label remain the same after the acquisition. P&G did increase distribution; this body wash is now at virtually every major retailer, which increases accessibility but may reduce indie credibility.
Native Coconut & Vanilla Body Wash does not transform skin. It does not fix dryness, treat body acne, or provide miracle ingredients. It cleans gently, smells fantastic, and uses a formula you can read in under ten seconds. For most people with normal to oily skin seeking a daily body wash without ingredient anxiety, it works well.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Fragrance, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Native's formula uses a triple-surfactant system that follows current best practices for gentle cleansing chemistry. Cocamidopropyl betaine, the primary surfactant, is an amphoteric (dual-charge) surfactant from coconut oil. Research in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows that amphoteric surfactants cause less skin barrier disruption than anionic sulfate surfactants, making them better for sensitive or frequently washed skin.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate, the second surfactant, is the 'baby surfactant' in cosmetic chemistry because it is exceptionally mild. A study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science showed that sodium cocoyl isethionate produced less transepidermal water loss and less irritation than sodium lauryl sulfate at equivalent cleansing concentrations. This ingredient ensures effective cleansing without the harsh stripping found in traditional body washes.
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, the third surfactant, is an amino acid-derived cleanser. Its molecular structure foams well and cleanses effectively while remaining mild. The three surfactants work together in a synergistic system where each provides cleansing power at lower individual concentrations than needed alone — a strategy that reduces overall irritation potential.
The lack of moisturizing ingredients is the main formulation trade-off. Because body wash is a rinse-off product, moisturizing agents have limited contact time, but research shows that including humectants like glycerin in cleansers can partially mitigate surfactant-driven dehydration during washing.
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists generally support avoiding sulfate-based cleansers, especially for patients with sensitive skin, eczema, or contact dermatitis. The surfactant system in Native's formula — cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl isethionate, and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate — meets dermatological standards for mildness. However, dermatologists often note that most skin types need a humectant like glycerin to offset surfactant-related moisture loss. This body wash is well-tolerated for patients with normal, non-reactive skin, but those with atopic dermatitis or xerosis typically use soap-free or lipid-enriched cleansers instead.
Where it fits in your routine.
Apply a small amount to a loofah, washcloth, or hands and lather. A quarter-sized amount is enough; add more if needed. Massage onto wet skin and rinse thoroughly. For best results, apply a body moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp, especially for dry or combination skin. Use daily during morning and evening showers.
At $10.99 for 18 fl oz, Native sits between budget drugstore body washes and premium clean-beauty brands. The price is roughly double a conventional body wash, but the short ingredient list fulfills its clean-beauty promise. The lather is generous, so each bottle lasts longer than expected. The 36 oz pump bottle improves per-ounce economics. For a P&G-backed brand with major retail distribution and Leaping Bunny certification, the value is fair, especially against indie clean-beauty body washes that cost $15-20 for similar or smaller sizes.
This is a straightforward, clean-ingredient daily body wash with a good scent and excellent lather. It works for normal to oily skin types that want simple formulas without extra moisturizing benefits.
Use this for very dry, eczema-prone, or sensitive skin that needs moisturizing ingredients in a body wash. It is not the best choice for people sensitive to fragrance or those wanting a body wash that treats specific skin concerns beyond cleansing.
Product details.
Lightweight, fluid liquid with a slight gel-like consistency. It lathers well with a loofah or washcloth. The viscosity is closer to water than a traditional shower gel, not thick or creamy.
Sweet, warm coconut-vanilla scent smells like a tropical vacation. The scent is noticeable in the shower and stays on skin for one to two hours after showering. It is distinct but not overwhelming.
White and teal squeeze bottle with Native's clean branding. It comes in 18 oz standard and 36 oz pump bottles. The squeeze bottle works well in the shower. A 3 oz travel size is also available.
Lathers fast and feels clean without the tight, stripped sensation typical of sulfate body washes. The coconut-vanilla scent fills the shower. Skin feels clean and smooth after rinsing, but dry skin may feel slight tightness without follow-up moisturizer.
6-8 weeks with daily use
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Native started as a direct-to-consumer natural deodorant brand in 2015 and was snapped up by Procter & Gamble just two years later for a reported $100 million — one of P&G's first acquisitions in nearly a decade. The body wash launched as part of Native's expansion beyond deodorant, and the Coconut & Vanilla scent quickly became the brand's signature fragrance across its entire product line.
About Native
Established Brand (5–20 years)Native launched in 2015 as a direct-to-consumer natural deodorant brand. Procter & Gamble acquired Native in 2017 for approximately $100 million. The brand now sells body wash, shampoo, and sunscreen, using P&G's resources while keeping its clean-beauty positioning. Native is one of the best-selling natural personal care brands in US retail.
Common myths.
Sulfate-free body washes lack effective cleaning power and produce poor lather.
This formula uses a triple-surfactant system (cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl isethionate, and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate) to create abundant foam and cleanse effectively without sulfates. Users frequently praise the lather of this product.
A product with 9 ingredients lacks the efficacy of one with 30.
Rinse-off body washes with fewer ingredients often have fewer potential irritants and allergens. Cleansing, foaming, and rinsing clean doesn't require 30 ingredients. Native's minimalism is a feature, not a limitation.
FAQ.
Does Native Coconut & Vanilla Body Wash dry out skin?
Some users with dry or sensitive skin report a slight drying effect because the formula lacks moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or oils. Dry skin types should apply a body moisturizer immediately after showering. Most normal to oily skin types tolerate the formula without added moisturizers.
Is Native body wash safe for sensitive skin?
The nine-ingredient formula is minimalist and reduces potential irritants, but it contains fragrance. People with very sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities can use Native's Unscented Body Wash instead, which has no fragrance.
Why does Native body wash only have 9 ingredients?
Native uses a minimal formula: three gentle surfactants for cleansing and foam, a preservative system for shelf stability, sodium chloride for viscosity, and fragrance. This covers all essential functions for a rinse-off body wash without unnecessary fillers or additives.
Is Native owned by Procter & Gamble?
Yes, Procter & Gamble bought Native in 2017 for about $100 million. Native keeps its clean-beauty positioning and formulation philosophy, but uses the distribution power and resources of one of the world's largest consumer goods companies.
What the community says.
"Pleasant coconut-vanilla scent that lingers lightly after showering"
"Produces rich, luxurious lather even with a small amount of product"
"Clean, simple ingredient list that feels trustworthy"
"Doesn't leave a heavy or sticky coating on skin"
"Great value for a clean-beauty body wash"
"Can feel drying on skin, especially in winter months"
"Some users find the consistency too watery or thin"
"Scent doesn't last as long as some users expect"
"No moisturizing ingredients in the formula"
"Fragrance may irritate very sensitive skin"
