Washing oneself with soap of any kind in a lake, pond, river, or ocean is terrible for the environment. Even if the bottle is labeled biodegradable, natural, or organic, it’s still bad. A so-called eco-friendly cleanser, while containing fewer noxious chemicals than a conventional brand, is still not meant to be poured directly into a waterway—even if it has a green reputation like Dr. Bronner’s or a name like Campsuds. Read more

Another useful reference: “12 Natural Shampoos That Are Actually Safe to Use Outdoors”