- This post may contain affiliate links which - at no cost to you - may generate a small fee for us. It helps us research and review products more effectively
There are two main types of mouthwash – cosmetic and therapeutic. And there are cruelty-free and vegan mouthwashes that both freshen your breath (cosmetic) and legitimately improve your oral health (therapeutic)
Therapeutic mouthwashes are available by prescription and over-the-counter in the UK and they have a variety of functions including helping or reducing:
- Plaque
- Gingivitis
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
Whereas cosmetic mouthwashes just freshen your breath. But really there’s still a place for that – particularly if you don’t have any pre-existing conditions.
What’s on this page?
We’ve kept this list to the best of the best, but within here, there is something to suit every mouth and every budget. And mint isn’t for everyone!
We have also reviewed the best cruelty-free, sustainable toothbrushes and the best cruelty-free, vegan toothpaste on the market too.
The Best Overall Vegan & Cruelty-Free Mouthwash
Waken Alcohol-free Spearmint Mouthwash
Waken’s alcohol-free Peppermint Mouthwash is a gentle, alcohol-free breath freshener that looks absolutely beautiful.
- £2.85
- 500ml
- Certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
It’s the best mouthwash we’ve used and we couldn’t recommend it highly enough. You can read the full review here.
The Best Vegan, Cruelty-Free & Fluoride-Free Mouthwash
Aesop Mouthwash
Aesop’s Clove, Anise and Spearmint Mouthwash is a vegan, cruelty-free mouthwash with really delicate flavours. Unusual for a mouthwash.
In typical Aesop style – caramel colour, white label, black font – it’s quite the centrepiece. Particularly for something focused on oral hygiene.
The flavours are well balanced. Minty. A hint of spice – but not the chilli kind. It tastes pleasant.
- £17
- 500ml
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- Alcohol-free
- Fluoride-free
- Gluten-free
- Doesn’t disturb saliva production process
If you’re a fan of botanical, soft-liquorice notes then this mouthwash will be right up your alley.
Jason’s Tartar Control Mouthwash
JĀSÖN® (rather aptly healer in Greek) create all-natural mouthwash that is designed to maintain tartar build-up and maintain healthy gums.
The Tartar Control Cinnamon Mouthwash is an unusual flavour (we prefer mint-based oral hygiene products) and, judging by the product reviews, isn’t for everyone. It does contains peppermint, sea salt and grapefruit so is quite complex.
And there is a Sea Fresh Spearmint Flavour available too.
But it’s a gentle, soothing mouthwash that doesn’t contain any: alcohol, parabens, sulfates, gluten, petrolatum, phthalates or GMO-based ingredients.
- £6.99
- PETA-certified Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Ships from the UK
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free and sulfate-free
- Made with recycled and recyclable packaging
- Fluoride-free
It does contain polysorbate 20 – which some people have concerns about, although it’s considered safe for use by EWG and classified as low human health priority
Eco-Dent Daily Rinse Mouthwash
Eco-Dent’s Daily Rinse Mouthwash may seem on the more expensive-side, but you only need a tiny amount and it lasts longer than your traditional mouthwash blend.
It’s a soothing, alcohol-free blend of 12 essential oils, sodium bicarbonate (which has wound cleansing properties) and tea-tree oil – a natural disinfectant.
A pleasant mint / citrus combo that is:
- £8.85
- PETA certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Ships from the USA
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free and sulfate-free
- Fluoride-free
Ideally suited for those with sensitive gums and minor oral health issues. Particularly if you have any oral wounds!
It also contains polysorbate-20 and glycerin from vegetable sources.
Georganics Oil-Pulling Mouthwash
Definitely the most unusual mouthwash on the list, Georganic’s Mouthwash organic, alcohol-free formula balances pH levels and, rather than just masking bad breath, actively attacks the bacteria that causes it.
Interestingly it’s an oil pulling mouthwash. A uniquely formulated blend of peppermint, coconut oil and activated charcoal that you actually swirl in your mouth for up to 20 minutes.
So you need to be a little more committed to see the results you want. But multiple dentists recommend pulling oil as a soothing alternative to traditional mouthwash.
- £8.90
- 100ml
- PETA certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Ships from the UK
- Alcohol-free
- Zero waste, fully recyclable, plastic-free compostable packaging
- Fluoride-free
They also probably have the best flavour options – spearmint, orange, peppermint and tea tree. It is unequivocally the best cruelty-free whitening mouthwash.
Georganics Mouthwash Tablets
I love a good mouthwash. But there are certain public appearances that make using the silly substance tricky. Parties. Pub trips. In office meetings – shudder.
But in steps Georganics Mouthwash Tablets. All-natural, mouth and breath freshening tablets designed for on-the-go mintiness. A much more subtle approach to fresh breath in public.
Made with natural, food grade and non-toxic ingredients, the spearmint flavour is zingy and, fortunately, not-at-all synthetic tasting.
- 180 tablets
- £8.90
- Certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Organic
- Fluoride-free
- Glycerine and SLS-free
- Paraben, palm-oil and synthetic fragrance-free
- Plastic-free and recycled / recyclable
- You can also purchase a refill pack here to save on additional waste.
You can find more eco-friendly cruelty-free products here.
Ecodenta’s Whitening Mouthwash
Certainly the most striking mouthwash on the list, Ecodenta’s Whitening Mouthwash contains charcoal, salts and mint oil and is designed to offer long-lasting freshness and plaque defence.
Absolutely jet black in colour when you shake it, this alcohol-free, fluoride-free mouthwash is a great option for those of us looking to freshen their breath and provide some protection from plaque.
- £6.99
- 500ml
- Certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Ships from the USA
- Fluoride-free
- Alcohol-free
- Recyclable packaging
It does contain glycerin (from vegetable sources) and polysorbate-20.
They do also have an Organic Minty Coconut Mouthwash that contains aloe vera and fights plaque and bacteria.
Best Cruelty-Free Mouthwash Containing Fluoride
Waken Alcohol-free Peppermint Mouthwash
Waken’s Alcohol-free Spearmint Mouthwash is a gentle, alcohol-free breath freshener that looks absolutely beautiful. Certainly the best alcohol-free, cruelty-free mouthwash we’ve ever used.
It is:
- £4.50
- 500ml
- Certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Ships from the UK
- Contains fluoride
- Alcohol-free
- Recyclable packaging
The minty flavour, blended with eucalyptus, is delightfully gentle and, as it contains fluoride, provides dentist-approved protection.
The fact the packaging is completely sustainable – it’s made from recycled materials and is completely recyclable – is just another feather in their cap.
Their Lemon and Mint flavour is another beautiful oral hygiene opportunity.
Marvis Concentrated Mouthwash
Marvis’ Concentrated Mouthwash is a tiny bottle packing a big punch.
Ideal if you have limited bathroom space or, like me, you store everything in your bathroom in a small washbag for some reason.
However, the bottle is so beautiful you’ll want it on show!
- 120ml
- £17.23
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben and phthalate-free
- Comes in spearmint, aniseed-mint or cinnamon-mint
- The vintage style bottle certainly makes this the most unique mouthwash we’ve ever seen
Coming in at just 120ml you’d be forgiven for thinking you were being ripped off. But it’s comfortably the most concentrated formula on this list, making it last far longer than normal.
Please don’t forget to dilute it. 1 part mouthwash to 4 parts of water. Otherwise you’ll get a punchy surprise.
How do we pick the best Cruelty-free, Vegan Mouthwash?
Of course we only pick mouthwashes that are cruelty-free and vegan. But we’re also looking for a mouthwash that, generally, improves your oral health and freshens your breath.
But typically we want a mouthwash top contain things like:
- Tea tree oil: disinfectant properties
- Aloe vera: soothes and calms irritations
- Sodium bicarbonate: wound-healing properties
- Fluoride: tooth and gum health and protection – although we understand a lot of people don’t want additional fluoride and there are alternatives
- Irritant-free: We like to avoid alcohol-based, irritant -rich mouthwashes
FAQs
Whilst mouthwash isn’t anywhere near as effective as brushing your teeth when it comes to oral hygiene, it definitely serves a purpose. It can reach places largely inaccessible by toothbrushes and can freshen breath and improve oral health without placing unnecessary stress on teeth enamel.
However if you use a fluoride-based toothpaste, using mouthwash directly afterwards isn’t recommended because mouthwash typically has around 30% of fluoride contained in toothpaste. And, unfortunately, it washes the stronger fluoride off your teeth and reduces the protection provided by fluoride containing toothpaste.
There are two types of mouthwash – cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwash may temporarily control bad breath and leave behind a pleasant taste, but have no chemical or biological application beyond their temporary benefit.
Therapeutic mouthwash, by contrast, has active ingredients intended to help control or reduce conditions like bad breath, gingivitis, plaque, and tooth decay.
There are two types of mouthwash – cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwash may temporarily control bad breath and leave behind a pleasant taste, but have no chemical or biological application beyond their temporary benefit.
Therapeutic mouthwash, by contrast, has active ingredients intended to help control or reduce conditions like bad breath, gingivitis, plaque, and tooth decay.
If you use a fluoride-based toothpaste, then you shouldn’t use mouthwash directly after brushing. It washes fluoride off your teeth and reduces the cavity and plaque protective properties provided by the toothpaste.
If you prefer all-natural, fluoride free toothpaste and mouthwash then it doesn’t matter as much. But really using mouthwash between brushes to eliminate odour-creating bacteria is optimal.
Ecodenta, Tom’s of Maine, Desert Essence, Jason, Waken, Georganics, Eco-Dent, Aesop, Marvis, Superdrug’s own brand, Coop’s own brand
Aquafresh, Listerine, Close-up, Pearl Drops, Mentadent, Sensodyne, Signal – anything owned by Procter & Gamble, Church & Dwight, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate Palmolive.
No Colgate is not cruelty-free as they sell their products in mainland China where animal testing can be required by law. And there’s no confirmation over whether Colgate works with suppliers who test on animals.
No Oral B is not cruelty-free. They’re owned by P&G who claim that they don’t test their products on animals UNLESS required to do so by law. So by selling in mainland China we know they play some part in animal testing.
Unfortunately Corsodyl isn’t cruelty-free as Corsodyl is owned by GSK who do test on animals. And it inherits this animal testing policy.
