Changing your beauty routine to low-tox products can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What is most important? This article will help you prioritize your swaps and teach you what to look for when buying replacements. I hope it gives you a few short cuts and reduces the stress of researching brands. One way to save time and money, is to simply replace individual items as you run out. Over time, your beauty drawer will be filled with clean and low-tox products. It might not be organized, but it will be clean!
1. BODY LOTIONS AND CREAMS
One universal truth that will apply to almost all seven items on this list is that; anything that is applied to the skin is absorbed into our blood stream and impacts the whole body. With that in mind, body lotion is one of the first things we should tackle. Most of us (especially those of us living in the cold dry north) slather ourselves with some form of lotion when we get out of the shower. Conventional lotions often contain harmful chemicals like fragrance and dyes, which have been linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, allergies and even long-term health issues. Choosing a low-tox alternative reduces your exposure to these ingredients and supports healthier skin and a more sustainable environment.
TRUSTED BRANDS:
OSEA, Cocoland, Vitasana, Acure, Nécessaire, Attitude, Agent, Nateur, Amallow, Primally Pure
2. FOUNDATION AND CONCEALORS
Foundation and concealers are the base of most of our makeup routines. Standard liquid or cream makeup contain chemicals that irritate the skin, disrupt hormones, and may even increase the risk of serious health issues over time. To pick a safer option, start by choosing foundations with short ingredient lists filled with recognizable, plant-based components like aloe vera, jojoba oil, and mineral pigments. Brands that are transparent about their sourcing and manufacturing processes are generally more trustworthy. *Important note when sourcing beauty products – check each individual product or item. Brands will sometimes have a great clean option for one product and not necessarily keep the same standard across the whole line. I like to verify each item. Check out my best apps at the bottom of this article.
TRUSTED BRANDS:
ILIA, Ogee, Kosas, Merit, Well People, Saie, Fitglow Beauty
3. PERFUME
Non-toxic and natural perfumes are becoming increasingly important as consumers grow more aware of how ingredients affect both their personal health and the environment. Traditional fragrances often contain a mix of synthetic chemicals and synthetic musks. These ingredients have been linked to hormone disruption. This has been critical for those dealing PCOS and other reproduction related health challenges. Instead, choose non-toxic
perfumes that are formulated with essential oils, natural isolates, and organic alcohols, offering a safer experience for both wearers and those around them. Start with brands that emphasize transparency and list every ingredient. Try opting for solid perfumes or roll-ons, which often contain fewer additives.
TRUSTED BRANDS:
DIME, Rosie Jane, Henry Rose, Esas, Maison Louis Marie, The 7 Virtures, Generic, Esas Beauty
4. LIPSTICKS AND LIP PRODUCTS
Lipsticks and lip beauty products are unique because they are the only makeup that we regularly ingest. In addition to the regular absorption issues we have with other makeup products, we also lick our lips and swallow these products. Lipstick is also unique in that many standard brands use heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and aluminum, which can be absorbed through the skin and into our digestive system. Lead is a neurotoxin, and its presence in lipstick is a concern, especially for pregnant women and children and can lead to reproduction problems. Instead opt for products that use natural colorants and plant-based pigments and oils, like coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil.
TRUSTED BRANDS
RMS Beauty, HennA Organics, Kosas, ILIA, Ogee, Juice Beauty, Well People, Merit, Nécessaire, Attitude
5. NAIL POLISH
Nails! I have been on my own journey concerning a low-tox option and even stopped maintaining my salon gel nails last year. Nail polishes are some of the most toxic offenders in the beauty space. Most nail polishes contain ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which can be harmful when absorbed through the skin or inhaled. These chemicals are associated with respiratory issues, long-term health concerns, including hormonal disruptions and even cancer. Look for a brand that is free from the “Big 5” harmful chemicals: formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, and formaldehyde resin. Many brands now label their products as “5-free” or “7-free,” meaning they exclude these harmful ingredients and often go even further, avoiding other potentially toxic substances like synthetic fragrances or parabens. Finally, opt for nail polishes that use plant-based or non-toxic solvents, which can offer a safer application without compromising on performance or color vibrancy.
TRUSTED BRANDS
Dazzle Dry, June & Olive, Manurcurist, 100% Pure Zer0, LONDONTOWN, ella + milla, Karma Organic
6. DEODORANT
Swapping to non-toxic deodorants is important because many conventional options contain ingredients like aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances that can negatively affect your health. Your underarm contains at least 20 lymph nodes. Applying toxic deodorant chemicals in this area allows these ingredients to directly enter the lymphatic system and can negatively affect the health of your breast tissue. Aluminum has been associated with concerns about breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Focus on products that use natural, recognizable ingredients such as baking soda, arrowroot powder, shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils.
TRUSTED BRANDS:
HiBar, Nécessaire, ATTITUDE, Humble, Kosas, Ursa Major, Cleo & Coco, Kinfield, Primally Pure
7. FACE CARE PRODUCTS
This category is complicated because there are so many products we use for our face: cleansers, moisturizers, toners, masks, serums, and exfoliants. We all have varying levels of product complexity and budgets for our face routines, but embracing a low-tox facial skincare routine is crucial. As moms, we need to also educate our daughters on the hidden dangers of cheap overly fragranced products. These are major hormone disruptors and can have a big impact on their health, even at a young age. Teach them how to avoid products with long, unpronounceable ingredient lists, and opt for brands that emphasize plant-based oils or extracts. Beware of gimmicks and phrases like “pharmaceutical grade” or “medical grade”. Some of these product brands are the most toxic. Just because you can buy these brands at your dermatology office or local med-spa, doesn’t mean that they are non-toxic or healthy. Do your own due diligence and know that you do not have to pay a fortune for good quality and effective face care.
TRUSTED BRANDS:
DIME, OSEA, Indie Lee, Ogee, Acrue, Ogee, CLEARSTEM, Primally Pure
LABEL READING 101
Here are some cheat checklists for reference when you are reading beauty product labels. These are some basic things to look out for when making educated swaps.
DO NOT BUY CHECKLIST:
- Synthetic Fragrances (listed as “fragrance” or “parfum”) This can be a catch-all for dozens or even hundreds of undisclosed chemicals.
- Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben)
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes – used for color and derived from petroleum or coal tar and can be carcinogenic.
- Phthalates (diethyl phthalate – DEP)
- PEG Compounds (polyethylene glycol)
- Phenoxyethanol and Formaldehyde-releasers (DMDM hydantoin)
- Ingredients ending in “-eth,” as they may be linked to contamination with carcinogenic byproducts.
- Lead – often found in lipstick
- Cadmium – a main metal found in many lipsticks. Cadmium is linked to cancer.
- Chromium and Manganese – these metals have also been detected in lipsticks and lip glosses, posing potential health risks
- Aluminum compounds: These are often found in antiperspirants and can block sweat glands, potentially leading to toxin build-up.
DO BUY CHECKLIST:
- Look for clear, easy to read, transparent ingredient lists.
- Choose products made with natural essential oils, plant extracts, and grain alcohol instead of synthetic carriers.
- Plant-based oils (like coconut, jojoba, or shea butter)
- Natural preservatives (such as tocopherol or rosemary extract)
- Products labeled “fragrance-free” or “naturally scented with essential oils.”
- Products certified by reputable third parties like EWG Verified, USDA Organic, or NSF/ANSI 305 or COSMOS Organic can also indicate cleaner formulations.
HELPFUL APPS:
The three apps that I rely on most are EWG, Yuka, and Think Dirty
