Did you know the average American woman uses 12 personal care products daily, exposing herself to 168 different chemicals? Men use fewer products but are still exposed to around 85 chemicals every day. If there’s one simple yet impactful change you can make this year, it’s eliminating toxins and synthetic ingredients from your skincare and daily routine.
This includes anything that touches your skin—lotions, deodorants, soaps, makeup, and more. Transitioning to clean, non-toxic alternatives is one of the easiest ways to reduce your chemical exposure and improve your overall well-being. Fortunately, many affordable and effective products on the market now prioritize clean ingredients.
Some people prefer to do a full overhaul and replace everything at once (that’s my style!), while others opt to replace items gradually as they run out. Both approaches work—choose what feels doable for you.
I’ve compiled a list of my favorite clean products for you to consider when making the switch. These are items I’ve personally vetted for quality, effectiveness, and ingredient safety. And just so you know, I don’t participate in affiliate marketing—these recommendations come purely from my own experience and are shared to help those seeking guidance. Save this post for when you’re ready to take that step!
Body Lotion
Many of you already know how much I love beef tallow for skincare—it’s truly a game-changer! My current favorite is GRYS, which I use as an all-over body “lotion.” It’s deeply nourishing and leaves my skin feeling incredible. However, there are now hundreds of beef tallow products available, so finding a high-quality option is easier than ever. Just make sure it’s made from grass-fed tallow and doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients. A few other favorites of mine include Pretty Farm Girl and Toups and Co Organics. If you haven’t tried tallow-based skincare yet, I highly recommend giving it a shot—you might be amazed at how your skin responds!
Deodorant
It’s time to ditch your aluminum-based antiperspirant for good! Metals have no place near such sensitive areas of our body—especially underarms, where shaving can create tiny nicks, providing a direct pathway to lymphatic and breast tissue. While mainstream sources might assure you it’s “perfectly safe,” sometimes common sense is the better guide.
Switching to an aluminum-free deodorant can feel like a challenge at first. Your body may take some time to adjust (which, let’s be honest, is a red flag about what antiperspirants might be doing to your system), but you can ease into the transition to minimize any detox-like symptoms.
Personally, I haven’t used antiperspirant in over 15 years, so I don’t recall any major hurdles during the switch, but it’s worth experimenting to find what works for you. My favorite non-toxic deodorants are Primally Pure, Stone and Spear, and Milk and Honey. This market has grown so much, and there’s a wide variety to choose from. If you’re trying to avoid skin irritation, start with options free from synthetic fragrances and baking soda. (*Primally Pure uses a finer-grain baking soda that doesn’t irritate my skin, unlike some others I’ve tried.) Everyone’s body is different, so finding your perfect match might take a little trial and error, but it’s so worth it!
Lip Balm
Over a year and a half ago, I gave up eating seed oils (vegetable oils), and my household fully committed by getting rid of anything containing the “hateful 8” (soybean, sunflower, safflower, canola, grapeseed, corn, cottonseed, and rice bran oils). A few weeks into the process, it dawned on me that I hadn’t checked the ingredients in my lip balms—probably because most of them didn’t even have labels. A quick online search of the brands I was using confirmed my suspicion: seed oils were the main ingredients. I ended up tossing about a dozen lip balms I had scattered everywhere—around the house, in my car, and in my bag. Personally, I use lip balms from Stone and Spear and Primally Pure. Both brands have exceptionally clean ingredient lists and are completely free of seed oils.
Body Wash
This is one of the easiest swaps you can make! If your body wash comes in a plastic container, toss it straight into the recycling bin and switch to bar soap instead. Bar soap has always been the simplest, most effective way to cleanse the body—and it leaves no trash behind.
Personally, I love the beef tallow soap from Stone and Spear for its deeply nourishing qualities, but goat milk soap is another fantastic option. If you’re looking for a non-animal based alternative, check out Apple Valley Natural Soaps (bonus: it’s local!). Cleansing shouldn’t strip your skin of its natural oils—it should nourish and enrich it. A high-quality bar soap will leave your skin feeling healthy and balanced, and with so many great options out there, you’re sure to find one you love!
Makeup
Switching to clean makeup products took me a bit longer than other areas of my routine. Once you find a foundation that works for you and matches your skin tone, it can feel daunting to start the search all over again. Thankfully, many clean beauty brands offer samples or have generous return policies, making the process much easier.
After some trial and error, I found my holy grail foundation: Araza Coconut Cream Foundation. It has a creamy, dewy texture that applies beautifully and stays put all day long. I’m obsessed and can’t imagine using anything else!
For a powder option, I really like Adele Natural Cosmetics. Their powder foundation offers great coverage and feels lightweight on the skin. However, I wasn’t a fan of their cream foundation—it felt a bit dry and cakey for my taste. That said, I absolutely love their cream blush stick and eyeshadow.. If you’re making the switch to clean beauty, these are definitely worth trying!
Face Serums/Creams:
The world of skincare can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to serums. There are so many high-quality, toxin-free options out there, and what works for one person may not suit another’s skin type or goals. Skincare is highly personal, and our needs can vary depending on our stage of life.
Personally, I focus on enhancing the quality of my skin rather than trying to reverse the natural signs of aging. Right now, I use Primally Pure’s Soothing Cream as my sole moisturizer, both day and night, and I love it. They also have serums tailored to address specific skin concerns if you’re looking for something more targeted.
For additional clean options, Toups and Co Organics offers an excellent line of serums, and for a more affordable choice, check out Pretty Farm Girl serums.
There you have it! I hope this gives you a solid starting point to begin exploring how to remove synthetic ingredients from your daily skincare routine. The goal isn’t perfection when it comes to ingredient lists, but rather finding a balance between products that truly work and those that don’t expose your body to harmful toxins. It’s all about making small, mindful changes that benefit both your skin and your overall health. Happy exploring!
