A trip to the store to find personal care and household products can be overwhelming these days. There are shelves of products to choose from, each one claiming to be the best choice for your specific needs. Unfortunately, many of these traditional products contain harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good in the long run.

Switching to more healthful and natural alternatives can be overwhelming, too. Because there are lots of options, you want to make sure you choose a clean brand and that the new products work as well as the conventional alternatives.

We know it can be tricky to switch everything at once, so we've compiled five easy and affordable changes that will have the biggest impact on your health and the environment.

Traditional beauty and cleaning products often contain chemicals that can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause irritation or even allergic reactions. Some can even disrupt our hormones and wreak havoc on our bodies’ natural biome. They can also contain synthetic fragrances that might irritate your lungs or eyes.

Natural alternatives are made from plant-based ingredients that nourish and hydrate without harmful side effects. When using natural products over conventional ones, you’ll see added benefits to your skin with the bonus of helping the environment.

Some of the primary benefits of using natural alternatives include:

• Lower risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions – Natural products are less likely to cause irritation since they don’t contain harsh chemicals.
• Increased nourishment and better results - Natural ingredients are often rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients can improve the overall health and appearance of your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. This may also provide better results for your skin in the long run and offer long-term benefits.
• Maintain your body’s natural biome - Our skin's natural microbiome plays a key role in our health. Natural products don’t contain harmful chemicals that can damage the balance of bacteria that protect us.
• Environmentally friendly - Many traditional products contain ingredients that can be harmful to the environment when washed down the drain. But brands like Wellnesse use compostable or recyclable packaging that also reduces waste and promotes sustainability.

You’ve probably heard of the gut microbiome, but did you know your skin also has its own microbiome? Our skin is home to millions of bacteria that protect us from harmful pathogens and play a vital role in maintaining the health of our skin.

Some tips for maintaining your skin’s natural biome include:

• Limit use of antibacterial and harsh soaps – While these products can be good for killing off bad bacteria, they also kill off any good bacteria we might have on our skin.
• Use natural oils and moisturizers - Essential oils, coconut oil, and shea butter are excellent options for hydrating your skin and don’t damage its natural biome.
• Choose gentle exfoliators - Exfoliation is an important step in any skincare routine. It's essential to choose gentle exfoliators that don't strip away the skin's natural oils. Ingredients like sugar or oatmeal can remove dead skin cells without damaging the skin's microbiome.

5 Easy Swaps for Your Bathroom

Here are five bathroom products that are easy swaps to more natural products.

Many traditional bar soaps contain harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Sulfates are known to be drying and can strip your skin of its protective barrier. Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption and potential cancer risks. Synthetic fragrances can be irritating to the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin.

In addition, did you know that soaps that advertise themselves as antibacterial often contain triclosan? A recent study found that triclosan has been linked to hormone disruption, antibiotic resistance, and environmental toxicity. Triclosan represents as much of a danger to environmental health as it does to human health.

Soaps with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils are a good swap for more conventional soaps. These ingredients not only cleanse your skin but also provide nourishment and hydration.

The Wellnesse body bar uses shea butter as its base, so it’s moisturizing and gentle for all skin types. It contains essential oils such as Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) peel oil, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, and Citrus reticulata (tangerine) peel oil for a natural scent without any synthetic fragrances.

Harsh bathroom cleaners often contain ingredients like ammonia, bleach, and triclosan. These chemicals can be harmful to your skin, your lungs, and the environment. Bleach is known to cause skin irritation and respiratory issues. Ammonia can also irritate the skin and potentially damage the lungs if inhaled. And as mentioned earlier, triclosan has been linked to hormone disruption and environmental toxicity.

Instead of using harsh cleaners, opt for natural alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar to create an effective all-purpose cleaner. Adding a few drops of essential oils like tea tree or lemon offer a gentle scent while also providing antibacterial properties. For a bathroom scrub, use white vinegar and baking soda. Add diluted essential oils like tea tree or eucalyptus for their antibacterial properties. These natural alternatives are inexpensive and readily available at any grocery store, making this an easy swap.

Don’t want to make your own cleaner? You can also opt for natural cleaning products made from plant-based ingredients by one of our favorite brands, Branch Basics. Branch Basics offers cleaning products free from harsh chemicals and safe for both your skin and the environment. They also often come in refillable containers, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Did you know that conventional toothpaste has a poison warning on the packaging? This is because it contains fluoride, which can be toxic if ingested in large amounts. Fluoride has also been linked to health concerns such as thyroid disruption and weakening of the bones.

Another reason conventional toothpastes are not a great choice is because of the artificial sweeteners like saccharin or aspartame, which have been linked to potential health risks. These sweeteners can also disrupt our oral microbiome, leading to plaque buildup and cavities.

Toothpaste is a great swap to make since we use it twice a day! And switching to natural toothpaste will also help our kids get a good start on dental health.

Switch to a natural alternative that is free from fluoride and artificial sweeteners. Look for ingredients like baking soda, peppermint oil, coconut oil, activated charcoal, and xylitol. These ingredients effectively clean your teeth without any harmful side effects.

Wellnesse toothpaste uses hydroxyapatite, which remineralizes your teeth. This ingredient provides similar benefits to fluoride without any of the potential health risks. It also contains essential oils like peppermint and spearmint for a refreshing natural flavor and fresh breath.

Traditional makeup products often contain synthetic dyes, fragrances, preservatives, and other chemicals that can irritate the skin and clog pores. Some of these ingredients have been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and even cancer. Additionally, makeup often contains plastic microbeads. These can harm the environment when washed down the drain.

Instead of compromising your skin's health for beauty, opt for natural makeup that uses plant-based ingredients and mineral pigments. These products not only provide coverage but also nourish and protect the skin.

There are many natural and organic makeup brands available that use safe, natural ingredients. Ingredients to look for include mineral pigments, plant-based oils, and botanical extracts. Some popular natural makeup brands include Toups & Co and ILIA. These brands offer a range of products, from foundations and powders to lipsticks and eyeshadows, all made with safe and natural ingredients.

Again, don’t feel like you must swap all of your makeup at the same time. Maybe try a new lipstick shade or switch to a new foundation brand when your current one runs out. Take it one product at a time.

Because our armpits are so close to our lymph nodes and breasts, this is a delicate area. And it’s highly susceptible to absorbing toxins from the products we use. Many conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum, which is used to block sweat glands and prevent perspiration. Although it sounds nice to not sweat, blocking our bodies from sweating allows toxins to build up in our systems. In addition, aluminum can build up in our systems, causing aluminum toxicity.

Conventional deodorants may also contain synthetic fragrances and parabens. These additives can cause skin irritation and hormone disruption. Our armpits are another place that has its own microbiome, and using these harmful ingredients can disrupt the balance.

Natural deodorant options are becoming more popular as people are more aware of the potential harm of conventional one. And natural options have come a long way in their offerings. No longer subpar products, the natural ones available today are effective at controlling odor and sweat. You don’t have to worry about showing up to a playdate or meeting and not smelling fresh. Plus, you’ll be avoiding harmful ingredients in a delicate area. This makes it an important and easy swap to make.

Look for products that use natural ingredients like arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and essential oils to absorb moisture and neutralize odors. Mineral deodorants are another option. These products contain potassium alum, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate (or baking soda).

Wellnesse’s mineral deodorant is made with safe and natural ingredients like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, and coconut oil. It also comes in 100% recyclable and compostable packaging, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Choose Natural, Choose Healthy

By choosing natural alternatives for toothpaste, makeup, deodorant, and other personal care and household items, you can take control of what you put on your body and make a positive change for yourself and the planet. Not only are you reducing your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals, but you are also supporting sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Although it can be hard to make all the changes at once, remember that even one swap is a great first step. Start small and take on swaps as you are able. Soon, you’ll find that you love your new, natural products so much that you’ll want to change all the conventional products you use!

Have you made any swaps to natural household products? What’s your favorite swap?

Sources:

Yueh, Mei-Fei and Robert H. Tukey. (2017) Triclosan: A Widespread Environmental Toxicant with Many Biological Effects, Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, retrieved March 11, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4774862/