Live a Less Toxic Life With These 9 Brands

Image via @truebotanicals

Think about the products you interact with on a daily basis. What do you touch? Spray? Put on your skin, hair and nails? What about your kids or pets? What do you inhale? We’re so used to these things we interact with, without giving it a second thought. But what if I told you that second thought could possibly make a huge impact on your life?

I am extremely grateful I had a mom who educated me on the dangers of antiperspirant and artificial fragrances, especially during a time where this was not at all common knowledge (think early 2000s, Bath & Body Works days). Honestly, I thought she was overreacting at the time, but we now have access to more information than ever, turns out she was right! We come in contact with thousands of chemicals on a daily basis (ranging from carcinogenic to probably not harmful) and our bodies simply were not designed to process all of this. Although we can detoxify (some better than others, depending on your lifestyle and genes), the amount we’re exposed to is quite alarming.

Thankfully, there are small changes you can implement that can make a big difference. My personal journey to implementing cleaner products into my life has been decades. I didn’t one day just throw everything away and start over (and you don’t have to either…don’t overwhelm yourself!)

Image via Our Place

After many years of trying dozens of non-toxic alternatives (from face cleanser and body wash to laundry detergent and baking trays), here are the 9 brands I continue to buy that are safe AND effective.

01. Branch Basics

This category can be hard to wrap your head around when you’re conditioned to think a clean home is a healthy home. But have you ever looked into what’s in those products? Even if you’ve tried, that information is not readily available, as cleaning products do not have to include their ingredients on the packaging (just like alcohol…something to ponder). 

Besides using plant-based ingredients and no fragrances, Branch Basics has a unique and sustainable approach to home cleaning. You buy one concentrate and add various amounts of water to a few different bottles which create different cleaning solutions. There’s one for streak-free (windows, mirrors), all purpose, bathroom, foaming wash (hands, dishes) and laundry. Better for your body and the environment…it’s a win-win! Plus they offer a ton of education surrounding clean living on their website, so definitely check it out for more info. If you’re looking to make the switch, check out one of their starter kits.

02. True Botanicals

What you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Our skin is our largest organ after all! It’s wonderful that clean beauty has really taken off, as we have so many more options now for non-toxic skincare that actually works. We don’t want to compromise on great skin…and thankfully you don’t have to! True Botanicals is EWG verified so you know you’re getting the cleanest ingredients. My personal favorites are the Nourishing Cleanser and the Chebula Active Serum.

03. Biossance

Another EWG verified favorite, Biossance, is a skincare brand that gets you results without the harmful chemicals. It feels like you get a super luxe product (think $100+) for way less. If you start anywhere, the Squalane eye cream is where it’s at. I’ve tried every eye cream you can imagine and if you struggle with dark circles like me, this one gets the job done!

04. Avocado

This is one category I didn’t really think about until more recently. You spend (hopefully) about 8 hours a night for your entire life on a bed and pillow. Unfortunately, many have chemicals that can disrupt your endocrine system and even be carcinogenic. There have been more and more non-toxic pillow and mattress companies popping up (which is great!) but I know buying an entirely new mattress sounds like a big investment, especially if you’re not in the market for one. A few months ago I noticed it was time for a new pillow and started researching safer alternatives. Avocado had great reviews so I tried the Molded Latex Pillow and I’m never looking back. I’ve dealt with neck pain and back stiffness on and off for several years so I’m always on the hunt for extra comfort when it comes to pillows. So I’m thrilled I found “the one” :) 

05. Cocofloss

Oral care was one of the last places I thought of for a non-toxic swap…which is wild as that’s going in your mouth! I recently switched to Cocofloss’s toothpaste, Cocoshine, and I’m just about ready for my second tube. It leaves your mouth feeling super clean without being stripped, it tastes fresh (not fake) and it works well in terms of whitening. I also use their Cocofloss in mint.

06. Rael

I LOVE a sheet mask. It’s such a nice, quick way to treat yourself. You can even multitask while doing so - whether you’re answering emails or reading a book…why not put on a sheet mask?? I’ve been using the Rael sheet masks for about a year now and they’re the perfect balance of gentle yet effective, while being super affordable. I originally started with the Vitamin C masks for brightening and I started using the Hydration and Collagen masks this winter…leaves me feeling plump with a glow!

07. Our Place

I’m so glad cookware brands are getting on board with ceramic and moving away from Teflon (traditional non-stick pans). We’re already bombarded with chemicals in our food…do we really need more? I do a lot of cooking at home so I’ve tried several different types of non-toxic cookware and I always come back to the Our Place Always Pan (the name makes sense!) It’s hands down the most used item in my kitchen. The brand really has it all when it comes to your kitchen, without compromising style or health.

08. Henry Rose

It’s funny I’ve been avoiding products with “fragrance” as an ingredient yet I was still wearing conventional perfume! Thankfully I don’t wear it super often but once I heard about Henry Rose, I threw everything away and purchased the Sample Set. I haven’t even had to buy a full size of anything yet and I’ve had this for 6+ months! I got the full set with 12 scents and I can honestly say I love all of them (which is surprising as I usually only resonate with one or two scents in a collection). They’re perfectly balanced, all unisex, not overwhelming…I can’t rave about these fragrances enough.

09. Henne

I live for a bold lip…but I can also be a little lazy when it comes to makeup, which is why a lip tint is more my speed. Of any type of makeup, you’re ultimately swallowing at least a little of what goes on your lips. So this category is extra important to pay attention to ingredients. My go to for lips is the Henne lip tint, as it has just the right amount of coverage and really hydrates your lips. I’ll use this in place of a lip balm when I go out, and I don’t even need a mirror to reapply. My personal favorite is Azalea which just gives a youthful pop. If I’m looking a little extra tired this somehow makes me look more revitalized!

I could keep going as there are so many incredible brands out there creating products that are traditionally full of harmful chemicals and getting creative to make them healthier for you and your family. 

What swap will you make today?

If you’re looking for personalized support with non-toxic swaps, let’s chat!

Just an fyi - this post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission. Note that I only recommend things I’ve personally vetted.