In an effort to cut down on unnecessary toxin exposure, I’ve made the conscious decision over the past few years to swap out some of my questionable bathroom essentials for cleaner and more health-friendly versions. Some toxins in our environment can be close to unavoidable, but I do try to avoid what I can, and the best place to start is with the products that get used daily. It can be hard to find cleaner and more health-conscious products that are as effective as their conventional counterparts, but I feel like I’ve compiled a pretty good list of some reliable ones that truly get the job done. Here is The Glow Files’ guide to clean swaps for all of your go-to bathroom and hygiene essentials. 

Hand Soap 

Hand soap is probably the most frequently used bathroom product; and since our skin is our largest organ, I think it totally makes sense to be mindful about what ingredients are in our soaps. Also, so many conventional soaps out there are really stripping and loaded with sulfates, and nobody has time for dry and cracking hands. Dr. Bronner’s soaps have been around for decades and it truly is such a reliable brand. The ingredients are organic and really gentle, and their hand soaps come in several different scents that are naturally fragranced. Dr. Bronner’s peppermint hand soap is a mainstay on my bathroom counter. 

Tampons + Pads

Who knew that tampons and pads could be major sources of toxins, pesticides, bleach, and plastics? I was horrified when I found this out, and literally RAN to make the switch from the classic feminine hygiene brands that have basically been doing women dirty. There is so much green-washing being done these days in the world of tampons and pads, so it’s important to investigate all packaging and labelling in detail. I check for labels that say organic and 100% unbleached cotton. The brand I really trust is Honey Pot; and although they’re definitely pricier, this is just something I refuse to skimp on. Feminine health is not something to mess with in my book. 

Deodorant 

It’s become pretty well-known over the years that conventional deodorants and antiperspirants have contained some scary ingredients that were being linked to various health issues.  Parabens, propylene glycol, and triclosan were some of them, but the really big one was aluminum. Deodorant is an important bathroom essential to swap out (in my opinion) since we have lymph nodes and breast tissue that reside in our armpits, so it’s not really an area where we want to slather on harmful toxins. There are quite a few aluminum-free deodorants out there that have healthier ingredients, but in case you’re someone with sensitive skin, the fact that many of them use baking soda can be problematic. Deodorants containing high amounts of baking soda have been known to cause rashes and painful irritation for many (myself included), since the underarm area is a fairly sensitive skin region. Real Purity makes a liquid roll-on deodorant that lasts all day long, is baking soda free, and is naturally fragranced with non-irritating essential oils. Since it’s a roll-on, it does require a couple minutes of drying time which is the down-side, but once you patiently let it dry, you’re covered for the rest of the day. It’s also a bonus to not have to deal with those unsightly white armpit clumps that come from cream deodorant sticks. 

Hand Lotion

When I found out my longtime favorite, holy grail hand lotion had parabens in it, it was a sad moment. I’ve always been prone to really dry hands, so finding a thick lotion that provides long-lasting moisture with clean ingredients has been a challenge. The best one in my opinion is EO Product’s Nourishing Lotion that can be found at Whole Foods. It’s suitable as both a hand and a body lotion, and it moisturizes well without being greasy. So many “clean” lotions out there are either water-based and just slide around without offering any moisture at all, or are oil-based and super greasy. This one is silicone-based, thick, extra creamy, and sinks in quickly.  

Bathroom Spray

Keeping your bathroom smelling fresh and clean, and disinfecting surfaces is a daily must, and traditional sprays can be full of synthetic fragrances and other endocrine disrupting chemicals. Seventh Generation bathroom sprays have been my favorite over the years, and the eucalyptus and spearmint scent smells so crisp and fresh. 

Toothpaste 

Fluoride is a touchy topic and many people have differing opinions on this, but I’m personally not a big fan. I’ve been using a fluoride-free toothpaste for the past decade, and I also make sure to use pastes that are free of sulfates. Back in 2014, I started getting a bad case of perioral dermatitis around my mouth and nothing could get it to go away, until I switched to a sulfate-free toothpaste, and then it pretty much disappeared overnight and never came back. I use Dr. Bronner’s spearmint toothpaste in the morning, and RiseWell’s hydroxyapatite toothpaste at night. 

Cleansing Wipes 

I’s always helpful to have multi-purpose wipes on hand for wiping down bathroom surfaces and spills, getting makeup off when you’re in a rush, and for bringing on the go. The Honest Company cleansing wipes have been an essential for me and my household over the years, and they have pretty clean ingredients (maybe not perfect), but they get the job done. They’re handy and easy to pick-up at Target, so it’s a win-win. 

Perfume

Last but not least, having a clean perfume to use on a daily basis has been crucial. As someone who is committed to keeping my hormones balanced, I have really steered clear of any unnecessary fragrances and phthalates whenever possible, and perfumes are notorious for having hidden hormone disruptors. On a day to day basis, I love Pacifica’s Island Vanilla perfume. It smells like cupcakes, and it has pretty good staying power. I’m still on the hunt for something a little bit more luxurious for special occasions, but for now this has been my go-to. 

Avoiding toxins by swapping out conventional products for cleaner ones has been my mission over the years; and while it’s been hard to find good replacements, I am happy with my finds so far. While not the most glamorous list of products, these are some essentials that I use and rely on the most, and as far as I’m concerned, the cleaner the better. 

Xx, 

The Glow Files.