Every product you use—on your body, in your home, and in your yard—can impact your health and the environment. Many everyday household and personal care products contain chemicals that can disrupt hormones, irritate skin, harm aquatic life, and persist in soil and waterways.
The good news? You can make changes that benefit both your health and the planet. Whether you’re motivated by personal wellness, a desire to protect local ecosystems, or both, this guide will help you understand what to avoid, what to look for, and how to make the transition without overwhelm.
The product suggestions below are not sponsored; they are mostly products I’ve used (or formulated) myself, so I can attest to their efficacy. This is by no means an exhaustive list—there are more and more great options in the personal care space, but many of them are not as clean as they claim to be, so I’m sharing specific favorites that meet my standards.
Step 1: Identify the Toxins in Your Home Products
Common Harmful Ingredients to Avoid
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives used to prevent mold and bacteria in personal care products. The problem? They can act like estrogen in the body, disrupting hormone balance. In waterways, they can affect the reproductive systems of fish and other aquatic species. Choosing paraben-free products reduces this risk for both people and the environment.
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics flexible and to help scents last longer in personal care products. They’re often hidden under the word “fragrance” or “parfum” on labels. In humans, they’ve been linked to hormone disruption, thyroid dysfunction, and potential fertility issues. In the environment, they can leach from plastics and wash off in wastewater, where they accumulate in sediments and harm aquatic organisms over time.
PEGs and ethoxylated compounds
Used to make products feel silky or mix oil and water, these ingredients can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen. They don’t break down easily in the environment, meaning they can persist in water and soil.
1,4-dioxane is a hidden byproduct in many detergents, shampoos, and cleaning products containing ethoxylates. Once it’s in water, it can linger for a long time. Even low levels can affect the growth and reproduction of fish, amphibians, and other aquatic creatures. Because most water treatment systems can’t remove it, choosing products without 1,4-dioxane is one of the easiest ways to protect both your health and local waterways.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15 release small amounts of formaldehyde over time to prevent bacteria and mold growth in products. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and skin sensitizer, meaning it can cause allergic reactions and irritation. When washed down the drain, these preservatives can persist in the environment, posing risks to aquatic life and contributing to overall chemical load in waterways.
Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS/SLES)
SLS and SLES are foaming agents found in many shampoos, body washes, toothpastes, and household cleaners. In dermatology research, SLS is actually used in lab settings to cause skin irritation—it disrupts the skin’s protective barrier, allowing scientists to study inflammation and test healing agents. This same barrier damage can happen with everyday use, leading to dryness, redness, and increased sensitivity, especially for those with compromised skin. Environmentally, these surfactants can harm aquatic life by damaging fish gills and irritating delicate tissues in amphibians and invertebrates. They also contribute to the chemical load in waterways when washed down the drain.
Synthetic fragrance/parfum
The term “fragrance” or “parfum” on a label can hide dozens—even hundreds—of unlisted chemicals. One of the most common additives in fragrance mixtures is phthalates, which help scents last longer but have been linked to hormone disruption and potential reproductive harm. Synthetic fragrance blends can also contain allergens and sensitizers that trigger skin reactions. Once washed down the drain, these chemicals can persist in waterways, affecting the behavior, reproduction, and survival of aquatic species.
Step 2: Start Swapping High-Impact Products First
Focus on what you use daily and what rinses directly into drains or outdoor spaces.
Natural Skincare and Body Care Swaps
Choose fragrance-free or naturally scented eco-friendly skincare products (using essential oils only) made without endocrine-disrupting preservatives or sulfates.
- Body washes & bar soaps: Vermont Soap Company, all Osmia bar soaps, The Organic Bath Company
- Hair care: Josh Rosebrook, Innersense, Desert Essence (unscented and lemon scents only), Evolvh
- Moisturizers: Replace conventional lotions with natural body oils on damp skin
- Skincare: All Osmia skincare products, Indie Lee, Pai Skincare, Kahina Giving Beauty, Alpyn Beauty
Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents (non-toxic laundry products)
Laundry runoff is a major source of chemical pollution. Choose formulas without synthetic fragrance, ethoxylates (very common in the laundry detergent sheets), or harsh surfactants. Powdered formulas tend to be cleaner than liquids, and definitely cleaner than pods.
- Branch Basics Laundry Powder
- Molly’s Suds (Unscented or peppermint) Laundry Powder
Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies (green cleaning products)
Many cleaners leave chemical residues that can linger on surfaces and in the air. Opt for biodegradable, fragrance-free or naturally scented options.
- Branch Basics (unscented, add your own essential oils if desired)
- Molly’s Suds dish soap & dishwasher pods
- Blueland dishwasher tablets
- The Organic Bath Company foaming hand soaps
Step 3: Make Seasonal and Outdoor Products Safer
Mineral Sunscreens (reef-safe sunscreen)
Common chemical sunscreen filters—like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate—are easily absorbed by the skin and have been detected in the bloodstream after use. Some are linked to hormone disruption in humans, and several are harmful to aquatic life, contributing to coral bleaching and disrupting the reproductive systems of fish and other marine species. Mineral-based sunscreens, made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, work differently: they sit on the surface of the skin and physically block or scatter UV rays. They’re less likely to irritate sensitive skin, and when formulated without nano-sized particles, they’re considered safer for marine ecosystems.
- Babo Botanicals
- Mychelle Dermaceuticals
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Alba Botanica (mineral line only)
Eco-Friendly Insect Repellent (non-toxic bug spray)
Protecting yourself from ticks and mosquitoes is essential, especially in areas where insect-borne illnesses are common. But many conventional repellents contain DEET, which can be harsh on skin and harmful to aquatic life. A safer option is picaridin (20%), which offers similar protection to DEET but is better tolerated by sensitive skin and carries a lower environmental risk. Another effective choice is oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), a plant-based repellent approved by the CDC; it is NOT the same as lemon eucalyptus essential oil, and can be irritating to sensitive skin, so it’s not my favorite choice. For added defense, treat clothing and gear with permethrin—just be sure to apply it outdoors and let items dry completely before use.
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Picaridin (20%) – recommended by the CDC and WHO, gentle on skin, less ecologically harmful than DEET. I recommend the Ranger Ready Scent Zero with 20% Picaridin.
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SAWYER® Permethrin Fabric Treatment for clothing (apply outdoors, let dry fully)
Step 4: Learn to Read Labels and Avoid Greenwashing
A pretty label doesn’t always mean a product is safe or eco-friendly. Always check for:
- Fragrance/parfum without ingredient disclosure
- SLS/SLES
- Parabens, phthalates, PEGs
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Bleach, quats, ammonia in cleaning products
Look for ingredient or product certifications like USDA Organic, EWG Verified, EcoCert, or Green Seal to back up claims.
Step 5: Dispose of Old Products Responsibly
Don’t pour leftover chemical-heavy cleaners or personal care products down the drain or toss them in the trash. Many communities have hazardous waste collection programs—use them to keep toxins out of waterways and soil.
Step 6: Transition Gradually for Long-Term Success
Start with these things:
- Your most frequently used products
- Items that rinse directly into the environment (shampoo, soaps, sunscreen)
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Products with the highest exposure risk (laundry detergent, body care, dish soap, all-purpose cleaners used on surfaces throughout your home)
You don’t need to replace everything at once—small, consistent swaps add up to big change over time..
Final Thoughts on Creating a Non-Toxic Home
Switching your home to eco-friendly products is an ongoing process, not an overnight transformation. Every swap reduces your exposure to harmful chemicals and lessens the environmental impact you and your famiily have on your surroundings. By choosing products that are safer for both people and the planet, you’re taking a stand for healthier living—and a healthier world.
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.
