Where I’d Start with Nontoxic Swaps

4 easy, everyday switches that won’t overwhelm your brain (or your budget)

One of the most common questions I get is:
“Where do I even start when switching to less toxic products?”

And I totally get it—trying to overhaul your entire home at once can feel overwhelming and expensive. But the good news? It doesn’t have to be that way.

The best approach I’ve found is this:
Start with what you use every single day.
Then, replace other things as you run out.

Also, quick disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or toxicologist. I’m just sharing my personal research and what’s worked for my family. Always do your own reading and dig into the studies if you want to learn more (I love a good PubMed deep dive).

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1. Body Wash

Body wash is such a simple place to start—you use it every day, on your whole body, and it can either nourish or irritate your skin depending on what’s inside.

Most conventional body washes (looking at you, Old Spice) are filled with:

• Fragrance (which often includes hormone-disrupting chemicals)

• Artificial dyes

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) — a harsh surfactant that can strip your skin’s natural barrier and lead to dryness, irritation, or flare-ups if you have sensitive skin (like me!).

My go-to for the past 5+ years has been Aleavia body wash*. What makes it different is that it’s not soap—it’s a prebiotic wash that supports your skin by:

• Nourishing beneficial bacteria

• Maintaining your natural pH

• Gently exfoliating dead skin

I used Aleavia on my kids when they were babies. It’s formulated with eczema-prone skin in mind, and I truly don’t see myself switching anytime soon.

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2. Toothpaste

The second swap I recommend is toothpaste—and this one might surprise you.

Traditional toothpaste often includes:

• SLS again (yep, in your mouth this time)

• Artificial dyes

• Saccharin (aka the stuff in Sweet’N Low)

• And, of course, fluoride

Now—fluoride is a hot topic. While it's still widely recommended, it's also classified as a neurotoxin, and children retain far more of it than adults (up to 80–90% compared to 50–60% in adults). That’s a big reason I’ve chosen to go fluoride-free.

Instead, I’ve used hydroxyapatite toothpaste for years—and get a clean bill of dental health every time. In fact, my dentist was so impressed with my enamel that they started carrying hydroxyapatite toothpaste in their office!

So, what is it?
Hydroxyapatite is the primary mineral that makes up our tooth enamel and dentin. The synthetic version used in toothpaste (often nano-hydroxyapatite or n-HAp) helps remineralize and protect your teeth without any of the concerns tied to fluoride.

What to Look for in a Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste:

✅ Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp)
→ Smaller particle size (<100nm) for deeper enamel penetration

✅ 10–20% hydroxyapatite content
→ That’s the sweet spot for clinical effectiveness

✅ Fluoride-free, SLS-free, and clean ingredient list
→ Bonus if it has xylitol for added cavity protection

My top picks:

• Boka Ela Mint and their Kids one

• RiseWell

• Zebra (Xylitol-based)
  I’ve also heard great things about Dr. Jen’s, which my dentist carries, but haven’t tried it yet.

➡️ Here’s a list of some of my favorite non toxic toiletries

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3. Shampoo & Conditioner

Haircare is another everyday item that often includes:

• SLS (again!)

• Fragrance

• Silicones and synthetic dyes

My scalp used to get itchy with drugstore shampoos, and I didn't realize how sensitive it was until I made the switch.

My current favorites:

• Oway (salon-quality, great for adults)

• Rahua (another great clean option)

• For kids and babies: Carina Organics or 100% Pure Baby line — both are gentle, fragrance-free, and work well on sensitive skin.

➡️ Here’s a list of some of my favorite nontoxic hair care items

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4. Laundry Detergent

You’ve probably heard that "fragrance is the new secondhand smoke." If that sounds dramatic—consider this:

Fragrance molecules from laundry detergent cling to fabric, your skin, and even linger in the air. I challenge you to remove fragrance for a week and see how sensitive your nose becomes—chances are, you’ll start noticing the lingering scent on clothes, even after washing your hands.

Fragrance (even "natural" ones) can include:

• Phthalates, which disrupt hormones (especially in women)

• Essential oils like lavender or tea tree, which some studies suggest may also interfere with hormones or contribute to early puberty

That’s why I go completely fragrance-free for all our laundry. And let me tell you—I’ve tried a lot of “clean” detergents. Some didn’t work. Some still had sneaky fragrances. But I finally landed on one that actually works and keeps our clothes fresh (without the scent cloud).

➡️ Here’s a list of all my favorite non toxic laundry favorites

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Final Thoughts

If you’re new to this, don’t stress. You don’t have to switch everything overnight.
Start small, with the things you use every day—and notice how your body responds. You’ll likely feel better, smell less (in a good way), and reduce your exposure to some of the most common environmental irritants out there.

Let me know in the comments:
Have you made any of these swaps already? Or what’s the one product you're most curious about switching?

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