part 2: nontoxic 23
We all know that proper nutrition, adequate sleep, consistent movement, and hydration play a critical role in optimal wellness. But! Have we stopped to think about the environmental toxins we encounter every single day and the impact they have on our ability to achieve wellness? Let’s continue in exploring the nontoxic swaps I’ve made this year and the brands I am LOVING while doing so! Check out Part 1 here.
The greatest resource for this transition is the Environmental Working Group — take advantage of their database to learn more about the products you’re using.
23. Nail polish! I decided to take a break from my gel manicures to let my nails restrengthen and renew. I also am considering the health implications of salon manicures and may take a longer break than originally planned. Instead, I bought myself a few shades of nontoxic polish and a nontoxic clear coat and now I am set out to master self-manicuring! I am terrible at it so I have a long road ahead of me but ultimately, excited to make this change! Check out this brand from Amazon and peruse this article to learn more!
24. Face masks! I am a sucker for a good face mask and recently purchased one from Dime Beauty. Makeup and personal care products is an area I am slowly transitioning to mostly nontoxic! Dime Beauty is a great brand to consider as you make your transition too! I’ve also been a fan of masks by Cocokind and Honest Beauty. You can also browse the Environmental Working Group’s list of face masks here.
25. Ditch the saran wrap! Anything you’re storing your food in has the potential to leech into your food. Choose an alternative, like Bee’s Wrap, instead.
26. Shampoo! I may have shared this one previously but this was a dilemma I had to overcome this week that I wanted to share on. I spent quite a bit of time perusing the shampoo and conditioner aisle at Shoprite, while utilizing my EWG app, to cross reference and find a shampoo that Shoprite carried AND met my nontoxic needs — let me tell ya, it wasn’t easy.
I ended up choosing a product by Pantene, that scored a 4 on the EWG scale. Had they carried the fragrance free variety it would have bumped down to a 2-3. I was using a shampoo that just wasn’t vibing with my hair — nor did I feel as though it was cleaning it adequately.
Sometimes — these things happen — as they do with food, exercise, and more. You can’t always make the most healthful choice — and that’s okay. Whether it be cost, or access, it can be really challenging to keep up with all these nontoxic swaps.
Being okay with the process is essential and the healthier way to go about this transition too.
27. Pumpkin candles! Seasonal candles are a household favorite, but make the best choice for your candles as we transition through the seasons! Below are a few options for you to still celebrate the fun fall scents, without the harmful toxins!
List of Fall Scented Nontoxic Candles
28. A twist on our usual nontoxic talk as I have spent the past week or two honed in on STRESS! Did you know that stress, in small doses, can be healthy for the body. Chronic stress, however, becomes toxic. We oftentimes think of stressors as purely psychological in nature — financial stressors, relationship stressors, work-related stressors — but have you given any thought to how physical stressors, like processed food, toxins, and sleep deprivation, can also cause the body and the brain tremendous stress? In order to live your most nontoxic life, you most certainly can address the typical toxic products that we’ve been exploring over the past several months — but, it is also imperative that you explore this valuable area as well. Self care and stress management are foundational to optimal health and wellness.
29. Did you know that there are 3,163 ingredients behind the word ‘fragrance?’ One of my best suggestions to anyone starting on their nontoxic journey is to prioritize items that are either fragrance free or unscented. This can be an enormous game changer in reducing toxin exposure right off the bat.
30. Dental floss! Did you know that traditional dental floss contains PFAS? According to Google, “PFAs, otherwise known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.” So while you’re under the impression that you’re cleaning your teeth — you’re actually exposing your gums to these chemicals! Check out this article to help you make a more educated choice for your oral health!
31. Choose organic coffee! I was thinking about this the other day — something you might not otherwise consider as being toxic, actually can be among the most toxic in your kitchen, as it relates to food. Coffee is one of the highest pesticide treated crops internationally. It can also be found to contain 'mycotoxins’ - basically mold. Check out this article here to learn more! My favorite organic brands include: Newman’s Own, Allegro Coffee by Whole Foods, and Equal Exchange.
32. Your LOOFAH! Not one item is safe around here! Your loofah is likely made of plastic — which as we’ve learned, microplastics can be toxic to the body. Check out loofah alternatives here!
33. A tip I might offer you as you navigate your nontoxic journey, is to prioritize the products that you lather across the surface area of your skin — body washes, body lotions, self tanners, and so on. Your skin is your largest organ — it is imperative for detoxification. While it detoxes, it also absorbs what it comes in contact with. Consider how you might make swaps in this specific category — check out the few suggested brands below. I recently purchased these specific products.
Attitude Body Wash
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner
Attitude Body Lotion
34. Swapped out my spot cream this week! I’ve been a Clean and Clear user for years but found a nontox, EWG Verified swap at TJMaxx and decided to grab it! I encourage you to peruse your local Marshall’s, TJMaxx, etc. — their beauty sections are oftentimes loaded with hidden gems and likely at a reduced price! I found several Honest Beauty products — I was super excited for it! Check out what I’m using.
35. I am partnering with the brand, Humble! They are a plant and mineral based personal care product brand, who are plastic free and use recycled packaging. I have been using their deodorant as a low tox swap! They use essential oils instead of fragrances and do not contain phthalates (a big no no when choosing your products) which is super important to me!
Their website includes an ingredient index to offer the consume full transparency in what they’re using in their product formulation.
Check them out and save 15% on your order by using code EMILYH15
36. Prioritize disconnection. This one is one of the tougher ones because it’s not a product you can buy or a swap you can make! It is simply an action that you must take in order to buffer against one of the biggest toxins out there: stress. How often do you disconnect? Truly, fully disconnect? For your swap, I want you to reflect on how connected you are, in all capacities, over the course of your minutes, hours, days, weeks, and so on. I don’t think we realize how stressful and as a result, how toxic, it is for us to continually be connected through text, social media, and more. Giving yourself the opportunity to disconnect — even just for a short while — can do wonders for your health.
37. Teeth whitening strips! Ditch the Crest and consider a nontoxic option instead. I love Lumineux for all oral hygiene products! You can find all my favorite Lumineux products on my Amazon Storefront too!
38. Chapstick! For YEARS, my favorite alternative to chapstick is Cocokind’s Matcha stick — use it on your lips and allllll over your body! Check out this article regarding ingredients to be aware of in lip balm.
39. Hairspray! Choosing nontoxic hairspray is just one easy swap you can make to lessen your toxic load. I recommend finding hairspray that is unscented/without fragrance AND non-aerosol! Check out a few options here!
40. When is the last time you cleaned your oven? Instead of using a traditional oven cleaner, try these alternatives instead. Inhalation of the chemicals found in oven cleaners can be harmful to your health. Even further, there is potentially damaging impact of using this toxin in close proximity to the food that you eat. Check out these alternatives here!
41. Body scrub! Buying nontoxic/low tox body scrubs is an option, OR, make your own! IT both exfoliates and moisturizes, it’s easy, and it’s all natural, no toxins added. There are a handful of different ways you can make this DIY exfoliant and that’s why I love it so much.
I use equal parts (about 1 cup each) of coffee grounds, white sugar, brown sugar, and 1 cup of melted coconut oil. Other add ins include: peppermint extract for scented, lavender, Vitamin E oil (helps with scarring), any essential oil of your choosing, etc. Check out store bought body scrubs here!
42. Nontoxic medicine! You heard that right! Choosing alternatives to the traditional Neosporin, NSAIDs, and cold and flu medicines offers the body relief in a much gentler way. Check out this article to learn more!
43. Did you know that your paper towels aren’t really just paper? Oftentimes, they can contain harmful chemicals that impact our health. An overuse of paper towels is less than eco-friendly. Check out this article to learn more!
If you’re interested in learning more about toxin free living, or the impact that toxins can have on your mental and physical health, consider scheduling a call below to discuss holistic health coaching!
