As a general rule, I don’t use personal care products with ingredients that I wouldn’t consider safe to eat. The skin is permeable and absorbs much of what we put on it, so I prefer to avoid products that contain potentially harmful chemicals.

Body Wash

What to Avoid:

Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
Parabens
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers
Synthetic fragrance (“parfum”)
Triclosan
Cocamide DEA

Natural Alternatives:

Native ($$$ my last purchased $$$)
Alaffia Everyday Shea Body Wash
EO Shower Gel
Avalon Organics

Hair care products

What to Avoid:

Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
Silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone, amodimethicone)
Parabens
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers
PPD (para-phenylenediamine)
Phthalates
Propylene glycol / alcohol denat.
Sodium hydroxide (lye) in relaxers

Natural Alternatives:

Native ($$$ my last purchased $$$)
Honest Company
SheaMoisture
Briogeo

Oral care products.

What to Avoid:

Fluoride
Triclosan
SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)
Titanium dioxide
Propylene glycol
Artificial sweeteners (saccharin) and dyes
Microbeads (older formulas)

Natural Alternatives:

Auromere Ayurvedic Herbal ($$$ my last purchased $$$)
Hello
David’s Natural Toothpaste
Tom’s of Maine

Cosmetics

What to Avoid:

Parabens
Phthalates
Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium)
Talc
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers
Toluene
Synthetic fragrance
Retinyl palmitate (in some sunscreens/makeup with SPF)
BHA/BHT (preservative antioxidants)

Natural Alternatives:

ILIA
RMS Beauty
Honest Beauty
100% Pure

Deodorant/Antiperspirant

What to Avoid:

Aluminum
Parabens
parfum
Propylene glycol
Talc
Butane/propane propellants

Natural Alternatives:

Humble ($$$ my last purchased $$$)
Native
Tom’s of Maine
PiperWai

The Best DIY Deodorant Recipe

Shaving cream

What to Avoid:

Triethanolamine
Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
Synthetic fragrance
Parabens
Propane/butane/isobutane propellants
Menthol
PEG compounds
Isopentane / hydrocarbon solvents

Natural Alternatives:

Pacific Shaving Company ($$$ my last purchased $$$)
Dr. Bronner’s
Every Man Jack
Kiss My Face

Perfume/Cologne

What to Avoid:

Fragrance/parfum
Phthalates (especially diethyl phthalate, DEP)
Synthetic musks (galaxolide, tonalide)
Allergen fragrance compounds (linalool, limonene, eugenol, citral)
Alcohol (ethanol) base
UV-reactive ingredients (bergamot oil and other citrus-derived compounds)

Natural Alternatives:

Skylar
Pinrose
Abel

Lotion/Moisturizer

What to Avoid:

Parabens
Phthalates
parfum
Talc
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers
Propylene glycol
Petrolatum/mineral oil
Retinyl palmitate (in some sunscreens/makeup with SPF)
BHA/BHT (preservative antioxidants)

Natural Alternatives:

Aveeno
Weleda
Cetaphil
Alba Botanica

Sunscreen

What to Avoid:

Chemical UV filters (oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene)bens
Hormone disruption: oxybenzone
Mineral/physical UV filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Retinyl palmitate
Parabens
Alcohol-based spray formulas

Natural Alternatives:

Thinkbaby
Blue Lizard
Badger
Raw Elements