I didn’t switch to non-toxic skincare out of fear — I started paying attention, and I couldn’t unsee what wasn’t supporting my body.

5 Toxic Ingredients I Avoid in Skincare (and What I Use Instead)

I didn’t switch to non-toxic skincare because something was wrong.

I didn’t have chronic breakouts.
I wasn’t trying to “fix” my skin.

I switched because I started paying attention.

The first shift happened while I was trying to conceive. I was using a topical progesterone — and it hit me in a way I couldn’t ignore:

If my body can absorb something meant to support my hormones… it can absorb everything else I’m putting on it too.

That awareness didn’t create fear — it created responsibility.

And it deepened over time.

When I became a mom, I started reading labels more closely — not just for me, but for my babies. I remember holding diaper cream and realizing how many hormone-disrupting ingredients were in something I was using multiple times a day.

That was another layer of the same realization:
this wasn’t about perfection — it was about awareness.

Before this, I believed products didn’t really matter that much.
I never read labels.
I probably thought what I put on my body wasn’t as important as what I ate.

And if I’m honest… I kind of thought people who cared about this were a little extreme.

Now?

Now I feel intentional instead of passive.

And that shift has changed the way I care for my body — in a way that feels supportive, not overwhelming.

📸 IMAGE PLACEMENT #1 (after intro)

Alt text: woman natural lifestyle skincare routine clean living

 

Why I Started Paying Attention to Ingredients

This shift actually began when I started learning more about my cycle and how sensitive our hormones really are. If you’re new to that, I walk you through a simple way to begin in this post on how to track your cycle naturally.

Once I understood that my body was constantly responding — not just to food or stress, but to everything — I started looking at my environment differently.

Including what I was putting on my skin every single day.

What I began to understand is this:

My body isn’t random.
It’s responsive.

And what I put on my skin is part of that conversation.

 

The 5 Ingredients I Personally Avoid (and What I Use Instead)

This isn’t about creating a long “no” list.

It’s simply what I’ve learned to look for — and gently move away from — over time.

1. Fragrance (Parfum)

Why I avoid it:
“Fragrance” can be a catch-all term for dozens (sometimes hundreds) of undisclosed ingredients. It’s one of the easiest ways for brands to hide what’s actually inside a product.

What I use instead:
I look for products that are fully transparent about their ingredients or naturally scented with essential oils.

This is something I pay attention to in everything — especially products I use daily.

2. Parabens

Why I avoid it:
Parabens are used as preservatives, they’ve been linked to hormone disruption and can mimic estrogen in the body.

What I use instead:
Products that use safer preservation methods and clearly disclose their ingredient integrity.

3. Phthalates

Why I avoid it:
Often hidden within fragrance, phthalates are another ingredient connected to hormone disruption.

What I use instead:
Again, transparency is everything. If a brand isn’t clear about what’s inside, I move on.

4. Oxybenzone

Why I avoid it:
Commonly found in chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone has been linked to hormone disruption.

What I use instead:
I opt for mineral-based sunscreen — and lately, I’ve even been making my own at home with just a few simple ingredients.

(It’s surprisingly easy — I’ll share that soon.)

5. PEGs

Why I avoid it:
They can be contaminated with harmful byproducts depending on how they’re processed.

What I use instead:
Cleaner emulsifiers and brands that prioritize ingredient sourcing.

 

📸 IMAGE PLACEMENT #2

Alt text: clean beauty skincare products natural ingredients flat lay

 

What I Use Instead (Without Overcomplicating It)

I don’t try to be perfect.

I focus on being intentional.

I began swapping things out as I learned more.

Now when I pick up a product, I feel empowered instead of passive.

I know what I’m looking for.
I know what I’m avoiding.
And I trust my choices— eventually, I found products I genuinely love — not just because they’re “clean,” but because they work and feel good to use.

If you’re curious what that looks like in real life:

I walk through the exact products I use on my hormone-safe product page and I break down my full routine in this non-toxic skincare routine post.

And if you’re someone who wears makeup daily, I also share my go-to clean swaps in this simple makeup routine with my top 5 Crunchi products.

These are the products I personally use, trust, and come back to again and again.

 

If You’re Just Starting, Start Here

You don’t need to throw everything away.

You don’t need to panic.

You don’t need to do this perfectly.

Start with:

• the products you use daily
• the ones that stay on your skin longest
• the ones you feel curious about

Then build from there.

This isn’t about fear.

It’s about removing what isn’t supporting you—and replacing it with what does.

 

This Isn’t About Perfection

This isn’t about doing everything perfectly.

I still live in the real world.
I can’t control every ingredient I come into contact with — even if I try really, really hard.

This isn’t about creating another set of rules to follow.

It’s about awareness.
It’s about support.
It’s about choosing what you can — and letting that be enough.

Because this journey isn’t about restriction.

It’s about becoming more intentional in a way that actually feels good to live.

 

A Gentle Next Step

If this sparked your curiosity, the easiest place to begin is here:

👉 Explore my free hormone-safe product guide

It walks you through what to look for, what to avoid, and how to start swapping products without overwhelm.

No pressure.
No perfection.

Just a starting point.

 

You might be wondering… (Topical FAQs)

Q: What are the worst skincare ingredients to avoid for hormone health?

A: Some of the most commonly discussed ingredients include synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone, and PEGs. These aren’t always harmful in isolation, but reducing repeated daily exposure can support your body’s natural balance over time.

Q: How do I know if my skincare products contain hidden toxins?

A: Start by looking at the ingredient label—not just the front of the packaging. Watch for vague terms like “fragrance” or long ingredient lists you don’t recognize. You don’t need to understand everything—you’re simply building awareness.

Q: What skincare products should I switch first when going low-tox?

A: Focus on products you use daily and that stay on your skin the longest—like moisturizer, foundation, sunscreen, and deodorant. These tend to have the biggest impact over time.

Q: Is non-toxic skincare actually effective?

A: Yes—when products are well-formulated, they can support your skin just as well (if not better). The goal isn’t just avoiding ingredients—it’s choosing products that actively support your skin barrier and overall health.

Q: Can switching to non-toxic skincare really make a difference?

A: For many women, the biggest shift isn’t just physical—it’s relational. You become more aware, more intentional, and more connected to how your body responds. That awareness alone can change everything.