There’s nothing better than guilt-free wellness, as creating a cleaner beauty ritual benefits both you and the planet.. You can embrace mindful beauty by skipping harmful ingredients without losing effectiveness and creating a simple, sustainable routine you feel good about..
Interested in making some change for the better? Here’s what you need to know about making clean beauty swaps with your bath and shower staples.
Table of Contents
Know What Ingredients To Skip
The products sitting in your shower right now might contain ingredients you wouldn’t choose if you knew what they were. Synthetic fragrances hide dozens of chemicals that companies unfortunately don’t have to disclose. Parabens can mimic hormones in your body, while sulfates strip away natural oils your skin needs to stay healthy.
These harsh additives are just some of many that may be hiding in your bath and shower items:
- Synthetic fragrance, which can trigger allergic reactions and headaches;
- Parabens, which are potential hormone disruptors;
- Sulfates (SLS) overly strip the skin’s protective barrier;
- Phthalates are linked to reproductive issues;
- Triclosan can disrupt beneficial bacteria on your skin.
In general, the longer the ingredient list, the more potential chemicals are in your product. Options with fewer, plant-based ingredients often work just as well, but without the irritation and unnecessary stuff. Plus, your skin actually works a lot better when you don’t overwhelm it with chemicals.
Labels and Certifications That Signal Quality
When shopping for non-toxic shower formulas, some labels might trick you into thinking the product is cleaner than it is. Others have truly helpful information that distinguishes their product from dirtier ones.
Here are a few certifications to look for on your bath and shower product labels that indicate they’re truly eco-friendly:
- EWG Verified: Notes products that are free from concerning chemicals and meet the Environmental Working Group’s strict standards
- MADE SAFE: Guarantees ingredients won’t harm you or the environment
- Leaping Bunny and PETA logos: Highlight formulas that aren’t tested on animals
Certifications help, but always double-check the ingredients list. The shorter and more recognizable the ingredients, the better. Doing this can get you into the habit of understanding labels and determining what products are truly clean.
Say you’re looking for an eco-friendly shampoo to buy. Look past its pretty packaging and dig further into its label. Quality options use formulas free from parabens and sulfates. They also consider their environmental impact, often using plastic-free or recyclable bottles, carbon-neutral shipping, and ethical ingredient sourcing.
Clean Swaps That Feel Luxe
Cleaning up your bathroom staples can still make your bath and shower time luxurious — you just need to look for the right products! Fortunately, many natural brands now create formulas that feel just as indulgent as conventional ones.
For body wash, look for cleansing bars made with plant oils like coconut, olive, and shea butter. These bars last longer than liquid soap, eliminate plastic packaging, and clean without stripping your skin. Many eco-friendly beauty companies offer options with essential oils for a natural scent. You can also find scrubs made from sugar or salt mixed with plant oils to get smooth skin without chemical or plastic additives. Try a coffee scrub with coconut oil that exfoliates and moisturizes to cut a step from your routine.
While fun to add to your bath, some bath bombs aren’t safe for plumbing. Those colorful bombs packed with glitter, flower petals, and heavy butters look great in your bath water, but can clog pipes over time. Choose simpler versions without the fancy additives that use natural ingredients, like essential oils and mineral clay.
Shaving creams and gels can be another source of problematic ingredients. Switch to a simple shaving oil or whipped soap instead. Jojoba oil works perfectly on its own and leaves skin soft.
It’s not just your bath and shower staples; you can give a clean makeover for that spa-like feel. You can also swap items like cotton balls and swabs to glass dispensers rather than plastic containers, or upgrade your toothbrush holder to one made of bamboo or ceramic instead of plastic to elevate your space in an eco-friendly way.
Conclusion
Your skin absorbs what you put on it, so it’s important to pick products with thoughtful ingredients that are good for you and the environment. Once you create a low-tox bath routine, you’ll have safer options to use every day that look and feel beautiful in your space while taking a big step toward reducing your exposure to harsh chemicals and cutting down on unnecessary waste.
