Toxic Beauty Products to Avoid + My Favorite Non-Toxic Swaps
Not everything that’s trending in the beauty aisle is good for you. Many “dermatologist-approved” or influencer-famous products contain ingredients that can clog pores, disrupt hormones, or irritate sensitive skin.
Below, I’m breaking down some of the most common products I wouldn’t buy — and my favorite clean swaps that actually perform.
1. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Why I Skip It:
Contains dimethicone, parabens (methylparaben + propylparaben), and polysorbates, which can clog pores, disrupt hormones, and irritate sensitive skin.
Clean Swaps:
✨ OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion – LOVE THIS! Especially going into colder weather with dryer skin. This is lightweight, hydrating, and made with seaweed and hyaluronic acid — no parabens or silicones.
→ Shop OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion (Amazon)
→ Shop OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion (OSEA discount code: CLEANLIVING)
✨ CLEARSTEM HydroGlow Moisturizer – acne-safe, fragrance-free, and packed with clean, nutrient-rich ingredients for glowing skin. This is my go to face moisturizer for my sensitive and acne prone skin.
→ Shop CLEARSTEM HydroGlow
2. Aquaphor
Why I Skip It:
Made with petroleum jelly, a byproduct of crude oil that traps impurities and blocks the skin from breathing.
Clean Swap:
✨ Active Skin Repair –Heals everything!!! Use on cuts, burn, rash, diaper rash, acne and more! Clean, medical-grade healing spray that supports skin repair without toxic chemicals.
→ Shop Active Skin Repair
3. Neutrogena Foaming Cleanser + Makeup Wipes
Why I Skip It:
Loaded with fragrance and harsh sulfates that strip your skin barrier and cause dryness.
Clean Swaps:
✨ RMS Beauty Gel Cleanser and cleansing balm– melts away makeup and buildup without stripping skin.
→ Shop RMS Gel Cleanser
✨ Indie Lee Purifying Cleanser – deep cleans while balancing and hydrating.
→ Shop Indie Lee Purifying Cleanser
✨ Honest Beauty Makeup Remover Wipes – clean, biodegradable, and fragrance-free.
→ Shop Honest Wipes
4. OUAI Hair Products
Why I Skip It:
Contain artificial fragrance and silicones that build up on the scalp and dull hair over time.
Clean Swaps:
✨ EVOLVh UltraShine Moisture Shampoo + Conditioner – clean, vegan, and leaves hair smooth and shiny.
→ Shop EVOLVh
✨ Acure Simply Smoothing Shampoo + Conditioner – affordable, toxin-free option for daily use.
→ Shop Acure
5. Tula Face Wash
Why I Skip It:
Contains fragrance (parfum), phenoxyethanol, PEGs, and synthetic preservatives that can irritate skin and disrupt hormones.
Clean Swaps:
✨ RMS Beauty Gel Cleanser – soothing, lightweight, and perfect for sensitive skin.
→ Shop RMS Gel Cleanser
✨ Indie Lee Purifying Cleanser – refreshes skin without drying or stripping.
→ Shop Indie Lee Purifying Cleanser
✨ CLEARSTEM Vitamin Scrub – gentle exfoliator + cleanser combo that’s acne-safe and brightening.
→ Shop CLEARSTEM Vitamin Scrub
6. Kylie Lip Products
Why I Skip It:
Contain synthetic dyes (Red 7, Blue 1 Lake), aluminum compounds, silicones, and fragrance, which can dry and irritate lips.
Clean Swaps:
✨ OGEE Tinted Sculpted Lip Oil – glossy, nourishing finish powered by organic oils.
→ Shop OGEE Lip Oil
→✨NEW Beyond Clean OGEE Lip Gloss
✨ Fitglow Beauty Lip Color Serum – hydrates, plumps, and conditions lips with clean ingredients.
→ Shop Fitglow Lip Serum
7. Not Your Mother’s Curl Products
Why I Skip It:
Contain fragrance (parfum), phenoxyethanol, benzophenone-4, and PEGs, which can irritate the scalp, dry hair, and damage curls.
Clean Swaps:
✨ Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control – defines and softens curls naturally.
→ Shop Innersense Curl Control
Choosing clean beauty isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Every swap makes a difference for your health and home.
Your skin absorbs what you put on it every single day, so choose products that work with your body, not against it. 💛
