Toxic Beauty Products to Avoid + My Favorite Non-Toxic Swaps
Not all beauty products are created equal and some of your everyday favorites could be loaded with ingredients that clog pores, irritate skin, or disrupt hormones.
In this guide, I’m breaking down the toxins to avoid and the clean, effective swaps I personally use and recommend (with links so you can shop in seconds).
1. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Why I Skip It:
Contains dimethicone, parabens (methylparaben + propylparaben), and polysorbates. These ingredients can clog pores, disrupt hormones, and irritate sensitive or acne-prone skin over time.
My NON TOXIC Swap (body)
✨ OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion – This is my go to body lotion, especially in colder months when skin gets dry. It’s lightweight but deeply hydrating, made with seaweed, hyaluronic acid, and zero parabens or silicones.
→ Shop OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion (Amazon)
→ Shop OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion (OSEA discount code: CLEANLIVING)
My NON TOXIC Swap (face)
✨ CLEARSTEM HydroGlow Moisturizer –Acne-safe, fragrance-free, and packed with clean, nourishing ingredients. This is my everyday face moisturizer for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
→ Shop CLEARSTEM HydroGlow (code: CLEANLIVINGKARLY)
2. Aquaphor
Why I Skip It:
Made with petroleum jelly, a byproduct of crude oil that acts as an occlusive barrier, trapping impurities and preventing skin from properly healing and breathing.
Clean Swap:
✨ Active Skin Repair –This stuff heals everything. Cuts, burns, rashes, acne, diaper rash — you name it. It’s a clean, medical grade healing spray that supports skin repair without toxic ingredients.
→ Shop Active Skin Repair
3. Neutrogena Foaming Cleanser + Makeup Wipes / Tula Face Wash
Why I Skip It:
Loaded with fragrance and harsh sulfates that strip the skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and breakouts.
My Non-Toxic Swaps
✨ RMS Beauty Gel Cleanser
Gently cleans without stripping the skin — perfect for daily use.
→ Shop RMS Gel Cleanser
✨ RMS Beauty Cleansing Balm
Melts away makeup and buildup while nourishing the skin barrier.
✨ Indie Lee Purifying Cleanser
Deep cleans while still balancing and hydrating the skin.
→ Shop Indie Lee Purifying Cleanser
✨ Honest Beauty Makeup Remover Wipes
Clean, biodegradable, and fragrance-free — a better wipe option when you need one.
→ Shop Honest Wipes
✨ CLEARSTEM Vitamin Scrub
Gentle exfoliator + cleanser combo that’s acne-safe and brightening.
→ Shop CLEARSTEM Vitamin Scrub
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
✨ Full list of my favorite NON TOXIC haircare: HERE!
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.
My Non-Toxic Swaps
✨ OGEE Tinted Sculpted Lip Oil
A glossy, nourishing finish powered by organic oils.
→ Shop OGEE Lip Oil
✨ NEW: OGEE Beyond Clean Lip Gloss
Clean, hydrating, and gives that glossy look without toxic ingredients.
→NEW Beyond Clean OGEE Lip Gloss
✨ Fitglow Beauty Lip Color Serum
Hydrates, plumps, and conditions lips with truly 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.
My Non-Toxic Swap
✨ Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control
Defines curls, reduces frizz, and softens hair naturally without harsh ingredients.
→ 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. 💛
