Erica's Top 10 Clean Swaps for a Healthy Home

Beautycounter's Dew Skin is a tinted moisturizer that has the perfect amount of natural-looking coverage, plus SPF to give you sun protection. The brand is dedicated to cleaning up the beauty industry, so you can be sure that their products are free from 1,800 harmful or questionable ingredients. 

Similar tinted moisturizers on the market contain octinoxate and oxybenzone, which are both linked to harmful health impacts, as well as bleaching of the coral reefs. Additionally, you may find PEGs as another common ingredient which are linked to increased risk of skin cancer. 

Not only is Dew Skin free of harmful ingredients, but it also uses non-nano zinc to protect from sun damage, and vitamin C to help brighten your skin. You will always find this product (or maybe two) in my makeup bag!

You've probably heard retinol touted as the number one ingredient for anti-aging, but did you know it also increases your risk of cancer? Retinol, and the related retinyl palmitate, is rated a 6 to 9 (10 being the worst) on the toxicity scale by the Environmental Working Group. 

It is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, and when exposed to the sun, studies have found increased mutations in cells and free radicals that initiate DNA change, therefore increasing the risk of cancer. 

This is where Beautycounter's Countertime Anti-Aging line comes in! The brand found an alternative to retinol that uses a natural ingredient called bakuchiol (rated a 1 on the EWG scale). In clinical studies, bakuchiol is shown to have the same or similar effects on anti-aging as retinol but without any harmful health impacts! 

Plus, the bottles used for their anti-aging line are all made of glass, making them more sustainable and easier to recycle. This also decreases the potential exposure to additional harmful ingredients that may be in plastic containers. This line is truly luxurious!

Although there is debate around whether aluminum in antiperspirant deodorant causes cancer, it's best not to take any chances. What is known is that aluminum can damage DNA and prevent DNA repair which are well-known mechanisms of carcinogenesis (the formation of cancer). Recent studies also show that women with breast cancer had higher amounts of aluminum in their breast tissue than those without breast cancer. 

On top of having aluminum, most conventional deodorants also contain fragrance, which is linked to allergies, asthma, and skin irritation. The label "fragrance" can actually be used to hide hundreds of other harmful chemicals under one little word. So clean swapping for Schmidt's Natural Deodorant is recommended!

This deodorant is rated as a 1 on the EWG's scale and is Leaping Bunny Certified. The Lilly of the Valley scent is fragrant, and its proceeds go towards the Jane Goodall Institute. Be forewarned, though, that when switching to a natural deodorant, your body may go through a detox period. But, I encourage you to stick it out for better health!

Cleaning products are another consumer category where we are exposed to numerous harmful chemicals. Ever pick up a bottle of Chlorox and realize there are no ingredients listed? 

That's because it's not required by US federal law for cleaning products to list ingredients. Harmful chemicals that may be lurking in your products include sodium hypochlorite, ammonia, phthalates, and fragrance which, as mentioned above, can include hundreds of chemicals under a single word! 

Humble Suds is owned by two moms in Denver, CO and their products are fabulous! There are no more than six ingredients in each product and all are clearly labeled right on the package. Their cleaners are soap-based so you can be sure you are washing away any harmful bacteria (remember that soap - not disinfectant - is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19). 

All their products are scented only with essential oils. I advise checking out their starter set for all your cleaning needs!

Who doesn't love to wrap themselves in a cozy, soft towel as they step out of the shower? Or slip into bed with fresh, soft sheets? But, did you know that even towels and sheets contain harmful toxins? 

The cotton used for towels and sheets is treated with harmful herbicides and pesticides, including glyphosate which is deemed a potential carcinogen by the World Health Organization. It's also then treated with chemicals during the production process. So each time you use your towels or slide into your cozy bed, you're exposed to toxic fumes from pesticides and by-product chemicals such as formaldehyde. 

My favorite clean swap for all your cotton household needs is Grund America. They're a family-run business dedicated not only to your health but also sustainable and environmentally safe practices. Their towels, sheets, and other items are made with 100% organic cotton and no synthetic dyes, so you can rest assured you're not sleeping with harmful chemicals. They also come in beautiful designs and colors!

No one likes scraping food off the bottom of their pan, but did you know that non-stick pans contain a man-made material referred to as PFOAs that can increase your risk of various cancers? Especially when these pans are used on high heat, with metal spatulas that can scrape and damage the material, or for too long where the material breaks down are they particularly dangerous. 

This clean swap recommendation for non-stick cookware is made from ceramic instead of Teflon or material using PFOAs. Research shows that ceramic does not leach into your food the way PFOAs do, making it the overall safer choice. 

You should check out GreenPan for all your safe non-stick cookware needs. They have many different options for cookware sets, including some fun colors that can match most kitchens!

Conventional toothpaste is filled with ingredients that you do not want in your body! Fluoride is linked to stomach problems and tooth discoloration. Sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS) are used to make toothpaste foam up, but are also found in engine cleaner! 

Parabens are linked to various types of cancer and are a known endocrine disruptor; and, finally, many kinds of toothpaste contain aspartame which is linked to numerous health concerns. However, some studies show that natural toothpaste without fluoride is not effective in preventing cavities. Luckily, Risewell Co. offers a solution to this problem.

Risewell Co. is an incredible brand started by dentists. Their toothpaste uses hydroxyapatite, a mineral naturally found in your teeth, that studies show improve enamel and prevents cavities. There are also no harmful ingredients in this toothpaste and it's flavored with essential oils and natural extracts.

The wine you usually find in the supermarket is loaded with sugar for flavor, dyes to enhance the color, and added sulfites used to preserve the wine. There are up to 70 additives that are approved to be used in wine! But, unlike other food and beverages, wineries do not have to include an ingredient list. 

Luckily, there are companies like Dry Farm Wines that are bringing winemaking back to the basics. They are partnered with 600 family-run vineyards around the world, and their stamp of approval means the wine was produced using certified organic grapes, biodynamic farming, no sugar, and no added sulfites or other harmful additives. 

Their vineyards also use what's called "dry farming" rather than irrigation, which limits the amount of water used to produce wine. Plus, the wines are truly amazing! And if you don't love a bottle you receive, they'll even send you a new one.

It is best to reduce the use of plastic in your life, both for health and environmental purposes. Plastics leach out phthalates, BPA, and other harmful chemicals that are known endocrine disruptors into our food. And we already know plastic is terrible for the environment! 

In place of plastic wrap, I recommend using these Bee's Wrap beeswax wraps. They're soft, sticky, durable, and great for wrapping leftovers. They're also made with only natural ingredients and compostable! Plus, the company is a Certified B Corporation and partners with some amazing organizations to better the planet.

There is no denying all the toxic fumes you inhale when you're inside a nail salon. When you start researching about nail polishes, you will be horrified by what you find. Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is often used as a preservative and to help polish harden. 

Numerous other chemicals used in nail polish are linked to reproductive issues, hormone dysregulation, and increased risk of cancer. That's why I was so excited when I discovered Cote nail polish! 

Not only have they eliminated 10 common toxic ingredients from their nail polish, but they are also cruelty-free and vegan, and come in a variety of amazing colors. And if you're in the LA area, you have to stop by their salon in Brentwood and treat yourself to clean manicure in their adorable boho bungalow!