Switching to low-tox personal care can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! If you're feeling a little lost, here are my top tips to help make the process simpler and stress-free.
Take Baby Steps
I’ve been on this journey for many, many years, and I’m still learning and making changes. The key is small, intentional swaps; there’s no such thing as perfection. Every little change you make makes a difference.
Start with Your Everyday Essentials
It’s tempting to overhaul your entire bathroom cabinet all at once, but that can get expensive quickly. Instead, focus on one product at a time, starting with the ones you use most frequently and that come in direct contact with your skin, like foundation, deodorant or moisturiser.
With so many products out there, it’s hard to know what’s truly low-tox and what’s just clever marketing. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Amelia from @a.glimpse.of.amelia to help take the guesswork out of it. I’m sharing my personal favourite low-tox brand recommendations for everyday essentials like face cleansers, deodorants, toothpaste, moisturiser and foundation.
FOUNDATION
Other than skincare, foundation is likely the product that sits on your skin the longest, sometimes 8-12 hours a day! That’s plenty of time for potential toxins to be absorbed, so switching to a cleaner formula is a great way to lower your toxic load.
Start by choosing brands that fully disclose their ingredients so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. Avoid harmful ingredients like phthalates, fragrance (or parfum), parabens, silicones, sulfates, and synthetic preservatives like BHA/BHT and polyethylene glycol (PEG).
These ingredients have been linked to endocrine disruption, allergies, cancer and nervous system concerns—so they’re best left off your face. Instead, look for certified organic or natural foundations with nourishing, plant-based ingredients like fruit and vegetable extracts, tea, aloe vera, natural clays and skin-loving oils (jojoba, coconut, argan, or castor seed).
My current favourite is this Melvory BB Cream—it’s super lightweight, blends beautifully, and sits comfortably over sunscreen or a light moisturiser without feeling heavy. For more coverage, you can just apply more until you’re happy with how it looks.
Use code "JORDAN15" for 15% off with Melvory
If you’d love more low-tox foundation brand recommendations, check out our full ‘Avoid,’ ‘Better,’ and ‘Best’ Foundation Swaps Post here.
FACE CLEANSER
A good cleanser should clean your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. It should remove dirt and makeup gently, leaving your skin feeling fresh, not tight or dry. Transparency is also key; brands should be open about their ingredients and how their products are made. Amelia and I recently shared our Face Cleanser Swaps post.
If you’d love to check out our full ‘Avoid,’ ‘Better,’ and ‘Best’, you can find our Face Cleanser Swaps here.
Pro tip: The best way to remove sunscreen or makeup is to massage the cleanser onto a damp face, then use a soft, wet washcloth to wipe everything away. Repeat twice if needed and rinse a couple of times to ensure the product is completely removed.
Here are my personal favourite cleansers; they’re safe, effective, and made with clean ingredients:
Melvory’s Green Tea Cleanser
This one is great for removing sunscreen and makeup without it feeling like it’s stripping your skin! It’s suitable for sensitive/acne-prone skin and teens too.
Use code "JORDAN15" for 15% off Melvory!
Mukti Organics Hydrating Cleansing Lotion has almost 500 5-star reviews. That’s why I originally chose this one. It feels really luxurious, it’s hydrating and it nourishes the skin and enhances moisture levels while gently removing all traces of makeup, sunscreen and impurities. I also love their Balancing Cleansing Gel too.
Use code "JORDIEPIEFACE" for 20% off your first order with Mukti Organics.
Sabbia Co Botanical Glow Cleanser - This one cleanses and balances the skin, reduces inflammation, boosts hydration, brightens and soothes with botanical extracts, and supports cellular aging and regeneration.
Use code "JORDIE" for 10% off Sabbia Co sitewide!
FACE MOISTURISER
When it comes to face moisturisers, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Depending on your skin type and needs, you might prefer an oil, lotion/cream or balm.
Types of Face Moisturisers
Oils – When properly formulated, a 100% oil-based moisturiser won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. In fact, it can actually help regulate oil production and balance the skin, even for acne-prone or oily skin!
Lotions & Creams – These contain water and tend to be more lightweight than oils or balms. They’re ideal for daily hydration without feeling heavy.
Balms – A richer, thicker formula made with a blend of oils and butters (like shea butter). These work well for super dry skin or as a nighttime moisturiser.
What to Avoid in Moisturisers
The best natural face moisturisers avoid harmful preservatives and hidden toxins, including:
Parabens (butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben) - These preservatives are believed to mimic estrogen, potentially disrupting hormone balance.
Fragrance (or "Parfum") - This vague term can conceal thousands of undisclosed chemicals, many of which are linked to allergies, irritation and hormone disruption.
Amelia and I are currently working on a Face Moisturiser Swaps post, where we’ll highlight the best and worst options to help you choose the cleanest, most effective products. Stay tuned for our full ‘Avoid,’ ‘Better,’ and ‘Best’ moisturiser swaps post coming soon!
In the meantime, here are two of my absolute favourite face moisturisers from Mukti Organics - their Marigold Hydrating Creme (this has 1000+ 5-star reviews) and their beautiful Queen of the Night Creme. Both are so luxurious and hydrating, especially in the dry weather we have in NZ.
Use code "JORDIEPIEFACE" for 20% off your first order with Mukti Organics
BODY MOISTURISERS
If you’re feeling the effects of seasonal changes and dry skin, you’re not alone! But before you reach for a mainstream moisturiser, here’s a little heads-up—not all of them are created equal.
Unfortunately, personal care regulations are pretty lax in many countries, which means a lot of products on store shelves contain harmful ingredients. Sure, your skin might feel silky smooth at first, but beneath the surface, your natural skin bacteria are waging a losing battle against the toxins you’ve just slathered on. And the worst part? Many of these chemicals can make their way into your bloodstream—yikes!
The good news? More and more brands are stepping up and creating products with your health in mind. There are so many great options out there made with natural, organic ingredients—many of which are fragrance-free and low-tox. So you can keep your skin hydrated without the hidden nasties!
In our Moisturiser Swaps post, we share a round-up of the best lox-tox moisturisers for different skin types, ages and budgets.
Here are a few of my favourite options:
You can use ‘JORDIE10’ for 10% off with Naked Tallow if you want to give their range a try.
Tallow balm is made from rendered beef fat, and while it might sound unusual, it’s incredibly nourishing for the skin. Its healthy fats closely mimic our natural sebum, making it perfect for sensitive or dry skin by locking in moisture without clogging pores. It’s also packed with skin-loving nutrients like fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and B12, plus conjugated linoleic acid and niacin—all working together to support cell regeneration, improve skin tone, and reduce fine lines and UV damage.
I’m a big fan of Naked Tallow’s range—their products are beautifully scented with essential oils, so no, you won’t smell like beef fat (it’s completely rendered out!).
Extra tip: If you rub this onto your body while your skin is still damp after a shower, a little really goes a long way.
This tallow balm from Byron Pure Tallow is also incredible. I religiously used this over the summer. After tanning and swimming in the ocean, my skin gets super dry. I rub this all over my body after a shower, and it hydrates and nourishes my skin again. Plus, it smells absolutely incredible! I love the essential oils they’ve added to their blends.
You can use “jordie15” for 15% off with Byron Pure Tallow.
If tallow isn’t your thing or you’re after a lighter moisturiser, Skin Food Light Moisturiser is a great option to try. Funny story—I actually hated the scent when I first tried it but now I love it! It’s light, fresh and citrusy. For something a bit richer, the original Skin Food Moisturiser (the one in the darker green tube) is perfect for dry areas like your legs and arms.
I buy both through Jivita, which ships across Australia and NZ. If you’re placing your first order, you can use "jordiepieface" for $15 off ($130 min spend).
DEODORANT
Most conventional deodorants contain some questionable ingredients—parabens (like methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl) and aluminium are two of the biggest concerns. These ingredients can mimic estrogen and may disrupt hormones, which is why deodorant is one of the most important swaps you can make.
What Makes a Good Natural Deodorant?
Allows your body to sweat without odour
Absorbs wetness without blocking sweat
Avoids excessive staining on clothes, especially white shirts (if staining is an issue, try an unscented version!)
Everyone’s body is different, and the deodorant I love might not be the one for you. For example, my partner only uses spray deodorants, while I’m happy with pastes, roll-ons or sprays. It’s all about finding what works best for you! I also find it helpful to switch up my deodorants every few months so my body doesn’t get too used to them.
Here are a couple of favourites between the two of us:
Noosa Basics Natural Deodorant Spray - My partner really likes the deodorant sprays from Noosa Botanics, but they’re not my personal favourite (we all have our own preferences, right?). Even though it's marketed for men, I actually prefer the Weleda Men’s Roll On deodorant— I also like their spray, which we both enjoy, so we can share that one!
I buy these deodorants through Jivita. You can use my discount code “jordiepieface” for $15 off your first order through them ($130 min order).
I also really like these deodorant sticks from Woohoo Body, which are packaged in a biodegradable cardboard tube. They’ve got a great range of scents and options to choose from too, including bicarb-free, extra-strength and sensitive options.
I buy these through Part&Parcel. You can use “jordiepieface” for $20 off your first order with them ($99 min order).
If you would love more low-tox deodorant options, you can find Amelia and I’s ‘Avoid,’ ‘Better,’ and ‘Best’ Deodorant Swaps post here.
TOOTHPASTE
Most of us use toothpaste daily without thinking about the ingredients. One that’s gaining attention is hydroxyapatite—a natural form of calcium that makes up 97% of tooth enamel and 70% of dentin. It helps remineralise teeth, prevent plaque buildup, support a healthy oral microbiome, and naturally brighten teeth—all without known side effects. There are two types, non-nano and nano-hydroxyapatite.
Non-Nano vs. Nano-Hydroxyapatite
Non-nano hydroxyapatite comes from natural sources and stays on the tooth’s surface, while nano-hydroxyapatite is synthetically made with smaller particles that may penetrate deeper, making it ideal for sensitive teeth. Research shows hydroxyapatite performs as well as or better than fluoride in remineralising teeth (without the controversy).
In our Toothpaste Swaps post, where you can find loads of brand recommendations, we’ve categorised our top picks to help you choose.
These are a few of my favourite toothpaste options:
I really like this whitening mint toothpaste from Grants—it contains Hydroxyapatite (HA), which naturally whitens, strengthens and remineralises teeth. I usually buy this one, along with the Grin brand, through Part&Parcel (you can use 'jordiepieface' for $20 off your first order over $99).
You can also check your local supermarkets, as more and more are starting to stock these amazing brands! Another favourite toothpaste of mine is Red Seal, it’s easy to find in supermarkets, gives my teeth a great clean, and is super minty (I can't stand toothpastes that aren’t minty enough!).
I kept this post focused on the basics, but there are so many more ways to reduce daily toxin exposure! If you’re looking for even more low-tox swaps, Amelia and I have teamed up to share detailed swap guides over on our Instagram pages: @jordiepieface and @a.glimpse.of.amelia . From sunscreen and bug spray to perfume, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and more—we’re making it easier than ever to choose safer, more nourishing products for you and your family.
Remember, every small swap makes a difference. There’s no need for perfection—just progress! ❤️
P.S. If you want to learn more about the ingredients in personal care and skincare products, I highly recommend Truth in Beauty by Mukti. This book breaks down ingredients in an easy-to-follow way, highlighting which ones to avoid and which to seek out for healthier skin. It’s a great resource to help you make informed choices about the products you use daily - so you can achieve glowing skin and a more balanced lifestyle!
Use the code “JORDIEPIEFACE” for 20% OFF your first order with Mukti Organics