ultimate non-toxic product guide for the holidays and beyond
disclaimer: This is not medical advice. This is intended to educate, inspire and support you in your self healing journey. Speak to your medical professional. Some content might be sensitive; I invite you to practice self-harmonizing.
This Christmas by Donny Hathaway playing on my computer speakers, my heart alive with Christmas cheer.
I love Christmas. I love the lights and hot chocolate with marshmallows and season of giving.
I don’t love unconscious consumerism — I am guilty of from time to time!
In the two years since my dad’s “sudden” death, I have moved a lot and furnished a couple homes in Medellin, Colombia, Florida and Las Vegas — I have done a lot of research about non-toxic products to adorn my home in a way that supports a healthy lifestyle and nervous system.
Remember that non-toxic doesn’t really exist, but that’s the term… really what we are aiming for is low-toxic.
Products and furniture that have a lower toxic burden on our immune, hormone, gut, and ultimately our nervous system health.
So I am so happy to share with you brands that I have bought from or will buy from for this holiday season and beyond.
IMPORTANT
This is by no means a comprehensive list, if you have suggestions of categories or companies to add, write them in the comments!
Not all products by the brands listed will be “perfect” for you. Double check materials, processes, etc. at the time of your purchase for the most up to date information
The most sustainable, “non-toxic” options are to use what you already have or getting second-hand from sources like a friend, Facebook Marketplace, local thrift stores, etc. These items have already off-gased toxic chemicals AND they create no additional waste AND they are often significantly cheaper which can calm financial burdens, worries or stressors
If you feel like a category is missing, suggest it in the comments or send me a DM on Instagram @the.stress.healer
infinite love and happy holidays,
Stephanie
WATER FILTERS
Check what’s in your tap water here. Depending on what is present in your tap water, you might alter which water filter is right for you. For example, Tampa, Florida has highest levels of arsenic in the water, and Jolie shower filters out 85% of arsenic where ProOne shower filters out only 28%.
Jolie — they don’t share a lab report, I don’t love that
natural spring water — find a spring
AIR FILTERS
AVOID: staying inside all day.
If purchasing an Air purifier, check the room size it will filter for
COOKWARE
AVOID: teflon or anything that says “non-stick”. In my opinions that also includes avoiding brands like Always Pan, Caraway, GreenPan because they’re not transparent about what is in their “non-stick”.
BETTER OPTIONS: stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron
Xtrema (what I use)
Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores
FOOD STORAGE
AVOID: plastic, disposable or single use (takeout containers)
BETTER OPTIONS: glass (mason jars, Pyrex, etc.), beeswax, linen
HOME DECOR
Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores
Chairish — vintage and secondhand, pricey
Revival — look for one-of-a-kind or 100% wool. the washable rugs are likely polyester (aka plastic)
CUTTING BOARDS
AVOID: plastic
BETTER OPTIONS: wood or glass. note that glass tends to dull knives quicker than wood. look for wood cutting boards from a single piece of wood to avoid glues. look for FSC-certified wood. best woods are maple, walnut, cherry, beech, birch,
John Boos — avoid end grain or other cutting boards that are lots of wood glued together
TOWELS, PAPER TOWELS,
TOILET PAPER, ETC.
AVOID: bleached conventional cotton, polyester, …
BETTER OPTIONS: organic cotton, bamboo, unbleached
Coyuchi for towels and paper towel alternative
reusable Swedish dish cloths from EcoRoots, Free The Ocean, gift shops near you, even Amazon
bamboo toilet paper from Tushy or PlantPaper — look for unbleached and “plastic-free packaging” and FSC certified
LAUNDRY, DISH SOAP, ETC.
vinegar + baking soda + fresh lemon
SHAMPOO, BODY SOAP, ETC.
Dr. Bronner’s bar soap for body can be found at online or at Sprouts, Target, Whole Foods, etc.
Attitude shampoo, conditioner, body soap (comes in bar soaps or in refillable aluminum bottles)
A great resource for non-toxic personal care items is EWG Skindeep. If you’re stuck perusing aisles at Target or Sprouts this can be a lifesafer!
SKINCARE
Sun & Moo tallow — grass-fed and finished, organic ingredients, in glass and very affordable! I love The Simple One, Age Reverse, The Healer, Magnesium for Sleep which I apply to my feet… can’t go wrong with any option
Better Shea Butter — organic, single ingredient, and very affordable, wish they were in glass though
Ilia Beauty — I rarely wear makeup, when I do it’s Ilia
RED LIGHT THERAPY
PERSONAL CARE
Nail care Olive + June, Ella + Mila
Castor Oil Pack for liver+ health
safety razor, deodorant and more from EcoRoots
CLOTHING
Skin — intimates, loungewear
Indigo Luna — lounge, yoga
Free People — has 100% cotton options, no organic options yet
SHOES, ACCESSORIES
SUPPLEMENTS
BEDDING
AVOID: polyester, nylon, acrylic, conventional cotton, synthetic pillows
BETTER OPTIONS: 100% organic cotton, bamboo, silk, wool, hemp, organic latex,
FURNITURE
Most furniture does the majority of off-gassing in the first year or so. Mattresses can off-gas for up to 7 years. If your furniture is older than 2-3 years, this is not an immediate issue.
Most furniture (as well as carpets, flooring, paints, cabinets, etc.) have pretty disgusting things in them like formaldehyde, phthalates, vinyl acetate, flame retardants, etc. which are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs).
VOCs are endocrine distruptors (aka bad for hormones) as well as nervous system stressors.
VOCs show up in glues, upholstery, paints and other things used to make furniture.
AVOID: veneers and MDF, polyester, nylon, polyvinyl, velvet (if made from polyster),
BETTER OPTIONS: real wood, real leather, linen, silk, velvet (if made from silk)
LABELS TO LOOK FOR: GreenGuard Gold, Made Safe, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS).
Not all products on the websites listed are non-toxic (low-toxic), please read information regarding each product carefully and email them if you have questions.
Article — while not advertised as non-toxic, most of their furniture does meet the CA Prop 65 standards for low VOCs, etc.
Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores
CAR
Car’s off-gas in about 18-months. If purchasing a new car for the holidays, keep this in mind by looking for a car older than 18 months. When I got a “new” car last year it was a 2018 to both save money and avoid off-gas. Cars off-gas slower in cold environments.
