After my second miscarriage, I remember this distinct moment when my doctor asked me about what kinds of products I used. I looked at her a little confused and probably mumbled a few things. I remember thinking, “Yeah, I probably could clean things up but I have no clue where to even start and it’ll probably be expensive.”

After that appointment, my doctor put me on some topical creams to help regulate my hormones and it hit me: if my skin could absorb hormones, it certainly was capable of absorbing crap that was in my products from my skincare to household cleaners.  I was shocked to find ingredient lists with words I couldn’t come close to pronouncing and I immediately had the urge to go through each cabinet and fill a garbage bag with products that suddenly felt like poison to me.

Is cleaning up your beauty routine, home, and life a goal or resolution for the New Year? It can be overwhelming to know where to even start, so here are 3 simple switches that I have made personally that will make the biggest impact.

1. Clean up your skincare

This is where I encourage people to begin! Conventional beauty and body products are one of the biggest contributors to our toxic load. The truth is, one of our skin’s main functions is to absorb a big part of the products we apply, that’s right, your skin is absorbing whatever it is you’re putting on it. That’s proof enough that the ingredients we put on our skin really do matter.

Think of the products you apply every single day! Harmful chemicals found in conventional skincare can build up in our body and impact things like our hormones, our endocrine system, and more.  While our bodies can handle occasional chemicals, when exposed consistently and daily, disease and health conditions are much more likely to happen. 

It’s easy to want to throw everything away but just start small – next time you run out of something, pick up a more natural alternative to replace it! One simple swap can make ALL the difference for your health and wellness. Safe, non-toxic alternatives are available and there are simple steps you can take to significantly reduce toxic exposure on your skin and in your body.

Not sure where to start? Here’s the easiest place: deodorant.  

We often don’t take into consideration how the simple swipe of a stick on our underarms can be so detrimental to our health, but with antiperspirants and drugstore deodorants containing ingredient lists like aluminum, parabens, phthalates… it makes a bit more sense. Deodorant may not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually one of the most powerful ways to take control of your health – and unwanted odor! 

Start with a non-toxic deodorant and then as you continue to swap out conventional products for non-toxic alternatives! It’s important to look for simple, short ingredient lists on skincare labels. Keep an eye out for words you can actually pronounce and understand! And remember, real, recognizable ingredients really do provide lasting results – without sacrificing your health or well-being.

Not sure what’s inside your products: EWG is a great resource for researching specific ingredients and the ThinkDirty app rates how safe a certain product is – making it the perfect sidekick to take along when you shop for skincare!

2. Create a healthy home

Believe it or not, your home has a HUGE impact on the state of your overall health and well-being – and it’s super easy for harmful chemicals and toxic ingredients to find their way into your home.  From air fresheners, laundry detergent, dish soap, bathroom cleaners, and scented candles… these common (and seemingly harmless) household items are usually loaded with harmful and hazardous chemicals.

Everyone loves a little ambiance and aromatherapy after a long day at work, (guilty) but most candles on the market contain artificial fragrances – one of the most toxic ingredients found in conventional products (even many “natural” ones!)  

Before getting overwhelmed with all of the conventional, chemical-laden products you may have stored away in cabinets and closets, start with just one room at a time. Slowly start replacing toxic products with natural alternatives. For a truly non-toxic home and healthier lifestyle, stick to products made with only pure essential oils and look for safe cleaning supplies that support a clean, toxin-free home.

Non-Toxic Home Tip: Drew calls me the plant lady! I love how plants add some life to our home (especially in the dead of winter!) Decorate your space with indoor plants to help purify the air, uplift your mood and improve your sense of wellness.

3. Think non-toxic thoughts

While we’ve focused on cleaning up our skincare and creating a non-toxic home, this last one takes the cake. Above all, for a non-toxic new year, pay special attention to your thoughts, I’m talking your “inner mean girl” here! Toxic thoughts and mindsets wreak havoc on the health of your mind, soul, and body.

It’s true, toxins not only find their way into our skincare and our cleaning products, but they even manage to carve a space into our minds. And this detox process can sometimes be even more hard work than deep cleaning your house or overhauling your makeup bag – but it’s SO worth it. Watch the way you speak to yourself and affirm yourself with positive mantras or words of affirmation, you’re doing an amazing job! 

Changing your thinking is vital to a truly healthy and vibrant life. This new year, focus on replacing toxic thoughts with positive, life-giving truths. Be mindful whenever you sense a toxic thought surface, but don’t allow it to linger. Just like you tossed out your antiperspirant in the trash, do the same with thoughts that don’t serve you or others.

Change your mindset: It may feel silly at first (and maybe really uncomfortable!), but say out loud 1 or 2 things you love about yourself. By repeating these positive affirmations, you’ll start to repave the pathways in your brain until those beliefs become your new mindset – and non-toxic thoughts will be left in last year.

So what do you think? Can you see yourself making these 3 simple shifts to move towards a more non-toxic life in the new year? Tell me in the comments what other changes you’re committing to making, I want to hear!

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