Low Tox Beauty: Simple Swaps to Support Your Gut
When it comes to living a low-tox lifestyle, what you put on your skin is just as important as what you put on your plate. Our skin is our largest organ, and what we slather on it doesn’t just stay on the surface. Many ingredients can be absorbed, making their way into our bloodstream and ultimately impacting our gut, hormones, and overall well-being.
The Sneaky Side of Conventional Beauty Products
Many mainstream beauty and skincare products are packed with chemicals that can disrupt your gut health, mess with your hormones, and contribute to your body’s toxic load. Some of these ingredients might look harmless on a label, but they can have a bigger impact than you think.
Common culprits to avoid:
Fragrance/Parfum: This one word can hide dozens of synthetic chemicals, some of which are hormone disruptors or allergens.
Parabens: Used as preservatives, parabens can mimic oestrogen in the body and disrupt hormonal balance.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES): These foaming agents can strip your skin barrier and irritate your gut.
Phthalates: Often found in fragrances and nail polishes, these chemicals are known to disrupt hormones.
Synthetic colours (CI + numbers): Artificial dyes can cause irritation and add to your toxic load.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: Sometimes hiding under names like DMDM hydantoin or quaternium-15.
Why Low-Tox Beauty Matters for Your Gut
Your skin and your gut are closely connected—what affects one often affects the other. Many beauty product chemicals are absorbed and processed by your liver and gut, meaning your digestive system ends up doing extra work to detoxify. Over time, this can disrupt your microbiome, contribute to bloating or skin flare-ups, and even impact your mood and energy.
Simple Swaps for a Healthier Routine
The good news? You don’t have to overhaul your beauty cabinet overnight! Start slow and swap out products one at a time as they run out.
Here’s how to get started:
Read the label: The shorter and simpler the ingredient list, the better.
Choose fragrance-free or naturally scented: Look for products scented only with essential oils (and patch test if you’re sensitive).
Opt for certified organic or natural brands, as they often have stricter ingredient standards.
Multi-use products: Look for products that serve multiple purposes—this reduces clutter and exposure.
DIY when you can: Simple recipes like coconut oil for makeup removal or sugar scrubs for exfoliation can be just as effective (and fun!).
Our Low Tox Beauty Favourites
We love supporting local and truly natural brands, like OmMade Organic Skincare —their philosophy is “if you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.” You’ll find some of their products in our clinic, and you can explore their full range online or at the OmMade Meet the Maker stores in South Australia.
Need Help Making the Switch?
If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help! Ask us for recommendations in the clinic, browse our favourite low-tox picks in our online shop, or book a naturopathy consultation for tailored advice on supporting your gut, hormones, and skin from the inside out.
We can also support your body in detoxing from long-term toxic beauty routines through colonics, helping your organs of elimination to function optimally.
Remember: Every little swap counts—your gut will thank you for it.