The personal care aisle at Target is genuinely overwhelming; hundreds of products promise healthier skin, better hydration, and dermatologist-approved results. Most of it sounds reassuring. Not all of it holds up once you actually read the ingredient list.

A lower-tox lifestyle means knowing which ingredients deserve a closer look, and which everyday products are worth swapping first.

Here are three categories I personally scrutinize every time I’m at Target, and what I reach for instead.

1. Conventional Body Wash and Soap

Most people use body wash every single day without giving the ingredient list a second thought. If it’s labeled gentle, moisturizing, or dermatologist-recommended, it’s easy to assume it’s been formulated with health as the priority.

In reality, many conventional body washes contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, surfactants, and petroleum-derived ingredients, chosen for scent, lather, and shelf life rather than for skin health.

The concern: fragrance.

The word “fragrance” on a label can represent a mixture of dozens or even hundreds of individual compounds. Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the full formulation, since fragrance recipes are considered proprietary. That makes it genuinely difficult to know what’s actually touching your skin.

For some people, synthetic fragrance contributes to skin irritation, headaches, respiratory discomfort, or general sensitivity. Not everyone reacts this way, but reducing unnecessary fragrance exposure is a common goal in low-tox households, especially since skin is the body’s largest organ and daily exposure adds up over time.

What I choose instead:

Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap is a frequent low-tox recommendation for good reason. It relies on plant oils instead of synthetic detergents and comes in both fragrance-free and essential-oil-scented versions. The ingredient list is short enough, actually, to read.

2. Petroleum-Based Moisturizers and Skin Protectants

Petroleum jelly is one of the most recognizable personal care products in existence, and for good reason; it works. It forms an occlusive barrier that locks moisture into the skin, which is why it’s been a go-to for dry skin and minor irritations for generations, and why healthcare professionals still recommend it for certain conditions.

The concern is that it’s a fossil fuel byproduct.

Petroleum jelly is derived from the oil refining process and undergoes purification before it’s used in cosmetic products. Regulatory agencies generally consider highly refined, cosmetic-grade petroleum jelly safe. That said, many low-tox consumers prefer plant-derived ingredients over fossil-fuel-derived ones when a comparable alternative exists.

The same conversation applies to moisturizers heavy in petrolatum, mineral oil, or other petroleum-derived compounds, including well-regarded brands like CeraVe, which has a strong reputation for supporting skin barrier function but leans on these ingredients.

What I choose instead:

Weleda is a brand frequently favored in the low-tox community for relying on plant oils, botanical extracts, and essential oils instead of petroleum derivatives.

To be clear: this doesn’t mean every natural product is automatically better, or every petroleum-based product is harmful. It comes down to ingredient philosophy and what aligns with your approach to personal care.

3. Chemical Sunscreens

Sunscreen is non-negotiable; UV exposure is a well-established risk factor for premature aging and skin cancer. The real question is which type of sunscreen to use.

Chemical sunscreens typically contain active ingredients such as avobenzone, octocrylene, oxybenzone, octisalate, and homosalate. They work by absorbing UV radiation and converting it into heat before it can damage the skin.

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on the skin’s surface and reflect or scatter UV rays rather than absorb them.

The concern: systemic absorption.

Research has shown that certain chemical sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream after repeated use. Detection in the blood doesn’t automatically mean an ingredient is harmful. Still, it’s prompted a precautionary shift toward mineral sunscreens among many consumers, especially since alternatives are readily available and effective.

What I choose instead:

Zinc oxide is widely regarded as one of the most effective broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredients, protecting against both UVA and UVB radiation and with a long history of safe use. Badger Sunscreen is a commonly recommended option, using non-nano zinc oxide as its primary active ingredient with a simple, transparent formula.

The main trade-off: mineral sunscreens can leave a visible white cast, particularly on darker skin tones, though newer formulations have improved significantly in this regard.

Why Daily-Use Products Matter Most

The principle behind all three of these swaps is the same: exposure adds up.

It’s rarely about one body wash, one tube of moisturizer, or a single sunscreen application. It’s about products used daily, for years, as part of an established routine: soap, lotion, shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen. That repetition is exactly what makes personal care products a practical starting point for reducing overall chemical exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do low-tox consumers avoid fragrance in body wash? “Fragrance” on an ingredient label can represent a proprietary blend of dozens or hundreds of undisclosed chemical compounds. Manufacturers aren’t required to list them individually, which makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they’re applying to their skin. For some people, synthetic fragrance can contribute to skin irritation, headaches, or respiratory sensitivity, which is why fragrance-free or naturally scented alternatives are popular in low-tox households.

What’s the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen? Chemical sunscreens use ingredients like avobenzone, octocrylene, and oxybenzone that absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on the skin’s surface and physically reflect or scatter UV rays. Mineral sunscreens have gained popularity partly because research has shown chemical sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream, prompting a more precautionary preference among some consumers.

Is zinc oxide sunscreen better than chemical sunscreen? Zinc oxide is considered one of the most effective broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredients available and protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. It has a long history of safe use and doesn’t carry the same questions around systemic absorption as some chemical UV filters. The main downside is a potential white cast on the skin, though many modern mineral formulations have largely addressed this.

What personal care product should I switch first if I’m just getting started? Sunscreen and body wash are both reasonable starting points since they’re used frequently and have straightforward, widely available alternatives. Switching to a mineral sunscreen, such as one with non-nano zinc oxide, or a simpler soap like castile soap, requires minimal adjustment to your routine while meaningfully reducing exposure to ingredients of concern.

 

References:

1. Rádis-Baptista, G. (2023). Do synthetic fragrances in personal care and household products impact indoor air quality and pose health risks? Journal of Xenobiotics, 13(1), 121–131.https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13010010
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3. Panico, A., Serio, F., Bagordo, F., Grassi, T., Idolo, A., De Giorgi, M., Guido, M., Congedo, M., & De Donno, A. (2019). Skin safety and health prevention: An overview of chemicals in cosmetic products. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 60(1), E50–E57.https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.1.1080
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6. Suh, S., Pham, C., Smith, J., & Mesinkovska, N.A. (2020). The banned sunscreen ingredients and their impact on human health: A systematic review. International Journal of Dermatology, 59(9), 1033–1042.https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14824
7. Chatzigianni, M., Pavlou, P., Siamidi, A., Vlachou, M., Varvaresou, A., & Papageorgiou, S. (2022). Environmental impacts due to the use of sunscreen products: A mini-review. Ecotoxicology, 31(9), 1331–1345.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-022-02592-w