Four Bathroom Products at Target I Would Skip as an Environmental Scientist

The bathroom is where convenience quietly takes over. We reach for whatever is familiar, whatever is on sale, or whatever has the most recognizable packaging, without necessarily thinking about what’s actually in the products we use on our skin, in our mouths, or around our bodies every day.

That doesn’t mean every conventional bathroom product needs to go immediately. A more practical approach is to identify the products you use most frequently and find simpler alternatives where available. If something is used daily, stays in contact with your skin or mouth, or contains ingredients you’d rather minimize, it’s worth a second look.

Here are four bathroom products I’d personally skip at Target, and what I’d choose instead.

1. Listerine Mouthwash: Swap for a Gentler Oral Rinse

Mouthwash is one of those products that becomes part of a daily routine without much thought. But the ingredients in a strong antimicrobial mouthwash deserve a closer look because the mouth isn’t simply a collection of bacteria to be sterilized.

Your oral microbiome is a complex ecosystem. Research has raised questions about how frequent use of certain antiseptic mouthwashes may affect the balance of oral microorganisms and potentially influence broader oral and systemic health. Disrupting that balance routinely, simply to achieve that ultra-clean feeling, may not always be necessary or beneficial.

That said, mouthwash has legitimate applications. If a dentist has recommended it for a specific reason, that recommendation takes priority. The broader point is that using a strong antimicrobial product daily as a default habit, without a specific clinical reason, is worth reconsidering.

For everyday oral care, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth, and maintaining regular dental visits remain the most evidence-based foundations.

What I’d choose instead: GuruNanda Oil Pulling Oral Rinse

Oil pulling is an ancient oral-care practice that involves swishing plant-derived oils around the mouth before spitting them out. GuruNanda’s version uses plant-based ingredients rather than the antiseptic approach of traditional mouthwash. Think of it as an optional complement to, not a replacement for, brushing and flossing. “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean better, but for people looking to step away from daily antimicrobial use, it’s a reasonable alternative.

2. Tree Hut Sugar Scrubs: Make a Simple One Instead

Body scrubs are where ingredient lists get surprisingly long. A product marketed as a simple sugar scrub might contain dozens of ingredients, such as fragrances, colorants, preservatives, and emulsifiers, that aren’t actually necessary for basic exfoliation.

Tree Hut scrubs are a good example. Many contain synthetic fragrance alongside their exfoliating ingredients. Fragrance is a broad labeling category that can encompass numerous individual compounds, making it difficult to know exactly what’s included from the label alone. For people with sensitive skin, or anyone trying to reduce overall fragrance exposure, a heavily formulated scrub is often the last product worth spending money on.

The simpler truth: you don’t need a complicated formula to exfoliate your skin.

Make your own with two ingredients:

Combine approximately 2 parts sugar with 1 part oil (coconut or olive oil both work well). Adjust the ratio until you get the texture you prefer. That’s it. You can leave it completely unscented or add a small amount of essential oil if you tolerate fragrance well.

One important note: physical exfoliation isn’t necessary for everyone, and aggressive scrubbing can irritate the skin. Use gentle pressure, avoid broken or irritated skin, and stop if you notice burning or discomfort.

3. Dove Soap Bars: Swap for a Simpler Cleanser

Soap is used directly on the skin, often multiple times a day, which makes the formulation worth paying attention to.

One thing worth knowing: Dove Beauty Bar is technically a syndet (synthetic detergent bar), not traditional soap. Syndet bars aren’t automatically problematic; some formulations are actually gentler on skin than traditional soap, which is why they’re sometimes recommended for dry or sensitive skin. The bigger consideration for simplifying your bathroom is the specific ingredients.

Most conventional cleansing bars and body washes contain added synthetic fragrance. For people with sensitive or reactive skin, fragrance is one of the most common triggers for irritation and allergic contact dermatitis. The concern is that unnecessary exposure to fragrance can contribute to irritation, and avoiding it is a reasonable goal for anyone trying to simplify their personal care routine.

What I’d choose instead: Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s castile soaps use plant-based oils, including organic ingredients in many formulations, and are available at most Targets. One important caveat: “natural” doesn’t mean non-irritating. Dr. Bronner’s scented products use essential oils, which are still concentrated fragrance substances that can bother sensitive skin. If reducing fragrance is the goal, choose the unscented formulation.

4. Plastic Toothbrushes and Conventional Floss: Consider Simpler Alternatives

This one is a little different because the concern is about materials.

Most conventional toothbrushes are made predominantly from plastic. Traditional dental floss is typically nylon or expanded PTFE. These products are used daily, replaced regularly, and generate consistent plastic waste.

Microplastics have been detected in various human tissues and biological samples, and research into potential health effects is ongoing. If reducing plastic use is a priority, dental-care products are an easy place to start because alternatives genuinely exist.

For toothbrushes: Bamboo-handled toothbrushes are the most accessible swap. If you want natural bristles, boar hair, or horse hair, there are options.

For floss: Traditional silk floss is biodegradable and available coated with natural waxes.

The Right Approach: Replace at the Natural Endpoint

You don’t need to throw away everything currently in your bathroom cabinet. That creates unnecessary waste and expense. Instead, use the replacement cycle:

• When you finish a bottle of mouthwash, ask whether you actually need one and which formulation makes sense
• When your toothbrush wears out, look at bamboo alternatives before buying another plastic one
• When you run out of body scrub, consider making a two-ingredient version yourself
• When you need a new cleanser, compare ingredient lists rather than reaching for the familiar packaging

The point isn’t to create a bathroom filled with products labeled “natural” or “clean.” Those terms can be vague and don’t necessarily tell you much about a product’s ingredients or safety. Instead, focus on being more intentional about what you bring into your home, and remember that sometimes the simplest option is to use less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Listerine bad for you? The concern for Listerine and similar antimicrobial mouthwashes’ everyday default use is that strong antiseptic formulations can significantly alter the oral microbiome: the complex community of microorganisms in the mouth that plays an important role in oral and systemic health. For people using mouthwash as a routine habit without a specific clinical reason, stepping back or switching to a gentler alternative is worth considering.

Is Tree Hut sugar scrub bad for your skin? For anyone trying to reduce fragrance exposure or manage sensitive skin, it’s a formulation worth scrutinizing. Many Tree Hut products contain synthetic fragrance alongside their exfoliating ingredients, and fragrance is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis in skincare products. A simple homemade scrub of sugar and coconut or olive oil provides the same physical exfoliation without the added fragrance or lengthy ingredient list.

Is Dove soap safe to use? Dove Beauty is technically a syndet (synthetic detergent) bar rather than traditional soap. The main consideration for people minimizing unnecessary ingredients is their synthetic fragrance content, which can trigger irritation in sensitive individuals. Fragrance-free alternatives like unscented Dr. Bronner’s castile soap offer a simpler formulation.

What is a non-toxic alternative to regular dental floss? Traditional silk floss, available from several brands, is a biodegradable alternative to conventional nylon- or PTFE-based floss. For people prioritizing material simplification, silk floss is a straightforward swap that doesn’t compromise dental hygiene.

Which bathroom products should I replace first to switch to a lower-toxin routine? Prioritize based on frequency of use and direct body contact. Daily-use products that come into direct contact with skin or mucous membranes, like toothbrushes, soap, and mouthwash, are the most relevant starting points. Fragrance-free cleansers are an easy first swap for anyone with sensitive skin. Replacing plastic toothbrushes with bamboo alternatives is low-cost and low-effort. From there, evaluate body care products by their ingredient lists rather than by brand or packaging, and use each product’s natural replacement cycle as an opportunity to choose something simpler.

References:

1. Laumen JGE, Van Dijck C, Manoharan-Basil SS, de Block T, Abdellati S, Xavier BB, Malhotra-Kumar S, Kenyon C. The effect of daily usage of Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash on the oropharyngeal microbiome: a substudy of the PReGo trial. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2024;73(6). doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.001830. PMID: 38833520.
2. Rádis-Baptista G. Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks? Journal of Xenobiotics. 2023;13(1):121–131. doi: 10.3390/jox13010010. PMID: 36976159; PMCID: PMC10051690.
3. Zhang X, Yu C, Wang P, Yang C. Microplastics and human health: Unraveling the toxicological pathways and implications for public health. Frontiers in Public Health. 2025;13:1567200. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1567200
4. Alnuqaydan, A. M. (2024). The dark side of beauty: An in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1439027.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1439027