🚿 Personal Care Swap Challenge

Gentle Swaps for a Naturally Clean, Fresh Body

Our daily care routines are full of opportunities to choose better, for our health, skin, and the environment. Many personal care products include ingredients like aluminum, triclosan, SLS, artificial colors, and synthetic fragrance, substances that can build up in the body over time.

This 5-day Personal Care Swap Challenge guides you to explore safer, more natural alternatives. Just like before, there’s no need to throw anything away. Keep using what you have while trying new swaps, one by one.

 Daily Goals At-A-Glance

"low-poo" is short for "low shampoo" or "low detergent shampoo". It was popularized by Lorraine Massey, an author.

 Day 1: Fresh Without Aluminum

Swap: Antiperspirant → Natural deodorant

Many mainstream deodorants contain aluminum compounds, which block sweat glands, and triclosan, an antibacterial linked to hormone disruption.

Instead, try:

• Natural deodorant sticks (with baking soda, magnesium, or arrowroot)
• DIY mix: coconut oil + baking soda + essential oils
• Underarm detox: bentonite clay + apple cider vinegar mask (optional)

Challenge Tip: Natural deodorants may take a few days to adjust, try on a rest day and see how your body responds.

Read my blog post about choosing deodorant with natural ingredients.

 Day 2: Go Gentle on Your Scalp

Swap: Sulfate & silicone shampoos → Plant-based or “low-poo”

SLS, SLES, and silicones coat the hair but can cause dryness, buildup, or scalp irritation.

Instead, try:

• Sulfate-free shampoos with aloe, hibiscus, or gugo

• DIY scalp scrub: aloe gel + sugar + tea tree oil

• Rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar for shine

Challenge Tip: Transition slowly, hair may feel different at first, but it gets healthier over time.

You can choose the specific natural ingredients for your hair type, read my blog post about natural shampoo for your hair type.

 Day 3: Rethink Your Toothpaste

Swap: Synthetic commercial paste → Herbal or fluoride-free toothpaste

Conventional toothpaste may contain sodium lauryl sulfate, saccharin, or microplastics.

Instead, try:

• Herbal toothpaste (neem, tea tree, charcoal)

• Fluoride-free options with baking soda or clay

• DIY mix: coconut oil + baking soda + a drop of peppermint oil

Challenge Tip: Read your current toothpaste ingredients. Look for natural brands or try a homemade version for a week.

I write about toothpaste with natural ingredients in my blog post. You should check it out.

 Day 4: A Cleaner Clean for Your Body

Swap: Artificially scented body wash → Natural soap bars or washes

Body cleansers often contain parabens, synthetic fragrances, and dyes.

Instead, try:

• Glycerin-based or cold-process soap bars

• Castile soap diluted with water + essential oils

• Gentle loofahs or natural washcloths

Challenge Tip: Try switching just your body wash this week. Notice how your skin feels afterward.

I include a homemade recipe of natural soap in my blog post; it may be the best match for your skin type!

 Day 5: Personal Care Product Audit

Swap: Random routine → Informed daily choices

Time to take inventory. Look at your bathroom shelf or toiletry bag, what products do you use daily?

Checklist Ideas:

• Deodorant

• Shampoo + conditioner

• Toothpaste

• Body wash/soap

• Feminine hygiene (if applicable)

• Lip balm or lotion

What to look for:

• Synthetic fragrance

• Parabens

• Triclosan

• PEGs

• SLS/SLES

Challenge Tip: Make a list:

• “Still using”

• “Natural swap idea”

• “Ready to try next”

Download the Personal Care Tracker

Use the Personal Care Swap Tracker to reflect on each day, list current products, and plan your next swaps.
 Personal Care Swap Challenge Tracker

Personal Care Swap Challenge – FAQ

1. What counts as “personal care” in this challenge?
Personal care includes anything you use daily on your body, like deodorants, toothpaste, soap, feminine hygiene products, hair care, and even shaving creams. We’re focusing on products that touch your skin and get absorbed regularly.

2. Why should I switch to natural personal care products?
Because your skin absorbs what you put on it! Many commercial products contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and other chemicals that may disrupt hormones or irritate skin. Natural swaps are gentler and often more eco-friendly, too.

3. How do I find natural alternatives that work?
It may take some experimenting, but there are great natural brands and DIY recipes out there. We’ll guide you through simple swaps like switching to a fluoride-free toothpaste or using a natural deodorant made from baking soda or magnesium.

4. Are natural personal care products effective?
Yes, they can be! Many people find natural options work just as well, or even better, once their bodies adjust. For example, switching to natural deodorant may require a short detox period, but it’s worth it in the long run.

5. I’m not ready to change everything yet. Where should I start?
Start with the product you use most often, maybe your toothpaste or body wash. Then build from there. This is a journey, not a race. Even one small swap makes a difference!

What’s Next?

Ready for the next step in your journey?

Explore the other 5-day mini challenges:

• Food and Beverage Swap Challenge

• Skincare Swap Challenge
  

• Home Cleaning Product Swap Challenge

• Clothing and Fiber Swap Challenge

• Reflection and Habit-Building Challenge (reserve this as your last challenge, finish the first 5 first)

Or revisit the Challenge Toolkit for all your downloadable printables, resources, and guidance.