Before we dive in, we asked Kelsey to share a little about herself:
"I'm Kelsey — a content creator sharing clean living, non-toxic swaps, and everyday inspiration for living more mindfully. I started exploring a low-tox lifestyle back in 2020 after learning about harmful ingredients in the products I was using daily. Since then, it's become a passion of mine to help others navigate this space in a way that’s realistic and approachable."
Why It’s Not All or Nothing
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed at the idea of going “non-toxic,” Kelsey gets it. She’s quick to remind her audience that clean living isn’t about getting it perfect — it’s about making progress that feels manageable.
“There are so many ways in which we can transition our lives to living low tox. It can be overwhelming at first knowing how almost every household product we grew up using contains ingredients we don’t want to put on our bodies. The last thing you want is stress caused by making the switch.”
While the goal is to reduce exposure to toxins, Kelsey emphasizes that perfection isn’t the point. It’s about making thoughtful swaps over time, not overnight.
“Make small steps and know it’s a journey and it takes time!”
Where Her Low-Tox Journey Began
Kelsey’s path to a cleaner lifestyle began with makeup. Like many people, she struggled with acne and started digging into the ingredients in the products she was using daily.
“I started my clean journey back in 2020 after learning about certain ingredients found in the makeup I was using. I grew up always battling acne and wanted to make a change. Once I started looking at the ingredients of my shampoo and mascara, I didn’t want to stop there!”
Instead of throwing everything out at once, she took a more sustainable approach; using up what she had, researching better alternatives, and swapping in cleaner options over time.
Making Swaps That Stick
For those just starting, Kelsey recommends beginning with the products you use most. For her, that was shampoo, conditioner, and mascara.
“As I used up what I had (we aren’t just tossing toxic products away), I then had a routine to do research on some cleaner alternatives.”
Resources like the EWG Skin Deep Database, Think Dirty app, and curated clean retailers such as The Detox Market and Take Care have all helped guide her decisions.
She also discovered a few multipurpose products that simplified her routine and budget:
“Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap has so many uses for yourself and your home… If you are on a budget, buying this in bulk and using it for many things (hand soap, body wash, all purpose cleaner etc.) can help offset buying multiple things instead.”
Another staple? Jojoba oil.
“I still use this today for makeup remover, moisturizer, oil cleansing, hair, lips etc.”
Staying Grounded (and Sane)
It hasn’t always been easy. Kelsey admits that in the beginning, the switch felt daunting.
“I think if you are looking to make the switch, going into this journey with the mindset that it’s not going to happen overnight you will avoid the overwhelming feeling of having to change everything in your daily routine.”
Over time, though, her mindset has shifted. These days, she doesn’t feel pressure to do everything — just to stay intentional.
“I try to only bring in non toxic items when shopping or bringing something new into the home. Once you make this a habit every time you buy something, it will become second nature to stop and think ‘is this non toxic and if not, is there any other swap I can make so it is.’”
She also values simplicity. With fewer products and cleaner ingredients, her routines feel easier, not harder.
“My skincare and makeup routine are just a few products since making the switch… Most non toxic products shouldn’t have a laundry list of ingredients and most likely you will be able to READ each ingredient.”
What She Wants You to Know
Kelsey’s biggest advice? Start where you are — not where someone else says you should be.
“Set YOUR standard of living a low tox life. Maybe you just want to have a cleaner makeup routine. Maybe it starts in the kitchen because you love to cook, but don’t want to worry about chemicals leaching into your food.”
And whatever you do, be on the lookout for greenwashing. She stresses the importance of checking labels and doing your own research:
“All natural, non toxic and clean are non regulated marketing terms that brands will take advantage of to appear clean… ALWAYS LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS LIST. IT’S YOUR BEST FRIEND!”
To get started, she recommends choosing just a few items you use every day — like that go-to mascara or your all-purpose cleaner — and making thoughtful swaps when they run out.
“Take a look at what you use every day… pick 1 to 3 items to start with. Make it attainable and try not to be wasteful.”
Final Thoughts
Clean living doesn’t have to be intimidating or all-consuming. As Kelsey reminds us, it’s a personal journey that evolves over time. With a little curiosity and a bit of research, you can take meaningful steps toward a lower-tox lifestyle that actually works for you.
“Once you develop the habit of shopping non toxic and you find the products and brands you love… it will get easier and simplify your life!”
Want more everyday inspiration for living low-tox?
Follow Kelsey’s journey on Instagram and YouTube for simple swaps, non-toxic routines, and realistic tips for mindful living.
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