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Summer has a way of pulling us outside more, slowing us down, and reminding us that the simple stuff- sunshine, water, popsicles on the porch- is often the best stuff. But it also comes with a whole new round of products we’re slathering, spraying, and eating our way through. Sunscreen. Bug spray. Pool chemicals. Snacks for road trips. Cold drinks in plastic cups.

If you’ve been on a low-tox journey for any length of time, you already know that summer is one of those seasons where ingredients matter a lot. Our skin is exposed more. We’re sweating, which opens our pores. Kids are constantly putting hands in mouths after touching who-knows-what. And the endocrine-disrupting chemicals hiding in everyday summer products. Things like oxybenzone, DEET, phthalates, and fragrances can mess with hormones, especially for women and growing kids.

As a counselor, I talk a lot with clients about the mind-body connection and how the things we put on and in our bodies absolutely affect how we feel mentally and emotionally. Hormonal balance, gut health, blood sugar stability aren’t just buzzwords. They’re foundational to mood, anxiety levels, sleep, and energy. So when I share our family’s crunchy summer favorites, it’s not about being perfect or fear-mongering. It’s about making intentional swaps that support your whole self.

Here’s what’s in our cart, on our skin, and in our fridge this summer.

1. Truly Free Laundry Detergent

If you do one swap this summer, make it your laundry detergent. We’re washing sweaty clothes, swimsuits, beach towels, and pajamas constantly, and conventional detergents are loaded with synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and 1,4-dioxane, all of which sit on the fabric and absorb into skin all day long.

We use Truly Free laundry soap and have for years. Clothes come out clean, no weird residue, no chemical smell. They have a whole marketplace of low-tox household swaps too- dishwasher soap, hand soap, all-purpose cleaner etc.

Their dishwasher soap is another one we love because again, it actually works.

(code CATHERINE30 for 30% off)

2. Crunchi Sunscreen and Mineral Makeup

This is probably the swap I’m most passionate about, because conventional sunscreen is one of the worst culprits for hormone disruption. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate are all linked to endocrine disruption, and they’re absorbed into the bloodstream within hours.

We use Crunchi for both sunscreen and makeup. Their mineral SPF is zinc-based, reef-safe, and doesn’t leave that thick white cast some natural sunscreens do. Their tinted SPF doubles as light foundation, which is honestly the best in summer because it’s minimal, breathable, and protective.

If you’ve been wanting to clean up your makeup bag, summer is the perfect low-stakes season to do it.

(code ADVOCATE15 for 15% off)

3. LMNT Electrolytes

Hydration is everything in the summer, and water alone often isn’t enough, especially if you’re sweating more or breastfeeding. LMNT is what we love and have used for years. Clean ingredients, no sugar, no artificial colors or sweeteners, and the sodium-to-potassium ratio actually helps with energy, headaches, and that 3pm crash.

Pro tip: If you deal with anxiety, it’s always a good idea to check your hydration and mineral status. Low sodium can sometimes mimic and worsen anxiety symptoms.

(Get a free sample pack with this link)

4. Skout Organic Bars

Summer = constant snacking. Pool days, road trips, splash pads, you name it. Skout bars are a great grab-and-go option because the ingredients are actually clean- organic, real food, no seed oils, no weird gums or “natural flavors.” My son lovesss them.

(code CATHERINE for 20% off)

6. Madeline Moves Workout App

Summer schedules are chaotic. Kids are home, routines are out the window, and getting to a gym might feel impossible for you. This is perfect for at home workouts in as little as 30mins. I personally have been weight lifting for 7 years and have really benefited from her programs. There are options for every season of life (pregnant, postpartum, runners, no access to a gym etc)

This link gives you $5 off your first month (making it only $15!)

Movement is medicine for your mood, your hormones, and your nervous system. So much of the anxiety, irritability, and low energy of your day can get better with consistent movement, especially strength training. You don’t need a gym or a perfect routine. You need something doable that you’ll actually come back to.

A Few More Non-Toxic Summer Staples Worth Mentioning

• Stainless Steel Popsicle Molds. Skip the plastic. Bonus: you can make your own popsicles with coconut water, real fruit, yogurt etc
• Insulated Toddler Water Bottle. Plastic sippy cups leach chemicals especially when they’re sitting in a hot car or in the sun for hours. Stainless steel sidesteps all of that.
• Snack/Lunch Box
• Wildbird Baby Carrier– this cotton carrier doesn’t break your back and is perfect for all summer travels. We’ve used it for multiple international trips with our son and it’s been a life savor.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s what I want you to take away from this post, beyond the product list: low-tox living isn’t about doing it all perfectly. It’s about making informed choices, one swap at a time, in the spaces where it matters most to you and your family.

As a counselor, I see firsthand how much our physical environment can shape our mental and emotional well-being. The products we use, the food we eat, the things our kids absorb- all of it is part of the bigger picture of health. You don’t have to overhaul your whole life this summer. Pick one or two of the swaps above and start there.

Your hormones, your gut, your nervous system, and your kids will thank you.