Personal-Care

Personal care: daily basics without the endocrine disruptors.

Personal care covers the products you put on your body every single day: deodorant, body wash, face cream, sunscreen, dental, intimate care, period products. Because they are daily and applied to skin or mucous membranes, the cumulative exposure to any ingredient is high. The chemistry that goes into mainstream personal care, including parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone, aluminium chlorohydrate, sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrance blends, and PEGs, is built for shelf life and feel, not for what your endocrine system would choose. Most of these compounds are not banned, but the long-term, low-dose, repeat-exposure picture is unflattering.

We stock low-tox alternatives that perform: Dr Bronner for soap and balm, Eleven 2 for facial care, BetterYou for transdermal magnesium, Crede for castor oil, Gentle Day for organic cotton period products, and a handful of carefully chosen others. The bar we hold: full ingredient transparency, no fragrance parfum without disclosure, no oxybenzone or octinoxate in sunscreens, no aluminium in deodorants, no PEGs in body care. If a product cannot meet that bar without obvious performance loss, we stock the closest reasonable version and tell you why.

What is actually happening

  • Endocrine disruptors in daily products

    Parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, triclosan, and certain musks mimic or block hormones. Standalone, the dose is small. Stacked across deodorant, body wash, face cream, sunscreen, dental, and intimate products, used daily for decades, the picture changes. Lower the load where you can.

  • What touches skin gets absorbed

    Skin is not a sealed barrier. Lipophilic compounds, alcohols, and small molecules cross it easily; mucous membranes (mouth, genitals, underarms) absorb even faster. What you put on, your bloodstream eventually sees. Choose accordingly.

  • Repeat exposure compounds

    The toxicology dose-response question is not 'is this safe in a single use'. It is 'is this safe applied twice daily for forty years'. Most ingredient safety data does not answer that question. When in doubt, the low-tox alternative is the safer bet.

  • Children get a higher relative dose

    Per kilogram of body weight, a child applying the same lotion gets two to four times the exposure of an adult. Their skin is thinner, their detoxification slower, their organs developing. For kids and pregnant women, the case for low-tox is strongest.

How we think about it

FOUNDATION

Swap the high-frequency products first

Body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, and lotion are used daily, often multiple times. These are the highest-leverage swaps. Get these right before chasing speciality products.

BUILD

Layer in targeted treatments

Once daily basics are sorted, add what your skin, scalp, or routine actually needs: castor oil for hair and lashes, magnesium spray for muscles, bakuchiol for ageing, organic period products. Targeted, not endless.

SEASONAL

Adjust to season and life stage

Mineral sunscreen daily in SA, heavier balms in dry winter, lighter formulations in humid summer. Pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause each shift what your skin needs. The cabinet should change with you.

Our top picks for this concern

Curated by what works, ranked by what sells. The handful we reach for first.

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Kingfisher Natural Toothpaste- Mint Fluoride Free 100ml

Kingfisher Natural Toothpaste- Mint Fluoride Free 100ml

R 159.00
Elevate your daily dental routine with our invigorating fluoride-free toothpaste. This fresh, natural formula is free from artificial sweeteners, flavorings, colorings, and preservatives, ensuring a pure and clean approach to...
The Kindbrush Floss In A Bottle

The Kindbrush Floss In A Bottle

R 99.95
Happiness is never needing to toss away another little plastic box ever again! Kind Floss-in-a-Bottle is made from a corn-derived fiber, coated with Candelilla wax and is completely biodegradable. The...
Gentle Day Organic Cotton Tampons Regular 18s

Gentle Day Organic Cotton Tampons Regular 18s

R 139.00
These tampons are made from 100% organic cotton, free from pesticides and chemicals. They feature a patented Cottonlock system to prevent fiber shedding and minimize irritation. Certified organic under GOTS...
Gentle Day Organic Cotton Tampons Super Plus-15s

Gentle Day Organic Cotton Tampons Super Plus-15s

R 139.00
Made from 100% organic cotton and free from chemicals and pesticides. Patented Cottonlock system prevents fiber shedding for added safety. Certified organic under GOTS, hypoallergenic, and wrapped in recycled paper....
Gentle Day Organic Teen Pads Mini Light Flow12s

Gentle Day Organic Teen Pads Mini Light Flow12s

R 89.99
These ultra-thin pads absorb up to 40ml, ideal for teens with lighter flows. They feature a FAR-IR anion strip with mineral tourmaline and silver ions to reduce odor and bacterial...
Cocobaci Raspberry Kisses 15 day oil pulling programme

Cocobaci Raspberry Kisses 15 day oil pulling programme

R 389.00
Cocobaci Raspberry Kisses 15-Day Oil Pulling Programme offers a raspberry flavor. 2. The program includes sachets designed for daily oil pulling to improve oral hygiene. 3. It uses natural oils...
Cocobaci Pommegranate 15 day oil pulling programme

Cocobaci Pommegranate 15 day oil pulling programme

R 429.00
Cocobaci Pomegranate 15-Day Oil Pulling Programme features a pomegranate flavor. 2. It includes sachets for daily oil pulling to enhance oral health. 3. The program uses natural oils to help...
Eleven 2 Radient Eye Oil 10ml

Eleven 2 Radient Eye Oil 10ml

R 149.00
Reduces puffiness and dark circles with coffee bean oil and vitamin C. Hydrates and protects delicate under-eye skin using rosehip seed oil. Natural, fragrance-free formula in recyclable glass packaging. Ingredients:...
Eleven 2 Rosehip Concentrate 30ml

Eleven 2 Rosehip Concentrate 30ml

R 319.00
1. Eleven 2 Rosehip Concentrate comes in a 30ml bottle. 2. It is made with rosehip oil, known for its rich content of vitamins and essential fatty acids. 3. The...
Eleven 2 Squalane Vitamin C Oil 30ml

Eleven 2 Squalane Vitamin C Oil 30ml

R 339.00
Eleven2 Squalane is a 30ml bottle of 100% squalane oil. The oil is derived from olive oil and is used for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties. It is suitable for...
Eleven 2 Squalene 30ml

Eleven 2 Squalene 30ml

R 299.00
Contains squalene for skin hydration and anti-aging benefits. 2. Supports skin health and moisture retention. 3. 30ml dropper bottle for precise application. Ingredients: 100% Squalane (plant-derived) ECOCERT approved
Skin care mask container labeled 'Eleven2' with product details on a white background

Eleven 2 10% Azelaic Acid Mask

R 240.00
The mask uses 10 % azelaic acid to help even skin tone, reduce redness, and fade dark spots.  It combines azelaic acid with kaolin clay and botanicals to deeply cleanse...

Build your stack

Three tiers, not 12. Start with one, add the next when you are ready.

  1. 1
    ESSENTIAL

    Daily mineral SPF

    Sunscreen is the single most evidence-backed skincare product. Mineral zinc oxide formulations protect without endocrine-disrupting chemical filters. Apply every morning.

    Eleven 2 Mineral Sunscreen SPF50 Eleven 2 Mineral Sunscreen SPF50 R299.00 View →
  2. 2
    BUILD

    Multi-purpose balm and castor oil

    Dr Bronner balm replaces lip balm, cuticle oil, dry-patch cream. Crede castor oil handles hair, lashes, scalp, abdomen. Two products, eight uses.

    Dr Bronner - ORGANIC MAGIC BALM 57g Dr Bronner - ORGANIC MAGIC BALM 57g R349.00 View →
  3. 3
    SPECIALTY

    Cycle-aware care

    Organic cotton period products avoid the dyes, perfumes, and chlorine-bleached fibres that sit against the most absorbent tissue in the body for hours at a time.

    Gentle Day Organic Pads Regular Flow 10s Gentle Day Organic Pads Regular Flow 10s R89.99 View →

Common questions

Where do I start if I want to detox my bathroom cabinet?
Replace what touches you most often and most intimately: deodorant, toothpaste, body wash, period products, sunscreen, lip balm. These are daily, high-surface-area, mucous-membrane products. Speciality items can wait.
Are natural deodorants effective?
Yes, but the transition takes 2 to 4 weeks while your underarm microbiome rebalances after aluminium use. Magnesium-based and baking-soda-free options tend to be gentlest. Reapply after exercise.
Is mineral sunscreen enough in South African sun?
Yes. Modern zinc oxide formulations protect against UVA and UVB. The trade-off is a slight white cast; tinted options exist. Reapply every two hours during direct sun exposure.
What is wrong with regular tampons and pads?
Most use chlorine-bleached rayon and viscose with plastic linings, sometimes scented. Residual dioxin levels are low individually but vaginal and vulvar tissue absorbs efficiently. Organic cotton avoids most of the issue.
Are essential oils safe in personal care products?
In carrier-diluted concentration (under 2 percent), generally yes. Some people sensitise over time, especially to citrus and tea tree. If you develop a reaction, switch to fragrance-free formulations.
Can I use castor oil during pregnancy?
Topically on hair and skin: yes. Internally and across the abdomen close to term: not without midwife or doctor guidance, as it can stimulate uterine activity.
What about hand sanitiser?
Alcohol-based (60 percent plus ethanol) without triclosan or fragrance is the cleanest choice. We stock essential-oil-scented options like Soil's sanitisers for everyday use.