Low-Tox Living for Teachers
As teachers and educators, we spend our days looking after everyone else—supporting students, managing classrooms, solving problems, and giving our energy to our school communities.
With busy schedules and demanding days, our own well-being can easily come last.
One simple place to start is by looking at the products we use on our bodies every day.
We are exposed to countless substances through our environment, food, air, and everyday products. While not every chemical is harmful, some ingredients in personal-care products can contribute to skin irritation, allergies, or exposure to substances we may prefer to minimise.
Low-tox living isn't about eliminating every chemical or becoming obsessive about ingredients. It's about reducing unnecessary exposure, simplifying what we use, and making more conscious choices where we can.
For busy teachers, the easiest approach is to make small changes over time.
The "One-at-a-Time" Swap Strategy
You don't need to empty your bathroom cupboards and start again. Instead, when a product runs out, ask yourself:
Can I replace this with something simpler?
Look for products with fewer unnecessary ingredients, particularly added fragrance and ingredients you personally prefer to avoid.
1. Deodorant
Teachers spend hours in close contact with students and colleagues, so deodorant is an everyday essential.
Consider reducing: Added fragrance and aluminium salts.
Try instead: An aluminium-free, fragrance-free deodorant with a simple ingredient list.
2. Toothpaste
Something we use twice a day is worth considering when simplifying our routine.
Consider reducing: SLS, artificial flavours and unnecessary additives, particularly if you experience mouth irritation or sensitivity.
Try instead: An SLS-free toothpaste with a simple ingredient list, or a hydroxyapatite option if that suits your preferences.
3. Body Wash & Cleansers
After a long day in the classroom, a shower can be a welcome reset, but you don't necessarily need heavily fragranced products.
Consider reducing: Strong fragrances and ingredients that leave your skin feeling dry or irritated.
Try instead: A simple, fragrance-free cleanser with a shorter ingredient list.
4. Moisturiser
Dry hands are common for people who wash or sanitise frequently throughout the school day.
Consider reducing: Added fragrance and unnecessary ingredients.
Try instead: A simple moisturiser containing ingredients such as ceramides, jojoba oil or shea butter.
5. Perfume & Fragrance
Teachers are around people all day, so consider how many fragranced products you use throughout your routine.
Consider reducing: The combination of fragranced body wash, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, perfume and hair products.
Try instead: Fragrance-free products or simply use less perfume.
Reducing the number of fragranced products you use can be one of the easiest ways to simplify your routine.
6. Sunscreen
Teachers spend time outdoors supervising students, attending sports days, excursions and outdoor activities, so sun protection is essential.
Consider: Which sunscreen formulation you are comfortable using.
Try instead: A broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide if you prefer a mineral option.
Why Simplifying Matters
As educators, we're often encouraged to look after our mental health, get enough sleep, exercise and eat well. Those things matter, but so do the small choices we make every day.
Rather than worrying about every ingredient, focus on the products you use most frequently and look for opportunities to simplify.
Think about your:
Daily exposure → Daily products → Simple swaps
You might start with one product you use every day and, when it runs out, choose a simpler alternative.
Small Swaps for Busy Teachers
Low-tox living isn't about perfection, expensive products, or throwing everything away.
It's about being more conscious of what we use and reducing what we don't really need.
As teachers, we spend so much time creating healthy environments for our students. We deserve to create one for ourselves, too.
One product at a time, one simple swap at a time.
Small changes can create a simpler and more intentional approach to personal care—without adding another thing to your already busy teacher to-do list.
What's one simple swap you've made in your routine?
