The PrimaFoodie Guide to the Best Clean Sunscreens

For the past several years, the team at PrimaFoodie has been vetting clean sunscreens to deliver you the best options for optimal protection. By "clean," we mean the solution contains minerals to block UVA and UVB rays and includes zero artificial fragrance, parabens, emulsifiers, or additional ingredients linked to health concerns. 

We vet these yearly for several reasons: solutions change, which means efficacy and purity may also change, and researchers consistently reveal new data on ingredient safety. This year proved to be a big one in terms of news. The Environmental Working Group showed that approximately 75 percent of the 1,700 sun protection products its team evaluated “did not provide adequate sun protection” and contained "ingredients that could pose health risks."

Sunscreen and 'sunblock, ' terms used interchangeably, generally work one of two ways: Blocking the sun's rays with minerals, such as zinc oxide, or filtering and absorbing the rays with chemicals. Research has linked some of the most common chemical sunscreen ingredients, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, to pose health risks to marine and surrounding environmental life, thus presenting the possibility that these chemicals could impact human health. What's alarming about these two ingredients, along with other common sunscreen ingredients, octocrylene, homosalate, and avobenzone, is that they are absorbed through human skin and, subsequently, other organs.

In a news alert about its findings, the EWG stated the need for consumers to consider their sun protection wisely. "And some ingredients commonly found in sunscreens have been linked to both human and environmental concerns. But they're still widely used in hundreds of products, even though they have not been tested adequately for safety," said Emily Spilman, an EWG program manager for Healthy Living Science, in the news release. "It's outrageous that shoppers may be slathering these potentially harmful chemicals on their skin every day without the reassurance of those safety tests," 

The EWG has warned the public about sunscreen ingredients since it launched its first Guide to Sunscreens in 2007 and has been urging the FDA to review chemical sunscreen ingredients ever since. 

This year, we found that most of our favorites from our 2023 PrimaFoodie Sunscreen Guide still met our strict standards—and we added a few new ones to the mix. Here, you'll find mineral solutions that we believe to be clean and efficacious. But we urge you to always do your due diligence when choosing a sunscreen (or any personal care product): check your labels, know your ingredients, and listen to your gut. 

PrimaFoodie-Approved Clean Sunscreens for 2024

ALL GOOD: SPF 50+ SUNSCREEN BUTTER

All Good is committed to creating products that are  good for our skin and for the environment. This butter is thick, hydrating, fragrance-free, and excellent for the face and body. The compact tin makes it easy to toss into your backpack or purse. The company claims it is "very water resistant,"  but we still suggest ample applications if you're swimming.

KARI GRAN ESSENTIAL SPF 30 

As equally hydrating and protective as it gets, this super hydrating oil serum-type sunscreen feels like a supple serum. A raspberry seed and plum oils base gives the skin a hydrating quench with zero residue.

SOLARA SUNSCARE GO! DAILY DEFENSE MINERAL FACE SUNSCREEN

This lightweight SPF 30 recently came onto our radars. EWG-certified, it is blendable and silky. Founded by a mother who started vetting her personal care products after battling Lyme Disease and also seeing her children react to various sunscreen, the company promotes clean, minimal-ingredients responsible skincare

BADGER ACTIVE MINERAL SUNSCREEN CREAM

A simple, clean, universal SPF 30 cream made by a small, family-run New England company. Containing only five ingredients, one of which being super nourishing sea buckthorn oil, this is a great option for long days outside. It's a bit sticky and needs extra elbow grease to rub in. 

RAW ELEMENTS SUNSCREEN SPF 30+ FACE & BODY

This super thick mineral sunscreen paste goes a long way when you're outside for hours. Considering its thick consistency, it rubs in surprisingly well and leaves only a slight light white cast. This is a great pick for hiking and all-day summer outdoor exploring.

URSA MAJOR FORCE FIELD DAILY DEFENSE LOTION 

Ursa Major continues to be a pioneer in clean, effective skincare. Their unscented, lightweight moisturizer is great for the face, neck, chest, and arms. It absorbs almost immediately without leaving any residue. The aloe vera, jojoba, and shea butter are super moisturizing. 

VIVE SANA DAILY PROTEZIONE SPF 30

This is an easily spreadable, hydrating, tinted sunscreen for the face, neck, and décolletage we've loved for years. Vive Sana's products are mostly made of organic ingredients and are free of chemicals and artificial additives. The Daily Protezione SPF 30 offers the physical protection of zinc oxide with no stickiness or pastiness. 

KINFIELD DAILY DEW SPF 35 

We've long loved Kinfield's products, and this all-day SPF is a winner. It has a silkier texture, which results in a dewy, glowy finish. We love how the aloe and sea kelp add a dose of hydration and antioxidants. 

KIDS

ALL GOOD: SPF 30 KIDS SUNSCREEN LOTION

This fragrance-free lotion is rather light, which makes applying it to little ones' skin quick and easy. We found that a little goes a long way, and it leaves minimal to no residue. It also claims to be water—and sweat-resistant for up to eighty minutes.

BABO: CLEAR ZINC SUNSCREEN SPF 30

Babo is a thick, mineral all-over sunscreen lotion for babies, children, and adults. It's EWG-certified, free of any concerning chemicals, fragrances, or nanoparticles, and deemed hypoallergenic. We especially like how it doesn't run in the eyes. It's supposed to be waterproof for up to eighty minutes, making it great for long days on the beach.

TINTED

IRIS & ROMEO BEST SKIN DAYS

This serum-moisturizer-SPF, which doubles as a light daily foundation with SPF 25 protection, is buttery, silky, and moisturizing. It goes on smoothly and quickly settles into the complexion. We love that it also protects from blue light and contains hydrating rose and moringa oils.

ILIA C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40

Touted for its "encapsulation technology," this foundation-like sunscreen delivers phytonutrients and vitamin C. It's a clean, light, dewy face product that covers many skin tones daily.

SUNTEGRITY 5-IN-1 TINTED SUNSCREEN MOISTURIZER

This light, tinted SPF 30 comes in four shades. It's sheer, goes on smoothly, and blends in rather quickly, but it does require reapplications throughout the day. We wish the company offered a wider range of shades to include dark complexions.

SAINT JANE LUXURY SUN RITUAL PORE SMOOTHING SPF 30

This natural mineral sunscreen has been a PrimaFoodie favorite for the second year in a row. Rich in botanical antioxidants, including green tea, and hydrating ingredients, it doubles as a protective face moisturizer. We love how sheer it is, with the perfect amount of tint that results in no white cast from the zinc oxide, only a dewy finish. It is quite thin, so reapplication throughout the day is necessary.

SAIE SUNVISOR

We keep returning to Saie products, some of today's most hydrating and gorgeously textured clean makeup items. The 'Sunvisor' is super light and hydrating, with a tinted blend of aloe, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and zinc oxide, offering great light coverage all day. It sinks it and leaves no white cast. 

TRUE BOTANICALS SKIN BARRIER SUN SHIELD SPF 30

Part sun filter, part tinted moisturizer, this mineral-based lightweight face lotion sinks in quickly. Given its thin texture, we find it best used as a daily moisturizer, but it doesn't fit the bill for a day at the beach. 

The Critical Organ Connection a Nutritional Psychiatrist Wants Us All to Know

It may seem obvious that fresh arugula will nourish your brain while a candy bar will deplete it, but Dr. Uma Naidoo helps us see why. A nutritional psychiatrist and author of the bestseller This Is Your Brain on Food, Dr. Naidoo breaks down the link between what we eat and how our brains function in a compelling, direct, and inspiring way. “I want people to feel hopeful," she says, "and really start to eat healthier for your brain health and your mental fitness."

Dr. Naidoo, who is the director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry Services at Massachusetts General Hospital, recently joined Nichole on ‘The PrimaFoodie Podcast’ to talk more about the brain-gut connection and its riveting impact on our mental well-being. Here we break down four fascinating facts from their conversation. 

#1: Our gut and brain are inextricably connected.
The gut and brain arise from the same cells in the human embryo and then divide to form two organs, explains Dr. Naidoo. “The two organs remain connected throughout our lives by the tenth cranial nerve called the Vagus nerve” which allows for chemical messaging between the two organ systems. So throughout our lives, these organ systems are always in communication. 

#2: Most of the “happiness hormone” comes from the gut. 
More than 90 percent of our serotonin, the so-called “happiness hormone” that influences a host of human functions including mood, digestion, and sexual desire, is produced within the gut. Additionally, 70 percent of our immune system is in the gut, adds Dr. Naidoo. “So we start to understand that as we eat food, and food is digested, it is starting to interact with this two-way connection that exists between the gut and the brain.”

#3: Our microbes are critical—so we must take care of them.
The gut contains 39 odd trillion microbes, says Dr. Naidoo. While their types and roles vary, they’re mainly there to work in tandem with our body regarding vitamin production, sleep and circadian rhythm, hormones, immunity, mental health, and so much more. With this said, when we are under stress or eat unhealthy foods, those microbes become impacted and can evolve into bad microbes. “When we eat poorly, the bad microbes are fed and nurtured,” continues Dr. Naidoo. “And when we feed and nurture the bad, the bad bugs, the bad microbes, they start to take over and then they set up for gut inflammation. This is why it’s critical to nourish and care for our microbes with proper sleep, stress management, and healthy healing foods such as vegetables, fruit, beans, nuts, seeds, and legumes. As Dr. Naidoo puts it, “We want to live in community with our gut microbes.”

#4: To honor our mental health, we must eat well.
Inflammation in the gut leads to inflammation in the brain. This fact underscores why Dr. Naidoo sees food and nutrition as one of the most critical ways to care for our emotional and mental well-being. By moving away from foods that are processed and high in sugar and toward fresh, whole options “we’re immediately making a better choice for mental health and an improvement in our gut health and ultimately, our brain health.”

To learn more from Dr. Naidoo, listen to ‘The PrimaFoodie Podcast’ here. 

This Author and Clean Foods Advocate Has Some of the Most Important—and Refreshing—Food Advice We’ve Heard

At the start of her career, Haley Scheich worked for Pfizer. This sentence might not seem radical, but once you learn how committed to seeing food as medicine Scheich is today, you can see the value mismatch between her and the pharmaceutical giant. Still, the experience taught her about pharmacology, biochemistry, “and how the body works and different disease states,” she tells our founder, Nichole. It was, in a word, eye-opening. 

Even more eye-opening was the education Scheich received after she left her Pfizer job. When a friend suggested she join her in a yoga class, Scheich was reticent but curious. By the end of the class, she was transformed. “It was really through the practice of yoga that I became more aware of my body and understood the power of food, as it related to what I ate and what I didn't eat,” she says. Yoga sparked a newfound understanding of what made her feel good and what made her feel sluggish, foggy, and tired. She started reading books on alternative nutrition, like Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter, and ridding gluten and dairy from her life. “I felt like a new person,” she says. “And so, of course, then I was all in and just read every book that I could get my hands on.”

In her words, Scheich was starting to see how food can be medicine. Rather than taking a pill to fix an issue, a theme surrounding her early-career work, she saw food as a way to unlock the body’s power. She’s since turned into a passionate advocate for whole foods, most recently making her wisdom palatable for young readers in her children's book, My SuperHero Foods. Coauthored with Dr. Tarek Pacha, this book is a fun, uplifting read that helps little ones understand what they put into their bodies matters. And it all stems from how Scheich got her own children to eat better. “ I would share the power of that whole food that they were eating. For example, avocados. They're full of monounsaturated fat, which just gives us this incredible energy. If we want to go out and jump rope and jump higher, let's eat avocado because it's going to give us that power!” 

But all this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Scheich’s deep (and infectious) knowledge about food, our food system, and getting our little—and all loved ones—to eat better. Luckily, we got to learn so much from Scheich on ‘The PrimaFoodie Podcast’—including the following three pieces of food wisdom we all must know.

#1: The FDA Doesn’t Have Our Backs

Much to our dismay, this still is true. So we must look out for ourselves. People may think “this fruit punch drink with the bright blue has vitamin C and antioxidants in it [...] must be healthy,” says Scheich. “Or the FDA allows it to be in the grocery store, so it has to be healthy.” But that isn’t the case. Dig deeper and you’ll find these ingredients are not only unhealthy but harmful. Scheich’s advice: “Question everything.” 

And dig into the ingredients. 

#2: Changing How You Eat Will Change Your Life

Scheich stands by this—because it did for her. “Once you see the changes, by learning for yourself, this food works for me, this food doesn't work for me, it’s incredible,” she says. You can start small, and it may take time. For starters, Scheich says “the less processed that you get, the better off you are.” Ridding your days of ultra-processed packaged foods is a strong start. 

#3: See Food as “Your Best Friend”

Scheich’s view on this is a radically empowering way to look at what we eat. Clean, whole, nutrient-dense food really is akin to a great friend, coach, and ally. It will work for you, not against you. It will improve your cognition, motor skills, and health, thus making life better. So when healthy eating gets tough, use this as a motivator. 

Even more so, Scheich suggests using this approach when trying to encourage better food in schools. By saying to the teachers, you’re “doing great work and we're very appreciative of the work you do—and food can supplement. It can be like your best friend to your classroom, because kids on a bunch of sugar, versus kids not on a bunch of sugar—it's totally different.”

To learn more from Haley Scheich, listen to The PrimaFoodie Podcast and visit mysuperherofoods.com. 

The PrimaFoodie Guide to Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most popular kitchen staples. “In most of our pantries is a bottle of olive oil, “says Alison Carroll, founder of the California-based olive oil company Wonder Valley. Still, like so many staples, this golden liquid is a mystery. We might douse it on our salads and in our pans, but how much do we know about where it comes from and—most importantly—how to spot a high-quality one? Here, we break it all down.

Olive Oil 101

Olive oil is the bright, often golden, sometimes green liquid that comes from pressing the olive fruit. It’s deemed oil and used and treated as such, but olive oil is technically a fruit juice. Used for centuries as a means of cooking, dressing, and adding depth and flavor to dishes (some historical records date its use to 2000 BC), olive oil is beloved for its fruity taste and abundant healthy unsaturated fats.

What are the different types of olive oil?

Extra virgin, light, cold-pressed—there are various types or “grades” of olive oil. Mostly, these modifiers are linked to when the olives are harvested and how the juice is extracted and handled. But there’s so much more here, including incredible flavor, smell, and feel. 

A quick note on acid: Olives naturally have fatty acids. One of the main types is called oleic acid, which makes up the majority (70 to 80 percent) of olive oil. A true extra virgin olive oil has a lower acidity than other olive oils, generally below 2 percent.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The gold standard for olive oil, extra virgin is touted as the tastiest, purest form. When oil is deemed extra virgin, it means it’s the first pressing from the olives (sometimes olives are pressed several times to extract the most juice), and the juice has been extracted using a cold-pressed method—a chemical and heat-free process. Once extracted, the juice is then kept pure, and never heated, pasteurized, or refined. Extra virgin olive oil is usually the fruitiest, most peppery olive oil with the lowest natural acidity. A true high-quality olive oil has no defects, such as poor taste or “fustiness,” fermentation that happens from a lack of oxygen.

*PrimaNote: Extra virgin olive oil is the only type we choose. Still, quality can vary when it comes to extra virgin olive oil. That’s because there are no regulated standards for stating an oil is such. As Carroll says, lab analysis and a professional taste panel determine quality. “And because of this subjective science, many oils can unjustly label a defective/ lower quality oil as extra virgin.” 

Olio Nuevo

This is a type of extra virgin olive oil that comes from the very first olive harvest of the year. These olives are super young and green, giving olio nuevo varieties a bright green color and a strong peppery taste. This is touted to have the highest levels of nutrients, including polyphenols.

Virgin olive Oil

Virgin olive oil is still supposed to be high quality from the first pressing of an olive. It’s also unrefined. The difference from an extra virgin is that a virgin oil often has some defects.  

Light Olive Oil

This is oil that’s been refined and treated to rid any impurities. Usually from a second or third extraction, it lacks in color and taste, and even in nutrients. The “light” here can be misleading because olive oil is fat, so it can’t be light, in any sense. While some may like this variety because of its lighter taste, we recommend opting for another neutral oil if that’s the case. (Simply put, we avoid this type of olive oil at all costs.)

Pure Olive Oil

In theory, all olive oils should be pure, so this word is a red flag. Essentially, pure or light olive oils are refined options that are a blend of various types, such as virgin and refined. 

Shopping for Olive Oil: What to Look For

Now that we’ve outlined the different types, we’re going to strictly refer to extra virgin olive oil from here on out.

Finding a great, high-quality, real extra virgin olive oil can be hard. Countless companies claim to offer a true option when they’re mislabeling, mixing, or offering stale or fake oils. Here’s what to look out for to make sure you grab a stellar bottle:

Harvest Date

A harvest date is one of the most critical things to look for—NOT an expiration date, which can mean nothing. A harvest date tells you when the olives were crushed. And given that olive oil doesn’t have a long shelf life—a great oil should be consumed within a year, ideally six months—it’s best to aim for the freshest oil possible. 

For context, here’s what Alison Carroll has to say: “The harvest date is the most essential component on the bottle. Expiration dates can be arbitrary and overgenerous. When you see a harvest date, what you are buying is something that is freshly pressed and doesn’t have a long shelf life.”

Sustainable Packaging

Aim for oil that’s packaged in a sustainable material like aluminum, stainless steel, or dark glass. Each of these blocks UV rays, which can break down the oil, and don’t leach chemicals into the juice. 

A List of the Types of Olive Varieties

If a company is offering a high-quality oil, they’ll spell out the olive varietals that have been pressed—i.e. if they’re olives from Italy, Spain, Portugal, California, or elsewhere. This level of transparency usually means the company cares. 

But let’s dig deeper: We encourage skepticism over inexpensive oils labeled “Product of Greece” for instance without listing the varietals. It can be quite likely that the olives weren’t grown or pressed in that country, but rather they were just bottled in that country. This is a tactic many companies use to buy cheap oil from around the world, blend them, then call them a “Product of Greece” when they’re a product of several countries, and of poor quality. As Carroll says, “Read the fine print on the label. The front label could say, for example, ‘Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Tuscany’ but on the back label you see ‘product of Tunisia, Italy, Spain, Greece.’ This is common for cheap olive oils.”

In general, aim to buy olive oil that derives all from one place.

How to store your olive oil

This is key: Place your oil away from heat and light (even when it’s packaged in a proper container). And use it up! We love what Carroll says about using high-quality olive oil: Enjoy it! Experience it! “A lot of our context with olive oil is that it’s this ubiquitous condiment and usually next to vinegar (which ages wonderfully),” she says. “Don’t be precious with it and let it sit and collect dust. Store it away from direct heat or sunlight, not next to a sunny window or stove. A pantry is great.”

A Few PrimaFavorite Extra Virgin Olive Oil Companies
These are some oils derived from a single source and produced by companies who care. 

McEvoy Ranch
Wonder Valley
Brightland
Nuvo Olive Oil
Fat Gold
Kosterina Everyday Olive Oil 

Curious to learn more about cooking with olive oil? Check out our Guide to Cooking with Oils and Fats. 

The PrimaFoodie Guide to Coconut Water

Coconut water, the cloudy-clear liquid found inside the coconut fruit, is now found… everywhere. A staple in mocktails and smoothies, it also serves as a quenching drink. Some love to cook and bake with it. Others love it for its amount of natural electrolytes, like magnesium and potassium. It tastes mildly sweet and coconut-y and is low in natural sugars.

The rub here is that there are tons of coconut waters available, and some aren't as great as others. Certain varieties contain sneaky added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and coloring. Many are made from concentrate. The best source of coconut water, bar none, is straight from the source. Many health food stores and restaurants offer organic fresh young coconuts that you can tap into to source the refreshing liquid. But when the whole fruit isn’t an option, some bottle versions offer a solid second option. 

So in the quest to find the best—and cleanest and freshest—bottled coconut waters, we tried the most popular ones on the shelf and ranked them according to purity and flavor. 

Editor’s Note: We recommend only these specific products, not the companies’ entire offerings. 

Our Top 4 Coconut Water Picks

Harmless Harvest

What we love most about Harmless Harvest are the company’s strict organic and social standards. Every coconut it sources comes from farmers in Thailand that follow sustainable and certified organic methods. Plus, the water, which is unpasteurized and unadulterated, tastes incredible. Clean and lightly fruity, it comes from the Nam Hom variety of coconut, which is a particularly fragrant and tasty variety. (An interesting note: Some Harmless Harvest coconut waters have a pink tinge. This is because natural antioxidants interact with light after it's been sourced and bottled, causing some to eventually turn color before you drink it. Essentially, it’s a natural marker of purity.)

Thrive Organic Coconut Water

Thrive continues to be a real player in the sustainable, conscious, organic food market. This coconut water boasts such a clean and light taste that it registers less as coconut water and more as a fruity drink. Still, it’s a top pick for its organic roots, zero added sugar, and drinkability. 

Real Coco Organic Pure Coconut Water

Like Harmless Harvest, Real Coco prides itself on only using certified organic coconuts, which it sources from Vietnam. There is no added sugar, coloring, or thickeners. It has a mild taste that’s more coconut-y than the others. 

Cadia Organic Coconut Water

With its super refreshing taste and zero added sugars, Cadia comes in as another PrimaFavorite. We value that it comes from young coconuts, which tend to taste nuttier than other varieties, and only certified organic sources. 

Secondary Picks

If you cannot find the above, the following land as secondary picks in the instance you’re vying for a coconut-y quench but lacking in options. 

Vita Coconut Water

We fully get behind the social impact of Vita Coconut. The team is aiming to increase the annual yield of coconut farmers in Asia, who fall victim to poor working conditions and extractive business practices. The taste of this water is super light and clean. However, there is a trace amount of added sugar.

C20 Coconut Water

While we do love this CO2 for its pure flavor, we’re hard-pressed to get totally behind this because of the trace amounts of added sugars. It sips mild, is not too sweet, and contains no fillers or coloring. This is a better option than others, but still not a top choice.

Taste Nirvana

It’s barely sweet, which we love, and has a thicker feel. But Taste Nirvana does contain “coconut essence” and a slight amount of added sugar, both of which makes us pause. Like C20, this is a better option than many others out there, and easy to find, but it’s not the purest.

The PrimaFoodie Guide to Clean Laundry Detergent

For many of us, laundry is a household chore we do on autopilot. At some point in our lives, we learned a technique and stuck with it. But like any method, the way we do our laundry is worth re-evaluating from time to time. This is to ensure we’re doing it most efficiently and in the healthiest way for our bodies and planet. The best place to start is cleaning up your laundry detergent. 

A solution meant to clean our clothes of toxins, grime, body odors, and pollutants, detergents can cause more harm than good in the long run when they’re laden with potentially harmful chemicals. Common additives linked to health concerns, such as sulfates and fragrances, can break down clothing, seep into our pores, irritate the skin, and pollute the earth.

Here, our PrimaFoodie Laundry Detergent Guide clarifies why it’s important to choose a clean detergent and the main toxic culprits to avoid. Plus, we rounded up our top picks for the cleanest detergents available today. 

Toxic Detergent: Why It’s Important to Clean Your Clean

Perhaps you’ve chosen to use clean skin care products. Maybe you’ve rid your pantry of plastics. But what’s lurking in your laundry room? Our detergent seems to be a final frontier when we’re aiming to reduce our toxic load—and it makes sense why: We don’t apply this directly to our skin like we do other products, so the harm detergents can cause may seem a more distant threat. But a deeper look reveals the harm these solutions can cause. 

Most conventional laundry detergents (think: Tide, Arm & Hammer) contain surfactants (also called emulsifiers) that strengthen a solution’s foaming power and emulsification. These are linked to human health and environmental concerns. The Environmental Working Group, a third-party independent organization that fastidiously researches ingredients, finds certain anionic surfactants used to remove grease to be linked to severe skin irritation, eye rashes, and pervasive environmental pollution. The European Union Ecolabel organization shows certain emulsifiers to be “chronically” harmful to aquatic life. (In the early 90s, a federal ban on the use of laundry detergent phosphates, another popular emulsifier, took place in the US. Sadly, phosphates are still allowed in dish soaps and other products.)

Laundry detergents are also ground zero for fragrance. The fresh scent associated with a clean load can harbor toxins that are downright terrible. As in any personal care product, when you read “fragrance” or “natural fragrance,” it is most likely a cryptic umbrella term a company is using to include various additives without having to disclose what they are. As the EWG has long stated, think of “fragrance” as “hidden chemicals”: “A major loophole in FDA's federal law lets manufacturers of products like shampoo, lotion, and body wash include nearly any ingredient in their products under the name "fragrance" without actually listing the chemical,” states EWG. 

Dirty on Clean: Common Laundry Detergents Additives to Look Out for

Individually, each ingredient in a detergent can potentially cause harm to you or the planet. When combined with others, your cleaning solutions suddenly become harmful pollutants. Here are the main culprits to avoid:

Fragrance or Natural Fragrance

As mentioned, this is an umbrella term that hides many potentially harmful chemicals. 

Parabens

A group of chemicals used as artificial preservatives in household and personal care products since the 1920s. Most commonly called: Butylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, and isopropylparaben

Ammonia

An inorganic gas that has a harsh odor, ammonia is used to break down grime. Studies link ammonia to having a corrosive effect and can lead to respiratory, kidney, and liver issues.  

Chlorine Bleach

This classic cleaner is used to kill bacteria, mold, odors, and fungus, and to eradicate dirt. Researchers have found the cumulative use of chlorine bleach to be toxic to the lungs, liver, and kidneys. 

Phthalates

A group of common chemicals used in personal care and household products, phthalates are synthetic compounds used to make things softer. (Phthalates are commonly added to plastics to make them more pliable.) Study after study deems various phthalates as endocrine disruptors that are detrimental to our health. Common names include: diethyl phthalate, DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) DEP (diethyl phthalate), DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), BzBP (benzyl butyl phthalate), DMP (dimethyl phthalate)

Dyes

There is no need to have dyes in detergent, just as there is no need to have it in foods. 

Choosing a Clean Detergent

The key in finding a laundry detergent is to read the ingredients list, which should be short and transparent. Beware of falling for marketing claims on labels such as “natural” or “organic,” as these can trick you into thinking the solution is cleaner than it is. 

The following is a short list of six clean laundry detergents we stand behind. Each one boasts an EWG score of EWG Verified, which means it meets the organization’s strictest standards for health and transparency, or EWG A, which means there are very few or no known suspected hazards in the ingredients. (We vetted each and chose those rated EWG A to have the least ingredients, all of which are free of known suspected hazards.)

To avoid any hidden scented additives, we suggest always choosing a detergent that is fragrance-free, which these are. Some clean detergents available do scent their solutions with pure essential oils, but we still opt out of those to ensure we’re grabbing the most limited-ingredient, pure solution there is. 

Editor’s Note: We only stand behind the mentioned product and not the entire brand or company’s collection, as offerings vary in terms of ingredients. As always, be sure to vet and test each product yourself. Your susceptibility to a product or ingredient is paramount and can only be verified by your and/or a medical expert. 

Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder

EWG Rating: A

Dropps Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent Pods, Unscented

EWG Rating: A

Hello Bello Organic Concentrated Laundry Detergent, Unscented

EWG Rating: A

** While this solution is excellent, we are regretful it comes in a plastic bottle.

Nellie’s Laundry Soda

EWG Rating: A

Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent – Free and Clear

EWG Rating: Verified

Blueland Laundry Tablets, Fragrance Free

EWG Rating: Verified

Why You Need an Insect Repellent—Plus 6 PrimaFoodie-Approved Bug Sprays

Protecting ourselves against insect bites is not an easy feat. Bugs are small. They annoyingly fly into small spaces and crawl between clothing layers. Taking precautions such as wearing protective clothing layers, particularly in high-density brush areas, is important. 

The same goes for spritzing bug sprays to amplify protection. But many common repellents contain potentially toxic and irritating chemicals, such as preservatives and fragrance. We’ve scoured the shelves to find the cleanest options out there. Here are our top picks for botanical DEET-free bug repellents void of any harmful additives. (And if you’re curious to learn more about DEET, read on.)

What Is Bug Spray Important?

First, let’s talk about why we need protection. The issue with bugs is the harm their bites can cause. Itching, swelling, and inflammation are three common responses to a mosquito or spider bite. Illness is another issue—and one that’s serious. The CDC states that in North America, residents are at risk of numerous “vector-borne” diseases. including Lyme, dengue fever, West Nile, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more. For this reason, taking precautions to avoid getting bitten or stung means reducing the risk of contracting a disease.

Why Is DEET Avoided?

DEET, diethyltoluamide, is a colorless oily substance that has been proven effective in warding off bugs. Yet this ingredient is controversial. Some experts suggest applying a solution with a low concentration of DEET, particularly when traveling to areas that are at high risk for disease-infesting bug bites. The Environmental Working Group states that a solution that contains DEET at a maximum of 20 percent (10 percent for children) is safe. EWG also states the ingredients Picaridin and IR3535 to “have low safety concerns and offer a high level of protection from a variety of biting insects and ticks.” 

We do not include DEET-containing repellents in this guide. Why? This ingredient is notorious for causing rashes and other side effects. Simply put: We avoid it—but we still take bug-bite precautions seriously. Choosing a bug repellent is personal. There isn’t one solution that is 100 percent effective for preventing disease-disseminating bug bites. That’s why it’s always important to consider where you’re going and your health concerns and needs.

What Natural Bug Sprays Are Best?

The following are PrimaFoodie-Approved solutions that contain only botanical ingredients and no added fillers, colors, or toxic preservatives. Again, we can’t guarantee that these will ward off all pests, but we’ve found these coupled with ample protective clothing and other precautions to work well.

Primally Pure Bug Spray
This spray contains citronella, a star natural ingredient that bugs loathe, with the added repellant benefits of rosemary and peppermint.

Erin’s Faces Deet-Free Mosquito & Tick Repellent
Citronella pairs with essential oils of geranium and lemongrass in this totally clean spray made by a small-batch, woman-founded company.

Good Flower Farm Into the Woods Bugspray
Another small-batch woman-founded option. We love how the essence of lavender gently reduces the intensity of the citronella.

Kinfield Golden Hour Deet-Free Repellent
A PrimaFavorite. A unique strain of Indonesian citronella, which this company says is more effective than other common citronella strains, complements the clove, citronella, and vanilla. 

Jao Patio Oil
A clean, uber-moisturizing oil that works as a moisturizer and natural repellant. The natural blends lends a mild lemony scent to skin.

Badger Balm Anti-Bug Shake & Spray
Lemongrass and citronella are the star ingredients in this New England-made clean spray.

The PrimaFoodie Guide to Alternative Milk

Alternative milks, or “alt” milks, are seeing an unprecedented boon in popularity. Over the next several years, plant-based and nut-based milks are expected to triple in market size, reaching nearly $70 million by 2028. The reasoning is layered: Many are interested in learning toward a way of eating that is more focused on plants and less on animals, be it for ethical, wellness, or environmental reasons. Others find the dairy alternatives to be tastier. Wherever your interest may fall, the alt milk options today are vast, so we offer this breakdown of the popular—and quirkier—ones on the shelf.

Plus, keep reading for a breakdown of the most common additives to look out for.

 
Almond Milk

The longtime alt milk star, almond milk boasts a distinct nutty flavor. It is made by blending soaked almonds with water and sometimes sea salt. It is a beverage that requires nearly the most water (or the most, according to some experts) to produce.

Coconut Milk

There are two schools of coconut milk: The kind you find in a can and the kind you find in a carton or gallon in the refrigerated section. While both are made from the coconut, coconut milk is made from squeezing the liquid from the fruit’s internal meat. This results in a creamy liquid that is used in cooking, smoothies, lattes, and more. What is found in the can is a bit different: This is usually coconut water, the liquid found sloshing around the middle of a coconut, with a thick layer of natural coconut cream, the fattiest part of the coconut milk, on top. This canned coconut milk is generally meant to be mixed before using and is best for baking and cooking.

Pea Milk

Small yellow peas and water provide the basis for pea milk, which has been garnering great attention as of late. With a taste that is mildly earthy and chalky, it’s often touted by nutritionists for having a higher protein content compared to other plant-based milks. Pea milk tends to be a popular pick for those avoiding nuts.

Oat Milk

We’re seeing this alt milk pop up in cafés everywhere these days. Its thicker consistency and milder creamy flavor is believed to mimic the taste of real dairy. Oat milk is created by soaking rolled or steel-cut oats (recipes vary) with water, blending, then straining the mix. For those with gluten allergies, it is critical to make sure the oat milk you choose is made of certified gluten-free oats. 

Cashew Milk

Similar to its almond sister, cashew milk is made of soaking cashews in water and then blending it to a creamy consistency. (Oftentimes people will strain the blended mixture to rid any sediment.)  Cashew milk has a nuttiness that is milder than that of almond.

Brazil Nut Milk

A PrimaFavorite. Brazil Nut Milk is another sister to almond and cashew milks in terms of how it’s made: by soaking and blending the combination. But we have to say, Brazil Nut Milk is the creamiest of all nut milks. It’s high in antioxidant-rich mineral selenium, which helps to regulate body functions. 

Hemp Milk

Hemp milk is created by blending cannabis sativa, also known as hemp, seeds with water. Contrary to popular beliefs, there is no CBD in hemp milk. That’s because CBD is only present in the cannabis flowers and buds and not the seeds. 

Flax Milk

Flax Milk is made from grinding whole flax seeds and mixing them with water. Nutty and creamy, flax tends to be a favorite among people seeking an alt milk high in omega-3 fatty acids. 

 
Know Your Additives

It’s common to see the words alternative, plant-based, and dairy-free and automatically think healthy. But just like any food, alt milks fall victim to copious additives, nebulous labeling, and added sugars. Our suggestion? Make your own nut or plant-based milk, which is surprisingly easy and results in the creamiest consistency. (Watch our tutorial on how to make homemade Brazil Nut Milk.) But if you’re looking to grab one ready-made, it’s best to know the most common additives. 

Guar gum

You’ll find guar gum in everything from alt milks to sauces to dressings. It’s a common additive used as a thickening and binding agent to make for a creamier consistency. High in soluble fiber, guar gum has been linked to digestive issues.

Pea protein

Manufacturers have been incorporating pea protein to up the protein content in certain alt milks. (Since many nut- and plant-based milks are strained, the protein content is lower than when eating the full plant or nut.)

 
Tapioca starch

A long-time popular thickening agent, tapioca starch is made from turning tapioca into a chalky powder, which is then added to drinks, soups, desserts, and more.

Carrageenan

Derived from red seaweed, carrageenan is added to copious alt milks and other liquid foods for its ability to emulsify and thicken. It sounds innocuous, but carrageenan has been a topic of controversy for some time as experts link it to digestive ailments, inflammation, and other health concerns.

PrimaFoodie-Approved Alt Milks*

Malk Organics

Three Trees Original Unsweetened varieties

Elmhurst Unsweetened

Milkadamia Unsweetened

*At PrimaFoodie, we steer clear of oat milk, pea milk, and also rice milk, all of which tend to cause blood glucose spikes (and also commonly come laden with added sugar).