Your clean tallow-based sunscreen could be attracting sharks and damaging pool filtration systems.

In today's Ask Me Anything episode, I'm answering a question that's been flooding my DMs since I shared my thoughts on tallow-based sunscreens while at the beach in San Diego. While I absolutely love PrimallyPure's new regenerative, organic tallow-based SPF for hiking and outdoor activities, there are two specific situations where I wouldn't use this type of sunscreen.

First, let's talk about the ocean. Sharks have an incredible sense of smell, especially when it comes to animal fats. During shark season when great whites migrate past the California coast, the last thing I want to do is slather myself in tallow and go surfing at dawn or dusk when attacks are more likely. Yes, shark attacks are rare, but why take an unnecessary risk when there are plenty of other clean mineral sunscreen options?

The second issue is chlorinated pools. Tallow is not water-soluble, so it separates from pool water, floats on top, and accumulates in filtration systems and piping, just like pouring cooking oil down your drain. This can seriously damage pool equipment and interfere with chlorine's ability to sanitize the water, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Whether it's a public pool or your own backyard, tallow-based sunscreens and chlorinated water don't mix.

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• Why sharks are attracted to animal fats and when this matters most

• How tallow sunscreens can damage pool filtration systems and piping

• The difference between regenerative organic tallow and commercial tallow

• When tallow-based sunscreens are actually perfect (hiking, laying out, outdoor activities)

• Why sourcing matters when choosing animal fat-based skincare products

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Shop the 2025 Clean Sunscreen Guide

Free: Top 25 Toxins to Avoid

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Your "all mineral" sunscreen might be lying to you, and the loophole manufacturers are using is completely legal.

In this short but crucial episode, I'm exposing a sneaky sunscreen ingredient called butyloctyl salicylate that's being slipped into mineral sunscreens. Still, these products are still allowed to market themselves as "all mineral!" This chemical UV filter doesn't have to be listed in the active ingredients section, so it's hiding in plain sight in the inactive ingredients list, and most people have no idea it's there.

The truth is, if you've been diligently checking only the active ingredients section like I've taught you before, you're missing this toxic ingredient that's basically the same as octisalate, which is already on my avoid list for being an endocrine disruptor. Now you need to check both the active AND inactive ingredients sections to make sure you're getting truly clean sun protection.

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• Why butyloctyl salicylate is just octisalate in disguise

• How manufacturers are convincing brands to use this sneaky ingredient

• Why checking only active ingredients isn't enough anymore

• My updated 2025 sunscreen guide with truly clean options

EPISODE RESOURCES

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Free: Top 25 Toxins to Avoid

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Things change too quickly to be using an outdated list of ingredients to avoid!

In today's episode, I'm breaking down the brand new 2025 update to my most popular freebie - the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid guide. After a year of feedback from my Toxin Free in Three students and watching new trends emerge in the beauty industry, I've made crucial updates that every clean living enthusiast needs to know about.

The biggest changes include a new UV sunscreen ingredient that's sneakily appearing in "all mineral" products, an expanded "use with caution" list that addresses bio-individual needs, and a completely new section on microplastics and liquid plastics!

But this isn't just about adding more ingredients to avoid. It's about creating a more nuanced, practical approach to clean living that doesn't rely on fear-mongering or clickbait. Most importantly, I'm addressing the core issue plaguing the non-toxic space: the lack of clear standards and informed consent.

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• The new UV sunscreen ingredient appearing in "clean" products (and why it matters)

• Why some ingredients deserve caution but not complete avoidance

• The truth about microplastics in cosmetics and their real impact

• How to practice discernment in the fear-based clean beauty space

• Why informed consent should be the foundation of your clean living journey

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Mentioned in this episode:

Wyld Notes

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Your polyester pajamas are literally plastic, and they're affecting your hormones, fertility, and skin health in ways you never imagined.

In today's conversation with Michel, founder of Aizome Textiles, we dive deep into the toxic reality of the modern textile industry. Aizome is one of the only 100% organic cotton, plant-dyed textile companies!

From the 10,000+ unregulated chemicals used in clothing production to the microplastics flooding our oceans, the fashion industry has created a health crisis that most people don't even realize they're experiencing.

The science is clear: polyester clothing has been shown to dramatically decrease testosterone and fertility in men, with effects reversing only after months of removing synthetic fabrics.

Meanwhile, synthetic dyes made from the same petroleum-based chemicals as plastic are causing contact dermatitis in 70% of people with sensitive skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Even "clean" laundry detergents can't remove the bacterial buildup that creates that distinctive smell in polyester clothing.

But there's hope. In this episode, Michael shares practical steps for transitioning to safer textiles, starting with the items that matter most: bedding (since you spend 8 hours a day in contact with sheets), underwear, and daily-wear items. Plus, learn about the regulatory landscape and how consumer demand is finally driving change in this massive industry.

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• Why polyester clothing is linked to decreased fertility and hormone disruption

• The 10,000+ chemicals used in textile production (most completely unregulated)

• How synthetic dyes cause skin reactions in 70% of people with contact dermatitis

• Practical steps for transitioning to non-toxic clothing and bedding

• Why washing new clothes multiple times is crucial for sensitive individuals

Shop the episode:

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Your clean living journey doesn't have to be perfect to be valid, and this conversation proves it.

In today's episode, I'm teaming up with my "woo woo bestie," Suzy to tackle the elephant in the room: the elitism and perfectionism that's plaguing the toxin-free community. Suzy represents the majority of well-intentioned consumers in the US. She's slowly making clean swaps, one by one, but she's still working on a budget and holding on to a few things others might deem "toxic."

Meanwhile, I literally packed my own clean sheets on a trip to Bali (where my bag was weighed, might I add). Listen, we all weigh our priorities and make decisions accordingly. You don't have to go from 0 to 100 in your toxin free journey, and anyone that makes you feel like a failure for having one or two toxins in your cabinet is probably a hypocrite.

Through honest stories about our "incident" on a bus in Bali, Suzy's eye-opening experience cleaning with conventional products in an Airbnb, and the reality of budget constraints, we're exposing how shame-based messaging is actually pushing people away from making healthier choices. The conversation gets real about accessibility, with discussions about food deserts, Title I schools, and the controversy around better-but-not-perfect products.

Most importantly, we celebrate the small wins that actually matter: choosing phenoxyethanol over BHT, switching from Bath & Body Works to Attitude products, or simply reading ingredient labels for the first time. Bottom line: If 96% of Americans chose the "better" option at Target instead of the worst option, companies would be forced to reformulate.

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• Why the "all or nothing" mentality is harming the clean living movement

• How budget constraints and accessibility issues affect product choices

• The difference between reproductive toxins and "imperfect" ingredients

• Why celebrating small improvements creates lasting change

• How to support your body naturally without expensive devices

Thank you for supporting Toxin Free(ish)

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Mentioned in this episode:

Wyld Notes

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Your skincare brand might claim to be "clean," but EvanHealy is taking it to an entirely new level with regenerative organic certification.

In this conversation with Jamie Burkhalter, holistic aesthetician and herbal formulator at EvanHealy, we dive deep into the revolutionary concept of regenerative organic certified skincare. While many brands focus on organic ingredients, EvanHealy is pioneering a movement that goes beyond basic sustainability. They strive to actively heal the soil, support farming communities, and create products with unprecedented potency and purity.

The difference between organic and regenerative organic is striking. It's not just about avoiding pesticides, but about farming practices that enhance soil health, prevent erosion, and create more nutrient-dense plants. Jamie explains how EvanHealy works directly with farmers across the globe. From Morocco to Ghana, creating transparent supply chains that honor both the land and the people who tend it. This approach results in products like their whipped shea butter, which maintains its therapeutic properties through careful processing techniques.

In this episode, we also unveil Evan Healy's latest innovation - their Irish Sea Moss and Tremella Mushroom Hydrosol Cream - and discuss why their commitment to regenerative practices creates skincare that's not just clean but truly transformative. Whether you're a skincare enthusiast or just beginning your clean beauty journey, you'll gain a deeper understanding of why how your products are grown matters just as much as their ingredient list.

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• The crucial difference between organic and regenerative organic certification

• Why melting shea butter destroys its therapeutic properties (and what to do instead)

• How Evan Healy maintains direct relationships with farmers around the world

• The science behind why regeneratively grown plants create more effective skincare

• Details about their groundbreaking new hydrosol cream featuring mushroom extracts

Get 20% off all evanhealy products (always!)

Shownotes

That cancer warning on your favorite protein powder might actually be proof it's the cleanest option in your pantry. I'm pulling back the curtain on the Just Ingredients lawsuit that's been blowing up your social feeds and covering why it might actually prove they're one of the good guys.

California's Prop 65 warnings have created a bizarre reality where companies using real, organic ingredients get penalized while synthetic alternatives fly under the radar. As an environmental attorney, I'll break down why Just Ingredients chose to stick with whole foods rather than switch to artificial flavors, even when faced with legal challenges.

By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped to see through the social media outrage and make truly informed choices about your supplements, staying "informed but not afraid" in this confusing wellness landscape.

• The truth behind California's Proposition 65 warnings and what they actually mean

• Why whole food supplements might trigger warning labels while synthetic ones don't

• The difference between naturally occurring trace elements and dangerous contamination

• How Just Ingredients maintains transparency through rigorous testing protocols (see their press release here)

• Why I still trust these products for my own family despite the controversy

Episode Resources

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Get 10% off Just Ingredients with code WENDYKATHRYN

After 18 years of debilitating migraines, I discovered that synthetic fragrances were the hidden trigger my doctors never mentioned.

When I recently experienced my first severe migraine in over a decade after returning from Bali, I immediately knew what to do. And guess what? It didn't involve medication that had previously damaged my gut and liver!

Here's what actually worked for me:

👉🏻I started with super-hydrating water packed with electrolytes and magnesium

👉🏻put a drop of peppermint oil on the roof of my mouth (game-changer for nausea!)

👉🏻diffused M Grain essential oil blend to calm my nervous system.

👉🏻When that wasn't enough, I grabbed my ice mask, rolled Deep Relief on my hairline, laid on my acupressure mat, and finished with a session of red light therapy. The result? I woke up completely migraine-free with zero brain fog.

In this episode, I break down exactly what I did to combat my worst migraine in years, why it worked, and how you can create your own holistic migraine toolkit. Whether you're a chronic sufferer or experience occasional headaches, you'll learn practical, natural alternatives to medications that address the root causes rather than just masking symptoms.

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• How synthetic fragrances and other toxins can trigger migraines

• The power of peppermint essential oil for immediate relief

• Why specialized tools like ice masks and acupressure mats make a difference

• How red light therapy reduces inflammation and migraine pain

• The importance of proper hydration with electrolytes and magnesium

Episode Resources:

• Discount Links to all the products I mentioned
• 10% off Titanium Pro Pans with code WENDY10