Living Non-Toxic: The Power of Natural Ingredients in Your Home-part one

Growing up, we were never told that the bag holding our sandwich at lunchtime was bad for us, or that the cup filled with a cold treat from Sonic was actually toxic. I never woke up and got dressed thinking the clothes I was wearing could give my body false energy. We weren’t worried about the air inside our home as we lit every Bath & Body Works candle in sight.

We ate cereal and frozen pizza and those cosmic brownies without a second thought. We devoured birthday cake loaded with food dyes and high fructose corn syrup. But that was, quite literally, a different time.

Hi, I’m Erin Davis, and I want to share with you why non-toxic living isn’t just a trend—it’s genuinely important for living a long and healthy life.

I was born in 1995, which means I grew up in the early 2000s. And whether we want to believe it or not, the food and product industries have changed drastically since then. When I met my husband, I wasn’t exactly “awake” to the world of toxins and microplastics. He helped open my eyes and shared knowledge I didn’t even know I needed.

And as I started learning, I realized just how much our society doesn’t know about proper health and real wellness. Living non-toxic isn’t a fad—it’s about returning to our beginnings and living the way God designed and nature intended.

At Rooted & Natural Co., we’re always striving to help people get back to the basics of non-toxic living. We genuinely value health and the overall wellness of individuals and families, and that’s why we put so much care into making products that are as natural and clean as possible. One thing we’re really thankful for is being able to keep our prices fair. Compared to bigger natural brands—like Earthley, Rowe Casa Organics, Primally Pure, and others—we’re able to offer similar types of products at a more reasonable price.

Our ingredients may differ from company to company, but our formulas are created with just as much intention and work beautifully for what they’re designed to do. So while other companies may offer similar products, what we make is uniquely ours. Our formulas, our approach, and our pricing all tie back to our mission: promoting non-toxic living and all-natural ingredients for your skin, your body, and your home. That’s really the heart behind Rooted & Natural Co.

One of the biggest defining issues in the world of non-toxic living is the difference between natural and synthetic ingredients. Most people either don’t know the difference or don’t think much about it—but once you understand it, it becomes the key to choosing what you do (and don’t) want to use on your skin or in your home. The problem is, it can feel confusing. So let’s break it down.

Natural ingredients are exactly what they sound like—they come from nature. Plants, minerals, beeswax, essential oils, herbs, clays, tallow… the list goes on. They’re harvested, cleaned, and processed in ways that keep them as close to their original form as possible. They’re not broken down or chemically altered to the point where their natural benefits disappear.

Why are natural ingredients preferred?
Because they don’t usually contain added chemicals. Instead, they’re full of naturally occurring compounds that actually nourish the skin. They’re easier to recognize on a label, they work with the body instead of against it, and many of them are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that support healing and hydration. Pretty amazing, right?

Of course, using natural ingredients also means working with nature—they can vary based on season or sourcing, and some people may have sensitivities to certain plants or essential oils. But overall, natural ingredients tend to be gentler, more nourishing, and more familiar to the body.

Synthetic ingredients, on the other hand, are the exact opposite. They don’t come from nature—they’re created in a lab. Some are designed to mimic natural ingredients, and others have no natural equivalent whatsoever. These include artificial fragrances, preservatives, silicones, dyes, and chemical stabilizers.

Why do synthetics exist?
Mainly because they’re inexpensive to produce and offer consistency in color, texture, and scent. Many synthetic ingredients are created for longer shelf life—not for the health of your skin. They can be irritating or disruptive, especially for sensitive skin, and certain synthetic fragrances and parabens have been linked to hormone disruption, inflammation, and long-term skin concerns.

And while synthetic ingredients may feel nice for a moment, they don’t always provide true nourishment. They often sit on top of the skin, creating the illusion of softness without actually improving anything underneath.

So what’s the real difference?
Natural ingredients support the skin. Synthetic ingredients simply coat it.

If your goal is to work with your body and support your overall health, choosing natural ingredients is one of the simplest and most powerful places to start.

Once again, this is why we only use natural ingredients in our products at Rooted & Natural Co. For example, our beeswax candles are made from raw beeswax, coconut oil, and organic essential oils. We do not use synthetic fragrances.

Most store-bought candles—yes, including Bath & Body Works—are made with paraffin wax and artificial fragrances. They release things into the air that aren’t good for your lungs over long periods of time. And you might be thinking, “No, surely not my Bath & Body Works candles?”

Sorry sis… those are exactly the ones I’m talking about! And trust me, I get it. I used to buy them all the time—especially around the holidays. But once I learned what I’m sharing with you now, I couldn’t go back in good conscience. I haven’t stepped foot in a Bath & Body Works in over a year, maybe two. And I don’t regret it.

It’s why we stick with beeswax and coconut oil in our candles.

Beeswax is such a powerhouse ingredient. When it burns, it releases negative ions that help pull dust, pollen, and other tiny particles out of the air. Instead of adding more junk into your home, beeswax actually helps clean the air while it burns. And it does all of this without adding soot, without fake scents, and without giving you headaches. Simple. Natural.

We carry this theme into everything we make—from our body balms to our lip balms and even our new herbal tea blends. We want to help you support your body, not work against it.

I could go on and on about this because natural ingredients show up in so many of the things we make, but I’ll save the rest for the next post. This stuff deserves its own space, and honestly, it’s a lot easier to take in when we break it up piece by piece.

So for now, just know this: even something as simple as switching to a natural beeswax candle can make a real difference in your home. It’s one small step toward cleaner living… and sometimes that’s exactly where the journey starts.

More to come soon as we keep diving into this topic and exploring how natural ingredients show up in everyday things like balms, teas, and other products you use without even thinking about it.