Spring offers a natural opportunity to refresh daily routines, starting with informed choices in personal care.
Simplify your routine by taking stock of your current products and prioritizing fewer, more intentional and transparent options.
Understanding certifications like B Corp empowers smart shopping.
Navigating "free from" claims empowers consumers to make choices aligned with their health and values.
As the days grow longer and nature awakens, spring offers the perfect opportunity to refresh. We clear out closets and swap heavy layers for lighter ones, but forget that the bathroom shelf is just as worthy of a second look. Personal care is one of those categories where options can feel endless but knowing what to look for can help you feel more confident about what you're choosing.
Start with what you already have
Before diving in, it's worth doing a quick check of what you already have. Check expiration dates. Toothpaste, deodorant and other daily staples may lose effectiveness over time.
And in many cases, the most intentional choice is simply using up what you already own before reaching for something new.
Take stock of your routine
Once you've checked expiration dates and confirmed everything is still good to use, take a closer look at what you have. Which of them are part of your daily routine? Which ones have been sitting untouched and taking up space? What ingredients are used in them? And are they free from the ingredients that are important for you to avoid?
This quick look can help you identify what's working, what's not and where it might be time to make a change, without overhauling everything at once.
Check the product — and the brand behind it
Once you know what you actually need, the next step is reviewing your options. As you evaluate a new product, consider not just what's in it, but the brand behind it — whether they are transparent about how they operate and the impact they have.
One of the clearest indicators of a brand's accountability is B Corp Certification, overseen by the nonprofit B Lab, which evaluates a company across governance, workers, customers, community and environment — and audits it every three years. This matters because it shows that a brand holds itself to a social and environmental standard, not just a product one.
Tom's of Maine is a certified B Corp and it's a distinction the brand takes seriously.
"Tom's of Maine's B Corp certification is a reflection of 50 years of deliberate choices," said Michelle Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good at Tom's of Maine. "From sourcing naturally derived ingredients to dedicating 10% of our annual profits to protecting nature, we hold ourselves to the high standards B Lab sets because we believe business should be a genuine force for good."
Navigating the meaning of "free from" claims
From there, labels can help you refine your decision even further. "Free from" claims communicate that a product has been intentionally formulated without specific ingredients. Think of them as cues to understand what a brand chooses to prioritize and how a product was made.
Brands like Tom's of Maine take a consistent approach, putting their ingredient philosophy into practice across everything they make — every product is free from artificial flavors, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
Ultimately, the goal is to know your own needs and preferences and choose based on what matters to you.
