The Swap Edit: Ingredient-Smart Beauty & Refined Rituals That Work

We all love a good ritual - the swipe of a gloss, the spritz of a mist, the tiny thrill of a new tube of toothpaste (yes, really). But when it comes to ingredient-smart beauty swaps, finding options that actually work (and look good) can be a mission. This isn’t that.

These are the thoughtfully formulated upgrades that made the cut in my real routine – the ones I keep reaching for because they feel good, look chic on the shelf, and most importantly? They work.

No preachy ingredient panic. Just some better-for-you options that you’ll actually want to use.

THE TOOTHPASTE EDIT

Grants of Australia Whitening + HA Natural Toothpaste

This is the minty-fresh mainstay that changed my oral care game. It’s free from fluoride and sulphates, but don’t mistake it for a basic swap. This formula is powered by Hydroxyapatite (HA) – a naturally occurring mineral that makes up our teeth and bones – known to remineralise enamel, strengthen teeth, and brighten your smile without sensitivity.

Add in baking soda for gentle stain removal, coconut oil to help fight bacteria, and a crisp, clean mint flavour that actually lasts. It’s the kind of swap you stick with – not because you should, but because it works.

We’re not gatekeeping good toothpaste. Grants’ Blueberry Burst and Strawberry Surprise Kids Toothpaste has the same clean credentials in a sweeter, kid-friendly formula – no fluoride, no SLS, no drama at bedtime.

Did you know? Hydroxyapatite is the very same mineral that forms our tooth enamel. Unlike fluoride, it restores and strengthens without irritation - and Grants uses a non-nano, vegan, allergen-free form that ticks all the boxes.

The Deodorant That Ended the Search

MyAura Pink Citrus Natural Deodorant

A fresh, citrusy scent that doesn’t make you smell like a salad – and it actually holds up on humid days. Palm oil-free, smooth on the skin, and completely unembarrassing to keep in your bag or bathroom drawer.

Did you know? Aluminium salts in traditional deodorants block sweat ducts - but they’re not the only way to stay fresh. Ingredient-savvy formulas now use magnesium, baking soda or zinc to neutralise odour, not your body’s natural rhythm.

Cleansing That Feels Like a Ritual

Weleda Makeup Removal Cleansing Oil

One pump melts it all – foundation, mascara, SPF, even the end-of-day mood. It’s rich and cushiony, never drying, and turns washing your face into something meditative.

Muslin Cloth + Warm Water

Old-school and underrated. I keep a fresh stack under the sink and use them to gently lift away oil and grime. Bonus: a little exfoliation, no product required.

Did you know? Oil cleansers latch onto sunscreen, makeup, and pollution like a magnet - no scrubbing required. It’s the first step in double cleansing, a ritual that leaves your skin balanced instead of stripped.

Mist Your Face, Mist the Room, Mist the Mood

Retreatment Botanics Collagen Calm Activated Mist

A few spritzes and I’m grounded again. Packed with native botanicals, this is skincare with soul. Extra points for being palm oil-free and founded by Trudi – one of my favourite people in beauty.

ML Botanics Cypress Blue Room Mist

Not your average air freshener. Think Australian bushwalk meets day spa. I spray it before guests arrive and always get asked what the scent is.

Did you know? Palm oil hides under more than 200 different names - from 'glyceryl stearate' to 'cetyl alcohol'. Retreatment Botanics is one of the few brands that commits to being completely palm oil-free (and calls out the issue publicly).

The Skin-Soother I Keep Coming Back To

Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil – Calendula.

This is one of those products I’ve restocked back to again and again. It’s calming, nourishing, and perfect when my skin’s feeling a little reactive. The calendula helps reduce visible redness, and the texture melts in – no heavy finish or greasy sheen. I press it in after cleansing or even mix a drop with foundation for that little extra calm.

Did you know? Jurlique has created The Conscious Code - highlighting their commitment to biodynamic farming, low-waste production and skin-first science. Jurlique grows its calendula on its own certified organic farm in South Australia, where it’s hand-harvested for maximum potency. It’s like farm-to-face skincare - minus the greenwashing.

The Ambience Edit

Everlasting Candle Co.

A flame without the waste. These minimalist metal candles are oil-based and refillable – no soot, no scent (unless you add one), and no need to toss anything out. Just light, warmth, and calm vibes. I keep one on my bathroom bench and light it while I’m doing my skincare – it makes the whole ritual feel that little extra special.

Gentle Beauty for Tweens and Teens

The next generation deserves better than harsh scrubs, synthetic fragrances and body sprays. These gentle, skin-supportive options are designed with younger skin in mind – simple, effective, and cool enough to actually get used.

Wildhood Deodorant + Hydrating Mist Duo

For tweens starting to build healthy hygiene habits, this duo is a dream. Aluminium and palm oil-free, the formulas are soft on skin and the branding is fun but not babyish – a great first foray into gentle personal care.

Mudie Cow Fragrance

No synthetic overload, no baby-pink glitter bombs. Mudie Cow makes fragrance for tweens that feels thoughtful, elevated, and age-appropriate. Created by a beauty insider and mother who couldn’t find anything that struck the right balance, these Australian-made scents are fragrance-free of the usual irritants (think: essential oils and synthetics) and designed to respect developing senses – and identities.

Choosing better doesn’t have to mean giving something up. These ingredient-conscious favourites are the ones I’ve stuck with and they make small moments feel good. And isn’t that what beauty’s really about?

Written by Jayde Balderston in Partnership with Grants and Images provided