My interest in sustainability and ingredient awareness became deeply personal through my own health journey. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33, I began looking more closely at the everyday exposures we often don’t think twice about — from personal care products to cleaning supplies to the materials we use throughout our homes.

During treatment, my oncology team shared a number of pre-vetted, research-based resources, and I spent time exploring information through trusted medical libraries and evidence-informed sources. That foundation was incredibly helpful, and it opened the door to learning more about how ingredients are regulated, what standards exist, and where gaps remain.

From there, I continued to educate myself more deeply — not through social media trends or influencer-driven advice, but through reputable organizations, scientific literature, and established safety databases.

What I discovered was both eye-opening and, at times, overwhelming: many products on the shelf are not regulated as strictly as most consumers assume, and navigating safer choices often requires more personal research than it should.

That realization is what inspired me to create this guide — a grounded place to share what I’ve learned, highlight trustworthy standards, and help others make choices that feel empowering, realistic, and aligned with their values.