The Switch Podcast with Andrea from Switch Natural

Ten-year-olds are walking into Sephora holding anti-aging serums, and Italy just launched a formal investigation into it. There's now a name for this trend: cosmeticorexia. In this episode I break down what's actually being marketed to our kids, what the research really says, and what you can do about it without the overwhelm. I'm Andrea Dahr, your non-toxic point person. I help women...

When Jenn Thatcher's son was diagnosed with a brain tumor, one of only 26 documented cases in the world, she went home and audited every "clean" product her family was using. What she found in her toothpaste and deodorant became the foundation for Zebra, a wellness brand built on custom formulations, third-party testing, and black and white ingredients. In this conversation, Jenn and...

The latest cosmetics legislation (MoCRA) was supposed to transform beauty safety in the U.S. But while we were all distracted during the 2025 holidays, the FDA quietly withdrew key safety rules from it. In this video, I’m breaking down the "MoCRA Betrayal" and the latest regarding Talc, PFAS, and Formaldehyde. IN THIS EPISODE• The Talc Rule Withdrawal: It's not just asbestos.• Teflon...

I was inspired to record this episode after witnessing the silencing of legitimate safety concerns about cosmetic ingredients. In this video, I share the shocking retraction from a major beauty publication plus glaring examples of how "Big Beauty" is shutting down safety questions in the name of science. In this episode, we’ll uncover: - The Truth about Parabens: Why the industry is burying years...

If you buy sunscreen, you need to listen to this. In late 2025, class-action lawsuits were filed alleging fraud in the sunscreen industry against brands like La Roche-Posay, Sun Bum, and Hawaiian Tropic. They claim the SPF numbers on the bottles are vastly higher than what the product actually provides. It's a consequence of systemic issues in the industry. In this episode, I’m explaining the scie...

In this episode, I'm connecting the dots on a critical, game-changing update about talc. This isn't just about the J&J asbestos lawsuits anymore, it's about a new EU classification that's banning the talc mineral  itself . There is a massive regulatory gap here, and it highlights a hard truth: we have to be our own regulators. I'm breaking down the recent $1 billion lawsuit, the EU's position...

In this episode I deconstruct what actually happens with cosmetic recalls, who is in charge, and why it's a phenomenon faced by companies of all sizes. I highlights specific cases like Banana Boat and Suave's benzene contamination and Suntegrity's proactive reformulation, giving you a clearer understanding of the recall process and its implications, and when you need to worry. Chapters: 00:00:00 I...

Fed up with working in a secretly toxic industry, founders Amanda Sichon and Seda Bilginer created their own 100% natural and fragrance brand, Esas NYC. In this episode, they reveal the inner workings of Big Fragrance and exactly why they left. Amanda and Seda share the toxic truths of fragrance including the lack of transparency and the health implications of widely used synthetic fragrance ingre...

This episode is all about the toxicity of polished nails and what you can do about it. You'll learn the basic components of nail polish, the potential health risks associated with certain chemicals, and why there is no truly clean nail polish. Walk away with practical alternatives and modifications to reduce exposure to toxins even if you're not ready to go cold turkey! Products mentioned:...

In this episode, Morgan shares her insights into the journey of launching Primal Kitchen. She details the challenges of entering Whole Foods and the realities of the food industry, including low margins and the importance of strong unit economics. The conversation highlights the significance of taking risks, embracing change, and the impact of personal experiences on professional growth. She discu...

Discussing the dangers of dry shampoo including aerosol propellants, benzene contamination, and the use of talc that can contain asbestos (which we are seeing less of thankfully!). I'm calling out the popular ones to avoid (the conventional and the clean washed), and sharing my personal favorite. I also share tips on how to get the best results using clean dry shampoo. Here's a link to my...

Want to know exactly how much toxins are in your body? Jenna Hua created a company to do just that. In this episode Jenna shares her story from being a frustrated dietitian to exploring the impact of environmental chemicals on health, including her own personal fertility journey -- all of which lead led to the founding of Million Marker. We discuss the pervasive issue of harmful chemicals in every...

“Before my daughter became ill, I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on skincare products—never once looking at the label.” In this episode, I’m joined by Andrea, the founder of my favorite skincare line, OY-L. She shares her journey from the fashion industry to creating a clean beauty brand and launching  Orange Rose Apothecary . Andrea discusses how her daughter’s health issues led her to qu...

Good nontoxic body lotions are hard to come but I break it all down in this short episode. I explain the composition of lotions, the importance of safe preservatives, and why I quit body lotions altogether for a number of years. Learn what body lotions to avoid at all costs and which one is my favorite! Kiss Kiss Goodnight Body Lotion, save on your first order with discount code SWITCH15 https://w...

When fashion designer Alexandra Ulmer discovered that baby blankets were made from plastic, she was inspired to create a healthy alternative. In this compelling conversation, she opens up about her personal health journey, including her struggles with chronic digestive issues, and reflects on her experiences working in knitwear for brands like Opening Ceremony and Nike. She discusses how she combi...

Highlighting the dangers of conventional mascaras, insights into identifying the toxic ones, as well as my top clean mascara picks. I call out the popular mascaras that are toxic along with those who call themselves clean but are not. With an emphasis on making informed choices for health and wellness, this short series will encourage you to switch to clean the easy way, one product at a time. Che...

Dr. Sandy Skotnicki is a leading expert and one of a handful of dermatologists in Canada with a subspecialty in allergic contact dermatitis and patch testing. We discuss allergens vs irritants, natural vs synthetic, the rise of sensitive skin issues, ingredient transparency, and the regulatory challenges within the beauty industry, particularly concerning fragrance and highlighting the need for be...

After a life changing parasite cleanse during COVID, Brianna did a complete health overhaul including switching out every last toxic beauty product. I've followed Brianna since she started as a clean beauty influencer, and she graces her community always with authenticity and kindness. Brianna shares her experience, including her health struggles and the transformative impact of adopting a clean l...

When several of my favorite clean product brands said how high the standards were to become Made Safe Certified, I knew I had to speak with the founder. Amy shares what prompted her to take a deeper look into product ingredients, and what led her to start Made Safe. We chat about what exactly makes our everyday products toxic, and how Made Safe is making a difference. Amy and I share similar value...

"It's joyful, and it's true, and it's quite beautiful to follow your heart and your instincts and change, and create the path that's just yours.” - Garance Dore OG blogger and influencer Garance Dore understands beauty needs to be clean. She takes us through her career journey from photographer to founder offering a behind the scenes look (as well as her personal take on) &quo...

After suffering from psoriasis that was incurable by all conventional methods including elimination diets, Jen finally found relief in using tallow. She then began creating all natural products on her farm in Florida. In this episode, she shares what life is like on the farm, the intricate process of soap-making, as well as tips on how to care for you skin using time-tested ingredients including h...

Aida's journey into researching the effects of toxic chemicals on health started during her first pregnancy. She realized how overwhelming it was to find products that would not expose her family to toxins. Aida founded 3 Little Plums to educate parents about the hazards of daily exposure to toxic chemicals. In this episode, Aida shares her personal journey and offers practical tips for famili...

After Tamara's children were acutely lead poisoned in 2005, she made it her life's work to educate about lead poisoning and consumer goods safety specifically through a scientific approach. Tamara not only details how and why lead poisoning occurs, but gives us actionable steps to take. You do not want to miss this incredibly important episode. Tamara is internationally recognized and has...

Master makeup artist and founder of RMS Beauty, Rose-Marie Swift details how it all began. She shares not only her beauty expertise but also her wisdom in wellness as a whole. She is as magnetic as she is talented, and I loved talking to her. This conversation was a blast! Walk away with a new appreciation of what makeup should be and takeaway practical makeup application tips that make all of the...

After observing his mother's skin issues from bed sheets during cancer treatment, Michele realized the harms of conventional textiles and wanted to find a natural alternative. He learned about traditional dyeing while in Japan and being intrigued by this, set out to create AIZOME. Given the significant impact on our bodies and the environment, his mission is to completely change the textile in...