safeswap – Raising Clean

What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day (Hint: It’s Not a Mug)

May 3, 2025 raisingcleanLeave a comment

There’s a running joke among moms that every Mother’s Day gift is either a mug that says “Best Mom Ever” or a candle with a generic scent and a tag someone else filled out. And while we appreciate the sentiment (and yes, we are the best moms ever), most of us crave something much deeper:

Rest. Relaxation. And a moment to ourselves.

Let’s be honest — motherhood is the most beautiful, exhausting, emotionally-charged job on the planet. Whether you’re a mom of littles who hasn’t had an uninterrupted night’s sleep in years, or a seasoned mama still doing all the things for everyone around her, one universal truth stands: we are tired.

This year, instead of flowers that wilt or a brunch reservation that still requires wrangling toddlers, give the moms (and mothers of your children) in your life what they really want: a reason to exhale.

Introducing: The Mother’s Day Relaxation Bundle

Available now through May 11th (or while supplies last)

This limited-edition bundle is like a warm hug, a deep breath, and a “go take a nap” — all wrapped into one beautifully curated gift. It’s thoughtfully designed to support rest, relaxation, and radiant health from the inside out.

Here’s what’s inside:

🍫 3 Weeks of Chocolate Collagen

Yes, chocolate. This delicious, dairy-free collagen isn’t just a treat — it’s a functional beauty and wellness supplement designed to support skin, hair, joints, and gut health. Every mom deserves to glow from the inside out.

🌿 Unwind Jellies

Think of these as stress relief in a gummy. Infused with clean hemp and calming botanicals, Unwind Jellies help ease tension, support mood balance, and encourage those “I can breathe again” moments we all crave after a long day.

🌙 Sleep Jellies

Because counting sheep just isn’t cutting it. These jellies are packed with clean CBN to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling like a human (not a zombie).

😴 A Silky Sleep Mask

Light-blocking, ultra-soft, and surprisingly luxurious. It’s the finishing touch to create a peaceful bedtime routine that actually works — because let’s face it, most moms haven’t bought anything for themselves in months.

💰 And the Best Part?

It’s almost HALF OFF retail price and ships free — so you can gift generously without the guilt.

Whether you’re shopping for your mom, your sister, your spouse, or yourself (because, let’s be real, you deserve this), this bundle is the perfect way to say:

“You give so much. This is just for you.”

🌸 Don’t Wait

This bundle is only available through May 11th or while supplies last — and last year’s Mother’s Day specials sold out fast.

Let this be the year we stop asking moms what they want and start giving them what they actually need:
Better sleep. Less stress. And a little bit of chocolate.

👉 Grab the Mother’s Day Relaxation Bundle now prefilled shopping cart w/ $10 off for new clients!

Water in your Skincare?

July 10, 2024 raisingcleanLeave a comment

Let’s bust a beauty myth

Myth – a skincare product is not good/effective if water is the first or second ingredient

If you’ve heard that water should not be in skincare because it makes it less effective let me just tell you that I have found very few brands that do not use water in their products (including ones that claim to be waterless…) + I’d be much more concerned about a brand using toxins in their products than water, but that’s just me

The brand that has built itself on bashing companies for using water in their formula USES WATER… Sometimes it’s even the second ingredient. They also use fragrance (while claiming to be fragrance free). They claim to be organic without a single organic ingredient in their labels. Their brand is built on misleading consumers and tearing down other companies. It’s very sad. (This brand is Oliveda if you’re curious).

But let’s actually bust this myth…

Water is a crucial ingredient in skincare for several reasons:

Hydration: Water hydrates the skin, keeping it moist and supple. Proper hydration is essential for maintaining skin health and preventing dryness and flakiness.

Nutrient Delivery: Water helps deliver essential nutrients to skin cells, ensuring proper functioning and overall skin health.

Detoxification: Water helps flush out toxins from the skin, promoting a clear complexion and reducing the risk of breakouts.

pH Balance: Water helps maintain the skin’s natural pH balance, which is important for healthy skin function and protection against environmental stressors.

Cooling Effect: Water has a cooling effect on the skin, which can help soothe irritation and inflammation.

Enhanced Absorption: Water-based products can be absorbed more easily into the skin, allowing for better penetration of beneficial ingredients.

Overall, water is an essential ingredient in skincare products and plays a key role in maintaining healthy, radiant skin.

I hope this post helps clear up a common misconception!

Here’s to safe, healthy skincare!

If you liked this post, make sure you join my wellness community -> https://www.facebook.com/share/VwtiHeNLmwiS7AZQ/

If you want to try my favorite skincare brand that has the best ingredients + best performance + is eco-friendly shoot me a message here for a custom recommendation & link ->
M.me/Jessie.rae.31

My Newest Adventure

July 6, 2024 raisingcleanLeave a comment

I still don’t know how it happened honestly…

I just wanted to feel better so I ordered some products. And I started to feel better.

I wanted to help my daughter so I gave her some and her life completely changed.

I felt pulled to share my experiences with others so I decided to grab a link to be able to do that. I never intended for it to be anything big.

Five months later I’ve been one rank below leadership for two months in a row, I’ve gotten over 80 orders totaling over $8,000, sold over 175 products, and earned more than I thought I would or even planned to, and I…

EARNED A FREE TRIP

I wasn’t even going for the trip. It wasn’t even on my radar. But my passion, my excitement it somehow brought me here.

Man what a freaking ride. I can’t wait to see who comes along with me for the second half of the year.

everything I did to get here? I teach the people who trust me enough to join me

For info about partnering with me -> https://boards.com/a/rlJn5.O5nBEa

For content all around health and wellness, join my FB community -> https://www.facebook.com/share/3GALbwncUKGqvrBs/

Stay healthy!

Jess

Slay your Sleep Struggles

April 3, 2024 raisingcleanLeave a comment

Safe Swaps for Melatonin

I have always struggled with sleep. So, I’ve tried A LOT of safe sleep aid products.

I have a really hard time turning my brain off at night so it takes me a LONG time to fall asleep. I’m also a light sleeper, so little things wake me, and then I have trouble falling back asleep. I’ve been learning about the importance of sleep lately and the effects sleep deprivation have on your daily life and it’s pretty scary. The more “sleep debt” you have, the less executive function you have during the day. This means it’s harder to make decisions, think, and function as a human… Lack of sleep can even increase your risk of dying earlier than those who get enough sleep. Sleep is truly not something to be taken lightly. But, neither are the long term side effects of Melatonin. Despite my very serious sleep struggles, I would not touch melatonin. So, what are some safe alternatives? I’m glad you asked!

What I’ve used for the kids and/or myself:

Lavender Essential Oil – rolled on bottom of feet and/or back of neck

Earthley’s Sleepy Time Tincture – dropped in mouth

Earthley’s Goodnight Lotion – rubbed on tummy and legs

Organic Tart Cherry Juice – consumed during the day

Epsom Salt baths before bed – in bath

Green Compass Sleep Boost – taken orally

Green Compass Sleep Jellies – consumed before bed (would recommend for age 2+ starting with 1/4 jelly)

Green Compass Full Spectrum Nano Jellies – consumed before bed (would recommend for age 5+ starting with 1/4 jelly)

My thoughts/experiences:

Lavender oil used on Willow – Noticed no improvement

Earthley’s Sleepy Time Tincture – Noticed no improvement for Willow. Helps me fall and stay asleep a little bit. Helps Adeline fall and stay asleep as far as I can tell.

Eathley’s Goodnight Lotion – Noticed no improvement for Willow. Adeline loves it. Does nothing for me.

Organic Tart Cherry Juice – Noticed no improvement for Willow.

Epsom Salt baths before bed – Noticed no improvement for sleeping but does help calm both kids and make bedtime routine easier.

Green Compass Sleep Boost – Helps me fall and stay asleep more than the Earthly tincture but not as well as the jellies.

Green Compass Sleep Jellies – These work amazingly. They are my favorite thing I’ve used for myself. These help me sleep the best of anything I’ve tried. I fall asleep faster and stay asleep ALL NIGHT!

Green Compass Full Spectrum Nano Jellies – These also work amazingly. They knock me out really fast and put me into a DEEP sleep. If you want a really good, restorative deep sleep, these are for you.

Links (it means the world to my family when you use my links to shop!):

Earthley – https://earthley.com/ref/dericoj/

Cherry Juice –https://amzn.to/3SUFwKI

Green Compass – https://jessicaderico.greencompassglobal.com/share/573327

*the Green Compass link gets you $10 off your first order*

Hydroquinone

August 27, 2023 raisingcleanLeave a comment

Hydroquinone is a topical skin-lightening agent commonly used to treat skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, and certain types of dark spots. It works by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.

A nutrition company known for being clean and toxin free recently posted “Must have skincare ingredients” which is interesting because they don’t carry skincare and after seeing this post it’s clear that skincare is not in their wheelhouse. Which is fine, but maybe don’t share must have ingredients because one they shared, Hydroquinone, is very toxic…

A couple of benefits of Hydroquinone are:

Effective Skin Lightening: Hydroquinone is considered one of the most effective ingredients for lightening dark spots and evening out skin tone.
Treatment of Melasma: Melasma is a common skin condition that causes dark patches on the face. Hydroquinone is often prescribed to help fade these patches.

But… are the benefits worth the risks?

For me, it’s a hard no.

Check out this chart that compares Hydroquinone with Crunchi’s Brightening Complex Technology and let me know your thoughts below!

http://ltl.is/sky3rcd

Like what you see here? Make sure to join my clean living community over on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean/

We have an awesome promo coming this week for anyone who is ready to detox their makeup and/or skincare, info will be shared in the Facebook group!

Mother’s Day

April 27, 2023 raisingcleanLeave a comment

Give the gift of Clean Beauty this Mother’s Day!

Whether you have a mother figure you are looking for something special for or you’re a mom and want to treat yourself or give a great idea to a spouse or child, what gift is more special than clean beauty. It is a way to feel beautiful, practice self care, and it doesn’t cause you harm or disrupt your hormones like other makeup and skincare out there!

So, I present to you… our Mothers Day Offers!

Available through May 14th – or while supplies last!

Daylight & Nightlight Facial Cream Bundle w/ a complimentary Crunchi Spa Headband

Advocate Price: $91.20

Client Retail Price: $114

Everluxe® Lip Crayon in Limited Edition shade, Sienna Red

Advocate Price: $22.40

Client Retail Price: $28

Everluxe® Lip Crayon in Limited Edition shade, French Mauve

Advocate Price: $22.40

Client Retail Price: $28

Limited Edition Lip Dream Duo ( Lip Scrub + Lip Treatment )

Advocate Price: $33.60

Client Price: $38 – (Retail $42 – $4 savings!)

Special Client Bundle

Snag all four of the offers and receive special 20% off – making this deal just $175 PLUS free shipping!

If you are ready to make the change to clean beauty and/or skincare this link will get you entered to win a free facial essence + half priced coupons! You also get $10 off your first $50 order using this link if you are new to Crunchi!

http://Crunchi.com/Jessicaderico/event/36077

And… if those Advocate prices look good to you, just click Get Involved then Advocate Enrollment to choose the best discounted kit for you, start getting 20% off your orders immediately, and get an affiliate link to share with others and make 20-40% in commission!

(Make sure you see shopping with Jessica DeRico in the top right corner to be entered to win rewards)

Ditch & Switch: Lipgloss

November 8, 2021 raisingcleanLeave a comment

Why do safe swaps matter when it comes to lip products?

Many lipglosses contain:

•Parabens

•Lake Dyes & FD&C Colorants

•Fragrance

•Flavor/Unspecific Flavor/”Natural Flavor”

•Propylene Glycol

•Formaldehyde Releasers (e.g., Diazolidinyl Urea)

•Petrolatum

•BHT

•Octinoxate

•Phenoxyethanol

•Mineral oil

Not ours!

Do you prefer a creamy, non-sticky lipgloss to a thick, gooey gloss? Because if so, you’re in for a treat when you try my fave!

These lipglosses are loaded with nourishing oils like organic castor, coconut, jojoba, sunflower & olive oils, plus the oh-so nourishing cocoa butter! Most smell like cupcakes, except the Transparency and brand new Mulberry Mint which have organic peppermint but you’ll only find vanilla plantifolia fruit or organic peppermint oil and NO artificial fragrances!

It’s ultra-glossy and non-sticky! All-vegan, nourishing, long-lasting, and moisturizing. It glides on effortlessly with a no greasy feel. You all will fall in loooove

Definitely give some care and attention to the lip products you use, ladies! Most women consume several pounds of lip products throughout their lifetime So make sure what you’re putting ON your body is what you feel comfortable putting IN your body

Want more info on these high quality, toxin free products? Reach out to me or hop over to our wellness community on Facebook where there’s ton of info plus ways to save $$ on products! –> https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean

• • Safe Swap • •

August 1, 2021August 1, 2021 raisingcleanLeave a comment

You may not know this, but in 2015 I actually worked at Bath and Body works. I had a ton of their products and that Christmas every single present I bought was from that store. This legitimately hurts my heart to think about. I just didn’t know then what I know now.

So, let’s talk lotions today. I’ve never been someone who uses hand lotion specifically, but body creams and such are what I always used on my hands as well. One of my favorites was the French Lavender and Honey from Bath and Body Works. They are SO good at marketing these to look and sound so lovely and innocent. But when you look at the ingredient label you will find several 🚫 toxic ingredients…

🚫 Petrolatum, 🚫 Fragrance (Parfum), 🚫 Tetrasodium EDTA, 🚫 Disodium EDTA, 🚫 BHT, 🚫 Diazolidinyl Urea, 🚫 Methlyparaben, 🚫 Propylparaben, 🚫 Red 4, 🚫 Red 33, 🚫 Yellow 5

Sadly, you will find these ingredients in most conventional lotions. They come with a slew of potential health issues according to the EWG such as:

organ system toxicity

Endocrine disruption

Enhanced skin absorption

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Contamination concerns

Biochemical or cellular level changes

Ecotoxicology

I think I’ll pass…

OR you can switch to my favorite, which is:

🌻 Made with raw ingredients

🇺🇸 Made in the USA

🌿 Toxin- free

I feel good supporting another small business and it feels like heaven on my skin!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/548888097/mermaid-body-butter-organic-moisturize?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=skin+foodie&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&organic_search_click=1&bes=1

For all of my safe swaps, make sure you join the wellness community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean

Ditch & Switch •• Shave Gel/Cream

July 4, 2020 raisingcleanLeave a comment

Who uses a shaving cream or gel?! ❤️❤️

I personally have never been able to use a shaving cream as I always broke out in horrible razor burn every time I tried. But, when I used regular body wash my legs would itch and itch SO badly. I FINALLY found a solution in my toxin free Gentle Cleansing Bar and it is all I will ever use to shave my legs now. The gentle soap moisturizes my legs while shaving so I have zero itch after shaving for the first time in my dang life!

Chances are, you’ll use shaving products every day or every week for decades of your life. Even if it takes just two or three minutes to shave every day, this amounts to around a thousand hours of exposure to whatever chemicals are in those products or more if you use toxic aftershave or lotion after shaving.

👩🏻‍💻 I used some market research to look into some ingredient lists… Out of three women who shared what they’re using, two contained harmful substances including but not limited to:

❌ Phenoxyethanol ➔ A member of the glycol ether family and is the product of the reaction of highly corrosive phenol with carcinogenic ethylene oxide. As a result, it may contain residue amounts of both. The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists phenoxyethanol as one of its core allergens, even in concentrations as low as 1%.

❌ Fragrance ➔ A chemical mixture of over 3k components used to create or mask a specific scent. The FDA does not require the disclosure of individual ingredients used to create fragrances. Many ingredients of fragrances are associated with contact allergy and may contain diethyl phthalate.

❌ Propylene glycol ➔ It is a controversial ingredient associated with skin irritation. Numerous patch tests on humans have shown that it has a very low risk of causing a skin reaction even at concentrations as high as 20%.

❌ Petrolatum ➔ There is strong evidence that mineral oil hydrocarbons are the greatest contaminant of the human body, amounting to approximately 1 g per person. There have been studies done on women post delivery and scientists have found these contaminants in breast milk as well! -> The scariest of these possible contaminants is called 1,4 dioxane, an impurity found in 22 percent of all petroleum-based cosmetics that is a known human and animal carcinogen.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙎 𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣!

One awesome gal shared that she uses Dr. Bronner’s Shave Gel and it passes with flying colors

✅ Lots of organic ingredients

✅ Toxin free

I personally have only ever had success with my favorite Gentle Facial Bar. It is the first time in my life that my legs don’t itch after I shave and has been a literal god send.

✅ Lots of organic ingredients

✅ Toxin free

✅ RSPO certified sustainable palm oil

✅ Vegan

✅ Zero Waste

✅ Cruelty Free

✅ Made in the USA

PS – have a safe swap request? Drop it below!

To learn more about the gentle cleansing bar I mentioned and get access to half priced and free products, you’ll want to hop over to my community on FB 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean/ ❤️ I’ll see you over there!

Fur babies deserve safe products too

June 9, 2020 raisingcleanLeave a comment

Obviously I talk a lot about safe products for women, the men in our lives, and the children in our lives, but what about our fur babies? Bronté often has issues with her paw and I’m always looking for things to do to help it heal and feel better for her. This past time we did lots of Epsom Salt baths and apple cider vinegar soaks but it had me thinking about safe animal products.

So, I stumbled upon this company on instagram and thought it was definitely worth sharing. It is called Natural Dog Company and the post mentioned 100% organic products, so obviously I wanted to do some digging to see if it was greenwashed or not.

I’m ordering the Paw Soother, PawTection, and Skin Soother for my pups. Check out the ingredients:

Ingredients

Paw Soother | Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Mango Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Hempseed Oil, Organic Jojoba, Candelilla Wax, Calendula, Cajeput, Chamomile, Natural Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract

PawTection | Organic Mango Butter, Organic Rice Bran Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Carnauba Wax, Sunflower Wax, Candelilla Wax, Natural Vitamin E, Ylang Ylang, Benzoin, Lavender, Rosemary

Skin Soother | Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Safflower Oil, Candelilla Wax, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Organic Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, Myrrh, Vetiver, Organic Niaouli, Benzoin, Natural Vitamin E

So much better than the other creams I’ve found for itchy paws that contain ingredients such as:

❌ Propylene Glycol

❌ Petroleum

❌ EDTA

❌ Diazolidinyl Urea

❌ Fragrance

If you’re not sure why those ingredients are bad or you just want to continue learning about living a more toxin free life, please join my wellness community on FB -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean/ 🌱🌱