How a DailyMail Editor Used Million Marker to Confirm Ruan Living’s 40-Day Home Detox Worked

When DailyMail Deputy Health Editor Alexa Lardieri received her first Million Marker urine test results, she was shocked: her levels of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS)—chemicals known to disrupt hormones—were 88% higher than the average American’s.

Despite already living fairly health-consciously, Alexa’s test revealed just how easy it is to accumulate toxic chemicals through everyday products.

So she put her body—and her home—to the test by joining Ruan Living’s 40-Day Home Detox, a step-by-step program designed to reduce toxic exposures from common household items. And 40 days later? Her BPA and BPS levels dropped to undetectable.

It was incredible to see my Million Marker test confirm that everything I did made a real impact, Alexa shared in Episode 107 of the Practical Nontoxic Living podcast.

What Is Million Marker?

Million Marker offers advanced at-home urine tests that measure exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, bisphenols, and benzene. The results compare your levels to national averages and provide personalized recommendations for reducing toxicants.

What Is Ruan Living’s 40-Day Home Detox?

Created by A to Z of D-Toxing author and environmental health expert Sophia Ruan Gushée, the 40-Day Home Detox is a pioneering online program that guides you through:

• Detoxing personal care products, diet, and kitchen items

• Swapping out toxic cleaning supplies

• Reducing exposure to plastic, synthetic fragrances, forever chemicals, and flame retardants

• Making informed furniture and textile purchases

• Identifying and limiting endocrine disruptors and carcinogens hiding in everyday life

• Ruan's signature detox method to balance joy and convenience with your Practical Nontoxic Lifestyle™

The program includes daily audio messages, email support, companion workbooks, Love Test Detox Stickers, and access to the Ruan Living app—all designed to help you take practical action without overwhelm.

Alexa’s Detox Results: Before & After

Alexa saw the biggest wins in her bisphenol and benzene levels. However, some phthalates increased slightly due to real-world challenges:

• Testing a new “natural” deodorant that contained hidden chemicals

• Using a deep-conditioning shampoo during the dry winter months

• Traveling frequently and being exposed to toxic hotel and airport environments

Despite these setbacks, the overall results were transformative—and gave her a deeper understanding of what works and what doesn’t when detoxing a modern lifestyle.

What Alexa Learned—and What You Can Do Too

Alexa’s biggest takeaways:

• Even informed consumers may unknowingly be exposed to harmful chemicals

• Tracking your detox progress with tools like Million Marker can be eye-opening

• You don’t need to be perfect—progress is measurable and empowering

“I feel so much more in control now,” Alexa said. “I’ve been telling my friends and family about this journey because it’s truly changed how I shop, how I travel, and how I think about home.”

Her next step? Detoxing her furniture and textiles—an often-overlooked source of toxins like flame retardants, formaldehyde, and PFAS. (Sophia will be releasing her Nontoxic Fabrics Checklist in the D-Tox Academy!)

Want to Detox Your Own Home?

Start with these powerful tools:

• Join Ruan Living's 40-Day Home Detox Program

• Learn More About Million Marker Urine Test

• Read A to Z of D-Toxing by Sophia Ruan Gushée

• Catch up on Episodes 86–89 to hear Alexa’s full detox journey (links below)

Resources Related To This Episode

• Episode 86. "What a Health Editor Discovered During Her 40-Day Home Detox (Part 1)"
• Episode 87. "How a Health Editor Turned 40-Day Home Detox Into a Team Effort With Her Husband (Part 2)"
• Episode 88. "Beyond the Detox: Expert Guidance for What Comes Next (Part 3)"
• Episode 89. "What 18 Years of Simplifying Nontoxic Living Has Taught Me: Interview with DailyMail’s Health Editor (Part 4)"
• Episode 67. Ruan Living's 40-Day Home Detox
• Episode 66. "Which toxins are in my body" with Million Marker founder, Jenna Hua
• Episode 105. "Toxic Textiles: Simple Steps to Detox the Fabrics in Your Home"